Hennessey House Bed and Breakfast

Hennessey House B&B is a wonderful place to relax. Reconnect with your love, with the beauty that surrounds you, with your inner peace. Indulge in the pleasures of wine, food, art and natural beauty. Stroll to restaurants, shops, theaters, the Wine Train, and the Opera House. Vineyards and wineries are just a short drive away.

All of our Napa Valley bed and breakfast rooms include a full gourmet breakfast, free high-speed wireless Internet access, afternoon refreshments, evening wine & cheese, and use of our facilities including the sauna and garden. We have three types of rooms: Carriage House Rooms, Specialty Rooms and Elegant & Intimate Rooms.

Dr. Edwin Hennessey built Hennessey House in 1889.
It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

History

The Hennessey family migrated to Napa from Illinois via Indiana. Dr. Hennessey was a successful physician noted for pioneering the use of x-rays in the State of California. In addition he served on the board of the Napa Valley Veterans' Home and the Napa State Hospital. Dr. Hennessey also served as mayor of Napa for one term. The Hennessey's original mortgage can be seen on the living room wall.
The house changed ownership only a few times. It remained a private residence throughout most of the 1900's. In 1985, Robert E. Pitner converted Hennessey House to a bed and breakfast. He also owned the historic Joseph Matthew's Winery next door. Later, that magnificent stone building was converted to a music conservatory.
Hennessey House B&B closed in 1987. Two young ladies, fugitives from Wall Street, reopened it in 1991. They redecorated and painted Hennessey House which attained "painted lady" status. In 2004, Kevin and Lorri Walsh escaped from Silicon Valley and purchased Hennessey House. Kevin is an ex-computer executive with a passion for wine and Victorian architecture. He loves to share the beauty of Hennessey House and his knowledge of Napa Valley wines with guests. Lorri is an ex-sales representative who loves meeting new people and truly enjoys employing her design skills in the Hennessey House gardens.

At our Napa bed and breakfast you can start your day with a full gourmet meal. You'll begin with a fresh fruit and a cup of our own special blend of coffee. Enjoy muffins, baked fresh daily, and our fabulous homemade granola. Then indulge in the luscious featured Main Course. We feature a different Main Course each day.
 

Hennessey House is happy to accommodate special dietary needs. Breakfast options for vegetarian and gluten free diets are available upon request.

Tea & Hors D'oeuvres
Three o'clock is time for tea and cookies or cake. Lorri makes a wicked poppy seed-lemon cake. Some Napa B&B guests prefer our chocolate chip cookies or old fashioned brownies. And in the evening enjoy complementary wine, cheese and hors d'oeuvres.

From San Francisco via Golden Gate Bridge - Scenic Route

North on Highway 101 to Highway 37 east. East on 37 to Highway 121. Take 121 towards Napa to Highway 29. Turn left (north) on 29. Exit at Lincoln Avenue. Go East on Lincoln to the third stop light, Main Street. Turn right on Main Street. Hennessey House is near the end of the third block on the right.

From San Francisco via Bay Bridge - Direct Route

North on Highway 101 to Interstate 80. East on I-80 to Highway 37 (Napa/Columbus Parkway exit). West on 37 (towards Napa and San Rafael) to Route 29. Turn right (north) on 29. Exit at Lincoln Avenue. Go East on Lincoln to the third stop light, Main Street. Turn right on Main Street. Hennessey House is near the end of the third block on the right.

From Oakland

East on Interstate 80 to Highway 37 (Napa/Columbus Parkway exit). West on 37 (towards Napa and San Rafael) to Route 29. Turn right (north) on 29. Exit at Lincoln Avenue. Go East on Lincoln to the third stop light, Main Street. Turn right on Main Street. Hennessey House is near the end of the third block on the right.

From Sacramento

West on Interstate 80 to Highway 12 (towards Napa/Sonoma). West on 12 to Highway 29. Turn right (north) on 29. Exit at Lincoln Avenue. Go East on Lincoln to the third stop light, Main Street. Turn right on Main Street. Hennessey House is near the end of the third block on the right.

From the Upper Valley

South on Highway 29. Exit 29 at Lincoln Avenue. Go East on Lincoln to the third stop light, Main Street. Turn right on Main Street. Hennessey House is near the end of the third block on the right.

Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2012

Recommended as a Top 10 Napa/Sonoma Bed and Breakfast by Gayot for 2012

Hennessey House Recommended in USA Today, "Affordable Lodging in Wine Country, California", September 2011

Hennessey House Recommended on JustLuxe.com, "5 Glorious Leaf-Peepring Trips for Autumn", September 2011

SF Chronicle Baylist Contest -- 2009/2010
Hennessey House voted a Top 5 Wine Country Bed and Breakfast for 2009 and 2010."

Hennessey House Recommended in the USA Today Travel Tips Section, May 2010

London Times Sunday Travel Magazine -- July 2009
Hennessey House recommended as a great value. "Charming hosts, a convivial atmosphere, antique furnishings and decor, delicious, filling breakfasts and pretty Queen Anne Victorian architecture make this one of the finest B&Bs in valley."

Kevin and Lorri Walsh featured on the Napavalley.com and WineCountry.com "WineCountry Personality" page, December 2007

Favorite Recipes from Northern California Inns, Published in August 2007 by Crowley's Creations, more than a half dozen Hennessey House recipes are featured in this book.

Mary Claire Magazine
In the Smart Spending section of the May 2007 issue, Hennessey House mentioned as a great way to really indulge yourself after skipping some smaller everyday extravagances

Napa Valley Marketplace Magazine, Featured article on Hennessey House in September 2006 publication

Napa County Landmarks Holiday Candlelight Tour: The Hennessey House was a featured property in the Napa County Landmarks 17th Annual Holiday Candlelight Tour on December 10, 2005.

New York Times, "Journeys - 36 Hours in Napa," September 2004
Includes Hennessey House as one of only three recommended places to stay, and describes the inn as "in a quiet spot beside the Jarvis Conservatory and an easy walk from the heart of town."

"Beautiful Bedrooms - Design Inspirations from the Worlds Leading Inns and Hotels," a book by Tina Skinner. Shiffer Publishing. "Eight of our ten rooms are pictured among "250 of the most beautiful guest rooms in the world."

Arrington's Inn Traveler, Midland, TX. "2004 Book of Lists" Voted one of the 10 best in a wine region nationwide by the readers of this magazine.
 

Walking Distance (less than 1 mile)
15+ restaurants including Italian, French, California,
Steak House, Spanish, Pub, gourmet pizza, Sushi and more
Napa Valley Wine Train,
Several art Galleries,
10 Wine tasting rooms,
Napa Valley Opera House,
movie theater,
Napa River excursions
coffee houses,
downtown shops,
Oxbow Public Market

Short Drive
300+ wineries,
more outstanding restaurants
several golf courses,
hot air balloon rides,
hiking,
bicycling and bike rentals,
mud baths,
day spas,
art galleries,
antiquing and other great shops
petrified forest,
geysers,
Culinary Institute of America,
Southern Sonoma

Day Trips
San Francisco
Northern California coast, Pt. Reyes National .Seashore and Bodega Bay
Muir Woods (California Redwood trees)
Sausalito
Professional baseball, football, and basketball
Alcatraz