Restoring Calistoga’s historic Francis House and turning it into a luxury
inn has been a labor of love for a Bay Area couple.
In May, Architectural Digest named The Francis House as
one of the “15 Best-Designed Hotels Opening this Year.”
For an interior designer, that’s the equivalent of winning an
Oscar for one’s work. For Dina Dwyer and her developer/
contractor husband Richard, it is the fulfillment of a quest
they began back in 2015.
The Dwyers live and work on the Peninsula and are
known for their careful remodels and restoration projects—
especially in Hillsborough. “Like so many folks in the area,
Dina and I loved exploring Wine Country on the weekends,”
says Richard, “and after a while, we started looking, in earnest,
for a special property.”
They found it listed in the newspaper one weekend. The
house was one of Calistoga’s grandest, built in the style of the
French Second Empire in 1886 for wealthy merchant James
H. Francis. The home’s golden era was short-lived, though.
From 1919 – 1964, the edifice served as the Calistoga Hospital;
from there it was downhill. The structure’s doors were
locked for good and the building was essentially abandoned for
over 50 years.
“When we purchased it, the City Planner said to us, ‘My congratulations
and my condolences,’” Richard relates. The planner
knew the amount of work in store for the Dwyers. Richard adds
with his trademark humor, “I believe this is what happens when
you see something that you fall in love with immediately and obviously
have some small amount of insanity in your family.”
Dina chimes in, “Restoring the house was a magnificent opportunity
to enjoy what we do professionally with what we love doing—
making new friends while learning about and enjoying
wine. It has been quite a journey for us. It introduced us to
local workers, craftsmen, and artisans. The opportunity to save
the only French Second Empire stone building in Napa Valley
is a tribute to their skill and to the rich heritage of Calistoga.”
The sparkling new Francis House is a beautiful blend of old
and new. Dina carefully selected a mix of antiques and modern
pieces that are sure to delight the discerning modern traveler.
Exquisite touches like Murano and Baccarat chandeliers and
heavily embroidered bathrobes all add to the property’s luxe
feel. The boutique hotel boasts five unique guest suites
stocked with the finest linens and amenities. An elegant pool
beckons guests to spend the day in the warm Napa Valley sun,
but if you’d prefer to explore, the property is just steps from
downtown Calistoga and minutes from some of the best restaurants
and wineries in the world.
“We feel blessed to have found something with such history,”
says Dina. “We hope with its new life as a boutique inn
that the story of The Francis House will have another golden
chapter.” www.thefrancishouse.com ◆