"Shabby chic" could be a generous way to describe this small hotel that’s housed in a building dating back to 1881. Interiors are packed with traditional furniture, antiques, art, and an interesting collection of curios such as old dolls and a vintage rocking horse. These spaces certainly have personality, but crimson ceilings, walls, and carpeting make it rather dark and gloomy. Outdoor spaces fare better, and there’s a cozy and intimate patio with bistro tables amidst leafy landscaping. Couples touring the Wine Country are the most common guests here, drawn by the property's rates, location, and personality. Everyone mostly sticks to themselves here, and the atmosphere is generally quiet, apart from a few adjacent restaurants and bars that can create noise in the evening. 

This hotel occupies a prime spot on Main Street in St. Helena, an attractive small town that’s known for its 19th-century architecture and its dining scene as the West Coast headquarters of the Culinary Institute of America. It’s surrounded by restaurants, boutiques, and wine tasting rooms, and some of the vineyards like Beringer and Merryvale are even within walking distance. The Robert Louis Stevenson Museum is six minutes away on foot. Downtown Napa is a 30-minute drive with little traffic. Drive times to San Francisco International Airport or Sacramento International Airport are approximately two hours.

A mishmash of period antiques, vintage art, and old-fashioned upholstery furnish the Hotel St. Helena's guest rooms. Each room is individually decorated, but dark crimson carpet, white bedspreads, and beige walls are typical. While rooms certainly have personality, and some of the antique furniture is charming, other pieces are worn or just plain old. Many past guests have complained about the overall maintenance of the rooms, citing smudges on walls, cobwebs, musty smells, and a lack of hot water. Another gripe is that rooms can become hot and stuffy, something that can't be adjusted by guests as rooms lack individual climate control.

At only 130 square feet, Queen Rooms, which share bathrooms, are quite small. Even Deluxe Rooms are a compact 210 square feet. Bathrooms vary in size, from cramped to comfortable, and private ones typically have small acrylic shower inserts, although some have clawfoot tubs under showers. Standard amenities across all categories include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, toiletries, and hairdryers. Pleasant views of the street and surrounding area can be seen from some rooms, while others are partially obstructed by trees or simply overlook alleys and other buildings. Note that the busy street outside can create significant noise at times. 

Amenities are fairly limited at this 18-room hotel, but it does offer a few freebies, such as a light continental breakfast with cereal and breads. On-site parking also is free, but it’s limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. And Wi-Fi is free, too. Apart from those freebies, one nice atmospheric touch is the property's vintage-style bar that sells local wines. Staff can arrange for babysitting and other concierge-style services.