Built on the original tracks of the Napa Valley Railroad Company, dating to the 1800s, the Napa Valley Railway Inn opened as a simple guesthouse in 1981. It looks like a train station from the Old West, complete with eight rail cars that were once cattle or ice box cars, along with two cabooses. The cars were collected and parked on the tracks opposite each other, and joined by a central platform under a roof lit by antique railroad lights and string bulbs. The majority of hotel guests are couples looking for a relatively affordable launching point for wine tasting in the region, who prefer to spend money at the phenomenal restaurants up and down the street, like Bouchon Bistro, Redd Wood, Bottega, and The French Laundry.

The inn is located right off the main street in the heart of Yountville, popularly considered the culinary capital of Napa Valley. Some of the best dining in Northern California is located in this small village. Make reservations well ahead of time for The French Laundry, Thomas Keller's Bouchon, Étoile, and Redd. There are numerous other restaurants, cafes, and bakeries of note, along with at least 10 wineries within walking distance. It's about a 20-minute drive to either scenic St. Helena, or downtown Napa in the opposite direction. Oakland International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and Sonoma County Airport are each within a one- to two-hour drive from the hotel, depending on traffic.   

The inn's eight guest rooms are all converted train cars done in contemporary decor and vintage-inspired accents. A warm neutral palette dominates, paired with dark-wood furniture, and details such as framed old maps on walls. The rooms have king or queen beds (some have two queens), and seating areas with tables and chairs under hanging lamps. There's storage space in small closets, and wooden cabinets house flat-screen TVs. Free Wi-Fi comes standard, along with mini-fridges and coffeemakers. Some rooms have skylights, and views are of the parking lot or the shared platform, which serves as each rooms' furnished patio, thus lacking in privacy. All have bright and relatively spacious private bathrooms with average shower/tub combos and bottled toiletries. Some upgraded units have pretty iron vanity tables with cushioned benches. 

Amenities are quite slim at Napa Valley Railway Inn, with no full-service restaurant or even a proper breakfast offered on-site. There's Model Bakery, which occupies a vintage caboose connected to the station, serving coffee drinks, fresh juice, smoothies, and pastries. There's also no fitness facilities on-site. The reception desk has limited hours, but there's daily housekeeping, and on-site parking and Wi-Fi throughout are free.