A small jockey wearing a red coat greets us at the entrance to Le Petit Pali’s Main House. The 12-inch doorstop is the first of many unique surprises—and certainly not the last equestrian piece I find at Napa Valley’s new boutique hotel.

Inside, the reception area smells of roses and blackcurrant—Le Petit Pali’s signature scent, Diptyque’s Baies. The décor, a mix of vintage and eclectic pieces, is sophisticated yet playful. Each nook and cranny feels unexpected: floral curtains between art-filled green walls, checkered chairs, equestrian and striped pillows, vases of flowers, and a glossy green bowl that holds colorful pool-table balls instead of fruit.

Le Petit Pali St. Helena is the 23rd hotel in the Palisociety portfolio and the fifth Le Petit Pali (including Brentwood, Laguna Beach, and two locations in Carmel-by-the-Sea). The new bed-and-breakfast-style boutique hotel (formerly the Wine Country Inn & Cottages) was established by Avi Brosh to “create a community of unique and spirited places where people want to be.”

Le Petit Pali in Napa(Courtesy of @lepetitpali/@palisociety)

St. Helena’s version sits on almost three acres with 29 guest rooms, including five guest cottages, one of which I stay in. Palisociety hotels are known for high-end amenities like Diptyque bath products and in-room hair straighteners, but the eclectic décor still amazes me when we step inside. The mix of plaid and striped textiles, the stained-glass windows hanging above the 1950s-style Smeg mini-fridge, and the cutest Bitossi teacups with a vintage-inspired floral pattern ooze nostalgia, luxury, and fun.

Every detail at Le Petit Pali—from the scalloped soap dish to the Marshall speaker—feels intentional. But my favorite space in the cottage is the cozy built-in bed nook. Much smaller than the cottage’s bedroom, the tiny space tucked behind tasseled curtains has the comfiest bed covered in white linens, a bookshelf, a small light sconce, and a framed painting of a regal brown-and-black dog.

One thing setting St. Helena’s Le Petit Pali apart from its other four locations is the way it highlights Napa Valley wine culture. Local wines are served daily in the Garden Bar, on the Sun Terrace, and in the Main House from 1pm to 9pm, where guests can sip a glass of a Bordeaux-style blend like Charles Krug Generations or a Chateau Montelena chardonnay. Fieldwork and Napa Valley’s Mad Fritz Brewing Co. beers are also on the menu, along with house spritzes and cocktails.

Le Petit Pali's pool has retro vibes.(Courtesy of Le Petit Pali St. Helena)

For those who like to snack while they sip, the blue corn chips and guacamole with chives and radish will hit the spot, as will the Olivier Napa Valley black olive tapenade on toasted sourdough, finished with thyme and honey.

On sunny days, you can order all the same treats by the pool—a true highlight of the Wine Country property. The sparkling pool with green-and-white striped umbrellas and scalloped lounge chairs has a retro vibe that begs for sunglasses and the St. Helena Spritz—sparkling wine with Amaro Angeleno, Aperol, and passionfruit.

At the end of the night, after falling into my tartan-framed bed with a hint of cream fringe and cozying under my luxurious Italian linens, I think the trip couldn’t get any better—until the morning, when I sit with a hot coffee in a sun-filled breakfast space with vineyard views.

Le Petit Pali’s complimentary Champagne breakfast menu is off the charts. It includes Taittinger Champagne mimosas and a selection of continental favorites like granola, Greek yogurt, and seasonal fruit. But the stars of the show are the fresh-baked pastries and Model Bakery’s cult-favorite English muffins (seriously, they’re that good; they’ve even been on Oprah's Favorite Things multiple times).

The Main House Dining Room at Le Petit Pali St. Helena(Courtesy of Le Petit Pali St. Helena)

In addition to eating, drinking, and relaxing, Le Petit Pali offers weekly happenings—a busy calendar that’s likely to include events ranging from yoga and croquet on the lawn to all-night happy hours and local wine nights, at which you might find a complimentary pour from a local vintner.

Just over two miles from downtown St. Helena, those looking for a little exercise in Wine Country can borrow one of the hotel’s complimentary cruiser bikes and hit the Napa Valley Vine Trail. Downtown, you’ll find boutique shops, restaurants, art galleries, and Model Bakery—in case you need another English muffin.

If you want to get a feel for the Le Petit Pali vibe, check out the hotel’s curated Pali Tunes on Spotify. Like the playlist, the hotel is a little wistful and just plain cool.

// Le Petit Pali St. Helena, 1152 Lodi Lane (St. Helena), lepetitpali.com