The New Inn Temecula, CA

Last Updated on April 14, 2023

Driving up a dirt road into the hills above Temecula, I almost missed the driveway into The New Inn Temecula, CA, I crossed through the white picket fencing and entered a small parking lot out front of a bright white building with black trim.

Stepping out of my car and gazing around, looking a bit lost, Kim, the hostess, walked out to greet me. She grabbed my bags and showed me to my suite, the Eternal Love villa. She apologized for not having the customary glass of welcoming champagne and pointed to the small bottle in the mini-fridge instead.

After a brief orientation of the room, Kim described the remaining features of the property and left me alone in my lovely palatial suite.

The New Inn in Temecula

The New Inn Temecula, CA is Temecula Wine Country’s newest lodging comprised of five uniquely designed adult-only villas.

The soaring A-frame ceiling of my suite contained a small square window on each end, reminding me of an attic window. A geometric metal chandelier with electric candles was suspended from the center.

Two doors opened onto the patio next to a wall of glass panels. I walked right through my room and onto the patio into a glorious sunny Southern California day.

A white wooden partition on one side and large hedge row on the other opened to the property’s vineyard while still ensuring complete privacy. A welcoming bistro sat right outside the doors with a large umbrella, ready to provide shade when needed. Two rustic Adirondack chairs cozied up next to a gas fire pit. I love watching a fire, and having my own fire pit was an exciting added bonus for me.

The décor oozed luxury with its various shades of white.

The plump, king-sized bed sported multiple pillows with different textured fabrics. A patterned wooden headboard framed the bed.

Wide dressers flanked the room with six-foot tall mirrors reaching toward the ceiling. An oversized mirror rested against the wall opposite the patio reflecting the natural light.

A roomy sitting area in the villa featured a six-foot long leather off-white couch with fuzzy dark grey pillows and a large arm chair with grey heather fabric. Two soft cotton blankets were there for the cooler evenings. Over-sized canvas paintings and small sculptures on every flat surface created the feel of an elegant home than a hotel room.

Best Place to Stay in Temecula Wine Country

A spacious bathroom contained a large glass-walled shower. The wood-paneled tile of the main room extended through the bathroom and even into the shower and a large rain-shower fixture was a lovely touch.

A small wooden bench and glass shelf easily held my towel and the Terra Pure Green Tea shampoo and body wash. Two long vanities opposite one other in the bath provided room for plenty of towels and space for my toiletries.

Another surprise was a door leading from the bathroom to an outdoor shower on the patio. There’s nothing like showering under the stars.

After enjoying my private patio with its excellent Wi-Fi service, I decided to take a dip in the pool. I tried out the small circular “spool,” the local term for a cross between a spa and a pool. At 12-feet across and 4-feet deep, the pool was ideal for a quick dip to beat Temecula’s afternoon heat. Several lounge chairs surrounding the pool offered a fantastic view of the hillside next to the inn.

Though the breeze had kicked up a bit, the water was warm and relaxing.

In the morning, a wonderful continental breakfast was provided at the inn’s refreshment area. I chose a small bowl of yogurt, a moist blueberry muffin and a banana. I made some tea, grabbed a small glass of orange juice, and headed outside to greet the sunrise.

Climbing the small hill out back to the grassy top led me to a gazebo and a 10-person outdoor dining table. From this vantage point, I had 360-degree views of the countryside with rolling hills and residential communities.

A few colorful hot air balloons slowly drifted across the horizon.

Breakfasting under the gazebo, I enjoyed listening to the birds singing and the jetting sound of the hot air balloons firing. One startled me when I wasn’t paying attention and I looked up to find a blue, red, and white balloon directly overhead. Moments later, a hawk flew across the hill in front of me, settling on a windmill pole to survey the land.

The New Inn Temecula, CA communal spaces also included an eight-person fire pit and small grouping of chairs overlooking the hillside and vineyard. A reflecting pool burbled in the center of the building with black iron bistro tables nestled against the surrounding hedge. Another small area with comfortable chairs sat next to a long row of windows opposite the doors leading to the suites.

After returning from dinner at a nearby winery, I enjoyed using my own personal fire pit. A mild breeze carried a fresh, earthy aroma I immediately wished I could bottle and bring home.

As I sipped my cup of chamomile tea, I watched the flames as the last of the light left the sky and darkness fell.

Ideal Temecula Wine Country Location

The New Inn Temecula, CA occupies the perfect location for exploring Temecula wine country. Though secluded with spectacular views, Old Town Temecula is nearby with its many restaurants and shops. Several vineyards are within a short drive of the Inn, many boasting fabulous restaurants.

You can arrange a tour of these vineyards in a variety of ways including trolley or in the sidecar of a motorcycle, like I did.

Owners Alicia and Eric Marshall bought this land in Temecula in 2016 and started planted their vineyard of Malbec grapes. The New Inn opened March 2020 with the vision of providing comfort and luxury.

As they say in their welcome book, “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”

I would love to visit again when the vines are filled with grapes, but I imagine any time of year is an amazing time to enjoy The New Inn.

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