Best Western Plus Sutter House

Sutter House is a 94-room chain hotel located on the edge of downtown Sacramento. Though the hotel facade doesn't stand out in any way, it is clean and well-kept with a tan-and-grey exterior offset by white Doric columns and lush green topiary, with a large gold "S" above the front entrance. The lobby is a cacophony of brightly colored patterns that can be a little overwhelming when first encountered. Ornate curlicue patterns adorn the armchairs, wallpaper, and wrought-iron concierge desk. The rug is a mix of teal, magenta, gold, and navy blotches that resemble roses. On the wall, there hang two large, somewhat garish paintings of the California State Capitol building surrounded by magenta and teal brushstrokes that match the colors on the rug. The lobby smacks of the elaborate, colorful early-aughts decor that hasn't been updated since the minimalism trend took the interior decorating world by storm. Patrons include both families and businesspeople, though the hotel is probably best suited to the latter as there isn't much besides the pool to keep children entertained at the hotel. The Sheraton Grand Hotel and Citizen Hotel (both located a few blocks away) are a little more plush and slightly closer to the center of downtown than Sutter House, but this also means they come with a heftier price tag. Those who don't mind foregoing the walkable location can find nice rooms for less money at Hilton Sacramento Arden West, a 10-minute drive from downtown. Sutter House is a good choice for a no-frills option in a convenient location. 

Sutter House is located in downtown Sacramento on busy H Street. Though the traffic can get loud during rush hour, the downtown location means that the hotel is mere blocks away from many happening Sacramento attractions. It's three blocks away from the K Street Mall, which offers several upscale restaurants, an independent movie theater, an IMAX theater, and even a marine-themed establishment called Dive Bar that has women dressed in mermaid tails swimming in a tank above the bar! Sutter House is three blocks away from the Sacramento Convention Center, four blocks from the California State Capitol building, and an 11-minute walk from the Golden 1 Center, Sacramento's newest sports and concert complex that seats 17,500 people. If you have access to a car, you can get your fill of museums by visiting the Crocker Art Museum (an eight-minute drive) and the California Railroad Museum (a six-minute drive), located within the Gold Rush-era neighborhood of Old Sacramento. The neighborhood, located along the Sacramento River, has cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and a large paddleboat called the Delta King offering fine dining on the river (literally!). It is also a hotel (prices or slightly higher than here). Sutter House is a 15-minute drive from the airport, although the travel time along the freeway can double during rush hour. There are three light rail stations located within a block of the hotel.

There are 94 rooms at Sutter House, all with either two queen-size or one king-size bed, and decorated in complementary colors of dark red and beige with gold and mahogany wood accents. Beds have clean white duvets with dark red throws, pillows, and bedskirts. They are exactly what you would expect from a value-oriented chain hotel, and popcorn ceilings point to the building's age. All rooms have free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs with Clean Remotes, though the TVs are somewhat smaller than ideal. Room amenities also include a coffeemaker, a microwave, a mini-fridge, a hairdryer, an iron and ironing board, and a clock radio with a USB dock to charge iPhones. (Android users can recharge their phones using the two USB ports on the desk.) King Suites come with queen pull-out Murphy beds and sliding glass doors that open out onto the central patio, where the pool is located. Dogs can also be brought to the hotel for a fee, depending on how many dog-friendly rooms the hotel has available at the time of booking. (The limit is two dogs under 80 pounds each.) There are also accessible rooms available. Unfortunately, we found hairs in some of the drawers of the desks and nightstands during our visit (other guests have also had housekeeping complaints) and an odd smell permeated many of the rooms. Bathrooms are your typical chain hotel bathrooms -- mid-sized, beige, and forgettably bland, unless guests luck out and receive a room with a faux-marble shower. There are free Terra Green toiletries, as well as cotton balls, swabs, and shower caps. Some of the wood on the sinks show gouges from age.

Sutter House rooms are clustered around a central tan-tiled courtyard with a somewhat large, clean pool that reaches seven feet deep. The pool is surrounded by several lounge chairs, terra-cotta tree planters, and tables with neon green umbrellas. The neon green is echoed in the patio seating for the first-floor rooms, each of which have a table and two chairs placed outside of their sliding-glass doors. (Don't fret, families with young children -- there is a sturdy fence between the patio seating and pool.) The patio can get hot during a summer afternoon when the sun is beating down.The hotel also offers a 24-hour conference room, a gym with a flat-screen TV open from the early morning to late night, and a free continental breakfast (with two waffle makers) offered in the large breakfast room in the early morning. The Blue Prynt Restaurant & Bar, located steps away from the front entrance, offers seasonal American-French cuisine and also has event space available. The hotel offers dry cleaning services and free Wi-Fi. The free covered parking is located beneath the hotel, meaning cars won't heat up in the summer sun.