Historic Hotels in Sacramento, Compared
Sacramento's history sits along the river and around the State Capitol, and two hotels on this page put you inside it: the Delta King Hotel, a historic riverboat in downtown Sacramento, and The Citizen Hotel, Autograph Collection, set in a historic building in the city centre. A third, Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade, is a modern hotel on the Sacramento River a short walk from Old Town Sacramento. The other three hotels listed, all near the airport in Natomas or north of the city, have no historic setting, and I say so plainly. Guest scores run from 8.3 to 9.2 out of 10 across the six.
Sacramento is a state capital with a river town at its core. The Capitol and its museum anchor the city centre, while the riverfront and Old Town keep the memory of the city's early river trade. Staying downtown, close to both, is what turns a historic hotel here into a real part of the trip rather than just a label.
A riverboat, a historic building, Old Town
A historic stay in Sacramento makes sense if you plan to spend your days downtown: the California State Capitol, Old Town Sacramento and the riverfront are all close to the hotels that carry real history. The choice is between sleeping in a historic place, the Delta King or The Citizen Hotel, and sleeping in a modern suite next to the historic district. The airport hotels are practical for a short stopover, but they are a drive away from everything that makes Sacramento's past visible.
The Delta King Hotel is the most distinctive stay on this page: a historic riverboat turned hotel in downtown Sacramento. Its air-conditioned rooms have free WiFi and views over the city or the river, and on board you will find a traditional American restaurant, a bar and a sun terrace. It is a three-star hotel rated 8.3 from 677 reviews, so the appeal is the setting rather than luxury. It is listed as family-friendly and suits anyone interested in history. If I wanted one night that felt specific to Sacramento, this is the hotel I would book.
The Citizen Hotel, Autograph Collection, occupies a historic building in the city centre, a short walk from the Sacramento Convention Center and the California State Capitol Museum. Rooms come with private bathrooms, work desks and free toiletries, and the hotel has a fitness centre, a restaurant and a bar. It is a four-star hotel rated 8.4 from 335 reviews, and it welcomes pets and families. For a business trip around the Capitol or a city break focused on museums, I see it as the most practical historic address, with the comfort of a full-service hotel.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade is not a historic building, but it is the best placed modern hotel for exploring the historic riverfront. It sits on the Sacramento River, a short walk from Old Town Sacramento, the Golden 1 Center and the Crocker Art Museum. Its two-room suites have separate living areas, microwaves, refrigerators and coffee machines, and a cooked-to-order breakfast is served. With 9.0 from 1,038 reviews, it has the best score among the downtown hotels here, and it is pet-friendly with a pool. I would suggest it first to families who want space.
Three hotels appear on this page without any historic setting. Governors Inn Hotel, rated 8.3 from 1,999 reviews, is less than 15 minutes from Sacramento International Airport, with an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a gym and free airport shuttles. TownePlace Suites Sacramento Airport Natomas, rated 9.2 from 230 reviews, and Aloft by Marriott Sacramento Airport Natomas, rated 8.8 from 59, both offer a year-round outdoor pool, a fitness center, pet-friendly rooms and a free airport shuttle. They are sensible choices before a flight, but I would not book them for history.
A traveler's perspectiveMy advice is to stay downtown if history is the reason for your trip. I would choose the Delta King Hotel for a night on a historic riverboat, The Citizen Hotel for a central base near the Capitol, and Embassy Suites for families who want a suite near Old Town Sacramento. I would keep Governors Inn, TownePlace Suites and Aloft for an early flight, since none of them has a historic setting, whatever the label says.
TownePlace Suites Sacramento Airport Natomas
Sacramento
230 reviews
Comfortable suites with a pool, fitness center, and airport shuttle
Check availabilityWhy guests love itTownePlace Suites Sacramento Airport Natomas suits early flights and late arrivals thanks to a free airport shuttle. Rooms are air-conditioned with a private bathroom, a sofa bed and free WiFi, so a family can spread out. The outdoor swimming pool stays open all year, the fitness center and the sun terrace complete the leisure side, and pets are welcome. Guests rate it 9.2 from 230 reviews.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade
Sacramento
1,038 reviews
Spacious suites on the Sacramento River, steps from Old Town
Check availabilityWhy guests love itTwo-room suites give parents a separate living area once the children are asleep, and microwaves and refrigerators help with snacks. Breakfast is cooked to order each morning. Old Sacramento, with its wooden sidewalks and riverboats, is a short walk along the river, and the Crocker Art Museum and Golden 1 Center are close too. The pool suits a hot afternoon, pets are welcome, and 1,038 reviews average 9.0.
Aloft by Marriott Sacramento Airport Natomas
Sacramento
59 reviews
Modern comfort with a pool, fitness center, and airport shuttle
Check availabilityWhy guests love itA free airport shuttle and an outdoor pool open year-round make Aloft Sacramento Airport Natomas practical for families with a flight to catch. Rooms are modern and air-conditioned, with free WiFi. The restaurant serves American cuisine in a family-friendly setting, and the bar, lounge and outdoor seating area give parents a place to relax. Pets are welcome, an EV charging station is on site, and the 24-hour front desk helps with late arrivals.
The Citizen Hotel, Autograph Collection
Sacramento
335 reviews
Historic downtown hotel with a restaurant and fitness center
Check availabilityWhy guests love itThe Citizen Hotel, Autograph Collection occupies a historic building in central Sacramento, a short walk from the California State Capitol Museum, an easy history lesson for school-age children. Rooms have private bathrooms, work desks and free toiletries. The on-site restaurant and bar make dinner simple after a day on foot, parents can use the fitness centre, and pets are welcome. Guests rate this 4-star hotel 8.4 from 335 reviews.
Delta King Hotel
Sacramento
677 reviews
Historic riverboat hotel with dining, a bar, and city or river views
Check availabilityWhy guests love itSleeping on a historic riverboat is a memorable experience for children, and rooms look out over the river or the city. The boat is moored in downtown Sacramento, so walks along the waterfront start at the gangway. The restaurant serves traditional American dishes, and the sun terrace is pleasant on warm evenings. Rooms are air-conditioned with free WiFi. A score of 8.3 from 677 reviews is good for such an unusual stay.
Governors Inn Hotel
Sacramento
1,999 reviews
Outdoor pool, hot tub, and free airport shuttles near Sacramento attractions
Check availabilityWhy guests love itA free airport shuttle and Sacramento International less than 15 minutes away make the Governors Inn a calm first or last night for a family flying in or out. I like that the outdoor pool and hot tub give children a swim after the flight, and the light breakfast of coffee, pastry and fruit covers an early start. Old Sacramento State Historic Park and the State Capitol Museum are a short drive. A score of 8.3 from 1,999 reviews is solid.
Local tips
- 1Ask for a river-view room at the Delta King Hotel when booking, as rooms face either the city or the river.
- 2Walk from The Citizen Hotel to the California State Capitol Museum and the Convention Center, both a short distance away.
- 3Choose Embassy Suites by Hilton for a family stay: the two-room suites have a separate living area and a refrigerator.
- 4Plan a visit to the Crocker Art Museum from Embassy Suites, which is a short walk from the museum and Old Town Sacramento.
- 5Book Governors Inn, TownePlace Suites or Aloft only for an airport stopover, as all three offer free airport shuttles.
- 6Bring your dog to The Citizen Hotel or Embassy Suites, both listed as pet-friendly downtown options.