Gaia Hotel & Spa Redding, an Ascend Collection Hotel

At Woodside Grill, I had a fabulous brunch with friends and family. The food was great, and they had just the right mocktails for me while my friends had mimosas. Service was excellent too. I'd definitely recommend Gaia for a meal or an overnight stay.

Dinner was amazing, with a simple menu that had plenty of flavor. The place was clean and quiet, and the staff were friendly and great. Breakfast costs extra, but the price was good and the portions were huge. Check-in and checkout were quick and easy. I'd gladly go back and recommend it.

We got a double queen room and brought our dog for a $25 fee. Mention AAA for a discounted price. There was free coffee, tea, and water up front, plus snacks and other drinks for sale in the lobby. The room was spacious and all the amenities worked. I also saw a family using the heated jacuzzi, and there was a pool. I'd pay a little more next time for a bungalow in front of the river, and I'd like to try the spa and restaurant too. This is a handy place to stop on a drive through central California, right by the main highway. We left Seattle at noon and got in at 11 p.m., then headed to Salinas, CA at 6:50 a.m., visited San Francisco, and came back to this hotel at 12:40 a.m. We left again at 11 a.m., checkout time. If we road trip through the middle of California again, I'd use this as a checkpoint.

The property along the river feels like an experience, and the pool, hot tub, and fire pits were a vibe for us and the other guests. Most of my family stayed here for a wedding, and the staff across the office, housekeeping, and restaurant were incredibly accommodating, friendly, and helpful. Our room was spacious, clean, and had a very comfortable bed. I was surprised it's rated three stars because it felt like four. We'd absolutely come back and recommend it.