The Sterling Hotel

At 10 pm on a Thursday, a wedding event started, and nobody on staff had mentioned it. The noise was unbelievable. We called four times to complain, but the calls went to someone in Australia who couldn’t do anything. We also left four complaint messages and still haven’t heard from any hotel staff about fixing the problem. There’s no staff on site after work hours, and nobody could give me the receipt I needed. I can’t recommend this hotel.

The hotel is gorgeous, with a lovely mix of antique furniture and lighting alongside modern fixtures and comforts. I liked the privacy and quiet of this small place compared with larger hotels like Hyatt or Sheridan. The neighborhood felt safe and clean, parking was easy to find, and my meetings at the Convention Center were only a short walk away. The staff were kind and attentive, and after long days on my feet, the jetted tub was a lifesaver. I was comfortable throughout my business trip. My only regret is not having more time to explore the property. I’ll definitely stay again.

The room was spacious, and having a walk-in closet was nice, but The Sterling Hotel looked much better online than it did in person. The historic building feels worn, the furniture is dated, and the decor looks tired. The jacuzzi tub was visibly aged and had rust colored water stains, so it wasn’t inviting. There was also a black sticky substance on the iron, which I didn’t notice until it ruined my white shirt. Around 1 a.m., several guests were stuck in the hallway, locked out of their rooms. Staff leave at 2:30 a.m., and getting back in was difficult because the lockbox system was confusing and kept multiple room keys together. It didn’t feel smooth or professional. I didn’t attend a wedding, but the venue looks like it could be lovely for a ceremony, just not so much for an overnight stay.

The old style of the hotel was lovely, and it really is a beautiful place. Our room was clean, and the bathroom was huge. Only one light above the mirrors worked, though the lights above the toilet and in the closet were fine, so it wasn’t a major inconvenience. The tub was large, but getting in to shower was awkward and I bumped my knee once. The downtown location was great, within walking distance of downtown Sacramento. The main drawback is the noise from weddings. Two took place during our stay. Saturday’s music thumped until about 11 p.m., then guests said goodbye outside until around midnight. On Sunday the music stopped around 10 p.m. The front desk is staffed only certain hours, but I didn’t need help. Otherwise, I’d highly recommend the hotel.