Hanford House

The scones left at the door each morning were still a welcome touch, but we were very disappointed with this stay and aren't sure we'll return. We've been coming to the Hanford House for years and always enjoyed it. The property was sold in 2023 to Ali Ward, who runs the “Zella Collection,” and this visit felt like the new owners' focus on profit hasn't suited the place. Rates have gone up considerably without upgrades, and it seems the purse strings have tightened. I asked for a quiet room because of noise from people coming and going below. I was promised a quiet premium room, Room 5, but it was probably the noisiest yet, right beside the restaurant. The constant banging and clattering pretty much ruined the time we spent there. The bathroom lighting was so poor I couldn't see well enough to put in my contacts, with just two bulbs that looked like 25 watt bulbs. The sink wouldn't drain, and a 30” TV in a sizable room is ridiculous.

We had a lovely long weekend in the penthouse. It had a fireplace, a jetted jacuzzi tub, a huge walk-in rain shower, a lively leather couch, and a comfy king bed.

We keep coming back and have never been let down. The rooms are lovely, the beds are comfortable, everything is very clean, and the staff have always been friendly and attentive. The price is reasonable too. On weekdays, breakfast is served at the attached eatery, Element, and it's very good. They also leave scones by your door each morning, a fun little treat. On our latest visit, the restaurant seemed a bit understaffed, and there were lots of spiderwebs on our room's ceiling that could be cleaned up. Sutter Creek is a cute town, but be aware that *nothing* stays open past about 8 pm, so expect a quiet night unless you head to the nearby Jackson casino or somewhere similar.

My husband surprised me with a birthday night here, and we had an amazing time. The host, Gina, was friendly, and the Inn had lots of cute personal touches. We enjoyed the hotel restaurant, Element, where all the staff provided top-notch service. Sutter Creek was nice to explore, with antique stores and wineries just around the corner.