Amber House Inn of Midtown

This quaint inn caters to couples seeking a romantic getaway and a charming historic ambiance close to downtown Sacramento's attractions. Comprising a pair of two-story historic buildings -- a 1905 Craftsman (main building) and an 1895 Colonial Revival -- the property offers a delightful step back in time. Classy yet comfortable spaces show careful attention to detail, furnished with fine antiques and rugs, stained glass, and tasteful art on the walls. One parlor features huge wood beams crisscrossing the ceiling, a brick fireplace, and Mission-style leather chairs. Guests mingle at breakfast in the stately dining room and cozy covered front porch, though many choose to dine privately in their rooms. It's a quiet place, though not cold or stuffy, as guests are often seen enjoying a drink in the parlor or reading a book in the library. 

The inn is located in a historic residential neighborhood in Sacramento’s lively Midtown district, which offers some dining options, bars, and clubs. It’s a mostly quiet, tree-lined neighborhood, spare the occasional Midtown revelers passing through at night. Many downtown attractions are within walking distance for those who prefer to explore on foot, including the Sutter Fort (10 minutes away) and the Sacramento Convention Center (15 minutes away) in the heart of the city’s business district. The California State Capitol and Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park are 15 to 20 minutes on foot. There are a couple of bus stops a two- to three-minute walk from the hotel, giving access to popular attractions like the Old Sacramento Historic District (17 minutes away by public transport or 10-minute drive) and the Sacramento Zoo (35 minutes by public transit or 15-minute drive). Arco Arena is a 15-minute drive away. Sacramento International Airport can be reached in about 20 to 25 minutes by car, or 40 minutes by public transit.

The inn's 10 charming guest rooms are individually decorated and named after famous writers and music composers such as Emily Dickinson and Mozart. They are clean, tidy, and offer ample room for comfort. Traditional decor includes antiques and clever accent pieces like vintage phones, fans, and lamps that enhance the charm. Walls are usually painted in rich colors, and beds have matching bed throws and decorative pillows. Four-poster beds are typical, and all of the comfortable mattresses are queens except for a king in the Wordsworth Room. Each room has a small table and chairs that allow guests to have breakfast in their rooms if they choose. A few rooms feature fine hardwood floors, but most have carpets in a striking black and gold pattern. A handful of rooms also have gas fireplaces and/or private decks or patios. Bathrooms vary in size -- some are a bit small -- but they are decidedly lavish. Three rooms have claw-foot soaking tubs, while the rest  feature two-person whirlpool tubs that up the romantic ambiance. All of them also have showers with rainfall showerheads. They typically sport marble floors and simple white pedestal sinks or wood vanities with marble tops. Note that some past guests have commented -- and the owners confirm -- that it sometimes takes 30 seconds or more to get hot water in the old buildings. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs with DVD players, magnifying mirrors, robes, and bottled water. Room service, nightly turndown service with homemade treats, and free Wi-Fi are also standard. The rooms are mostly quiet, but ambient noise can be heard at times, especially in rooms facing the street.

This cozy inn has limited on-site facilities, with no restaurant, bar, or business/wellness features, but it offers plenty of freebies and attentive touches that garner lots of positive reviews from guests. The free gourmet breakfast is varied and offerings change daily. Guests can take their breakfast in the comfort of their own rooms, in the lovely dining room, or on the quaint covered porch in the main building. Serving times are flexible to suit each guest, and coffee/tea is brought up to rooms before breakfast upon request. Non-alcoholic beverages are free all day, and craft beer and wine can be purchased from the inn’s inventory -- plus free brandy is also offered in the lobby. Free homemade cookies and other treats are available as well, including treats delivered to the rooms during turndown service. Various add-on services can be purchased by guests, such as in-room massages, chocolate-covered strawberries, and roses. Concierge services include dinner reservations, dry cleaning, and private airport transportation (for a fee). Self-parking is free on the street. Small rooms are available for meetings, and the business center has internet access and a printer. Daily newspapers are free in the lobby, and free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout both buildings. The inn also has a well-stocked library of loaner books.