Hilton Garden Inn Sacramento/South Natomas

Renovated in early 2016, the hotel has a playful lobby punctuated with teal and orange accents filled with natural light. Armchairs set by a massive gas fireplace are upholstered in a marbled fabric, while drum pendant lights sport a faux wood veneer. Other fun details include a gold-covered tree trunk used as a coffee tables and orange ottomans in a giant gumdrop shape. The combined effect give this Hilton Garden Inn far more personality than the average chain. The modern hotel buzzes with activity generated by business travelers and conference-goers, and families attending sports matches on weekends. But it can get quiet in the evening, even bucolic -- guests report often seeing wild turkeys roaming the grounds in the evening and at dawn -- yet it's only 10 minutes from downtown**. **

This Hilton Garden Inn is about a 10-minute drive north of downtown Sacramento, in a mostly commercial district adjacent to Interstate 5. A few other hotels are nearby, and a few restaurants are within a five-minute walk -- a cluster of restaurants along the Sacramento River are about a 13-minute walk, or a two-minute drive. The hotel’s free shuttle also will take guests to the restaurants on the river, but it mainly transports guest to and from Sacramento International Airport, which is 10 to 15 minutes away, depending on time of day and traffic. Old Town Sacramento, the Sacramento Convention Center, and Capitol Park are about a 10-minute drive away. It’s a relatively peaceful setting flanked by lots of large trees, and it gets pretty quiet at night except for the sound of freeway traffic.

Guest rooms carry on the punchy teal-and-orange decor from the public spaces with mixed results. Teal sleeper sofas (in King Rooms) and armchairs (in the Double Queens) topped with vivid orange pillows add a bit of midcentury flair. But they're a bit jarring sitting on top of the gray ink-blot-patterned carpet and crisp white bedding that's more "sleek modern" than "1960s mod." Long desk/dresser combos with white marble tops add a classy touch, finished off with gray turned legs in faux period fashion. Walls are enhanced by colorful, almost impressionistic photo art. Also notable are the open steel-and-wood storage shelves in the hallways providing plenty of space for clothes. Standard amenities include 49-inch flat-screen TVs, microwaves, mini-fridges, Keurig coffeemakers, free Wi-Fi, and Neutrogena toiletries. Bathrooms have contrasting material as well, with granite-top vanities, wood plank-style laminate floors, and accent walls in branch-patterned wallpaper. Shower/tub combos are surrounded by bright-white tiling. Rooms on the western side facing the pool area tend to be quieter than those  closer to the freeway.

Geared to business travelers and convention-goers, the hotel operates a free shuttle service to and from Sacramento International Airport, and to restaurants along the Sacramento River. Parking is free, and guests on extended stays also can take advantage of the hotel’s Park & Fly package. The fitness center has both cardio- and weight-training equipment; it's open 24/7, as is the business center that has a printer and two computer stations with internet access. The Pavilion Pantry is also open around the clock. It sells sundries, snacks, frozen entrees, and drinks, including beer and wine. The Garden Grille and Bar offers a hot breakfast buffet (not included in standard room rates) as well as cooked-to-order fare. It also serves lunch and dinner. Meeting space for up to 85 people is available, along with free basic Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Premium Wi-Fi is also available for a fee. The hotel's outdoor pool is spacious and surrounded by loungers, tables, and a few padded armchairs, with an adjacent whirlpool. The hotel also has a coin-operated laundry, and free "USA Today" newspapers are available in the lobby on weekdays.