The National Exchange Hotel nevada city ca — Hotel in Nevada City

If I could give this hotel a 0 star I absolutely would!!! First of all, we reserved a suite hotel room for two days FIVE months prior to our arrival!!!! We FINALLY get there after a long vacation and now we have a wedding to go to. Now, let me first tell you, my conversation 5 months prior asked SPECIFICALLY, can we pay cash?? NO CARD!!?? Debbie, an employee at The National said, "Absolutely!!! You can pay cash when you get here!!" Ok, PERFECT! Because my husband and I are going to be on a 9 day vacation with a very specific budget. Tuned in finely for everywhere we visit. We finally get to Nevada City, the place I was anticipating the MOST! The rooms looks amazing- and I couldn't believe we booked a suite for 2 days! So we get there, go to check in... the woman at the window has salt water in her mouth, fails to acknowledge us for a good couple minutes, and then says "how can I help you?" I told her we were checking in, and we had said we'd be here between 5-7pm. I told her our name, and she said "the room is $289.00. My husband proceeded to hand her 300.00 cash, she writes us a receipt, and to our surprise, tells us we need $389.00 in order to book the room. This puts us in a big predicament as we were NOT expecting this, and were NOT EVER TOLD TO US FIVE MONTHS AGO WHEN WE INITIALLY RESERVED OUR ROOM! Not that we couldn't, but the fact of the matter was we were NEVER TOLD about the extra $100.00 deposit to pay cash!!! BE WARE! She stated to us "Oh, this is not something we tell customers". I stated the woman I stated made reservations with made no comment about this detail. The front desk lady again, tries to reinforce that they do not tell their customers that, and that Debbie, who took our reservation was a new employee and should have known better. Now, two things in this specific event, number one: this hotel practices hiding hidden fees for people who don't expect them, and two: do NOT TRAIN their new hires properly! Now that's either here nor there, because when we decided we wanted to speak to the main supervisor to hopefully resolve this small infraction, he refused to work with us a FIRST TIME CUSTOMERS. As she got off of the telephone call, instead of even trying to explain to us the circumstances, she chose the decision of the representative of this establishment to pick up the phone once again and tell us she was going to make reservations ELSEWHERE for us. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"', are you serious about really making his decision about trying to protect your reputation as a reputable establishment that has been around for hundreds of years?!?!?! Once again, my husband and myself very frustrated and upset, look at her and ask to speak to Tom, the apparent head manager of the establishment again. She picks up the phone, states "ok umm hmmm" and proceeds to hand us a brochure of other hotels in the area, and tells us she will make us a reservation elsewhere. Once again, we ask her, we would really like to speak to the head manager face to face. She refused, and stated that she is now "managing" the front desk and she makes those calls. At this point, very frustrated, we let her know that we are very loyal and frequent customers of establishments that we feel welcome to, and the look on her face gave us no remorse. At this point, we stated, "Thank you very much, and we will never step foot in this hotel EVER again", and we promise to tell EVERYONE we know. So outside to our breaking point, frustrated and lost, we have ZERO options to stay in this town for a wedding that we are supposed to be attending, we are not locals and don't know where to turn. We decided to google other local hotels in the area as one last resort before turning home. To our surprise, we got very lucky with our call to Piety Hill cottages!!! Spoke with Mike and Sharon, the owners, who first of all were VERY personable and friendly on the phone and who were able to accommodate us last moment and VERY upfront and honest about ALL FEES and deposits UP FRONT! Please stay at Piety Hill Cottegas! They won't disappoint!...

Backstory: My husband and I recently stayed at The National Exchange Hotel for our September Wedding Weekend, which was originally planned for June 2020, but was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the end, one of the silver linings of having to wait longer to celebrate our marriage was getting to stay at The National Exchange Hotel. We had been patiently waiting for the renovation to be completed and had always hoped that it would coincide with our wedding weekend. Our hope was to get as much family and friends to stay for the weekend with us at the hotel, and create a super festive and connected feeling around our wedding weekend events - all of which took place in and around Nevada City.

Our Wedding Weekend: The front desk staff / managers were extremely helpful and welcoming, and secured us a spacious King Suite with a private patio that was the perfect homebase for my husband and I, the bridal party, and our families. They were also able to get my mom a room close to us, and in the end we had several friends and family book rooms at the hotel. The day we checked-in we were welcomed with champagne (we had pre-paid), and it provided the perfect start to a long weekend of happiness, socializing, togetherness, and romance! The patio was instrumental to saying hello to friends and family, also staying at the hotel, and to the getting ready phase of the wedding day for the bridal party. It was great to have some extra space to avoid feeling overwhelmed with all the people and activity involved before the big event. The suite and the hotel interiors also provided a gorgeous backdrop for our pre-wedding, first look, and wedding party photos. The dijon colored lounge is particularly gorgeous!

Rooms: The rooms are elegantly furnished with period appropriate pieces, while still feeling fresh and adapted to modern life (I was able to take a peek at the rooms of other friends and family). The bathrooms are beautiful, the tiles, the lighting, the showers... it all feels very luxurious. Everywhere you look throughout the hotel care has been taken with the design choices to make for an opulent and transportive experience. The hotel is quiet and the walls must be fairly thick because I slept wonderfully and never heard anyone else. The Wallpapers are varied and so cool. If you love design and the finer things - stay here!

Restaurant/Bar: We will remember fondly the karaoke nights of the former National, but are so pleased to see the restoration of the bar and restaurant, which was so convenient for meeting friends and family, and a treat even on a previous visit before our stay. The Bar is fantastically decorated, the tile in bathrooms is so cool, the DRINKS are GREAT! The restaurant is a beautifully decorated, Instagram heaven. The staff is so warm and friendly, and it was great to see professionals like Pascal from the former New Moon Cafe. The food is very good, but perhaps there are some growing pains to overcome, particularly on their more expensive dinner entrees. For meals at that price, you expect perfection in all of the ingredients and preparation, and they are not quite there yet. The brunch was fantastic, however, and the prices were more than reasonable for such quality food.

The Shop: You'll find a beautiful, perfectly curated, albeit pricey, little shop. I found several gifts and cards there for friends and family. My husband and I got matching commemorative National t-shirts with the splashy logo. Technically the big logo design is on the back, but I may just wear it on the front because it's so pretty.

Overall it was a success! We loved our stay and can't wait to go back and explore other rooms or stay in our "wedding suite" again. Thanks to everyone at the National for the perfect...

History has ensured that the National Exchange Hotel remains a gem that should definitely be on your radar. Recently, my brother and his now-wife chose this exquisite modern Victorian hotel for their wedding reception, and let me tell you, it was an experience worth sharing. Nestled in the heart of a historic gold mining town, this hotel seamlessly blends modern boutique with Victorian historic charm. As you step into its classic lobby adorned with rustic velour, brass details, and beautiful wallpaper, you're transported back to a bygone era. The hotel exudes romance and warmth, thanks to its exceptional team of professionals who go above and beyond to ensure a memorable stay. Surrounded by upscale yet charming rooms outfitted with antique Victorian pieces, you'll feel like a member of high society during the Victorian era. During our stay, we had a large group for breakfast, and the hotel graciously opened a special room for us all to dine together. Two families merging into one sat among each other, enjoying formidable gourmet breakfast that's nothing short of extraordinary. From brioche French toast to their special twist on the Croque Madam open-face sandwich, accompanied by their delectable house-made ketchup and fine-cut fries, every bite is a culinary delight. Our breakfast experience alone was truly five-star. The ambiance for the wedding reception was equally enchanting, with romantic lighting and a bar manned by a talented bartender.Despite the laughter, chatter, and joyful chaos among the guests, the service at the National Exchange Hotel remained impeccable. The staff worked tirelessly in the background, ensuring that every dish was served and cleared promptly, allowing us to fully enjoy the celebration without any worries. The food, catered by the hotel, was nothing short of exceptional. With a plethora of varied options, from moist fried chicken sandwiches to beautifully presented cheese and charcuterie boards, every detail was meticulously executed. The level of professionalism exhibited by the staff was reminiscent of the Victorian ages—perfect in every way. Their dedication to providing an outstanding dining experience truly elevated our celebration to new heights. In addition to the outstanding service and delectable food, the hotel boasts an original and beautifully restored full-service bar, adding another layer of charm to this already enchanting establishment. As someone with a background in hospitality, I can attest that coordinating such a large event isn't easy, but the team at the National Exchange Hotel handled it with grace and precision. In summary, if you're seeking a truly unforgettable experience in a historic setting, look no further than the National Exchange Hotel. Trust me, you won't regret it.

Special thanks to Alan and Kate for going above and beyond to ensure that my family's special day became an extraordinary one. Your dedication and professionalism truly made a difference and contributed to the unforgettable experience we had at the National Exchange Hotel. I also want to extend my gratitude to every manager on the floor and every enthusiastic service member in the hotel, bars, restaurant, and event. Your unrelenting attention to detail and commitment to excellence did not go unnoticed. Thank you for being so awesome at your job and for making our stay...