11 Most Romantic Hotels in Sacramento CA

The capital of the U.S. state of California, Sacramento, is famed for its vibrant culture and a long and rich history. Its history as a Gold Rush town meant that we had tons to see and explore, including parks, museums, old, historical landmarks and sights, and more. Since we’re suckers for history, we found the city to be extremely romantic. Not surprisingly, we found a range of romantic hotels in Sacramento, CA. Not only were they nestled in the heart of the city, but some of them lay just outside it, right in the heart of wine country. An intimate ambiance, elegant decor, and gorgeous rooms and suites made from a tranquil escape from all the hustle and bustle, allowing us to relax and reconnect. Here’s a guide to luxury romantic escapades in Sacramento.

Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel

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We begin with the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel, a hotel right in the center of the city with an interesting history and excellent amenities to boot. You might think that there’s nothing romantic about the Sheraton, but you’d be surprised how romantic you feel when the entire city is right at your doorstep, and that too with good dogs. All rooms were spacious, with some even featuring in-built window seats, and they all have coffeemakers with Starbucks coffee and cozy lounge chairs. The bathrooms, while a bit snug, came with bathtubs, so what could be better after a long day of sightseeing, right?

However, the grandest parts of this Sheraton Grand aren’t in the rooms, but rather in the rest of the hotel. A swanky, soaring lobby peppered with sculptural installations forms the centerpiece, along with a long list of amenities making for a worthy backup. These include multiple dining options, including the ever-popular Public Market Bar, a 24-hour fitness center, and, the best of them all, a heated outdoor pool.

Bardessono Hotel and Spa

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The Bardessono Hotel and Spa might sit an hour and a half from Sacramento, but it was every bit the romantic nest we’d hoped it would be. Not only is it one of Yountville, California’s best hotels, but it’s also one of Napa’s best 5-star resorts. This secluded, eco-minded hideaway was all about quiet luxury, with Zen-like gardens featuring water features, small wooden footpaths, large-scale sculptures, an outdoor rooftop pool, a spa, a culinary garden, and an onsite restaurant. Walking through this serene setting felt like we’d landed straight into a public art garden.

Impeccable service and hospitality aside, the amenities here were top-notch. The signature farm-to-table restaurant served delicious meals, including indulgent breakfasts, after which we’d hit up the pool and the spa for couples massages. In fact, it’s California’s sole spa that has products from London-based Linda Meredith.

Choose from 62 intimate, sleek, and modern rooms and suites, all with earthy hues, pops of color. and dual identities: every space could be transformed into a private spa suite! So, we even indulged in in-room massages, with privacy screens gliding into place and massage tables appearing as if by magic, making room our own personal wellness retreat.

Grand Reserve Inn

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Best vineyard. As oenophiles, we “wined” down at the Grand Reserve Inn, an hour east of Sacramento. This luxury boutique inn sits in an Italian-Tuscan style Grand Reserve Inn right beside the Wilderotter Vineyards.

The rolling hills and the vineyards made for the perfect backdrop for our romantic travels, with the villa itself being the epitome of romance. An inner-facing open-air courtyard, with quietly trickling fountains, welcomed us within. This is where we’d dig into specially prepared farm-to-table meals. Our breakfasts would take place in the Great Room, complete with a grand fireplace. And when we felt like, we’d grab the vintage-style cruiser bikes out for a spin.

We had the choice of just five suites, so staying here was as intimate as it was exclusive. What’s more, they were all massive and thoughtfully appointed with oversized fireplaces and intimate seating areas and huge soaking tubs. Moreover, French doors opened onto dedicated patios with panoramic views of the vineyards. Plus, none of the suites overlook any part of each other, guaranteeing seclusion and privacy. Since our Tuscany Suite was so amazing, we enjoyed in-room couples’ massages right there.

Eden Vale Inn

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The rustic but lavish B&B that is the Eden Vale Inn sat in a converted turn-of-the-20th-century hay barn — right up our alley. The stunning grounds set the romantic mood and vibe of the stay, the centerpiece of whose amenities was the 27-ft-high slate fireplace that rose to a sloping ceiling of timber beams.

Our days began with absolutely delectable breakfasts that changed seasonally and was served buffet style, either in the sun room, on the sun deck, or on one of the patios. So, we’d carve out enough time for breakfasts, digging into the food and soaking in the views. Specialties included quiches, pancakes, oven baked scones, and more. The property, with hammocks and lush gardens overlooking wooded nooks and a pond, was perfect for relaxing with our beloved.

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Choose from exceptionally plush rooms and suites, all of which were designed keeping pampering and romance in mind. Think gas fireplaces, cloud-like beds, flatscreen TVs, fireplaces, and lattice sliding doors leading to sleek bathrooms with private deep outdoor bathtubs. How romantic is that?

The Westin Sacramento Riverfront Hotel & Spa

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Everything was “laidback California” at The Westin Sacramento Riverfront Hotel & Spa, which sat right on the banks of the gorgeous Sacramento River. Since we had a car and didn’t necessarily need a central spot in town, this resort just south of Downtown was exactly the getaway we were after, with its earthier and peaceful location. We especially loved the rooms and suites, some of which, like ours, had patios overlooking the river. What’s more, they all featured luxurious bathrooms with clawfoot bathtubs, vintage Italian furnishings, coffeemakers, bathrobes — the works. Our King Bed Executive Suite with a view of the river was the perfect love nest in the city.

The sole restaurant on the property was romantic, to say the least, with the best bang-for-your-buck happy hours in the city and scenic views of the water. It was also where we’d start the day with delicious breakfasts. The rest of the property was no less amazing and we loved taking walks along the river at every opportunity.

Did you know it’s also one of the top pet-friendly hotels in Sacramento, California? Yes!

Auberge du Soleil

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Most luxurious. We wanted to get away from the bustle, and we mean far away, and yet be within quick driving distance of Sacramento. Plus, we wanted romance in spades. The luxurious, five-star Auberge du Soleil in Napa checked all boxes, and then some. One of the Napa Valley’s most romantic hotels, this stunningly exquisite sun-drenched adults-only resort.

Part of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux hotel chain, this Napa Valley hotel is the region’s sole Forbes five-star-rated hotel. Lush undulating acres look out to the Napa Valley’s rolling vineyards, which is also the views from the rooms. We had the choice of five amazing room types, of which those with hillside views were the most romantic. Our Private Garden Suite was a cocoon of tranquility and romance, with an outdoor freestanding tub in the private patio that overlooked our private garden. When it would get cold, we’d curl up on the sofa in front of the fireplace, wine glasses in hand.

That’s not all; the hotel offered us a bevy of romance packages, such as the “Love Sweet Love” package. We not only got USD 200 resort credit, but also complimentary breakfasts for all days of our stay, 20% discount on all spa services, and even a bottle of Auberge du Soleil sparkling wine. Aside from that, we enjoyed long romantic walks around the olive grove on the property.

The Kimpton Sawyer Hotel

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Spacious and stylish, the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel was the epitome of modern luxury in the heart of Sacramento. The vibe was perfect for us as we’re urban and modern luxury lovers, and this hotel was just enough romantic for us.

We loved every inch of the public spaces and amenities at this hotel, especially since our idea of romance was sipping aperitifs at the third-floor bar and lounge. Our days began at the complimentary continental breakfast, followed by a swim and lounge at the rooftop pool. It was particularly romantic in the evening, as we cozied up in front of poolside fire pits with drinks from the bar while soaking in the city views. Three restaurant/bar options, including a pool bar aside, the hotel even had public bikes out front. So, we’d just grab them and go on a spin of the neighborhood. Rounding up the amenities were the complimentary tea/coffee in the lobby every morning and 24/7 room service.

We had a great choice of chic and sleek rooms with a sexy geometric aesthetic and slick mod-cons. Plush beds, luxurious bathrooms, and mod-cons were standard in all rooms, but our

Wine & Roses Hotel Restaurant Spa

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Hardly half an hour from Sacramento lies the Wine & Roses Hotel Restaurant Spa in the charming town of Lodi. As oenophiles, we were looking for a romantic getaway, and this hotel-spa was just what we were looking for. The motto here was total relaxation, as was evident from the gorgeous, individually styled airy and light rooms and suites. Not only did they all have luxurious touches and mod-cons, but the best of them, including ours, had private terraces. Our suite was a spacious haven, with a bedroom, living room, dining room, kitchen, as well as a large patio space with alfresco furniture. In fact, the patio was accessible via a pair of glass-paned doors, so what could be better?

The amenities here were equally indulgent, with the real draw being the fine dining restaurant and the wine tasting room with 80 different kinds of wines. The award-winning spa was no less amazing, as we indulged in a couples massage. We followed it with a scenic walk around the picturesque lake and explored the lush, informal gardens. Our favorite thing to do would be to enjoy a swim in the pool and lounge beside it. Did you know that we even got discounts on tastings at the Lodi Wine & Visitors Center next door that was included in the daily USD 20 resort fee? Yep.

The Sterling Hotel

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Gracing the corner of a pretty Downtown tree-lined street is the historic Sterling Hotel, which was perfect for exploring the historic center of Sacramento. We instantly fell in love with the 1894-built mansion-turned-boutique hotel’s authentic Victorian charm, especially since it was also surrounded by lush greenery. The front porch is a classic architectural feature of the city and was the perfect place to relax or read on a lazy Californian afternoon.

Our days began with complimentary breakfasts in the charming lobby nook which we’d enjoy with views of the gardens and the lush street. There’s a cellar lounge for drinks and hors d’oeuvres, but what we really loved was the classic Victorian era ambaince and the upgraded contemporary comforts. What’s more, all rooms had in-built jacuzzi tubs, pillow-like beds, flatscreen TVs, Wi-Fi, large floor-to-ceiling marble bathrooms, and Wi-Fi. Our room, the Huntington Suite, was particularly spacious, complete with a plush separate seating space, a kitchenette, and a spa-like bathroom.

Rancho Caymus Inn

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Best value for money. No one did affordable-yet-romantic luxury better than the Rancho Caymus Inn, which lay just an hour outside Sacramento but in the Napa Valley. This romantic “hacienda-away-from-home” was actually an upscale-contemporary boutique hotel with artwork and decor evoking the area’s Mexican heritage.

We had a nice choice of spacious rooms and suites, most of which were split-level. However, they all had fireplaces, comfy furniture, and patios overlooking the courtyard. The one-bedroom suite was perfect for our romantic extended stay, complete with a romantic bedroom, a living and dining room, and even a wet bar, a Juliet patio, and a spa-like bath. When we wanted to retire, we’d curl up with a glass of wine in front of the fireplace.

Our favorite part of the property was the brick-lined central courtyard, which had graceful arches, wrought-iron touches, and lots of greenery and hanging plants. The pool wasn’t far behind, where we’d cool off on a hot day with drinks by the poolside.

The Inn & Spa at Parkside

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Best B&B. The Inn & Spa at Parkside is a romantic nest of a B&B tucked in a stunning former 1930s-built Mediterranean home. It sat right next to Southside Park, and we could see lovely verdant views from practically everywhere in the B&B, including the living room bedecked with antique furniture.

Every inch of this luxurious B&B was romantic, but our favorite was the tranquil basement The Spa at Parkside, which offered everything from a sauna to treatments, including an indulgent couples’ massage. Our days began with a complimentary multi-course breakfast, which we’d enjoy in the cocoon of our suite. This was great even though they didn’t have a restaurant onsite. What’s more, there were even rooms with balconies or jacuzzi; some, like our Serenity Spa Suite with balcony had both! In fact, the jacuzzi was right in our room, and the hotel helped set up a romantic breakfast on the balcony for us. That’s why it’s also one of the best boutique hotels in Sacramento.

Since we were celebrating our anniversary, we chose the Couples Retreat Package. This started off with a soothing 75-minute couples massage with aromatherapy along with a 15-minute hot stone therapy/exfoliating body scrub of our choice. We finished it off with a romantic soak in a private jacuzzi, complete with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. Sigh.

Our Verdict!

While we loved every romantic outpost in “Camellia City,” you might find it difficult to choose one. That’s why we’ve decided to draw up a shorter list so you can choose.

• Best vineyard: Grand Reserve Inn
• Most luxurious: Auberge du Soleil
• Best value for money: Rancho Caymus Inn
• Best B&B: The Inn & Spa at Parkside

Where to Stay in Sacramento?

Sacramento is the fast-growing capital city of California, and it’s a charming one at that. It might not be as large as other state capitals, but it does have many neighborhoods. So, we needed to choose where we wanted to stay depending on what we wanted to do.

Are you visiting Sacramento for the first-time? We loved Midtown Sacramento, which lay just east of Downtown Sacramento. It’s the epicenter of the city’s art, music, and cultural scene and is perfect for first-time visitors, culture vultures, and even couples. Moreover, this hip and lively district also had a wide range of romantic stay and dining options, so we found tons of choices for stays, including budget and luxury ones.

Next, there’s Old Town Sacramento for the culture and history buffs. This historic district, a.k.a. “Old Sac,” was the most exciting area of town. What’s more, it’s also home to many 19th century structures/buildings, museums, and historic sites. Thirdly, there’s Downtown Sacramento, the business district and the busiest hustle-and-bustle area. It’s also famed for being home to California’s largest shopping center. Finally, there are the regions outside the city, like the Napa Valley, El Dorado County, and San Joaquin County.

What to do in Sacramento as a couple?

For a romantic experience in Sacramento, couples can explore Old Sacramento’s historic waterfront, stroll through the beautiful McKinley Park, take a scenic Sacramento River Cruise, or enjoy a Sacramento Brew Bike tour. 

Which is the most romantic stay near Sacramento?

That would be Auberge du Soleil in the heart of Napa Valley.

Which is the best restaurant for a romantic date in Sacramento?

The Waterboy features on most lists of romantic restaurants in Sacramento, sitting right on Capitol Avenue in the heart of the city.