Hotels in Nevada City are small and close to the old streets. You can book a room in a grand old hotel on Broad Street, a motor court motel a few blocks from downtown, a set of cottages, or an inn in the pines just out of town. Grass Valley, the next town over, adds a few more.
We are a restaurant, not a hotel. But a good night out ends with a good bed, so here is a short list. Each note comes from the place's own site. Rates and rules change, so check before you book.
What are the hotels in Nevada City like?
They are not big chains. Most are old houses, old motels or old hotels. That is the charm. It also means rooms can go fast on busy weekends, and each place has its own way of doing things.
Think about three things first. Do you want to walk to dinner? Do you need a kitchen? Is the dog coming? The answers will sort the list for you.
Where can you stay and walk to downtown?
Outside Inn. This is a family-owned motel at 575 East Broad Street. Its site says it sits in a quiet part of town, a few blocks from downtown, with rooms under tall pines.
- Rooms: Themed rooms, such as the Paddlers' Suite and the Anglers' Room, plus a cabin and a cottage.
- Good to know: All rooms are on the ground floor, and you park in front of your door. There is no breakfast, but every room has a coffee maker with coffee and tea.
- Good fit if: You like a simple, fun room and plan to be out all day.
Piety Hill Cottages. A group of cottages at 523 Sacramento Street. The site says it is a ten minute walk to the old downtown.
- Rooms: Cottages and suites, most with a king bed. Most have a fridge and a microwave, and some have a full kitchen.
- Good to know: Each cottage gets its own parking spot. The grounds have seats and grills. Some rooms take pets.
- Good fit if: You want your own front door and a place to make coffee.
Two Room Inn. An old Victorian cottage on Broad Street, rented as a whole house. The site says you can walk to shops and food, and that it comes with private parking.
- Good fit if: You are a small group or a family who wants a house, not a room.
The National Exchange Hotel. The big old hotel on Broad Street, with a bar and a place to eat called Lola. We wrote about it in its own spotlight.
Which places sit a little out of town?
Northern Queen Inn. Its site says it sits on 16 acres of pines, a few minutes from downtown by car.
- Rooms: Hotel rooms, plus cabins and chalets. The chalets have a full kitchen with an oven. The cabins have a cooktop, a small fridge and a microwave.
- Good to know: Cabins and chalets have a patio or back porch with a grill. WiFi and parking are free, and some rooms are fine for pets.
- Good fit if: You want trees, room to spread out, and a short drive in.
Is it worth staying in Grass Valley instead?
It can be. Grass Valley has its own old downtown, and it is a short drive from ours. If Nevada City is full, or you want a pool, look here.
Grass Valley Courtyard Suites. A small hotel at 210 North Auburn Street. Its site says it is near Empire Mine State Park and a walk from downtown Grass Valley.
- Good to know: It serves a full breakfast in its lounge, and holds an evening hour with wine and snacks for guests. The pool and hot tub are open from 9 am to 10 pm.
- Good fit if: You want breakfast on site and a place to swim.
Gold Miners Inn. A hotel at 121 Bank Street in Grass Valley, part of the Ascend Hotel Collection. The site says it was just redone and that you can walk to the town's main sights. It also has rooms for meetings and weddings.
The Holbrooke Hotel. The old hotel in downtown Grass Valley, home of the Golden Gate Saloon. It has a spotlight of its own on this blog.
How do the options compare?
| Place | Town | Type | Good fit if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outside Inn | Nevada City | Motor court motel | You want a fun room and a short walk |
| Piety Hill Cottages | Nevada City | Cottages | You want a kitchen and your own door |
| Two Room Inn | Nevada City | Whole house | You are a group or a family |
| National Exchange Hotel | Nevada City | Old hotel | You want to be right on Broad Street |
| Northern Queen Inn | Nevada City | Inn with cabins | You want pines and space |
| Grass Valley Courtyard Suites | Grass Valley | Small hotel | You want breakfast and a pool |
| Gold Miners Inn | Grass Valley | Hotel | You want a full hotel in town |
| Holbrooke Hotel | Grass Valley | Old hotel | You want a bar under the same roof |
What should you check before you book?
- Pick your town. Nevada City for the old streets on foot, Grass Valley if you need more choice.
- Ask how far it is to walk, and if the way back is uphill.
- Ask about pets. Many places take dogs, but each has its own rules and fees.
- Ask about breakfast. Some serve it. Some give you coffee and a kitchen instead.
- Read the deposit and cancel rules. Small places often have strict ones.
- Check the front desk hours if you will get in late.
Questions people ask
Can you walk to downtown from hotels in Nevada City?
From some of them, yes. The Outside Inn, Piety Hill Cottages, Two Room Inn and the National Exchange Hotel all sit close to the old streets. The Northern Queen Inn is a short drive.
Do Nevada City hotels take dogs?
Several do. The Outside Inn, Piety Hill Cottages and the Northern Queen Inn all say they have rooms for pets. Each one has its own rules and fees, so read them before you book.
Do hotels in Nevada City serve breakfast?
Most of the small places here do not. The Outside Inn says it does not serve breakfast but puts coffee and tea in every room. Grass Valley Courtyard Suites says it serves a full breakfast.
Should I stay in Nevada City or Grass Valley?
Stay in Nevada City if you want to walk to dinner on the old streets. Look at Grass Valley if the town is full or you want a pool. The two towns sit close, so you can see both.
Where to go once you drop your bags
You found a bed. Now you need a table. Our town is small enough that you will pass most of the places above on the way to dinner.
Sherwood sits at 111 North Pine Street, at the corner of Pine and Commercial. The bar opens at 4 PM, and we are closed on Wednesdays. Check current hours on the visit page. For parking, hours and how to find us, see our visit page. If you want more ideas for the rest of your stay, our weekend getaway guide is a good place to start.
