National Exchange Hotel

My wife and I visited Nevada City for the first time in late July and were genuinely excited to stay at the National Exchange Hotel. We loved Nevada City and there’s a lot to like about the property - it's beautiful, full of character, and our king suite (Room 210) was very comfortable and thoughtfully designed.

That said, a few issues took away from what could have been an exceptional stay - and more concerning, they were never addressed despite multiple attempts to follow up directly with the hotel's general manager.

First, the “private” balcony attached to our suite was not truly private. Due to its proximity to a shared space and unclear signage, other guests repeatedly occupied it. I had to personally ask people to leave, which was uncomfortable and not what you expect when booking a premium room with a private amenity.

Second, the body wash dispenser in the shower was empty upon arrival - likely a simple oversight, but another detail that detracted from the experience.

Finally, we noticed two separate bar charges on our invoice, even though we only visited the bar once (two glasses of wine total). Multiple emails after our stay were sent to the general @info address and directly to the GM seeking clarification. We still have not received a response.

Individually, these are manageable issues. What’s disappointing is the lack of follow-up or response from management after multiple attempts. For a hotel at this price point and with this reputation, I would expect better communication and accountability.

The hotel has tremendous potential and clearly gets a lot right - but attention to detail and guest follow-through matter just as much as aesthetics.

Staying at the National Exchange Hotel is an unparalleled experience. It's an iconic historic property with all the charm and whimsy of an European chateau tucked away in the hidden foothills of the Sierra Nevada's. The moment you step foot inside this Hotel, you're transported to a special place. From the curated cocktails in the National Bar to the storied art adorning the walls, it's a reprieve from the mundane and chaotic world "out there." The National feels intimate, feminine and completely unique. Your busy life slips away and moments of magic become the norm. After a full day exploring the Tahoe National Forest and Yuba River, make sure to have your reservations booked in the National's Lola Restaurant where the menu is approachable yet elevated and the staff are genuine & attentive. After dinner, take a stroll through town or have a night-cap in the National Bar; their cocktails are exquisite and very well priced. After that, enjoy the most comfortable bed in the stillness of an elegantly styled Victorian room. Once you discover this place, you'll feel like you've been inducted into a secret club. Truly a must on any traveler's bucket list!

Great old hotel in the middle of charming Nevada City. Lots of charm, wonderful hospitality and very clean. The location was perfect for our family reunion.

We chose the National Exchange Hotel to celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary, and we truly enjoyed our stay. I absolutely loved the hotel’s historic charm and was especially excited to stay in Room 209—a room I would happily request again. Our stay was both comfortable and memorable.
I was, however, a little disappointed that our anniversary was not acknowledged by the hotel or at Lola, the onsite restaurant. While this certainly didn’t take away from the beauty and charm of our experience, a small acknowledgment would have made our special occasion feel even more memorable.
Overall, we had a wonderful stay and look forward to returning in the future.

Gorgeous old hotel beautifully renovated with all the amenities. Perfect central location right in town! Also the balcony was a highlight.

Great location, good parking, awesome rooms, beautiful trees.
Right on Main Street. Very close to highway. Good parking spaces. Very old building but very nicely maintained. And yes great staff

All the staff were very helpful and friendly.
The rooms were clean and Welle appointed.

Great hotel, wonderful room and great staff. Nice and quiet. The hotel restaurant was amazing, 5 star quality, Chez Panisse quality at a great price.

We had a fantastic stay. The décor throughout the hotel was beautiful, with exceptional attention to detail that made the property feel both stylish and welcoming. The staff were friendly, professional, and always willing to help.

The freshly baked muffins and coffee each morning were a real highlight and a lovely way to start the day. While the room was on the smaller side, it was perfectly adequate, with a spacious shower offering excellent water pressure. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and the quality linens ensured a great night’s sleep.

A wonderful hotel that we would highly recommend to others and would happily return to in the future.

The hotel is beautiful and the location could not be better! The Saturday afternoon happy hour in the courtyard was so fun!

This hotel is so quaint, stylish, and comfortable! I've only ever stayed as a solo traveler, so no "romance" involved, but it's a great place to rest! Also, the food & service at Lola restaurant is excellent. Thank you!!

An absolutely masterful renovation and keeping true to the elegance of the late 19th century with modern amenities, of course. Every member of the staff were personable, friendly and efficient.

This is a great historic hotel directly in the town of Nevada City. We had a suite on the 3rd floor that was huge and probably one of the quietest rooms with no one above or on the sides. We ate at the hotel three times and thoroughly enjoyed each meal. Beautiful restaurant with super friendly and efficient servers. Delicious food. Especially the eggs Benedict. You can walk to the shops and restaurants of the town, and also walk to a wonderful hiking trail with a suspension bridge. We had such a great getaway.

Wonderful hotel and experience to stay there and spend days hiking and in town dining - we'll be back again soon. Debbie on the phone was charm to talk with about the area.