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Murphys Historic Hotel
Categories: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Public Services & Government Landmarks & Historical Buildings Hotels, Landmarks & Historical Buildings [Edit]
457 Main StreetMurphys, CA 95247
(209) 728-3444
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 8 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 8 am - 1 am
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
37 reviews for Murphys Historic Hotel
Review Highlights
"Next time I'll also try out the local wine tasting."
(in 3 reviews)
"Mark Twain and Ulysses Grant stayed here."
(in 3 reviews)
"...get to hang in the saloon, but it's a perfect setting for..."
(in 7 reviews)
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37 reviews in English
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Review from Heather C.
Walnut Creek, CA
8/25/2011
Came here for Breakfast as most other places were not serving breakfast around 11am on a weekday.
This place has a nice patio area. Inside has the historic charm to it. I enjoyed reading the paper placemat that gave the history on the place.
Reasonable priced breakfasts with all the fixings... toast, hashbrowns etc. -
Review from Doug E.
Elk Grove, CA
Updated - 11/7/2011
I told myself after the last time I wouldn't go back; I didn't have a choice; as friends really wanted to meet there; so I went along. Everyone in our small group had issues with their orders.
I had the grilled rib eye sandwich served open faced on garlic toast with sautéed mushrooms. The garlic toast was not toast or garlic! Just a piece of cold sourdough bread under the just warm; do I dare say meat? I ordered medium rare and got WELL DONE. It took so long to get our food I didn't bother saying anything. The rib eye was 3/8 of an inch thick; you couldn't see through it; but I don't think I have ever seen a rib eye cut that thin. The chowder was good; but it was just barley warm.
Pretty sad that they have such a nice place and just don't bother spending a little on quality food or service. There are so many good places to eat in town; don't waste your time here.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/1/2010
We stopped for breakfast on a Monday morning; we wanted to sit outside; however there were no seats… Read more »
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Review from Tavius A.
Murphys, CA
11/22/2011
Dining experience is enjoyable especially outside under the shade of trees along downtown Murphys main drag. When all the bikers come to town they hangout here often and the bar is fairly popular at night.
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Review from Melanie K.
Oakland, CA
7/28/2011
This review is for breakfast in the restaurant.
It was exactly three stars for "A-OK." Not bad. Not great.
They do serve breakfast until 11:30 a.m. on weekdays, so that's a huge plus. I ordered the famous corn beef hash which was good. My poached eggs were overcooked. The home fries were EXCELLENT.
My significant other's sandwich was nothing special. I could have made a BLTA twice as good. The coffee was good. The toast was good. They ran out of sasparilla (at 11 a.m.?).
The atmosphere was old historic hotel campy. That's what I wanted for that place, and it delivered. I liked reading about the history of the hotel and looking around.
It was A-OK indeed. -
Review from Gabriel S.
Modesto, CA
4/24/2011
Centrally to most things in the area. Great area joggers. Read the other reviews and knew this was older hotel but couldn't be more pleasantly surprised. The rooms were well maintained. To no fault of their ownership the beds are decidedly pro-firm mattresses. I prefer a softer bed.
I can understand pet owners wanting to bring their pets into the area but the hotel really does make their no pet policy clear. The reviews here complaining about that really are unfair.
I guess I could complain that the wi-fi was out but it was nice to be unplugged for a day or two. -
Review from Mary T.
Vallejo, CA
9/26/2011
Dont leave here without a nice sunday brunch on the outdoor patio! the people here are friendly and the food is homey and comforting! the eggs benedict is my favorite!
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Review from Carol H.
Walnut Creek, CA
10/20/2010
This review is for the restaurant/outdoor patio.
My husband and I travel with our dogs to Murphys regularly. We rent a cottage and go wine tasting in town. We always have a wonderful time. Today, we decided to try the outdoor patio at the hotel. It was empty. We thought we would have dinner and a glass of wine. Again, the patio was empty. Anyway, I went in to ask if we could sit on the patio with our dogs.
I was given some strange convoluted story that dogs were not allowed on the patio. They would have to sit off on the grass or along the bushes, etc. I went out and told my husband this "story". We walked on down the street where we were welcomed into a pretty patio with our dogs, drank wine and had a lunch platter. I really wish that owners would stop making up stories to restrict pets on their patios. Just post a sign. I will gladly not bother with your establishment. -
Review from Tom T.
Los Angeles, CA
1/10/2011 1 photo
The kids and I hit Murphys Hotel after crossing west over Tioga Pass on the way to Lassen. Katie and I had driven through Murphys a year before on the way to Virginia City via Lake Tahoe, and were charmed by the town and it's oldest hotel. Mark Twain and Ulysses Grant stayed here. It's right on Main Street at the end of town; easy access to the eateries and shops.
We weren't lucky enough to see the ghost during this stay, but in the new wing, we did get our own bath. The room was decent, but the wifi signal struggled to make it across the parking lot.
In the restaurant, we had French Onion Soup, a salad, and fried calamari, no regrets. Good bread. Even though we came in late before closing, the service was courteous and attentive. The next morning, we went across the street for coffee and danishes and brought it back to sit outside under the trees in the restaurant's patio. You can get friendly service outside too!
Didn't get to hang in the saloon, but it's a perfect setting for Liar's Dice. Next time I'll also try out the local wine tasting. Who knew that there's a bustling little wine country tucked up here in the Calaveras foothills. With a few tasting rooms in town and wineries about, that alone makes it worth a return trip. After checking out, we backtracked to historic Columbia before continuing the trip north. -
Review from Sara C.
San Francisco, CA
9/6/2010
I'm only giving one star, as opposed to zero for Bianca (front desk reception). I wish I read the reviews of how sketchy the management is, before staying here.
We were told most of the younger "kids" attending a wedding in Murphys would stay here, so we made our reservation. Since my parents don't live too far away, I only made it for one night. I called the day-of to confirm the reservation and see if we can check in a bit early. When I called I was told I didn't have a reservation but they had one room available for $89. I said I'll check my confirmation and get back to them. I couldn't find the confirmation so I called back to book the room and when she started to put my information said, "oh, looks like you checked in yestersday." After discussing why I would never have made the reservation for one night, she was sweet (Bianca) and told me that we would be charged for the one night.
Forward to arriving. We are greeted by Biance at the front desk, again she told me we would only be charged one night. We receive our keys and go to the rundown room. It was clean, but probably the hardest beds imaginable.
I ran into the bride who asked if we received our welcome bag. No. So when we return to the hotel, I go to the front desk and ask about it. The owner, Dorian, keeps telling me that if we had checked in yesterday, as our reservation was then, we would have received it in our room. He was straight up giving me attitude. But, if they thought we checked in, wouldn't the bag already have been in the room?
We go to check out the next morning and my fiance comes back to the car and tells me they charged us for two nights! I'm like hell no. So I go back in and they tell me that we were supposed to stay two nights and thus, I'm charged. I ask them to prove it to me via email and they let me know they don't have access. Additionally, Dorian says, "If you want we can charge the bride for the night you didn't show." WHAT!? Was that a threat? I cooly replied, "Obviously not." It was a complete joke and we were running late so I'm now awaiting for the manager to call me. Also, I witnessed a couple in front of us (who apparently stays there regularly, god help them) ask Dorian who was staying in such-and-such room because she likes the pink bathroom. And then, he told her! Like, have you heard of privacy?
I stay at hotels a lot and if there's anything to piss someone off, it's charging their credit card without authorization. Completely unprofessional. Dorian, owner, should get his act together and not be rude and Crystal, the manager, should not be charging people and not have the courtesy to tell them.
I will never, ever stay here again. -
Review from Alex D.
Angels Camp, CA
6/4/2011
Best breakfast anywhere around. Bar is a fun place to hang on weekends and can get a little crowded especially on big weekends or events. Bartenders are friendly and pour good drinks that are NOT city prices.
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Review from JOHN R.
Covina, CA
8/14/2011
Hotel, newer rooms with air 3 stars. Location and parking 5 stars.
Restaurant 3 stars ($5.95 breakfast special a bargain!). Bar 4
stars for ambience, 3 stars for bloody mary's, diet cokes with cherries gets 5 stars. Small park nearby, Kids and some adults swim in the creek,
beautiful. We spent 8/11-8/13 in room 205, room is comfortable, clean,
and themed for the woodsy area. Had a slow drain in shower and shower door sticks. We brought this to the attention of the management.
We loved the shopping and people, a nice town and this hotel is the hub of it all. -
Review from Liz K.
Cary, NC
9/21/2008
THE BAR
Cowboy at the bar: "Howdy, my friend. Pull up a chair and have a drink."
Bartender: "What can I get ya?"
BF: "I'm here to check into my room and pick up the keys."
Cowboy: "You can check in, but you can never check out. Arh ha ha ha."
Bartender: "Here's your keys."
BF: *starts for the door*
Cowboy: "After you put your stuff in your room. Come back and have a drink."
Friendly atmosphere that appears to be the local hang out. This is just what you expect a bar to be in a small town like Murphys. 4 stars.
THE HOTEL
We decided to stay on the newer side of the hotel because you get a private bathroom. The historic side, the bathrooms are communal.
I'm lying in bed and I can't sleep. In my head I'm imagining what the huge stains are on both sides of the bed. Not to mention the stain that runs from the front door all the way to the bathroom.
The stain that gets me really grossed out is the huge brownish red stain on the lamp shade. It covers one whole side of the lamp shade!
Is it the blood from a victim of Buffalo Bill? Did Ulysses Grant spill his coffee on this lamp shade? What the heck? Are the stains all over the room historic remnants? Is that why the owners want to share it with the guests?
Anyways, I couldn't sleep. The place is a dump. We checked out first thing in the morning. The hostess was friendly and only charged us for one night. For the friendly hostess, I'll give the hotel 1.5 stars. Without the hostess, it would be 0.5 stars.
Overall: The hotel bar is lively and a great place to meet locals and out of towners for a drink. As for the hotel, definitely not for people who like clean carpets. Reasonable at $100/night. But, still a dump. TIPS TO THE OWNERS: Replace the stained carpets and stained lamp shades! You'll retain more guests. Also, wash off the fingerprints on the ceiling. What is that all about? -
Review from Liz I.
Modesto, CA
10/11/2010
Review is for restaurant only.
We visited on a Sunday afternoon, and the place wasn't that busy so we received pretty good service. We sat on the patio under a beautiful tree and the weather was just perfect, so maybe the wonderful ambience added to our experience.
We started off with the wild boar sausage and just loved it. Our sandwiches, while nothing extraordinary, were quite tasty. The prices were reasonable given the historic setting. Overall, we enjoyed a lovely lunch. -
Review from Karen G.
9/28/2008
This review is for the restaurant only.
I've read a lot of mixed reviews about the restaurant. It is located on the main floor of the historic hotel. The decor is definitely old fashioned, 1800's gold rush era. Since the hotel dates back to that time period, the decor is appropriate.
I've eaten here numerous times and we've always had good service. I always order the spinach salad and the calamari dore which are both very tasty. My uncle always raves about the fried chicken which is really yummy. My mom usually orders the prime rib, which she loves. Dad usually orders either the prime rib or the calamari dore. I've also had breakfast here a few times. The prices are very reasonable and the food is good standard breakfast fare (eggs, pancakes, etc.).
The restaurant is not usually crowded so consequently you probably won't need a reservation (unless it is on a busy weekend like Grape Stomp). Most of the other restaurants in Murphys require reservations especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. Casual attire is appropriate, but then again it is appropriate pretty much all over Calaveras County. I can say that because I'm a local. ;) -
Review from Erika G.
8/9/2009
The waitress said to us as we paid for our bill "So sorry, we are just having a terrible day" They were short staffed, dish washer quit on them and the cook was just overwhelmed and super busy. Waitstaff was as accommodating as they could be bringing us bread as we waited and some crackers. but still on a whole it was a Meh, I've experienced better.
We ordered Lumpia - what drew us here because how in the world in the middle of nowhere and out of the blue on the menu is there Lumpia? But after she took our order brought us waters she came back and said they were out. Ok, granted it was a super busy weekend b/c there was an Alan Jackson concert the night. prior. So find no replacement - just our food please.
DH ordered the ham/turkey/cheddar sandwich with steak fries.
It was piled high but dry. No mayo or very little - hubby said it was ok but that I definitely would not like it.
I ordered the Chef Salad. Dinner plate of mixed greens, processed sliced turkey (that was the same in SH sandwich), Croutons, a sliced egg, julienned jack and cheddar cheese, bacon bits and a carton of cherry tomato's. There was more toppings than lettuce, which IMHO I thought because it took the chef 45 minutes to get us our food so he gave me more toppings and not lettuce. DH had more greens in his sandwich than I did in my salad. It was a riot because I started to look for more lettuce and DH said that I never do that!
So we got our bill and the nonexistent Lumpia's were on our tab.
When we went up to pay for it they adjusted it because we could not find our waitress to ask her to fix it.
The water taste funny. Maybe because its an Historic Building and has original pipes but we skipped the water and asked for soda's with no ice.
The table behind us waited an hour for their breakfast that as they were asking for the tab for the drink order so they can leave they brought their food. Two bites in the lady discovered that she did not get what she ordered and she could not eat the peppers in her omelette and had to find a menu herself and show them it was wrong. She waited for a new one and they gave them a free round of Bloody Mary's.
Seriously, staff was friendly. Probably a little stressed because they are the ones that have to deal with disgruntled patrons. But until i get a better experience I stand by my rating and I will want to try them again because people were just streaming in waiting for a table. Even saw Ken Baustida from KPIX waiting for a table! For Real! -
Review from Linda B.
Oakland, CA
2/14/2009
The four stars are for the restaurant. (Just a note about the bar: the worst margarita I think I've ever tasted.)
It took awhile to get in, but I have to admit that tonight had its challenges: it was Saturday night and Valentine's Day to boot. Still, we had reservations for 8 pm. We arrived at 7:30. They didn't seat us until about 8:30. And the hostess by that time was getting surly.
Once we got in, it was smooth sailing. We each had different entrees. I had the fried chicken, and while I wouldn't say it was utterly fantastic, it did remind me of fried chicken my mother used to make. The batter was fresh, the chicken cooked well, and that's about all you can ask. The chicken gravy was very good except for the fact that it was cold.
Everybody else at our table was quite satisifed. The venison was tender, flavorful and "damn near perfect," and the cherry sauce with it was "awesome." The crab cakes were pretty good, and the sauce very good. The Filipino dish one of us had, the lumpia, was pretty good as well.
We had a red wine from the area, and it was so-so.
The desserts: I had the bread pudding with whiskey sauce, and everybody agreed it was better than the tiramisu and especially the apple crisp (which apparently had no "crisp" to it).
The service was excellent. -
Review from Melissa G.
Pleasanton, CA
9/11/2011
Make this your last option in Murphys. First of all the website photos are a lie. The big historical part and pics of rooms are only a small portion of this hotel. When we checked in we got a room that was no better than a motel 6, actually that would have probably been better, in a "modern" part that was not even attached to the historical building. So here we are thinking we were gonna be staying in a quaint little downtown building, not! We had some loud noisy generator type machine we listened to the whole night. Beds hard as concrete. Carpet nasty dirty. Had to keep the curtains closed or everyone walking by can see you, they didn't have the sheer curtains behind these to get in some sun light. AC worked thank god. Maid service (a 14 yr old boy) which is totally fun except he entered our room twice without waiting for anyone to answer the door and the first time I was naked standing in the bathroom. He came back an hour later and did the same thing. Front desk got an ear full. Over priced, if you want the Murhphy's feel, pick another hotel. Our friends stayed at the Victoria Inn (nice) or there are some B&Bs.
The food was also not that great, we ate at Grounds the next day. -
Review from Maneesh B.
San Francisco, CA
9/3/2007
I feel like I should really be writing two different reviews: one for the attached Saloon, and one for the Hotel.
5 Stars for the Saloon. Great mix of people -- we talked to everyone from a bachelorette party to a couple cougars to a couple older guys escaping their wives for the weekend to enjoy some fishing/golf. Drinks are cheap, the pour is heavy, and the bartenders are attentive and more than wiling to keep a tab running without ever asking for a credit card. The bar is decorated like a hunting lodge (mounted deer/elk heads everywhere, including one *enormous* elk that looks like it was probably 8 feet tall). There's a great jukebox, darts, and ultimately people shuffle the tables around that you could say there's a dance floor. *Great* little bar.
3 Stars for the Hotel. We didn't stay in the "Historic" part of the hotel -- which is directly above the Saloon and should come with the warning "don't bother trying to go to bed until after the Saloon closes"; we stayed in the "modern" part of the hotel, which is across the parking lot, and is basically in the same category as a Comfort Inn type place. The AC does make the rooms a bit swampy, but given that the temp was over 100 both days we were there -- and still in the 90s at night -- we thought it was a God send. The best part about the hotel is far and away the location. You're right down town, right on main street, and already at the only bar in town that's open past 9pm. All for around $125/night on a holiday weekend, it was just about right.
That said, I think next time I'd rather try to stay at either the Victoria Inn, or the Dunbar Bed & Breakfast. Both look really nice, though I'm a bit concerned about whether or not they have AC... -
Review from Beth C.
San Francisco, CA
5/30/2007
The Murphys Historic Hotel is all about location. They are right in the middle of Main Street in Murphys. Within a flour block radius is something like six or so restaurants and about ten tasting rooms for local wineries (all free tastings!). The hotel itself has a restaurant and a saloon, still in tact from the 1850s. The saloon is a great place to watch locals, sit back and have some cheap drinks, and of course, enjoy their specialty, a Frog Ass Shot.
However, despite the location on Main Street, close proximity to all the towns in Gold Country, and historic flare, like Ryan P. below said, it's a 2-star motel. The sheets were clean, housekeeping came round and did their duty, but I checked out after three days/two nights and just felt dirty. The air conditioning leaves the rooms feeling swampy in middle of the night and the bugs can't be kept out, especially in the bathroom. One night here would be fine, two pushed it. There are a few bed and breakfasts on Main Street that enjoy the great location but are likely a little cleaner and nicer to stay in (of course, I'm sure they charge more than $105 a night on a holiday weekend...).
Also, not that the historic rooms are above the saloon (LOUD at night) and don't have TVs, air conditioning, etc. Stay at the newer motel-style rooms if you want a bit more comfort. -
Review from Kel E.
Roseville, CA
7/8/2008
This was my first experience to the small town of Murphys and we stayed at the Murphy's hotel in the 'non historic' rooms aka the rooms with their own bathrooms. If you stay in the historic part of the hotel you have to share a bathroom.
Anyways...like most people said this should be two reviews, maybe three actually. One for the hotel (awful) another for the bar (good) and one for the restaurant (terrible).
The bar is your average local dive bar but the bartenders were all super cool and super nice and all the locals in the bar were super cool too. The drinks were okay, nothing special but not bad and they were priced right! The crowd was a big mix of locals, vacationers, old, young, bikers, you name it and they were probably at the bar that night.
The hotel room was awful...dirty, dingy and smelled of musty smoke even though it was a non smoking room. The only good thing about it is convenience...you can drink at the bar and stumble to your room. There's a difference between what one person calls "rustic" and another calls dirty!
We had breakfast at the hotel restaurant the next morning and it was awful! We both had omelette's and they were bland and nothing special. The "chorizo" in the omlette looked to be just burnt sausage. We had the 'home fries' which were really nothing more than frozen Oreida potatoes that were heated up to luke warm and also the 'potato cake' which was still a little frozen..which was a bummer because it looked really good but unfortunately tasted bad. The service was awfully slow and it wasn't even that busy.
All in all I guess it wasn't that bad considering I don't know where else you would stay in Murphys. The convenience of the bar/hotel walking distance does make it worth while. -
Review from Ryan P.
San Francisco, CA
4/10/2007
Despite my low rating I actually kinda like this place except for the hotel room itself and the drunks and bikers in the saloon eyeballing my girlfriend upon our arrival. No offense to drunks, bikers, or anyone else. The staff were very helpful and friendly over the phone and in person. Yes, the hotel is an historic landmark (then again everything's a historical landmark up here), and like the other reviews say a lot of famous people have stayed here over the years (as in a hundred years ago). The hotel's restaurant looks ok and proximity to outside food and little shops is great. Basically Murphys is a nice alternative to heavier trafficked spots like Sonora.
2-stars because that's what it is; a 2-star hotel. Not necessarily bad but I think we would've enjoyed our visit more had we been able to get an historic room as opposed to the modern/motel style room. I'd stay here again in a pinch but if I had greater time I'd spend a few more dollars and check out a local bed and breakfast. -
Review from Bethany A.
Vallejo, CA
5/9/2010
This review is for the restaurant only.
I stopped in here with a group of friends for a late breakfast (brunch). There were 12 of us, and we had no problem with being seated. We decided to sit outside, because it was such a nice day. The service was great. The menu had something for everyone. I went with the seafood omelet...crab and shrimp heaven! I ordered sourdough toast with my meal, and I have to say...it was the BEST sourdough bread I have ever had. I'm pretty picky about my hashbrowns too, and these were perfect. Everyone I was with cleaned their plates, and had nothing but good things to say about their meal. I plan to go back again soon! -
Review from Candace Y.
Elk Grove, CA
8/2/2008
I stayed one night in one of the historic rooms that had a balcony overlooking the main street of Murphys. The room had a bit of charm, but I'll agree with some of the other reviewers in that the place is a 2 star hotel.
Having to go down the hall to use the toilet and shower was no large deal with me. I'm used to traveling and staying in hostels. The showers were clean and had plenty of hot water when I used them...THAT was important!
The bar in the evening was a boisterous local hangout. The bartenders and the patrons were friendly, even though our group sort of "hogged" the jukebox and played a string of Sinatra tunes to swing dance to.
The location of the hotel right in the ehart of the little town of Murphys is strategic and well worth the slight inconveniences.
The staff at the hotel was friendly and helpful.
There were a few good options for dining up and down the main street, so we did not avail ourselves of the hotel's dining room. -
Review from Andy B.
San Francisco, CA
9/20/2010 1 Check-in Here
The iced tea was unsweetened, but apparently from a mix. The sandwiches were like I could make at home. The special wasn't special. Had a beer to be on the safe side of flavor. Kind of expensive for what it is. Pubgrub fries were the best part. Should have gotten something off the grill.
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Review from J Z.
San Francisco, CA
7/31/2006
Originally opened in the mid 1800s, the hotel is on the National register of historic places. Mark Twain, JP Morgan, and Ulysses S Grant all stayed in the hotel at one time or another. While on a three day trip to California's Gold Country, we dodged the 110degree temps in our wonderfully air-conditioned rooms.
Later, we dined al fresco at the hotels' restaurant, under a fine misting line which cooled the air down to a balmy 90deg. The food was suprisingly good, the rooms were good value, and they have a great old time bar & saloon.
I'd definitely go back once it cools off. -
Review from Aric W.
Berkeley, CA
8/23/2009
I thought the bar was decent. There were nice people in there. Bartender seemed attentive, although i was just getting bottled beer. we asked for dice cups and they gave us foam beer coolies. Besidnes that i thought it was nice.
I did NOT stay in the hotel so this review doesn't really cover that.
BUT,... we also had breakfast at the inn the next morning. I tell you what, whomever was cooking that morning cooked a perfect eggs benedict. If any of these places get crowded there can be issues because there are only so many people around there that can work i think.
Anyway, all in all i'd say check it out for sure but maybe not sleep there. -
Review from christin s.
San Carlos, CA
Updated - 8/10/2010
I don't know what has happened to this place in the last two years, but it has gone seriously downhill. The last time we went, we waited (despite our reservation) more than 30 minutes for our table and our service was terrible and food overcooked. I also agree with other posts that the interior is starting to look really run-down as well. I will definitely not be returning again. It is really too bad since it used to be great.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/20/2008
I've never stayed at the hotel, but the restaurant is awesome! It is a small, classy restaurant… Read more »
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Review from Michael M.
Sacramento, CA
2/5/2008
You get what you pay for, usually. You get what you deserve, too. But you can have it all and you can't complain when you're in Murphy's. People from the Bay Area bitch about everything. If you don't like rustic, then stay at the Hilton. The bar is awesome, the food is greasy, and the rooms are not very good, but it's Murphy's for God's sake. I like eating here, staying here and being apart of here when I am here. It's worth a stay just to escape the problems of the bay area, or any town with traffic and crime. This is an historic setting, and one should always remember that fact when reviewing a place such as this. And, Brian, you're one hell of a good bartender.
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Review from Charlie O.
Modesto, CA
Updated - 12/20/2008
Already reviewed this place. Actually it was the Restaurant part. Rather stupid to have the same place listed twice. Nuff said.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/1/2008
Now I have read a lot of reviews for this place. The restaurant that is. Now some people liked it… Read more »
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Review from DeDe K.
San Jose, CA
Was on a girls road trip and we stopped into this fun hotel/saloon/bar after we had done some wine tasting in the cute town of Murphys. As we walked in we were greeted with a friendly face and smile, that of Kurt the bartender who was just starting his shift. He said "come on in ladies..." we sat at the bar and we enjoyed his infamous margaritas, listened to the juke box, and Kurt shared some ghost stories about the famous landmark we were sitting in. If you go to Murphys check it out and drink one of Kurt's margaritas!
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Review from Jan W.
Martinez, CA
5/25/2010
If you like tired decor and can't find anywhere else for breakfast I guess this is the place to be. However I wouldn't come back. There is nothing special about the place and I know patrons like the whole historic ambience thing but stained carpeting and peeling wallpaper does nothing for me. I would strip the whole place down and start over. There are several new restaurants in town to choose from. The food itself was ok...but ambiance is important too.
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Review from Annie W.
1/21/2008
We stayed in the hotel, drank at the saloon, and had a couple meals in the restaurant so really I have 3 different reviews but the average is a little under three stars.
Saloon: Brian was a personable bartender who was very quick to get our orders. I was especially impressed by him when he refilled my margarita for free with the leftovers in the blender. I am not big on hanging carcasses but they are high enough to where they weren't too distracting. The crowd was eclectic ranging from old to young, black to white, and bikers to urbanites. The bar menu was quite tasty as well we must have eaten about 20 buffalo wings each in that place. They also serve lumpia which was really random since I was the only Filipino I saw within a 50 mile radius of that town. (4 stars)
The Restaurant-Breakfast was really good. They do not skimp and my plate was superduper oily after I finished my omelate. Our waitress was obviously flustered and we overheard her scolding another waitress on the phone about being late and how it is a busy morning. The chef had to come out and help wait on tables until the young waitress came 30 minutes later running in to the dining area tying her apron on. Dinner was ok, I tried alligator there for the first time and the waitress was right it tasted just like chicken. I got a Caesar salad which was about Denny's quality. I decided to splurge at the end of my meal with creme' brulet and after ordering my dessert, it was on the table in 30 seconds. We thought that was strange, isn't there a torch involved? Apparently not in Murphys. Like Amelie I long for the crackle of my creme' brulet and I was sadly disappointed as I dipped my spoon in to cold mush. I made my waitress aware of this problem and her solution was to microwave it and throw on some whipped cream. I gave up. (2 stars)
Hotel- We had originally booked a historic room but they mistakenly put us in a regular room. I decided I wanted my own bathroom anyway so we did not change it. The room was small, dingy, and not appealing at all. There was no historic charm, just bad wall paper, loud heating, and a lumpy bed. Yes, as the previous yelpers mentioned the location is pretty convenient but Murphys is tiny and pretty much anywhere you stay is convenient. (1 star) -
Review from Mike M.
Livermore, CA
11/13/2009
Interesting reviews here about this place. Seems to be mostly negative....I (we) have usually had a good to great experience at the bar/restaurant. Read up on the history of the hotel and Murphy's. This place is an historic landmark for a reason.
Look up above the bar and see the bullet holes (no, not from a drive by :)) and ask about circa when that took place, ask about the various animal trophies that adorn the bar, there are good stories there as well. Think about the history and when you take in all of this ambiance and relax (you are in the Sierra foothills) it will come to you!! This place is cool. There are ghosts of many that have walked before you here. Oh, and as in all old places in California, there is a ghost. Just ask about that as well......Patience here is a virtue...... -
Review from Jim H.
San Francisco, CA
11/8/2007
Pluses: Historic, funky, center of town.
Minuses: I think every room , including the suites are "bathroom down the hall" in the historic hotel. The "new" motel rooms are '60's vintage glum dark fake wood paneled walls, rundown. The "suites" are just large rooms.Comment from Dorian F. of Murphys Historic Hotel 5/18/2009
All of our historic rooms use a communal restroom in order… More » -
Review from Miranda L.
San Francisco, CA
9/22/2010
This review is for the restaurant:
I would give this place a negative number of stars it it was possible. I was actually excited to eat there after seeing their menu advertised in our hotel guidebook...
So, we (my mother and I) walk in and go to the back where the restaurant is. We stand there at the hostess station along with another family in front of us and a couple behind us. The family was seated, but we were not even acknowledged by the wait staff; not a look, not a smile, not an "I'll be right with you", NOTHING. And it was not like they were super crowded or even had a lack of staff because they seemed to be passing us by every 30 seconds.
We decided to just walk out after being completely ignored for about 10 minutes. I wouldn't' have minded waiting but that was absolutely unacceptable...
Don't even waste your time with this place! Send the message that crappy service = lack of customers. -
Review from Raquel M.
Ripon, CA
7/24/2009
i was just here today and i skipped the hotel and went for the restaurant. Spending the day with my mother we asked to be seated in the patio. The waitress obviously had someone piss in her coffee because she was just plain rude. when we asked to be seated she rolled her eyes and whisked past us like we were in her way. were seated in the nice shaded patio area and we ordered it was just about after breakfast so we ordered early lunch. i had the turkey cranberry on a croissent and it looked to die for. Too bad after a bite i had to order another drink to wash down the dry lack of flavor turkey and stale bread. when the waitress asked if my mother and i would like a box for our dry jail scraps i politly declined and the waitress gave me a "pfft!" and stormed off. so in my review i would have to say i would seriously steer away any potential customers till they work a little on what they're trying to represent.
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Review from JoAnne R.
Petaluma, CA
8/17/2009
We went up for a winery event, there aren't many hotels and we love these old buildings and the history that comes along with them. However, we didn't expect some of the same dirty and dust to be around. It's just not clean from the lobby to the room. My towel that looked brand new hanging had a big hole too. Shower needed caulking bad too. Stayed for breakfast but next time would not, to long, food only o.k., waitress disappeared. When I called to say the tissue holder had as much dust as my feet after walking through the vineyard the person seemed to not care. There are many vacation rentals so next time I will look into a charming little house. The bar was a lot of fun but we can still do that no matter when we stay.
