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The Inn & Spa at Parkside
Rating Details »
Categories: Hotels, Day Spas, Bed & Breakfast [Edit]
2116 6th StSacramento, CA 95857
(916) 658-1818
NYT Package Special!
Book a room Sun- Fri and get a discounted rate on our best available room plus a Massage or Facial. Details at http://www.innatparksi...
- Hours:
Tue. 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
20 reviews for The Inn & Spa at Parkside
This business is a Yelp Sponsor
8/28/2007
4 photos
8/15/2009
8/4/2009
10/26/2009
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1/15/2008
One of the Business' Favorite Reviews What's This?
The location of this place is rather questionable, but once you get inside, it's like stepping into a different world entirely.
I've been here twice. The first time for Valentines Day but unfortunately my sig. other and I didn't get a chance to reserve spots for the massage because there were too many people who booked for the V-day weekend.
My second stay was for my 22nd birthday that just passed (August 25th) and I finally had the chance to experience first hand their Swedish Massage. It was the best I've ever had thus far. My masseuse's name is Lorna, and she was great! I think she added something special because she knew it was my birthday.
I really love the themes that each room has. The first time, we stayed in the "tranquility" room (this one has a mirror above the bed btw!), the second one was at the newly built house and stayed at the "refresh" room (where we had our very own jacuzzi). Both were great and just to our liking. One thing about the new house: 3 stories high, the staircase is a little cramped and feels like you can lose your balance at any moment.
The staff is also young and very friendly and I love how they're always attentive. They also serve breakfast in bed usually chef's choice but they ask beforehand if you are allergic to anything in one the paperwork before heading to your room.
I am going to continue to support this place and make it a yearly trip to come here. I definitely recommend this place :)
Don't forget to ask for the "turn down" when you and your special someone go out for dinner and want to find your room romantically prepared.
We pretty much got the royal treatment, try it out for yourself!
I had a last minute trip to Sacramento for business reasons and needed a convenient, comfortable place to stay. For a stressful trip, this was the perfect antidote. The staff was professional when I called, I got a same day reservation discount. Everything was easy. The reservation, parking was convenient and free, the place is centrally located and my room, which was the lowest rung, was anything but. The huge bed with a canopy had this amazing mattress. I felt like I was sleeping on a cloud. The staff was helpful; even calling back after I hung up after answering my question on my own. The temperature was comfortable, even though I am used to A/C, which in my new home of San Diego, is something people seem to be used to living without. (I can't.) The fan was adequate though and I did not wake up in a sweat!
What else. The building was stunning. Old and charming, but clean and not over-accessorized. My room had a large canopy, kind of a safari theme, and a full length mirror in the bathroom, cozy robes. The mirror above the bed could have seemed cheesy (esp hilarious, since I was by myself and clearly this was a romantic room for 2), but wasn't. And breakfast was offered in the room or downstairs. I opted for an early in-room breakfast, which was DELICIOUS. Was just what I wanted. I'm an oatmeal/whole grain breakfast fan. And there were many good selections of teas, so I was happy. My oatmeal, fresh fruit, orange juice and a Belgian waffle. Couldn't believe I scarfed it all down. But somehow I managed. I didn't check out the spa features, but happily enjoyed what else was to offer. Did not turn on the TV once, but listened to the spa-like relaxation music the whole time to combat any stress of my trip. There was free wine/cheese/crackers at night also.
The owner chatted with me a bit, asking about my day. Was kind and thoughtful, but not overly intrusive. I am usually a bit more social, but just was so tired that I happily hibernated in my cozy room.
I arrived way early and was just going to drop off my bags, but the host checked my room and said I could check in now. They were very accomodating and even though I didn't take advantage of the lovely backyard/porch area and this peaceful sitting area outside my room, it was just what I needed.
Some friends gave me a gift certificate here for a massage for my bridal shower. I had actually never had a professional massage before and the therapist was kind enough to ask me how firm I wanted her to be, which was nice because I was a little worried about being hurt!
It was very peaceful in the room and the therapist was very professional. I keep meaning to go back when I have some extra cash lying around!
I was in love with this place just looking at the pictures. However, in real life, the room we stayed in felt cramped. The location is strange as well. We went down for the nightly wine and cheese to find a few crackers, a small mound of cheese and a giant heaping bowl of awkwardness. It was deathly quiet and more than a little weird. (Perhaps this is due to the fact that my husband and I are not B&B people?) The hot tub wasn't working, and there was no place to eat the room service when it arrived. The best part was the bath & shower (located a few steps away from the bed with no separation) and the spa products there. The entire stay felt like a trip to my aunt's house where everything is lovely, but you need to be very quiet and not make a mess of things while you are there.
I stayed here for two weeks while in town on business. I couldn't have asked for a nicer place to stay. Some of the highlights:
-Free wine and cheese/crackers every night from 6-8pm.
-Outdoor jacuzzi
-Indoor jacuzzi tub
-Free massage when staying 3 weeknights
-In room gourmet breakfast each morning
-Easy parking
-Great location close to everything
-Flat screen tv in the room
I stayed in Healing Energy room, which is the smallest one I guess, but I had plenty of room for myself. If there were two people staying there it might be a little small. Perhaps the only thing I could possibly comment negatively on are the noise from the freeway which is a minor nuisance and the hot water in the shower took a few minutes to actually get hot.
Now that I have had the pleasure of staying here I will never stay anywhere else while I'm in Sacramento.
I wouldn't stay here again.
the website makes this place look like heaven. there is some resemblance, but it falls short for sure. it's pretty yes, and some rooms seem to be nicer than others. They fail to show the dead flowers and uncaring staff on the website.
check in time is 3:00 and i can understand having a rule about not checking in early. however, many guests were ready to check in about 15 minutes early, yet the front desk made everyone wait until the clock actually struck 3:00. where's the love?
since i was taking a marathon long licensing exam the following day, i asked if i could have eggs for breakfast since i needed some protein to get me through the test. apparently, eggs at the parkside are a huge request. I asked a couple of times since it was something that I really needed - both times I was denied. A few minutes later, when the concierge was showing me the room and we were away from the rest of the guests who were checking in, she told me that i could have my eggs. (i'm assuming that she didn't want this special egg privilege extended to all the guests.)
i signed up for a decadent 90 minute hot stone massage to help ease my nerves for my exam but it felt more like i was being washed like a dog. there was little grace, no comforting touch. it was ticklish and she was breathing in my face while she massaged my neck. On the positive side, she had some good moves and knows what to do with her forearms and she definitely worked out the kinks in my neck. also, she was as nice as can be and i do think she tried and that she wanted to give a good massage but she still has a lot to learn. my friend got a massage at the same time as me and was disappointed as well.
I'm not sure why, but my room was called Healing Energy. The Inn is 2.5 blocks from the highway and my room has a full wall of windows letting in the sound of every passing car. No, not healing energy. At night the room was aglow with light that creeps in under the 1 inch gap between the door and the hallway as well as light from many gadgets (TV, clockradio...etc.). I requested a 6:30 a.m. wake-up call when i was unable to get the alarm clock to work. Luckily I set my cellphone as a backup since I never got a wakeup call from the front desk. To top things off, after working pretty hard to secure eggs for breakfast, they were pretty unremarkable.
To top off the other flaws, I got a phone call from the Inn the night I checked out. They called me to ask why I hadn't checked in yet. Let's get it together people.
In short, the inn is unorganized and there's just no love here.
Tai: Do you think she's pretty?
Cher: No, she's a full-on Monet.
Tai: What's a monet?
Cher: It's like a painting, see? From far away, it's OK, but up close, it's a big old mess.
Yup. That's the jist of it. Except take out Tai and Cher, and replace them with Rockell and her surly Esthetician. Then imagine they are talking about Rockell's face and not some bootsy girl across a party.
Yeah. It pretty much went like that.
I feel really good.
THE LOCATION: I love the building. The owners did a fantastic job of renovating the inn. It was originally built for the Chinese ambassador during the early 1900s. They managed to make a small building look spacious. Yet it appears that many historic details were maintained.
THE SPA: the massage was great. I specifically booked the swedish massage. But when the massage therapist discovered that my back muscles were very tense, she used more than swedish massage techniques. Also she used hot stones which felt shockingly good. A one hour swedish massage costs $65 on a weekday. And on Friday and the weekends, it costs $80.
BUT ... I was overall disappointed with the spa. The massage therapist was chatty. Multiple times I could hear employees chatting. Plus the overall operation seemed a bit disorganized. For example: the front door is kept locked during certain hours, no one was nearby when I knocked and I had to use my cell phone to find someone to let in; the massage therapist was not ready when I arrived (and I don't think that she had a client before me); and the receptionist was confused when I told her that I wanted to leave cash for the gratuity rather than put it on my credit card.
Finally, I should note that the only access to the spa is down a fairly steep staircase -- with dim lighting. The spa is technically in the basement. I don't think they can accommodate the physically disabled. And everyone else should be cautious when going down the stairs.
Your "experience" may depend on the room you choose and what you get.
We stayed in the room with the bamboo mirrored bed, had an in room side by side scrub, massage.. both excellent. The room, service, hot tub, food + libations were very nice. Found it private upstairs on the weekend, probably more quiet during the week.
Would I go again? yes, would my friend go again? yes.
I've stayed here twice - first in 'Spirit' (which is the room with the mirrored canopy bed), and this last time -- in 'Healing Energy.' Both rooms were great, clean, and comfy - Healing Energy is SMALL, probably why it's also the cheapest room.
The inn-keepers were sweet - although this last time there was some woman there who was rude on the phone when we called down for additional services. When we called back - the other inn-keeper who did our check-in answered and was much nicer. Guess that other woman was having a bad day - not sure. Anyway, overall they've been hospitable and accomodating - especially around food allergies. As someone else mentioned, it's the chef's choice, but each time we've had wonderful and filling breakfasts.
We had the couples massage/scrub/soak combo - it was great! The massage therapists were very attentive and the treatments were relaxing. Minus one star because we were not informed upon reserving this treatment that our soak would not be in the couples room downstairs (as we had the first visit), but we had to go to the upstairs tub after our treatment. This kinda broke the relaxation vibe, but it was fine one we settled in upstairs. Granted, it was valentines day weekend, and i'm sure they were booked - but I would have expected to be told of this change. And, it does suck that you can hear footsteps upstairs when you're getting a massage - but I was so relaxed by the massage that I didn't care at that point - you can hear the floors creaking, not people talking. (it's an old mansion! hello!?)
Overall - it's a nice place - definitely not a chic modern/contemporary type place, but that's what so great about it. It has a lot of character and I love that it was an old mansion - they still have pics of the old place and the Fongs. Despite it not being a 'ritzy' or a chic place (if that's your taste), it's very clean and well kept - the linens always smell fresh, and are comfortable - fluffy pillows and down-comforters.
The shampoo/body products they have in the rooms are fabulous!
Their cheese and fruit platter is fresh and tasty.
As for hearing other people in their rooms - we didn't hear anything, and they were fully booked this weekend! We didn't even run into people upstairs, just initially as were checking in, but other than that - it kind felt like we were alone - and we were able to use the indoor tub without waiting (the covered outdoor tub didn't seem full, and it's kinda cool that you can set the under-water lights to whatever color you want them... we did use the outdoor tub last visit, and it was raining, but since it's covered, it was fine and actually really nice - it's set in the back garden/patio area.
It's street parking only - but there's no problem in finding a space on the same block. (No parking restrictions on the weekends/possibly during the week).
It's a 5-10 min drive to downtown sacramento - which is very convenient.
The pics on the website are definitely angled shots and look a little fairy-tale'ish, although the decor is exact and it's furnished quite elegantly. Although, honestly - that's how i've experienced every hotel/b&b and their pics on-line. This place though does keep to their promise of attractiveness and charm they advertise.
I must say my experience with the Inn was a pleasant one. I did not stay overnight, I had a spa treatment (massage/facial) which was absolutely amazing!
I will definitely be back for another spa treatment if not for an overnight stay.
So.....after scouring places far and wide on such a short schedule, I was able to get an appointment for a facial on a Sunday afternoon (I called on Saturday). I had planned to leave the following day to the East Coast and wanted to feel refreshed and rejuvenated for the trip.
First off.....their website deserves 5 stars. I mean...it looks absolutely heavenly! Their prices were a little on the expensive side, but from the looks of the website, I felt as if it was definitely worth it. That is...until I actually saw the place.
I drove past this place TWICE because it wasn't what I expected, it's actually an old Victorian house, rather dull-looking. Once inside, its quaint....small...but quaint. Checking in was okay, and then I was escorted to the facial room which is next to the dining room?! The room was pretty enough, but despite the soothing music that was played, I could hear conversations from the dining room.
My facial took almost an hour, and it felt pretty decent. The only awkward part was that my Esthetician just kept talking. I mean, I guess she was trying to be polite and wanted me to feel comfortable, but its hard trying to talk when my face is being slathered on, poked at and scrubbed at. Also, I did not like it at the end when she piled on some oily gunk, my face felt really heavy and greasy. I mean, wasn't I suppose to feel clean and refreshed?
What's worse, my face DRIED OUT for the next two weeks. How embarrassing was it when I had to go on my fabulous trip with literally white dry patches on my face? All in all, I wasn't impressed and don't think I will be returning.
p.s. Their website is an over exaggeration, seriously.
my husband's parents got us two nights here at the most expensive suite...happiness. the place was nice because we definitely needed the cozy and quiet atmosphere after weeks of wedding preparation. our room was the happiness suite and it sits as the loft suite of the buiding so the ceiling is kind of slanted. there were two fireplaces, one electric (it was broken), we used the other one, which was nice seeing the fire burning off the log. the suite also had a double shower, hot tub and a bodae (can't spell) the thing that looks like a toliet and a sink. It is suppose to wash your behind and front area. It's nice....no toilet paper needed.
ben in breakfast was cool, but it was all looks and no substance and protein. full body massage was cool. my husband said the guy did a great job on him.
the place is about the look, not really worth it for the price. the room we had was nearly 400 a night, boy was i glad we didn't have to pay for it.
my mother-in-law found this place online. she lives in southern cali. she got drawn in by the beautiful webpage design.
We've stayed here twice in the past year, both times in the Spirit room. It's not the absolute nicest B&B I've stayed at, but better than what I expected for Sac., and not as expensive as others -- so the negatives are easier to overlook. I agree that the website is nicer than the inn itself, but the inn is pretty decent.
This inn changed ownership in June, we found out. We met the new owner, she's very nice. One change she made was to give her chef more creative freedom -- which has resulted in better breakfasts, at least the morning we were there.
Pros:
- Nice rooms, clean where it counts. Some things (usually the knick-knacks in common areas) were dusty, but the bathroom & linens were clean.
- Comfy beds.
- Great massages at the spa downstairs - and they are expanding, so there will soon be lots of rooms.
Cons:
- The floor of our room was a little sticky, both visits. I suspect it's the wax they use on the floor? Not sure.
- The hot water faucet in our bath was really noisy.
- The bathroom is poorly lit.
- Upon arrival, we were asked immediately about our breakfast preferences -- down to whether we'd want coffee or tea. I don't usually decide that until morning. Not sure why they need to know. In any case, it would be better to pose these questions after we've had a chance to settle in.
- I wake up well before anyone else, usually, and all I need is a cup of tea or coffee & something to read for the next hour. It wasn't easy to get a cup of tea at 7am (only 1 hour before breakfast). I had to interrupt the chef to ask for some hot water.
- Since they're remodeling the spa, there was a paint smell that persisted through the first half of my massage. I can understand it's temporary, but if they'd warned me about this I might have asked to be in a different location.
- Finally, I am not a fan of the in-room snacks and items that are available for a small charge. It's not the money -- it's more that it's tacky. It reminds me of the minibar at mid-range hotels.... It would be better to simply offer a menu of items that could be ordered in-room. Nickel-and-diming the guests diminishes the B&B experience.
As I said, though, overall a good experience & I'll be staying here again.
This review is based on the one massage I've had here...I have no comments on the inn itself or anyone/anything related to that area. I recently came here for a Swedish massage. I must say if you enjoy paying someone to just brush her hands all over your body and not actually get a massage, then please come here. Sarah was my masseuse. Do not get her...if you do, request to have someone else. I laid on the table for 60 minutes and I swear all she did was brush her hands over me...nothing else. At the start of the massage I mentioned I had back problems and that I like a firm massage. I told her to use more pressure which she did for about 2 strokes down my back. The rest of the time she was super light. WTF? Also, she only worked on my back for 5 minutes. Again, WTF? She spent more time on my feet/toes/ears than my back. The masseuse was friendly and not too chatty, which was nice. But her technique is not what I am looking for. Massages at this place...never again.
Had a massage and facial here recently and was very pleased. The spa is in the old Fong Mansion downtown and has been beautifully renovated. The staff was pleasant and they make you feel relaxed and comfortable. No creepy feeling or uncertainty. Would go there again for another massage.
Really, 3.5 stars, but that's not an option. :)
Pros:
Great friendly staff.
Awesome breakfast (two courses!)
cute rooms and decor
spa/massages are awesome and are located in the building
robes provided with your room
well Air-conditioned
wine and cheese platter daily
cute outdoor seating area for lunch
jaccuzi and hot tub available for all
DVD and book library (w/ TVs in each room)
location is close to a lot of site seeing attractions (within walking distance of the capitol building)
Cons:
our toilet ran the whole time we were here
our bed needed to be flipped - there are two definite valleys where people have slept for a while
structural improvements required - mismatched paint on walls, lightbulbs that don't work, needs new windows; plumbing needs to be redone (owner has mentioned a need to fix these, so she's aware of this)
no fridge or microwave in room (although there is one in the hall to share)
a bit pricey (our room was $180)
in a dicey part of town (we're required to deadbolt the front door any time we enter or leave)
the "stuff you can buy in case you need" tray - I'm never a fan of any hotel/lodging that has a cart of overpriced items that will be added to my tab if I use them; for the price I've paid, give them to me for free :)
Ownership has just transferred to a new woman, and I think that now there are going to be a lot of great changes around here. This woman stays in the room to get a feel for how they are and has expressed an interest in making this place fantastic.
I've stayed at better places. I've stayed at worse places. I don't know if I'd come back here, not b/c it's bad, but because there are plenty of other B&Bs to check out on my journeys. I don't tend to repeat visits in general.
It's definitely worth staying here. Give it a try. :)
We didn't get to stay the night as expedia screwed up our reservation. However, we did get into the beautiful and the very nice hostess helped us search for another place to stay and offered us wine and cheese. Interesting neighborhood location, quiet/well-kept house, across from a city park.
Wonderful stay here! I stayed here for Valentines Day in 2005. Fantastic....I highly recommend.
My first experience here was mixed. It's location is random. But I agree with others, once you step inside, it's a whole different world. It's cute and quaint but it does have the downside of all Victorian homes. It is old and lovely but you can here every creak and noise from others throughout the house. While I was relaxing downstairs, getting my massage I was occassionally distracted by footsteps and water faucets turning on and off. My facial experience is unique because the room you go into, is right near the main dining room. It's a lovely b&b but I'm roaming the place in my robe while getting a facial next to the dining room. During the facial I'm assuming the kitchen was next to me because I could here carts of dishes rolling from the hallways to the room beside me. The facial did not meet expectations of previous facials. It was a pleasant experience but uncertain whether to return.
