D E S T I N A T I O N S : T R AV E L
A GOLDEN GATEWAY TO THE SIERRAS Dig into California history with a stay at the newly restored Holbrooke Hotel in Grass Valley. HOLBROOKE HOTEL by SHANNON BROOKS
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hen the governor’s office reinstated more stringent coronavirus restrictions in advance of the holidays, outof-state travel was explicitly discouraged, making regional adventures in California the most responsible choice for travelers. Fortunately, California has no shortage of fascinating places awaiting discovery—even for those of us who think we know the state pretty well, as I recently learned during an eye-opening visit to the Sierra Foothills, north of Sacramento. My destination? The newly-opened Holbrooke Hotel in Grass Valley, a former mining town steeped in Gold Rush history. Not only was I intrigued by the new hotel, I was curious to explore Nevada County, a popular escape for
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discerning Bay Area residents and Northern California creatives. STAY I was among the first lucky guests to check into the landmark Holbrooke Hotel upon the completion of a meticulous two-year renovation project that honored the property’s original essence while modernizing its infrastructure. Located in Grass Valley’s historic downtown core on Main Street, the iconic structure dates back to 1862. In its heyday, Mark Twain, Jack London, and President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Holbrooke’s guestbook. When you enter the lobby, you can picture their ilk sitting in one of the many cozy nooks with a book and brown beverage in hand. Reimagined with a fictional “intellectual frontiersman” as its muse, the 28-room, three-level hotel retains its historic integrity down to the original brick and
stone walls. The updated design and décor pay tribute to the hotel’s colorful past and Sierra Nevada roots through thoughtfully sourced accents such as taxidermy, antique furnishings and fixtures, and vintage pianos. Local architects and craftspeople were brought in to help preserve and enhance period elements like the woodwork and stained glass behind the bar at the Golden Gate Saloon and the old school elevator. Guest rooms are located on the second floor of the main building, as well as in the adjacent Purcell House. Between the layout, hand-picked antique furnishings, and archival photography on display, every guest room is a bit different. The vibe is stately yet relaxed with soothing white walls, high ceilings, and large windows. All rooms are appointed with clawfoot tubs and even the newer elements have a vintage feel, like the wrought iron bedframes, telephones,
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12/15/20 4:11 PM