The Westin Sacramento Riverfront Hotel & Spa is a bit removed from the bustle of downtown, but not inconveniently so. Set along the Sacramento River, not far from Highway 5, it offers a quieter alternative to the grid of central Sacramento hotels. You’re about 10 minutes by car to the Capitol and Old Sacramento, and closer still to William Land Regional Park and the Sacramento Zoo.
If you’re looking to explore the city’s more relaxed side—or just enjoy a morning walk by the water—the location works. Just know that you’ll need a car or a rideshare for most outings. Public transit isn’t really in play here. You’re not surrounded by restaurants or bars, so this is less a “walk out and explore” location and more of a self-contained retreat. You can even bring your pup as the hotel is pet-friendly.
Public Spaces
The hotel recently underwent an upgrade, but frankly, you could have convinced me that it was brand new. The lobby is spacious, bright, and inviting.
At the entrance to the lobby, a newly added live plant wall installation was created by a Sacramento-based ceramics artist. It brings an organic softness to the space and hints at the region’s agricultural roots. There’s also a curated retail nook showcasing local artisan goods.
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The lobby features a wine-on-tap station that pours selections from nearby Clarksburg and Napa wineries. You can buy a card from the front desk and dispense your own drink from the automated machine.
There is a station in the lobby where you can fill your reusable water bottle with alkaline, still, or sparkling water. Why don’t more hotels add a feature like this? If you didn’t bring a reusable water bottle, you will be given one at check-in.
Room Features
All 101 guestrooms have been overhauled with a new design by Wilson Ishihara Design. The redesign leans serene rather than flashy, using pale blues, grays, cream, and wood tones to create a calm, understated elegance. The wave-inspired carpeting, white oak accents, and pops of sage and blush upholstery make the space feel modern.
Rooms include the comfortable signature Westin Heavenly® Bed with updated bedding design and hypoallergenic materials. The king-size bed in my room remained comfy even if the other person in the bed was thrashing around… or so my wife told me.
The marble counters, large claw-foot tub, and rain shower feel like a step up, offering a meaningful sense of luxury. The bathrooms are stocked with White Tea amenities (white tea with aloe, citrus blossom, rosewood, and jasmine), which are fragrant without being cloying. My wife’s only complaint is that whoever positioned the mirror in the room was much taller than her at 5′ 3″.
If you’re booking here, the river-facing rooms are worth the upgrade. Waking up to that view, particularly if you’re lucky enough to sit out on the small balcony as the day starts or during the golden haze of sunset, adds tranquility that’s hard to find in city hotels.
Events
A small outdoor wedding was taking place next to the river during the weekend we stayed at the Westin Riverfront. There was a tent set up that can be used for a reception, or, as this wedding did, you can hold your reception in banquet rooms in Scott’s Seafood, which is connected to the hotel.
The hotel’s back lawn has ping-pong tables and corn hole, as well as a brightly painted paved section that can be used for outdoor receptions. Because this is California, you can reliably count on sunny skies and hot days during the summer months.
The hotel has 7,887 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, including the Grand Monaco Ballroom, which measures 2,788 square feet and accommodates 250 people theater style or 180 for a banquet. Three other meeting rooms are also available.
Food and Dining
The heart of the hotel’s dining scene remains Scott’s Seafood on the River, a longtime Sacramento favorite. The patio, situated just feet from the river, is a perfect place for a long lunch or relaxed dinner. Menu staples include seafood like cioppino, lobster, and salmon, but also steak and chicken piccata for non-seafood eaters.
Because Scott’s is technically independent from the hotel, you get the sense that they’re aiming to please more than just hotel guests, which is a good thing. The service was attentive, and the atmosphere balances upscale dining with casual ease. The bar area also fills up with locals during happy hour, which speaks volumes. Even though the restaurant is a separate business, I could still charge dinner to my room, which was a pleasant surprise.
My wife and I had dinner at Scott’s out on the patio. She had the Spicy Cajun Pasta with spicy sausage, blackened chicken, and blackened shrimp. I had the Marinated Skirt Steak with a chimichurri ranch sauce. Both dishes were excellent! We started with a Caesar salad. Be aware that this is a seafood restaurant, and anchovies are standard on the salad, just as Caesar intended. We finished our meal with the house Apple Cobbler. Our attempt to take some of this dessert home was a complete failure, due to our failure in delayed gratification.
Room service is available from Scott’s, though with a more limited menu. Breakfast is also available at Scott’s, or some bakery items and coffee are for sale in the lobby in the morning. Brunch is available on the weekends from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Facilities and Amenities
The Westin features an outdoor pool with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and towels are provided. This would be a godsend on hot summer days in the Central Valley. There’s also a whirlpool spa nearby.
The hotel has a small but modern fitness center right off the pool, which was never full when I checked during my visit. There is also a path along the river for leisurely walks. You can also rent a bike from the hotel, starting at $25.
The hotel has an on-site Spa La Lé, which I did not have time to visit.
Parking is valet-only. The fee is $45 + tax for overnight parking with unlimited in-and-out access.
Things Nearby
While the immediate area doesn’t overflow with attractions, a short drive brings you to several Sacramento highlights. Old Sacramento, with its boardwalk-style shops and Gold Rush history, is about 10 minutes away. Crocker Art Museum is even closer and worth a visit for its blend of contemporary and historic art.
If you are visiting with kids, William Land Regional Park is just down the road. It includes the Sacramento Zoo, Fairytale Town, and expansive walking paths.
If this is a couple’s weekend in Sacramento, head instead in the opposite direction; you can reach wine country in Clarksburg, making this hotel a viable base for a day of tasting along the Delta. I recommend heading to the Old Sugar Mill (17 minutes), which is, as the name suggests, an old sugar mill that now houses 14 different wine tasting rooms and food trucks on the weekend.
After a long week of work, we checked into the Westin Sacramento Riverfront and particularly appreciated the calm, beautiful setting and the hotel’s modern, clean, and comfortable surroundings.
The Westin’s rates start at about $170 off-peak. You can book on the Westin website or check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com.
Our stay was sponsored by the Westin, including dinner at Scott’s Seafood. Thanks to the Westin for a great weekend. The opinions expressed are my own.
