El Dorado Hills never ceases to amaze me with all it has to offer. Not only is it a community that has so much going on, but it's also so close to neighboring towns that offer so much on their own. It's undeniable that Placerville is one of those towns with everything from chef-curated hamburgers (shout out to Old Town Grill Placerville) to a haunted hotel. Yes, I did say haunted, and it is a working hotel where you two can experience the culmination of 168 years of history. The Cary House Hotel offers a unique boutique hotel experience that has to be experienced to be believed. Please read on to learn more about why this place needs to be on your "can't pass up" list.
Where Elvis Presley Stayed
The motto of The Cary House Hotel is one well earned. This place is a museum, a showpiece, and an escape. I was speechless (a state of being not common to me) the first time I visited the Cary House Hotel. I'll admit what drew me in was a story I read about the hotels in Northern California that are known to be haunted. I mean, who can't resist that? After all, my favorite part of Disneyland remains the Haunted Mansion, so I couldn't resist visiting a real deal. It is believed that the spirits often return to places where they've lived or stayed. Because some of the most famous guests of The Cary House Hotel include Elvis Presley, Bette Davis, Ulysses Grant, Mark Twain, Levi Strauss, John Studebaker, Horace Greeley, and Lola Montez, I figured my odds of seeing someone famous there were better than seeing someone famous in today's Hollywood. Famous is famous, right?
While I didn’t see any spirits, famous or otherwise, it was wonderful staying at such a beautifully unique hotel. Cary House Hotel's reputation for having a haunted presence, or two, is compelling enough that the show California Haunts visited in 2012. And one more nugget, the room that’s seen the most haunted action is 220. It is not even rented out unless guests specifically request that room. Sadly, it was already rented out the night I could stay at The Cary House Hotel. So maybe keep that in mind for your stay there?
Historic Ambiance Modern Amenities
The Cary House Hotel describes itself as a boutique hotel, so I wanted to be sure to appreciate what that means in the hotel industry. I learned that boutique hotels are often small-capacity hotels providing a more personalized experience than typical hotels. They display a strong sense of aesthetic and have a unique character. They are usually themed with a focus on their tie to the local history and community. Well, that pretty much sums up The Cary House Hotel in all caps and bold letters.
This place is stunning. When you walk in, you're immediately transported back in time. The lobby is rich in period piece furniture, featuring a front desk that's a showpiece. If that isn't enough, the intimate seating area is surrounded by stained glass art that could easily pass for an exhibit in a first-class museum. What beauty!
While of course my stay only included one room, I took my time online deciding which type of room that would be. The Cary House Hotel offers a variety of suites from deluxe queens to a bridal suite and even an apartment suite. True to The Cary House Hotel's motto, each room does have modern amenities while still maintaining its original historical vibe. All rooms do include free parking. The experience of staying at the Clay House Hotel is enhanced by its location. It is within effortless walking distance to several unique local restaurants and shopping experiences. But it gets even better: the staff at the Clay House Hotel offers personalized service, which includes knowledgeable recommendations to over 24 local vineyards and wineries, an extensive network of hiking trails, and, of course, all the best places to buy fresh apples if you want to visit Apple Hill. Visiting The Cary House Hotel is so much more than finding a place to stay for the night-it’s an experience rich with many steps back in time.
Green Valley Road Self Storage
Placerville is just one of many wonderful places to visit in El Dorado County. As your neighborhood self-storage facility, Green Valley Self Storage is honored to support such a wonderful community of towns by talking about places like The Cary House Hotel. Because our valued customers are often new to this area, we’re happy to provide information on the best places to recreate, dine, and shop. Please stop by our friendly self-storage facility and tell us about the great things you'd like others to experience. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Cary House Hotel
300 Main Street
Placerville, CA 95667
530-622-4271
caryhousehotel.com
