Citizen Hotel
Dig that view from the penthouse balcony. Is that Arnold down there? (Courtesy photo)
Remember the Underwear Gnomes' perfect business plan in "South Park"? Phase 1 was collect some goods. Phase 2 was ??. Phase 3 was profit.

When someone actually knows what Phase 2 should be -- and pulls it off so well it almost looks easy -- it's a joy to experience their success. Sacramento's Citizen Hotel is just such an example of expert hoteliering: all the ingredients to be a landmark hotel were there, but it took a certain mix of skill sets to pull it off.

The iconic downtown building, the fully restored and unique lobby, the history, the overall renovation, the grand metal staircase ... all grand pieces of a puzzle. They added a destination restaurant, Grange, where the well-heeled and the gourmands of Capital City (sometimes both) can be seen from the street. (See the entire GRANGE review here.)

Being a tree-lined, two-block walk from the Capital, the wry, subtle theme throughout the hotel has a political bent. The bar is called Scandal, for instance, replete with a "Mr Smith Goes to Sacramento" sort of cartooned storyline (it ends with him getting on the train home, post-scandal -- with not one but two women!). The Do Not Disturb doorknob hangers are "In Private Sessions" and the room numbers are adorned with a handshake of GOP and Dem cuff linked hands.

There are two lobbies. The original, soaring marble work lobby from when the building was an office tower that is doubly welcoming and officious. The working lobby is a red, white and black, book-lined room that feels more like a place for back-room deals than a luxury check in -- which fits seamlessly into the theme.

Citizen Hotel
The original, marble and tile lobby was refurbished to the last detail. The working lobby is in the background. (Courtesy photo)