Beautiful, peaceful old inn! We thoroughly enjoyed our room and our stay. The adjacent restaurant deserves the very high marks that it already gets. We had a wonderful dinner there. The shared bathrooms in the end were not as inconvenient as those things can sometimes be. There were two guest rooms to a bathroom and the bathroom was separated from the bedrooms adequately for privacy. The place is immaculate and very pretty in its period authenticity. We hope to stay there again. read more

If you are ever in the Sierra Valley, I would HIGHLY recommend staying at the Gilded Drifter Inn! It is super close to Sierra Hot Springs Resort and is nestled in some beautiful forests. Perfect for getting away and being out in nature. The town of Loyalton is super small and doesn't have much to offer, but the Gilded Drifter Inn also has a restaurant on it's property which is probably the town's saving grace. I highly recommend the pan seared potato gnocchi, truly a delight. My husband liked the Grilled Lamb Chops, where as I am in love with the Crispy Duck Breast. If we lived closer, I would eat there every weekend! As we were finishing dinner, it started filling up so I know we aren't the only ones who loved it. Chelsea, the host, is what makes this place special. She adds little touches to make it unique and heartfelt. And she is so warm and inviting, it's like you are immediately family staying at her house. From the little envelope with your name on it when you arrive, to the books everywhere, to the vintage artsy decor- you can tell she put so much love into this Inn! I joked with her saying I was going to move in because the vibe was so wonderful. The rooms itself were fairly roomy and incorporated the same vintage feel through out. The bed was super comfortable and she provided extra pillows to make our stay perfect. The bathrooms were modern, clean, and felt like you were at a spa. We stayed in the Clemens Suite, but next time we might bring the kids and reserve the Harte Room. I love that she has the history behind each name of the room and the Inn itself. She did a great job at preserving the history of the town. The only negative I have is that we didn't get to enjoy the backyard as much, but it wasn't the Inn Keeper's fault. The backyard was beautiful and serene, but the next door neighbor was obnoxious in making noise and had some political signs up. He's probably the town drunk so I didn't take off any stars because staying there was still five stars despite how ridiculous the neighbor was. We will definitely be back! read more

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Incredible spot! Beautifully restored and incredible attention to detail. Just stayed there for my third time and am already looking forward to our next stay. Booking process is straightforward and check in was fast and easy. Love having coffee in the summerhouse when it's warm outside. Charlotte room is my personal favorite for solo stays. read more

My husband, our pup, and I had an excellent stay here. The hotel is very clean and well cared for. We loved the charm and appreciated all the attention to detail. We stayed in February and were plenty warm. Cute little getaway :) read more

This place is a gem located in the Sierra Valley. The innkeeper is an awesome person and very professional. You can feel the care and love put into this place in all inn's details. A wonderful place to rest and recharge in nature. read more

We had a very pleasant 2 night stay at this Inn. The scenery was beautiful, quiet and the air was refreshing. We came here to get away from the city and explore some hiking trails in Tahoe and French lake. While we found the listing on Airbnb, we decided to book via their website. Airbnb takes out a percentage, so remember to book directly if you can! We stayed in the "Clemens Suite", and upon arrival, found a envelop addressed to us with a cute seal. Inside with the key and directions, it was such a lovely touch. I honestly cannot say enough about our experience here. What we loved about this place: - Dog friendly, we couldn't leave our hiking buddy at home! We were ecstatic to find this inn dog friendly. - The way Chelsea decorated this inn was charming, the references to Mark Twain's books and the bookshelves full of books! A bookworms dream. - If you love antiques, this place is a gem. I was surprised everywhere I walked in the inn, from the typewriter by the door, to the vintage Pyrex bowl in the kitchen, to the Humpty Dumpty cup! I love vintage things. - The room itself was spacious, with a very comfy king size bed. We were so comfortable, we didn't want to get out of bed in the morning. - Chelsea even includes a Mini Bar where you can purchase some unique snacks!(we loved the jalapeño ale, buckthorn and sea salt chocolate, and mariach fruit sour drops! All were delightful) - Free snow shoe and sled rentals! - Cute outdoor summerhouse with fire pits. I feel like the list goes on about why we lived this place!.... but I guess here's some downsides: - The creaky floors freaked my pup out a bit(although I thought it was lovely how the floors were original). It took our pup a bit to settle, so if you have a dog that spooks easily, note that the floors may spook your dog. - The hard water aggravated my eczema to flare up, so if you have eczema, just be aware. Overall, we'd definitely want to come by and visit again. It's such a beautiful inn, maybe we will try a downstairs room next time so our pup might not be as freaked by the floor! Highly recommend. Chelsea is very responsive to text and super nice! read more

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Make sure to obtain their CANCELLATION POLICY or policies (depending on the season) to cover your bases ask for them all. Conveniently their policy/policies are not provided on their website (as of 2/18/25) nor is it within the confirmation of reservations. Also, beware they charge you for your stay prior to check-in (2-3 weeks in advance). The owner will put all issues back on the customer as if they are to know the policy (made up on the fly in emails when it suits them) and you will not see a refund of any kind. The safety of customers is the least of their concerns. Reading other reviews elsewhere it seems this is a common occurrence. read more

This review is for the Drifter's Table, adjacent to and cohabiting with the Inn LOL. If they get their own Yelp page, I'll move the review. Friday night...another smoke-filled evening in Sierra County. No matter...you've gotta eat, so why not let someone else do the cooking? We drove over from Downieville, as I'd been reading posts from local friends about the food, and have wanted to go over forever. It's a commitment...D'ville to Loyalton takes a minute. Actually about 70 minutes. But the National Forests in California are all closed this weekend (and we're all in middle of Tahoe & Plumas National Forests), so there's no traffic. The minute you arrive, it's just relaxing. They got the table arrangement and atmosphere just right. It perfectly reflects the Sierra Valley - reuse of wood and corrugated tin to create furniture and structures - in keeping with the ranching/farming life. I swear, if Yuba City, where I grew up, were to ever have embraced it's farming self in a way that the Sierra Valley has, I may not have bolted so long ago. Anywhoo...there's a really cool open air structure in the back called "SummerHouse" which is apparently reserved for guests of the Inn. I better go back and stay sometime. The service was terrific...wine and beer is selected by the host/server/husband of the chef, I think. He gave us a great recommendation for an Oregon Pinot that we all enjoyed. Our server was super sweet and very attentive. Food! Shared with hubby and had starters of the Goat Cheese and Onion Tart, and the Heirloom Tomato & Beet Salad. Both were good but the tart was great. So flavorful...I ate most of it but hubby got a couple of bites in. For the main course I got the Red Thai Seafood Stew. It was yummy and had several scallops and shrimp. Hubby had the lamb chop with sweet potato and chutney and devoured it. Finally, the desserts were amazing. Again with the sharing...I got the basil cinnamon ice cream with biscotti, and hubby got the lemon cheesecake. Both were inhaled and I'm going to try to make my own basil cinnamon ice cream at home because the combo is amazing. We had a 5:30pm reservation, and when we arrived there were a few tables. By the time we were leaving at 7:30, the place had filled up! It was great to see so many people come out on this smoke-filled Friday night. And all appropriate Covid practices were in play - masked servers, tables far apart, hand sanitizer everywhere, etc. Obviously it's an all-outside restaurant right now, so they're very fortunate to have that space. Definitely wouldn't hesitate to go back...in fact may be back soon to bring other Downieville pals. Yay for a great addition to Sierra County!! read more

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What a great little Inn for a weekend getaway. At just an hour away from Reno it's just enough of a change in location to feel like you're escaping. The decor of the inn is gorgeous. It's old but charming and not kitschy or dated. This isn't your grandmother's inn... more like your cool artsy aunt's. Each room is different so check them each out online to reserve the one you want. We stayed in the room With two queen beds because it ''twas the only one available. The decor was vintage but again not in a dated way... in a really cool way. The mattress wasn't the most comfortable and could probably be updated but I loved the linen sheets--a nice touch to the vintage feel of the place. The bathroom was modern and clean. They don't serve breakfast or meals of any kind but they do have a full kitchen that's available for guest use. There's not much in Loyalton but you can walk down to the Larkspur cafe for breakfast and coffee, Friday - Sunday. There's a bar that serves food in town but we didn't check it out. 29 minutes down the road is the Sierraville hot springs which is definitely a great evening or early morning activity. Wouldn't want to be there during the heat of the day. There's also a little Mexican food place in town there that's pretty good. Honestly though we just enjoyed being at the inn. Sitting in the back area with the hammocks and a good book with a glass of wine. The gardens in the front are insanely gorgeous too. If you're looking for an escape then I would definitely recommend this little place. Chelsea, the host and owner, is a doll and has really done a great job in making this an inviting place we want to return to time and time again. read more

We've stayed several times at Gilded Drifter Inn. The prices are very reasonable and the beds are very comfortable! Love the decor! It's always super tidy. I especially like that it's got some shared spaces and there is loaner gear for nearby activities. We've not had a check in problem, Chelsea is great with communication. The view is lovely and there is plenty to do around the area. The kitchen is well set up so bring your own eats. We love to come here to get away and relax. Still haven't explored all we want to try in the surrounding valleys. Don't miss time in the front garden or the summer house in the back yard. PS Got to try Drifters Table this trip for our anniversary dinner. It was superb! Try it! read more

Gilded Drifter Inn - The front garden is sublime. Wish I had better pics - Hotels Near Me - Loyalton, California

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I've stayed here a few times. My mom stayed here. My sister stayed here. It's antique, charming, wholesome, and the owner is a total asset to the whole community. No it's not perfect. The floors creak a bit. But it's super clean, always warm, and the best thing that ever happened to this town. Highly recommend. Plus the views are amazing, sometimes rainbows everywhere, great hiking nearby. BYO kitchen that is very nice. Not much food in the area so come prepared. read more

Beautiful, restored inn with incredible views of the Sierra Valley. Each room is artistically designed and comfortable.

The Gilded Drifter is not perfect. But PLEASE don't tear it apart. It makes up for it in charm, views, and being the best accomodation in town. The owner is kind, an exemplary community member, and extremely creative in her decor choices which make the place very interesting. Bring ear plugs just in case it's an antique restoration building after all. Expect some interactions but it's really peaceful over all. The only thing it really lacks is a hot tub. Bathrooms are stellar actually considering the building. Chelsea's only flaw is that she can't have cats because she is allergic. We can't all be purrrfect Otherwise she is an absolute angel read more

We could not make it to the In. the weekend of March 3 2023 due to extremely hazardous road conditions and closure of highway 80 Friday into Saturday. We told them we got stuck and had a flat trying to extricate our car. It didn't matter to them. The Inn refused to refund or offer a credit for a future stay. We will stay at Sierraville Hot Springs next time. Much more friendly and accommodating. They actually answer their phone unlike this In. which would only interact via SMS. read more

My family and I frequent this amazing Inn. Chelsea is always so helpful and accommodating. The atmosphere is delightful, clean and just lovely. I do solo stays, or with my husband, or with our children. Stayed in multiple seasons. Love returning here. Hope the Inn will stay open for a good long time so we can continue to call this our getaway. read more

Absolutely stunning place to stay. The amount of details, hard work and amount of love poured into this place is so apparent. A real gem in a beautiful location. Not to mention all the extras that are provided for year around activities. Places like this are very uncommon. If I could give a million stars I would. I have no idea why anyone would give less than 5. Everything is as described so the only surprises were all the small little details that made this inn incredible. I can't wait for the next visit. read more

We are so thankful we found this place on a whim!! We weren't sure what to expect when we arrived in the little town of Loyalton but it definitely left a memorable impression for us of the town and the folks living there. The rooms are all tastefully decorated and unique with lots of character with trinkets from all over. And so many books!! I couldn't stop perusing the library. The views looking out was also lovely from the rooms, and the place was well maintained and clean. Chelsea the innkeeper also spent time chatting with us towards the end explaining the history of the inn and it's remodel. We ended up visiting the local town museum to her suggestion which included a delightful visit to the the railroad model room. This was such a nice way to decompress. Thanks for putting so much thoughtful work into your inn! read more

Gilded Drifter Inn - Hotels Near Me - Loyalton, California

The owner continues to harass us via telephone, email, text, and by fraudulently charging our credit card a month after the fact. She continues to lie about services she never provided (the building was locked and unstaffed when we arrived, leaving us out in the cold). This is a dangerous business and should be avoided at all costs. read more

This place is an absolute gem! The charm of the old house, the eclectic and artistic mix of decor in the rooms, the classy but homey touches like the kitchen, lovely library and back yard; everything is designed for comfort and relaxation. Not to mention the naturally stunning valley views, the gorgeous drive and nearby hot springs! You really need to check this place out. We came here for a getaway in June 2018. Despite having grown up in Northern California, I had never even heard of Loyalton. But after our peaceful few days here, The Gilded Drifter has made it on our list of weekend destinations that we'll come back to again and again. Chelsea is the perfect host - friendly but with discretion, available for local suggestions and organizational help for your stay, and with such a clear passion for this unique house and community. We stayed in the Clemens Bridal Suite, which was spacious and had big windows and magnificent views over the valley from the chaise lounge. We were able to peek in some of the other rooms though, and they were equally charming. Very well done! read more

Gilded Drifter Inn - Beautiful sunset views from the Clemens Bridal Suite windows. - Hotels Near Me - Loyalton, California

What's not to like here? A quiet yet beautiful stay. Nice backyard where you can kick back, bbq or light a fire and drink a beer with your loved one or with amazing guests. Bring your Bluetooth speaker or play some cornhole,ride a bike (all provided by the amazing host). Watch a beautiful sunset while sitting alongside the wild flowers that are everywhere. Wake up early and you can trout fish 15 mins away! Paradise un a sleepy little town. A must stay. read more

I just took a job in Sierra County and realized I would need a hotel option for the nights it didn't make sense to drive my long commute (winter is coming!). I found the Gilded Drifter Inn online and decided to do a little recon mission and try it out. I used to be a brand strategist for hotels and really appreciate a unique and special hospitality experience, so I couldn't believe how cute the photos were given so few accommodation options in Sierra County. I thought, "Hmmmm, too good to be true? Maybe someone is really good with photoshop." But guess what, The Gilded Drifter really is all that and more. The owner, Chelsea, did a phenomenal job restoring the house into an artistic, rustic, bohemian literary gem. All the love and care she put into the place is palpable and the end result is nothing short of magical. Being surrounded by books and eclectic, hand-picked décor/art is a special kind of heaven for me. I stayed in the Harte room which was one of the two front rooms that used to be a Levi's store and I can't wait to try the others on subsequent visits. The bed was super comfy and even though Harte (and Wilde) face the main road, I hardly heard a thing all night. Each room has a heater that makes things toasty and cozy in minutes. One thing I really appreciated was the communal kitchen so I could store my food and make coffee in the morning. I spent time in the library perusing the many books. There was also a lovely garden and back area that I didn't have much time to explore but will do so on my next visit. I really can't believe my luck that a stylish and special hospitality experience is available in a rural and beautiful area like Sierra County. It's worth a visit to Loyalton just to stay there. read more

Wonderful little Inn on Hwy 49. Chelsea really did a remarkable job here maintaining the character of this 125 year old farmhouse. Quiet and clean just a great place to get away and relax. Don't forget to check out the Drifters Table next door, open Friday through Sunday with spectacular fresh seasonal dining! We'll definitely be back! read more

The perfect get-a-way from nearby Truckee. The Inn and grounds are everything we hoped for. This historic mansion has been beautifully appointed by owner Chelsea. read more

We blended our stay with the Sierra Hot Springs experience. The Inn was a real pleasure and comfort, highly recommended. read more

Gilded Drifter Inn - Hotels Near Me - Loyalton, California

Absolutely LOVED our stay. My family seriously needed rest and the Gilded Drifter provided that and more. My husband loved cozing up to the fire with a book and glass of wine, my son got in some drawing time and had a blast playing cards with the owner, and there was fresh coffee brewed every morning! We even fit in a BBQ by the outdoor bonfire. A trip to the local brewery and the hot springs made it the best vaca of the year. The inn is unique and has its own type of charm, we will be back! read more

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This place is amazing. It's adorable quirkiness comes from the high attention to design detail. Every room is its own experience. My daughter and I stayed in the Somerset Room, which was a little warm during the day, but it cooled off so well at night. We had family in the Wilde, Charlotte, and Clemens suites, each one more adorable than they next. If you came hungry or forgot a razer, no worries, there were plenty of items prepared (and very reasonably priced, if not free). Next door is the Drifter's Table, and if you get the right seats, you can eat your lambchops or pasta while watching the sunset on the Sierra Valley. Staff was friendly, accomodating, and downright tolerant of our group that drank wine till close. We were smart enough to order our breakfast during dinner, so the next morning while we were nursing our wine hangovers, coffee, granola, yogurt, and pastries were delivered in baskets to our door. If you visit in the summer, have your morning coffee on the brick patio amongst the incredible flower and herb garden. Chelsea is a gifted gardener! My only regret is that I saw the complimentary bikes too late! read more

This is a magical & enchanting place. It is very clean, decorated with special touches and has a welcoming feeling from the moment you step in the door. The inn keeper is amazing. The check in is discreet, and the beds and linens feel clean and comforting. All this and I still feel like I'm barely doing the place justice. It is way out there, but if you ever get a chance to visit this little town, I guarantee you will enjoy staying here. read more

Enjoyed my Stay at the Gilded Drifter Inn. My room met my need in every way. Greatly appreciate the historic quality of the Inn. I made use of the shared kitchen for dinner and then coffee in the morning. I will definately stay at the Gilded Drifter Inn again and would recommend to any visiting in this area who are open to staying in a historic inn. read more

Wonderful getaway! It was a journey for us to get to the Gilded Drifter Inn. We almost didn't make it due to some things going on at home. We messaged Chelsea quite a bit as we figured out if we would be able to come or not. Perhaps a few more messages than needed but Chelsea was so responsive and with kindness and generosity. We finally made it and it looked exactly as it does in the pictures and felt exactly like we had hoped it would. Cozy and quaint and a bit different in the best kinds of ways from the typewriter on a desk just inside the entryway to the little notes and cards inside the envelope that held the key to our room. And Chelsea provides everything you could need and some things you just might want some for cost and some for free. We only got to be there one of the two nights we booked but it was well worth it. It happened to be the night of New Year's Eve so it was a lovely way to finish out the year and then to check-out the next day and drive to Tahoe for a bit of snow and tourist stuff before heading home was a great start to 2020. We are considering coming back for sure and maybe with friends. Thank you so much! read more

Unique & beautifully rustic, the Gilded Drifter Inn was such a nice resting point for me on my journey down Hwy 395. I came here to relax and collect my thoughts, and that I did. I sat out back in the amazing & cozy courtyard, used the fire pit and watched to full moon rise. It is beyond apparent the enormous amount of love and care that is put into everything in and around this beautiful property read more

What a cute spot in rural Nevada! If you are looking to get away from all the hustle and bustle of life in the city or suburbs this place is such a gem. Chelsea is the perfect mix accommodating and charming but still gives you space if that's what you desire. The house is over 100 years old and the remodeling has made it perfectly quaint. The floor board creak so if you are a light sleeper, Chelsea has even put ear plugs in cute little boxes in the rooms. The back yard fire pit was a perfect ending to our night! So excited for the restaurant that will be next door soon! We will definitely be back! read more

What a wonderful retreat! Chelsea, the owner and host, has created such a welcoming and cozy inn from the 1800's farm house. Each room's decor is masterfully crafted after a famous author. We will be coming back soon! read more

My family came to Gilded Drifter since Airbnb would not do 1 night stay. Such a pleasant surprise ! The Gilded Drifter was more than we expected! A refurbished inn from the late 1800's. Owner kept the 1800 's style with the interior hard wood floors , kitchen counter tops and antique furnishings! This had roomy rooms, some shared bathrooms and upstairs a lot of room in bathroom and shower. The owner so kind and helpful! The shared kitchen was fun with other guests! A full library with old books of all kinds! I cannot say enough good things and with hot springs near by and great views of the valley ! One of a kind! We will be back! read more

I HIGHLY recommend this place to anyone looking for a cozy getaway in a mountain town that is surrounded by beauty. This is probably the most adorable and welcoming inn/hotel I have ever stayed in. The innkeeper, Chelsea has done an INCREDIBLE job transforming this inn and creating a warm and inviting place for people to gather, rest their head, meet wonderful people, and feel at home. The decor of this inn is so quaint and you can truly feel all of the love and thought that has been put into this historic building. I look forward to my next getaway at the Gilded Drifter Inn! read more

Very thoughtful, stylish, clean and unique! I hope I can stay again and take full advantage of everything offered at the Gilded Drifter and the area. read more

I led a women's retreat here over a weekend and everyone loved it. It was the perfect place as it was unique with lots of fun things to look at and check out, while being tucked away in the Sierras not far from Truckee or the Sierra Hot Springs where my group went on an outing. Great place for an intimate gathering of people since you can rent out the whole mansion! read more

Oh my goodness... this is the place I never ever knew I needed! I was in the market for a weekend getaway by myself because I did need the time to just relax and let myself have my own time. It was a Sunday when I first stayed here, and I found this place online at 11am, and it booked by noon and was on my way at 2pm. When I arrived to the town, I FELL IN LOVE!!! It is the definition of a small town and the people here are toooooo kind. The rooms all have their own characteristics and names' and can fit a variety of people. Some have their own bathrooms, some have shared ones, but the rooms and bathrooms are all super clean no matter if they're shared or not. The rooms come with towels and books to read if you're bored, and the living room has a fireplace which is so nice to just sit infant of and doze off. The kitchen has all the cooking utensils you will need to make an amazing meal, and theres fridge you can use to store your goodies!! This place also has parking so need to worry about that!! I have returned to this place twice, and plan on returning so many more. It is well kept and peaceful, and is just amazing place to stay to relax and even explore the hot springs!! read more

Delightful; this was our first stay here, and we will be back. We picked The Clemens Room as it was spacious and had it's own bathroom. The view from this room was great, we watched deer and birds in the field across the street. This restored home built in the mid 1800s does have squeaky floors, and we did worry about disturbing our downstairs neighbors, no one complained. We thoroughly enjoyed our 4 night stay, and the price is very reasonable. read more

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This was a most pleasant surprise just off the beaten path but close to everything. The bed was soft, the whole inn was just so quaint, energy sweet, lovely garden and outdoor area - even bikes available. Kitchen was stocked too!! read more

The Gilded Drifter's Inn is a wonderful place to stay with just the right amount of mystery for a person or family to visit time and time again. Not to mention its two doors down from the local Sheriff who are 'helpful' at giving directions. I even heard a rumor from someone that one wanted to organize a community fundraiser to add new wood siding to the Inn. read more