Frequently Asked Questions

For the best rates, the widest room selection, and the most accurate descriptions, we recommend booking directly through our website at thenationalexchangehotel.com or by calling us at 530-477-4667. Our team is happy to help you find the right room and answer questions before you commit.

While the National Exchange is also listed on third-party booking platforms, we encourage direct reservations. Third-party bookings can carry restrictions that limit our ability to assist with changes, cancellations, or special requests. When you book with us directly, we have the flexibility to take better care of you.

Cancellation policies vary by room type and rate. The specific terms applicable to your reservation will be presented clearly at the time of booking. We recommend reviewing them carefully before confirming. A credit card is required to guarantee your reservation, and a no-show or last-minute cancellation may result in a fee equivalent to one night's stay. If you have questions, contact us directly at 530-477-4667 or frontdesk@thenationalexchangehotel.com.

Check-in begins at 4:00 pm. Check-out is by 11:00 am. Early check-in may be available depending on availability on the day of your arrival - please contact the front desk to ask. Late check-out is not guaranteed but may be possible on slower days when your room has no incoming guest; ask the front desk on the morning of your departure.

Our front desk is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You are welcome to arrive at any hour - no prior arrangement is necessary. If you would like to let us know your estimated arrival time, we are happy to hear it, but it is not required.

All rates include a nightly amenity fee, which covers complimentary Wi-Fi, daily canned water, and a $10 food and beverage credit valid at Lola or the National Bar. The amenity fee is factored into every rate you will see when booking. If you have questions about what is included, call us at 530-477-4667 before you book.

A valid photo ID and credit card are required at check-in. Your card is held for incidentals and serves as a guarantee for your reservation. In the event of a no-show or a last-minute cancellation, the card on file may be charged a fee equivalent to one night's stay. This is standard practice and protects both the hotel and other guests waiting for availability.

Yes. The front desk is happy to hold your bags before your room is ready or after you check out. It is a good option if you want to explore downtown Nevada City on either end of your stay without hauling luggage around town.

Yes. National Exchange Hotel gift cards are available for purchase. Ask at the front desk or contact us at frontdesk@thenationalexchangehotel.com to arrange one.

The National Exchange is located at 211 Broad Street, Nevada City, CA 95959, on the main commercial block of historic downtown Nevada City. The hotel's cast-iron balconies extend over the sidewalk on Broad Street, making it one of the most recognizable buildings in town. Virtually everything worth doing in Nevada City is within walking distance.

Nevada City is approximately 65 miles northeast of Sacramento, roughly an hour's drive via Highway 49 or I-80 to Highway 49 North. The drive through the Sierra Nevada foothills is scenic and easy, and the town's walkability means you can leave your car behind once you arrive.

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is approximately 60 miles from the National Exchange, roughly a one-hour drive. Rental cars are available at the airport. Highway 49 North through Auburn and Grass Valley into Nevada City is the most direct route.

Nevada City is approximately 155 miles from San Francisco, about a 2.5 to 3-hour drive via I-80 East through Sacramento and into the foothills. It makes an ideal weekend escape from the Bay Area, and Nevada City's walkable, bohemian downtown is a world away from city life in the best possible way.

The National Exchange is a comfortable base for Sierra Nevada adventures. Lake Tahoe is approximately 70 miles away, about 90 minutes via I-80. Donner Summit ski areas, including Sugar Bowl and Boreal, are roughly an hour east. Staying in Nevada City means lower elevation, easier winter road conditions, and a far more comfortable home base than mountain-town hotels during busy ski weekends.

Yes. Grass Valley is approximately four miles from the National Exchange, a short 10-minute drive via Highway 49 South. The two Gold Country towns complement each other well: Nevada City for its arts scene, Victorian architecture, and boutique character; Grass Valley for its history, gallery corridor, and the Holbrooke Hotel. Many guests enjoy spending time in both during a single trip.

Acme Hospitality also manages the Holbrooke Hotel in Grass Valley, so a two-property Gold Country itinerary is always an option.

The hotel has a small lot accessible from Broad Street, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Availability is extremely limited and cannot be guaranteed, so we recommend treating public parking as your primary plan. Nevada City's compact, walkable downtown makes this easy - you park once and rarely need your car again during your stay.

Several good options are within easy walking distance of the hotel. Spring Street, two blocks west behind the hotel, has non-metered street parking. On the other side, Nevada Street, one block east of Broad Street via a left turn, has a public parking lot and additional non-metered street parking further along. On-street parking on Broad Street itself is also available, though it fills quickly on weekends. If you arrive and the nearest spots are taken, a short walk will find you something.

Yes. EV charging is available nearby. A Tesla charging station is located off the McKnight exit in Grass Valley, approximately 10 minutes away. The BriarPatch Co-op in Grass Valley also has charging stations, and additional chargers can be found in the Chinese Quarter parking lot next to The Remedy Garden in Nevada City. We recommend using a charging app such as PlugShare or ChargePoint to find the most current options near the hotel before your arrival.

The National Exchange has 38 guest rooms, each individually designed. No two are alike. The main building contains 34 rooms, three of which can adjoin to accommodate families or larger groups. Rooms range from cozy Queens to spacious Kings, Studios, and suites, many with balconies overlooking Broad Street or the hotel's courtyard and gardens.

The National Exchange's renovation was guided by a commitment to genuine Victorian character rather than period pastiche. Every room is wallpapered in vivid William Morris prints, furnished with a mix of antiques, vintage pieces, and modern comforts, and adorned with original and curated art - the hotel's collection spans over 400 works. The bones of the 1856 building are present throughout: original structural walls, high ceilings, parquet floors, and the kind of architectural personality that no new-build can replicate.

Rooms are dressed with Down Inc. duvets and pillows, Mascioni Italian linens, and custom robes. Rainfall showerheads, designer toiletries, blackout drapes, laptop-compatible safes, and air conditioning are standard. There are no televisions - a deliberate choice to encourage connection with the hotel, the town, and each other.

If you have a room preference or specific request, contact us directly when booking and we will do our best to accommodate you. Each room truly has its own character, and our team is happy to describe the options.

No. The National Exchange does not include televisions in guest rooms. This is an intentional choice: the hotel was constructed 170 years ago and was not designed with screens in mind, and we believe a stay here is best experienced by engaging with the extraordinary building, the remarkable town, and the people you are with. Wi-Fi is complimentary throughout the property if you need connectivity.

Amenities vary by room type. Most rooms include complimentary Wi-Fi, canned water, Mascioni Italian robes, Down Inc. bedding, rainfall shower, designer toiletries, blackout curtains, laptop-compatible safe, iron and ironing board, and air conditioning. If you have a specific amenity in mind, call us ahead of your visit and we can confirm what your chosen room includes.

The amenity fee covers complimentary Wi-Fi, daily canned water, and a $10 food and beverage credit valid at Lola or the National Bar. Down-free synthetic pillows and comforter are available for guests with allergies; ask your front desk team when you arrive.

Rollaway beds and cribs are not available. The rooms at the National Exchange are individually sized historic spaces and do not have room for additional beds. If you are traveling with young children or need a specific sleeping configuration, please contact us directly before booking so we can help find the best-suited room or adjoining room arrangement.

Daily housekeeping is available. Fresh linens and towels are provided. If you prefer not to have your room serviced on a given day, simply switch your service tag/hanger to "kindly refrain."

If you need to print a document, email it to frontdesk@thenationalexchangehotel.com and our team can print it for you, provided it is five pages or fewer. For larger print jobs, Staples on Brunswick Road in Grass Valley is the best nearby option.

Please note that as a historic building, some rooms have limited grounded outlet availability. If you have specific charging needs for grounded-plug devices, contact us ahead of your stay and we will advise accordingly.

The National Exchange is a three-story historic brick structure built in 1856, and its architecture presents some inherent limitations. The hotel has stairs throughout the main building, and the character of the property means that full step-free access to all areas is not possible. Lola and the National Bar are accessible to guests at ground level.

If you have specific mobility needs, we strongly encourage you to contact us directly before booking at 530-477-4667 or frontdesk@thenationalexchangehotel.com. Our team is familiar with every room in the building and can describe what each involves in terms of stairs or access, so we can find the best match for your situation and set clear expectations before you arrive.

Yes. Licensed service animals as defined by ADA regulations are welcome throughout the property at no additional charge. Please let us know when you book so we can prepare accordingly.

Yes, children of all ages are welcome. Please let us know if you are bringing young children when you book, as some rooms are better suited than others for families. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Note that rollaway beds and cribs are not available - contact us to discuss room configurations if you need specific sleeping arrangements.

The National Exchange is home to three distinct food and drink experiences.

Lola is the hotel's celebrated restaurant, serving an a la carte menu of California-inspired, European-accented dishes designed for sharing. Lola's kitchen focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients with a menu that changes regularly. The restaurant opens for brunch Friday through Tuesday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm (last seating 2:15 pm), and for dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Friday through Saturday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

The National Bar is dedicated to the women of the Wild West and decorated with historic photographs that give it a personality entirely its own. It serves craft cocktails, wine, and beer alongside shareable snacks and small bites. The bar is open to hotel guests and the public alike, and cocktails can be enjoyed on the veranda overlooking Broad Street.

Each morning, the Grand Lounge serves complimentary coffee and breakfast bites from 7:30 am to 9:30 am for overnight guests. The Grand Lounge is also one of the most beautiful common spaces in any hotel in the region - bright, airy, with tall windows looking out across the veranda, a sumptuous gold banquette, and custom chandeliers. It is a wonderful place to settle in at any hour of the day.

Breakfast is not included with your stay. Every rate does include a $10 daily dining credit through the amenity fee, which can be applied at Lola or the National Bar.

Lola serves brunch Friday through Tuesday starting at 9:00 am for guests who would like a sit-down meal. It is a wonderful way to start a day in Nevada City.

Reservations are recommended at Lola, particularly for dinner and weekend brunch. Walk-ins are welcome when space is available. Reservations can be made through thenationalexchangehotel.com or via Resy, which allows online bookings for parties of up to six. For parties of seven or more, please call us directly at 530-477-4667, as larger groups need to be accommodated manually. Lola can seat parties of up to ten during regular service.

Absolutely. Both are open to the public. Lola is one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the Gold Country and draws a strong local following. The National Bar is a wonderful place for a drink whether you are staying with us or passing through Nevada City for the evening. No hotel reservation required.

Please give at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your reservation at Lola. This allows us to offer your table to another guest.

Yes, guests are welcome to bring their own bottle to Lola. The corkage fee is $30 per bottle. Please let your server know when you arrive.

Lola's kitchen makes every effort to accommodate dietary requirements. For specific allergies or restrictions, please give us at least 48 hours' notice before your reservation so the kitchen can prepare appropriately. Contact us at 530-477-4667 or note your requirements when booking. Please note that Lola's kitchen is not allergen-free, so we cannot guarantee zero cross-contact for severe allergies.

Dogs are not permitted in Lola or the National Bar at any time. Per California law, only licensed service animals are allowed in indoor restaurant and bar spaces.

We do not deliver food to guest rooms. When Lola's kitchen is open, to-go orders can be placed and picked up at the front desk. Availability depends on kitchen capacity, so please check with the front desk during your stay. The National Bar's small bites menu is also available during bar hours for guests who want something closer to their room without a full sit-down meal.

The National Bar is the hotel's street-level tavern and one of the liveliest spots in downtown Nevada City. Dedicated to the women of the Wild West, it is decorated with historic photographs that give it a personality entirely its own. The bar serves an extensive selection of beers on tap and cask ales, carefully chosen wines and spirits, handcrafted cocktails, and a menu of shareable small plates and snacks. A cocktail on the veranda overlooking Broad Street is one of the signature Nevada City experiences.

The National Bar is open to hotel guests and the public alike. Current hours: Monday through Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm, Friday 12 pm to 11 pm, Saturday 9 am to 11 pm, Sunday 9 am to 10 pm. Hours may vary seasonally - check the Happenings page for the most current schedule.

The National Bar has one of the most active programming calendars of any bar in the Gold Country. Past and recurring events have included live jazz performances, drag brunches, drag queen bingo, comedy nights, dance parties, themed evenings, prix fixe supper clubs with guest chefs, immersive dining experiences, holiday programming, and seasonal one-off events that reflect the hotel's love of Nevada City's eclectic, creative character.

The programming rotates constantly and is best discovered in real time. Visit the Happenings page before your visit to see what is on during your stay - it is one of the main reasons guests plan their trips around specific dates. Follow @nationalexchangehotel for announcements as they happen.

Absolutely. The National Bar is a public bar and welcomes anyone who walks in. No hotel reservation or dinner booking required. It is one of the best places to spend an evening in Nevada City regardless of whether you are staying with us.

The National Exchange is one of the most sought-after wedding venues in Gold Country, and it is not hard to see why. The property offers a complete wedding in a single destination - ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, and after-party, all within the walls of one of California's oldest and most beautiful buildings.

Outdoor ceremonies and gatherings take place in the Courtyard, a lush garden space that can also be divided into smaller areas for more intimate events. The Grand Lounge, with its tall windows, gold banquettes, and custom chandeliers, makes a breathtaking setting for cocktail hours and receptions. The Empire Room, with original exposed brick walls and custom chandeliers, comes alive for dinners and dancing, with the upstairs bar serving directly into the space. The Veranda overlooking Broad Street is the ideal spot for a pre-dinner drinks reception or an after-dinner gathering.

The hotel accommodates up to 90 guests for a seated wedding and up to 150 for a full buyout. All 38 guest rooms are available for room blocks, and the property is naturally suited to a full wedding weekend: welcome reception, rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, and farewell brunch, all in one place. The National Exchange is extraordinarily photogenic - every space, from the William Morris wallpapered halls to the brick-walled Empire Room and the flower-filled Courtyard, photographs beautifully.

To begin a conversation about your event, email aroumanis@thenationalexchangehotel.com.

Yes. The National Exchange is well suited for corporate retreats, team offsites, private dinners, and gatherings of all kinds. The combination of unique event spaces, 38 guest rooms for room blocks, Lola's full-service catering, and Nevada City's outdoor recreation make it an exceptional alternative to a standard conference hotel. It is roughly an hour from Sacramento, making it easily accessible for Bay Area and Sacramento-based teams.

The Empire Room and Grand Lounge both accommodate groups of varying sizes with flexible configurations. Our events team can assist with planning, catering, and room blocks. Contact aroumanis@thenationalexchangehotel.com with your date, group size, and any details about what you have in mind.

Yes. Celebration cakes from outside bakeries are welcome. Please let us know in advance so the kitchen can coordinate. Contact us at 530-477-4667 or frontdesk@thenationalexchangehotel.com to arrange the details.

Nevada City is one of the most genuinely distinctive small towns in California - a Gold Rush mining camp turned arts and culture hub, formally recognized as a Cultural District by the California Arts Council. The downtown is compact and walkable, with locally owned boutiques, antique shops, galleries, tasting rooms, record stores, cafes, and restaurants all within a few blocks of the hotel.

The Nevada Theatre, directly across from the hotel on Broad Street, is one of the oldest operating theaters on the West Coast and hosts live performances year-round. The Miners Foundry Cultural Center is a beloved live music and events venue. Local farmers markets, film festivals, and a vibrant music scene give the town a cultural calendar well beyond its size. Step outside the hotel and Nevada City presents itself immediately.

The Sierra Nevada foothills surrounding Nevada City offer outstanding outdoor recreation. The South Yuba River State Park is one of the finest hiking and swimming destinations in Northern California, with canyon trails and natural swimming holes - the Highway 49 bridge access and Bridgeport State Park are the most popular entry points. Mountain biking trails are plentiful in the surrounding national forest. The Yuba Expeditions area and surrounding terrain draw hikers and cyclists from across the region.

For wine, the Sierra Nevada foothills are home to a growing wine region with tasting rooms walkable from the hotel and a broader Gold Country wine trail extending south through Amador and El Dorado counties.

Nevada City rewards a visit in every season. Spring brings wildflowers and the South Yuba River at its most dramatic. Summer is warm and ideal for river swimming, patio dining, and evening concerts at outdoor venues. Fall is particularly beloved - the town is famous for its brilliant red, gold, and orange foliage as October approaches, and the pace of town life settles into something especially pleasant. Winter brings occasional snow that makes Nevada City's Victorian streetscapes look like a painting, and the proximity to ski areas adds another dimension to a winter trip.

Nevada City sits at around 2,500 feet elevation and sees occasional snow in winter - enough to make the Victorian streetscapes genuinely beautiful, but generally far less accumulation than at Tahoe or the Sierra summit. Highway 49 and the approach roads into town are well-maintained. Chain requirements can go into effect on I-80 east of Auburn when heading toward ski resorts, so check Caltrans road conditions before any winter drive into the mountains. The National Exchange is fully operational year-round.

Nevada City summers are warm, typically in the 80s to low 90s, with evenings cooling pleasantly at this elevation. All guest rooms are air conditioned. Late summer and fall can bring wildfire smoke to the region. Air quality can vary significantly from day to day during fire season (roughly July through October). We recommend checking AirNow.gov for current conditions if you are sensitive to smoke or planning outdoor activities.

The National Exchange is one of the oldest continuously operating hotels west of the Rockies. The building was originally constructed in 1856 as the Bicknell Block - three storefronts with rooms above - during Nevada City's peak as the largest and wealthiest mining town in California. After the hotel that had occupied a neighboring lot was destroyed by fire, the entire building transitioned to hotel use and became the social center of Nevada City for the next century and a half.

Among its most remarkable pieces of history: an 1898 meeting held within these walls is credited with leading to the founding of Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Room 313 is associated with President Herbert Hoover, who stayed here long before his time in Washington. Other notable guests include Mark Twain, U.S. Presidents Andrew Johnson and Ulysses S. Grant, Senator George Hearst, his wife Phoebe Hearst (co-founder of the National PTA), their son William Randolph Hearst, and entertainer Lola Montez. The hotel's guest books date back to its earliest years and are available to browse on request.

The hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated California State Historical Landmark #899. Acme Hospitality's three-year, floor-to-rafters renovation, completed in 2021, preserved the building's original structural walls, architectural details, and historic soul while bringing it fully into the present.

Nevada City has a well-established reputation as one of the more historically spirited places in California, and the National Exchange - with 170 years of Gold Rush characters, frontier drama, and remarkable guests - has contributed its share to that reputation. Whether the building has spirits is something guests tend to discover for themselves.

What we can say is that Anthony Jones, a local expert and longtime hotel employee, has hosted Haunted by History tours at the hotel and is the authority on the subject if you want the full account. The hotel was also featured in an episode of Ghost Adventures in 2012.

A few things are genuinely difficult to replicate. The National Exchange is one of the oldest continuously operating hotels west of the Rockies - not a reconstruction or a tribute to history, but the actual building, on the actual site, that has anchored Broad Street since 1856. Its registration on the National Register of Historic Places and as California State Landmark #899 are not marketing claims; they are facts documented across the building's 170-year life.

The renovation Acme Hospitality undertook was a genuine act of preservation: original structural walls, high ceilings, parquet floors, and the building's architectural soul were honored and restored rather than covered over. The 400-piece art collection, the vivid William Morris wallpaper, the individually designed rooms furnished with antiques - many donated by the Nevada City community itself - give the hotel a character that no formula could manufacture.

And then there is Nevada City itself. The National Exchange sits at the center of one of the most culturally rich and architecturally intact small towns in California - a town that was, for a moment in the 1850s, the most important city in the state. Walking out the front door and onto Broad Street, with the Nevada Theatre directly across and the rest of the town unfolding in every direction, is a singular experience.

The National Exchange is one of the most naturally romantic hotels in Northern California. The combination of vivid Victorian rooms, the warm light of the Grand Lounge, dinner at Lola, a cocktail on the veranda above Broad Street, and a town that rewards slow, unhurried exploration makes it an exceptional setting for a special occasion. Let us know about the occasion when you book and we will do what we can to make it feel right.

Yes. The National Exchange welcomes dogs, with a limit of two dogs per room. There are no size or breed restrictions. A pet fee of $50 per dog, per stay applies. Dogs may not be left unattended in guest rooms at any time. The hotel cannot accommodate cats, birds, rodents, reptiles, or other animals. For full details, visit thenationalexchangehotel.com/pets.

Per California law, dogs are not permitted in Lola or the National Bar. Licensed service animals as defined by ADA regulations are exempt from the pet fee and are welcome throughout the property. Please let us know when you book if you will be bringing a service animal.

No formal dress code. Come as you are. The National Exchange and Lola both strike a balance between genuine quality and an unpretentious, welcoming atmosphere. Wear whatever you will be comfortable in.

Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the property - indoors, outdoors, or on any verandas or patios. The National Exchange is entirely non-smoking.

The National Exchange is managed by Acme Hospitality, a Santa Barbara-based hospitality group founded by Sherry Villanueva. Acme led the three-year renovation that transformed the property and continues to oversee all operations, programming, and guest experience. Acme's portfolio includes the Holbrooke Hotel in Grass Valley, Loquita, The Lark, La Paloma Cafe, Pearl Social, Santa Barbara Wine Collective, and Helena Avenue Bakery in Santa Barbara, as well as Picala in Los Angeles. Learn more at acmehospitality.com.

The National Exchange is owned by Horizon Hotel Group.

Visit our Happenings page at thenationalexchangehotel.com for the latest on seasonal programming, special events, and what is coming up at Lola and the National Bar. Join our email list at thenationalexchangehotel.com for exclusive offers and updates delivered directly to your inbox. You can also follow us on Instagram at @nationalexchangehotel for a closer look at life at the hotel.

Address: 211 Broad Street, Nevada City, CA 95959
Phone: 530-477-4667
Email: frontdesk@thenationalexchangehotel.com
Website: thenationalexchangehotel.com
Instagram: @nationalexchangehotel

For private events, weddings, and corporate inquiries: aroumanis@thenationalexchangehotel.com