Kimpton Sawyer Hotel

For all its charms it’s fair to say that California’s capital city of Sacramento isn’t quite on the level of a San Francisco or a Los Angeles when it comes to forward-thinking boutique hospitality. But a place like the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel is evidence that things are headed in the right direction. It’s a part of the Downtown Commons development, a mixed-use mini-district that aims to revitalize the city center — and a glance at this ultra-modern 11-story hotel tower will reveal that this is a whole new Sacramento.

As stylish as the Sawyer is, however, in typical Kimpton style it remains accessible, never intimidating — its futuristic aspects are made familiar with the addition of some 20th-century modernist design and even a touch of classic California Arts & Crafts. The atmosphere, too, is always welcoming, from the pet-friendly policy and the signature Kimpton social hour to the laid-back idyll that is the garden-like terrace pool. Also poolside is Revival, the bar and lounge that serves as the hotel’s social hub; Echo & Rig, the restaurant, is both a steakhouse and a full-service butcher, paying tribute to Sacramento’s rich agricultural heritage.