As I awoke, I was drawn to the sunrise, filtering through the leaves of a majestic tree. The balcony outside my room proved to be the perfect place to greet a beautiful spring morning. It became apparent that I was experiencing a special place, a location where time certainly seems to slow down. Looking towards the street, I gazed upon the image of a couple who stand on a small bridge over-looking what in 1851 may have been Amadore’s Creek (historic name). They seem entranced by the spectacle of the gentle movement of the water as it flows gently beneath them. They embrace, kiss and are apparently at peace with the world. When the contemporary collides with the past, a wondrous gift can appear and that is what awaits you at the Imperial Hotel, located in Amador City, California.

The Imperial’s story begins when the brick building, originally built in 1879 functioned as a mercantile store. However, these were challenging times and the builder Mr. Sanguinette saw a better opportunity to pay his bills and aid the increasing population. He renovated his building as a hotel and boardinghouse and it prospered. In the following year he added a two-story addition to accommodate the onslaught of his clientele.

The famous Keystone mine played an important role in how the hotel prospered. This productive mine produced about $24,000,000 in gold at much lower prices than what gold is today. It operated from 1853 to 1942. After the mine closed there was a gradual exodus and the town slipped into disarray. The passage of time brought about the inevitable toll on everything in sight. In 1988, so many years later, two innkeepers Bruce Sherril and Dale Martin worked endlessly to restore the building to its original prominence.

Fast forward to today, the Imperial Hotel and Restaurant has once again had a rebirth. The proprietors Susan and Anthony Feist, along with Jim and Mary Ann McCamant have properly restored it to its prominent position in the community.

The current ownership team has made an effort to create a rich historic atmosphere that their customers will enjoy. Sunset Magazine said, “There is a rich, almost seductive opulence to this brick 1879 hostelry that comes at you in whispers and peeks.” Described by many as “both elegant and whimsical”, with a “rich, seductive opulence”, the Imperial Hotel is a place to be enjoyed. Our party discovered that statement to be true as we visited with local residents and travelers alike and mingled over cocktails in the Oasis Bar.

Speaking of the bar, the story goes that the bar and bar back where recovered from the basement of the old Amador Hotel that resided just up the street to the east. Local artist John Johannsen created the paintings on the face of the bar as well as the painting on the wall above the door towards the kitchen. The bars antique barstools, old gaslights and creaky floorboards add to the ambiance. Bartender, Chris Gannon made me one of his specialties the “Lemon Drop” which I found to be terrific. Chris is a very fine bartender and the well-stocked bar offers a large selection of spirits along with California and imported wines and beers. The wine list features a careful selection of award-winning local wines. Happy hours on are Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 - 6:30 pm. Also, make sure you check out the courtyard, highlighted by fountains, waterfalls, flower gardens and century-old walls of native stone.

I suggest you make plans to spend the night. The Imperial Hotel features six handsome air-conditioned guest rooms. All of the rooms have high ceilings, original brick walls and large operable windows overlooking the town. Each has a private bath stocked with a hair dryer, heated towel bar and luxury amenities. Beds are furnished with fine quality all-cotton linens. There are no phones or TVs in the rooms, but each has a CD player/clock radio, and there is a hotel library with a broad selection of books and magazines, which guests may borrow and return at their convenience. There are two sets of adjoining rooms: Rooms 3 and 5, and Rooms 2 and 4. Room 1 has a pullout couch that can accommodate a child or small adult. A full gourmet breakfast with hot entrée is included. Prices begin at $105 and cap at $145 per night.

Consider this; the years run too short and the days too fast. SO plan your escape to Amador City’s, Imperial Hotel today!

For reservations you can use the website at www.imperialamador.com, click on specials and book online to receive a “digital” special. Phone IMPERIAL HOTEL @ 209-267-9172, their e-mail address is info@imperialamador.com

Please join them for a Winemaker Dinner: May 17th: Featuring Vino Noceto Winery.