The Citizen Hotel Opens November 30th in Sacramento

Joie de Vivre To Introduce Capitol's First Downtown Boutique Hotel

Sacramento, Calif., November 12, 2008 - Joie de Vivre opens The Citizen Hotel November 30, introducing Sacramento's first downtown luxury boutique hotel in a completely restored 1920s era high-rise located two blocks from the State Capitol. Opening rates for the hotel start at $139 on weekends and $199 on weekdays.  

"The Citizen's look and feel is a reflection of Sacramento's zeitgeist, a city undergoing an exciting transformation into an urban destination. We incorporated an ongoing dialogue with Sacramentans into the design process, and it's our hope that The Citizen Hotel will become one of many sources of pride for Sacramento area residents," said Chip Conley, Joie de Vivre's founder and chief executive officer. 

Located at 10^th and J streets in downtown Sacramento, the 198-room Citizen Hotel was formerly the Cal Western Life building.  Joie de Vivre tapped Candra Scott, the San Francisco-based designer specializing in the reinvention of landmark hotels, to create the vision for The Citizen's interior based on Joie de Vivre's "five words" that conceptually describe the hotel and its prospective guests - authentic, influential, surprising, eclectic, and all-American. 

"Even the name 'The Citizen Hotel' captures the spirit and personality of this hotel in an almost classic American, Capraesque 'Jimmy Stewart' kind of way," Conley said.

Contemporary yet classic, the guestrooms' design was inspired by the political overtones of Sacramento's character. Each of The Citizen's 198 rooms features one of 40 classic political cartoons and bedside lampshades inscribed with text from the California constitution. While The Citizen celebrates the building's historic period feel, its amenities are state-of-the-art and include iPod docking stations, high-speed wireless Internet and flat panel HDTV in all rooms.  

The Citizen Hotel's selection of guestrooms includes five luxurious penthouse suites with access to open air terraces that can accommodate smaller events. On the seventh floor, the terrace overlooking the California State Capitol can host events and weddings of up to 180 people. In addition, the ground floor includes a striking ballroom adjacent to its historically restored lobby and conference space.  

The hotel's restaurant, Grange, has its own street entrance and specializes in locally grown and raised artisanal food and produce prepared by celebrated chef Michael Touchy. The restaurant also features a private dining room that can accommodate parties of up to 30. 

The restaurant will connect to a hidden gem - Scandal - an intimate, clubby bar overlooking The Citizen Hotel's lobby, itself immaculately crafted to reflect the building's original look and feel. Scandal will play to The Citizen's edgier side with a décor that stars works from Sacramento Bee political cartoonist Rex Babin. 

Extensive care was taken in the renovation to preserve the building's distinctive architectural elements, including its mansard roof, soaring ceilings, grand center staircase, marble panels, and the 1920s era clock in the lobby. The building renovation also took full advantage of the latest construction techniques to guarantee comfort, including the best in climate control systems and soundproofing.  

For reservations or information, please call (916) 447-2700 or (800) 738-7477 or visit

http://www.thecitizenhotel.com. 

About Joie de Vivre

Based in San Francisco, Joie de Vivre (http://www.jdvhotels.com) is a creative collection of lifestyle businesses. As California's largest independent boutique hotel collection, Joie de Vivre encompasses other hospitality businesses such as restaurants and spas. Celebrating 21 years of creating dreams, Joie de Vivre is expanding its California presence in Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Sunnyvale, Huntington Beach and beyond.