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AUBURN — Perched on Snowden Hill, the sleek Park Victorian inn marries 19th century charm with luxe modern comfort. Built in 1867 as the home of town pharmacist Edmund Snowden, the Victorian structure has been transformed by new owners Kelly Cunningham and Sam Hales, who purchased the six-acre property in 2016 and immediately began renovations.
Today, it’s a six-bedroom boutique hotel, with a formal parlor, a gourmet kitchen and lovely grounds. It’s polished, serene and timeless. And it boasts the best views of Auburn’s Old Town, especially at dusk when the historic courthouse dome glows in the setting sunlight
ZZZ’s: Each individually decorated suite is named after an early Auburn settler, such as Claude Chana, who discovered the first gold in Auburn Ravine in 1848. Painted in pale grey hues with glossy white trim, the Chana room boasts high ceilings, refinished fir floors, a Persian rug and a stylish chandelier — plus a plush king bed and high thread-count linens.
The Shannon room, named for poet and newspaper owner Mary Shannon, has an extra-long daybed suitable for single travelers. The Leland Stanford suite, which gives a nod to the “Big Four” railroad king, is the largest king suite.
SPLASHES: The stylish Chana bathroom has white subway tile walls, Moroccan-inspired grey and white tile underfoot and a big walk-in shower with a rainfall shower head.
EXTRAS: Breakfast is included — frittatas, bacon, coffee and fresh fruit, for example. Guests are welcome to use the kitchen, as well, and freshly-made cookies await guests each afternoon.
GOOD TO KNOW: The Park Victorian is a quarter-mile from Old Town at the end of Park Street. It’s easy to find using a traditional or online map —it’s No. 12 on the Auburn map below — but beware navigation apps. Waze sent us to a cul de sac on the hill above the hotel.
DETAILS: Rooms range from $175 to $345 per night. 195 Park St., Auburn; https://www.parkvictorian.com.