The Darling Hotel - Visalia, California

Nikki Johns

I’ve stayed at this boutique hotel several times when visiting my parents, and it’s always a pleasant experience, though not without its drawbacks. Set in a beautifully restored historical building, the hotel exudes a sense of elegance, with silky, tasteful interiors that truly reflect its unique character. The small outdoor pool is a nice touch, offering a peaceful spot to unwind, and the parking lot, though limited in space, is a convenient amenity.

The hotel’s restaurant, located on the top floor, offers food and drinks. However, I do feel that the room rates are a bit on the high side considering the overall experience. While the rooms are beautifully decorated, the one I stayed in was disappointingly small—so much so that it was difficult to move around comfortably, especially when trying to get to the bed.
Another downside was the bathroom amenities, which felt too basic for the price point. The lack of sound insulation in the rooms also became apparent, as we could hear a fair amount of noise from neighboring rooms and the hallway, which detracted from the overall sense of tranquility.

An additional frustration was the absence of breakfast included with the room. Hotel guests are directed to the upstairs restaurant, but the space is often fully booked by outside patrons, making it inconvenient for those staying at the hotel. It feels unfair that hotel guests don’t have priority, especially when the restaurant is directly on the premises.

Despite these issues, the hotel remains exceptionally clean and classy, with a lot of potential for a truly memorable stay. It’s certainly a charming option for those looking to enjoy a stylish and quiet escape, though I hope they consider making a few improvements, especially regarding room size, amenities, and guest access to the restaurant.

kAREN M

What a wonderful time we had at The Darling….which is by the way, Darling! From check-in to check out, everything was just perfect. The property is historical and beautiful. Our rooms were immaculate and spacious. They provide a little basket of snacks and water, totally unexpected, and appreciated! The bathroom was a good size and beautifully appointed. For such a historic building, the transition to hotel is really lovely. We had cocktails in the upstairs bar….excellent bartenders and service. We had breakfast in Elderwood and it was delicious….the service was outstanding. I would highly recommend The Darling to anyone looking for a little get-away….you could eat dinner upstairs and never leave the property. There is a nice pool, although we did not use it in January. Great job, Darling Hotel!

Chris Santana

Amazing and beautiful place to stay! Very historical and unique place. Robert from the front desk was very helpful and gave us plenty of tips on what to do and where to go. Rooms were comfy with the very retro styling look and feel Would totally recommend anybody to come enjoy themselves. Great restaurants nearby within walking distance the great history surrounded all around.

mark martinez

Room looks very beautiful! Very high ceilings and huge, comfy bed. Bathroom was very pretty as well but since shower doesn't have a rub, and has only a very small lip to keep water in, the bathroom tends to flood. Be careful or you could end up with the whole bathroom flooded and wet carpet outside the bathroom

Melissa M

Loved this unique and beautiful hotel! The design was beautiful but it was the staff that made this stay truly wonderful! Every single employee I interacted with or ran across in the hallway was so warm, helpful, and had a smile on their face. Even though it was the holidays and you know they’d rather be at home with their families, they all seemed happy to be there. Such a beautiful and welcoming environment! Will absolutely be staying again!

L3vlove

Staying at The Darling was nothing short of spectacular! From the moment we arrived, the staff’s friendliness and exceptional service were unmatched. They went above and beyond by upgrading our room at no extra cost, which was such a wonderful surprise. The attention to detail throughout the hotel is impeccable—you can feel the care and thought in every aspect.

Even small touches, like providing extra phone chargers when we forgot ours, made us feel valued and cared for. It’s clear that guest experience is their top priority. I highly recommend The Darling and can’t wait to return. A well-deserved five stars!

Carly Reilly

I'm rating this hotel 5 stars, but was torn to rank it a little lower. However, the property is absolutely beautiful and is very clean which rank highly for me. It is also conveniently located. We went to Sequoia NP & Kings Canyon NP and it was an easy drive to them.

A few things that could make it better:
-My husband isn't a very light sleeper but found it very loud in our ground level room.
-Parking at the hotel was very expensive. There is a free lot across the street that isn't monitored but we made the decision to park there instead. Lower cost or free parking would be appreciated.
-The pool was heated but wasn't very warm. A hot tub or sauna would be nice.
-Breakfast being available would be great. However, we did appreciate the coffee & tea bar.

Slayer Power

Beautiful hotel to say the least. Our standard king size bedroom included high ceilings with a crystal chandelier and a bathroom that we found lavish. The bed and pillows are what every hotel should have. Great date night to spend with your spouse, spice it up.