Best Western Golden Key
13450 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA 95603, Auburn Lake Trails, United States
2-star hotel
Guest rating: 4.4 / 5
Overview
Best Western Golden Key is a 2-star hotel just off I-80 in Auburn Lake Trails, California, offering a down-to-earth, no-frills base for exploring the Sierra Nevada foothills. It sits about 3 miles from downtown Auburn's shops and restaurants and 5 miles from Lake Clementine, making it a practical stop for road trippers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. With a 4.4 rating from 814 reviews, it has built a loyal following of repeat guests.
Rooms
Rooms are unassuming but functional, each equipped with free Wi-Fi, a coffeemaker, microwave, fridge, and a flat-screen TV. Guests frequently note that rooms and bathrooms are kept very clean, and beds and pillows are comfortable enough for restful stays after a day on the trails.
Dining
A complimentary breakfast is served each morning in a warmly decorated dining room, and reviewers consistently single it out as a highlight of their stay. For other meals, downtown Auburn's restaurants are just a few miles away.
Amenities & Recreation
On-site recreation includes a seasonally heated outdoor pool, a hot tub, a putting green, a lawn area, and a BBQ area that guests use for grilling and gathering with family. The grounds are described as well kept, and there is ample space for walking dogs, with pets welcome for a fee.
Location & Surroundings
The hotel is close to a cluster of outdoor and historic attractions, including the Auburn State Recreation Area Ranger Station (about 1.5 miles), No Hands Bridge and Quarry Road Trail (roughly a mile), the Lake Clementine Trail, and the Gold Rush Museum. Further afield, guests can reach Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, and Hidden Falls Regional Park, plus Old Town Auburn's museums and galleries.
Best for
This hotel suits budget-conscious road trippers, outdoor recreation enthusiasts, and pet-owning travelers, thanks to its easy I-80 access, proximity to trails like No Hands Bridge and Lake Clementine Trail, and pet-friendly policy with dog-walking space. It's also a good fit for families who want a pool, BBQ area, and putting green for downtime between sightseeing outings around Auburn's gold rush-era historic sites.
Travel tips
Since the hotel is right off I-80, a car is the most practical way to reach it and to explore nearby attractions like Lake Clementine, Folsom Lake, and Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, which are spread across several miles. Time outdoor activities like the Lake Clementine Trail or Quarry Road Trail for cooler morning hours, especially in summer, and note the pool is only heated seasonally. Downtown Auburn's shops and restaurants are a short 3-mile drive for evening dining options.
What guests say
Guests consistently praise the complimentary breakfast, describing it as a highlight of their stay, and repeatedly mention clean rooms and bathrooms along with comfortable beds. The heated pool, hot tub, and well-maintained grounds draw regular positive mention, as does the BBQ/grilling area where families gather in the evenings. Staff are frequently described as friendly and efficient, with several reviewers noting easy check-in and attentive housekeeping. Despite the property's proximity to the freeway, multiple guests note that rooms remain quiet, and no significant recurring complaints appear in the available excerpts.
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