In the first edition of our four part series in San Francisco, we are showing you what we think are the best places to stay and enjoy yourself while you are in one of the most magical cities in our country. Now granted, with this time of year, and the fantastic weather that they had last weekend, it is hard to actually stay inside when SF has so much to offer, but then again each of these amazing hotels has just as much to offer if not more. So sit back, put your feet up, relax, and take a look at what we think you should check into the next time you are heading west to San Francisco.
Hotel G- 386 Geary Street
Location is a very important aspect when it comes to travel, and you can’t get anymore perfect than Hotel G, located only a block away from Union Square and a six minute walk from Market Street and the Powell Street Metro Station, all three hugely iconic areas of San Francisco. The Hotel G opened up nearly two years ago, yet the actual location has been around in San Francisco for over one hundred years, dating way back to 1908, as a variety of different types of hotels. It’s modern design, with bright colors like a rich white and gorgeous dark blue adorn most of the rooms in the 12 floor hotel, which made the rooms that much more attractive to a guest like mine especially with how sunny it was all weekend in SF.
Something that really stuck out to me about this hotel wasn’t just the great amenities that you get (free wifi, 42 inch TV’s, etc) it is that the art that is placed in each room of the hotel was actually designed by an adult with special needs from a local organization in San Francisco. When I found this out, I was shocked as the art itself blew me away with how each were individually done and designed, and could be worth thousands of dollars. It added a really great touch to this already fabulous location. They also have great Modern-American food locations located right next to the hotel including Klyde Cafe & Wine Bar, Three 9 Eight Restaurant And Bar and Benjamin Cooper, of which Three 9 Eight I dined at and was pleasantly happy with the delicious brunch that I received (French Toast, yummy). Definitely a hotel I would recommend for sure. For more information on Hotel G, check out their official site.
Intercontinental Mark Hopkins- 999 California Street, Nob Hill
Luxury, delicious drinks, beautiful rooms and a fabulous area are just a couple of ways to describe how amazing the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins really is. A legendary establishment in the Nob Hill area, Mark Hopkins has been around for nearly a century, dating back to 1926. Located only minutes away from downtown San Francisco, the location itself is major in terms of beauty, elegance, and sophistication and has a lot going on for it inside that will make you want to stay in an extra hour whether it is their lush and comfortable beds or sipping some delicious cocktails at Top of The Mark, located at the top of the hotel.
Top Of The Mark was the first place I actually checked into outside of my room when I arrived in San Francisco, and it was a pretty great introduction to the area in many different ways. First off, the location alone on the top of the hotel is absolutely splendid and regal, with beautiful wood furnishings adorned throughout and an absolutely stunning view of the city itself. While you are checked into Mark Hopkins, I would highly recommend a visit to the top floor while here to enjoy some tasty cocktails and yummy food before setting out onto the streets of San Francisco. Overall, this location is tops for me, and a huge recommendation to stay at. For more information on both, check out their official site.
Hotel Zelos- 12 4th Street
Sometimes it is good to try something new out, and Hotel Zelos is a great example of that! Newly relaunched in San Francisco’s SOMA neighborhood, the location itself has only been opened for a couple of months but seems to be generating a ton of buzz around SF. Great thing about this location is that if you are a true tourist, it is only a five or six minute walk from all the great museums, galleries, and whatnot as well as being close to the Powell Street BART Station which can get you to other hot areas in SF including my personal favorite, The Castro.
The hotel itself is beautiful, and the rooms are magnificently colored with lush, deep reds and oranges throughout, with a wonderful view of the SOMA neighborhood right outside your window. If you get hungry, there is no need to leave Hotel Zelos as there is a delicious restaurant located inside on the 5th floor called Dirty Habit, which serves up some tasty cocktails and meals designed to share for two. More on the latter in another article. In the meantime, Hotel Zelos is definitely one to look out for and one to book as well. For more information, check out their official site.
Happy Travels everyone! Next up in our San Francisco series… Where To Eat! Yum.