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Best Hotel Bets
Best for Families: Kids like the Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell St. (tel. 866/500-0038 or 415/397-7000), because upon arrival, children under 12 get the travel-themed Westin Kids Club backpack filled with a make-your-own postcard kit, colored pencils, a travelogue, a map of the world, and a safari hat. Parents with babies get a rubber duck, a night light, and an emergency kit. At the nautically themed Argonaut, 495 Jefferson St. (tel. 866/415-0704 or 415/563-0800), kids get to pick a toy out of the "treasure chest," and parents will appreciate the free cribs and strollers. But the place kids will probably love the most is the Hotel del Sol, 3100 Webster St. (tel. 877/433-5765 or 415/921-5520), with its "Kids are VIPs" program that includes a lending library of books, toys, and videos; evening cookies and milk; and a plethora of toys to use by the heated outdoor pool. Parents will love the bonded babysitting services and the three baby-proofed rooms, among many other perks for families.
Best for Romance: Oozing with bohemian romance is The Hotel Bohème, 444 Columbus Ave. (tel. 415/433-9111).
Best Public Space in a Historic Hotel: The Palace Hotel, 2 New Montgomery St. (tel. 888/625-5144 or 415/512-1111), the extravagant creation of banker "Bonanza King" Will Ralston in 1875, has one of the grandest rooms in the city: the Garden Court. Equally eye-catching is the magnificent lobby at Nob Hill's The Fairmont Hotel & Tower, 950 Mason St. (tel. 866/540-4491 or 415/772-5000).
Best Trendy Scene: If you want to shack up with the tragically hip, head to Clift Hotel, 495 Geary St. (tel. 800/697-1791 or 415/775-4700), which promises upscale flirting at its bar, the Redwood Room. Less chichi and funkier in style and location is The Phoenix Hotel, 601 Eddy St. (tel. 800/248-9466 or 415/776-1380), where guests lounge poolside or hang at the too-cool Bambuddha Lounge.
Best Service and Amenities: As usual, The Ritz-Carlton, 600 Stockton St. (tel. 800/241-3333 or 415/296-7465), corners the market in ultimate luxury, from its stunning ground-floor bathrooms to its fabulous restaurant to everything in between. Of course such pampering comes at a cost, but if you can afford it, it's worth the splurge. While it doesn't have quite the number of perks that the Ritz has, the St. Regis Hotel, 125 Third St. (tel. 877/787-3447 or 415/284-4000), is a fabulous place to stay. From its state-of-the-art rooms swathed in browns and creams to its huge spa, gym, hopping bar scene, and destination-restaurant Ame -- not to mention its location next to the Museum of Modern Art -- it's one of my favorite hotels in the city.
The Best Splurge Hotels
The Ritz-Carlton, 600 Stockton St., Nob Hill (tel. 800/241-3333 or 415/296-7465; www.ritzcarlton.com), is the sine qua non of luxury hotels, offering near-perfect service and every possible amenity. Even if you can't afford a guest room, come for the mind-blowing Sunday brunch.
Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, 757 Market St., SoMa (tel. 800/819-5053 or 415/633-3000; www.fourseasons.com), is the perfect combination of opulence, hipness, and class. I can't afford it either, but I sure love to hang out at the bar and pretend.
The Mandarin Oriental, 222 Sansome St., Financial District (tel. 800/622-0404 or 415/276-9888; www.mandarinoriental.com/sanfrancisco), is perched so high above the city that the fog rolls in below you. It's surreal. Maybe I really did die and go to heaven?
The St. Regis Hotel, 125 Third St., SoMa (tel. 877/787-3447 or 415/284-4000; www.stregis.com/sanfrancisco), has these touch-screen remote controls that let you operate everything in your room -- without leaving your bed. Add a destination restaurant and a fabulous two-floor spa, and why would you ever want to leave?
The Best Moderately Priced Hotels
Laurel Inn, 444 Presidio Ave., Pacific Heights (tel. 800/552-8735 or 415/567-8467; www.thelaurelinn.com), may be off the beaten track, but it's one of the best affordable, fashionable hotels in the city. Just outside of the southern entrance to the Presidio in the midst of residential Presidio Heights, it's a chic motel with soothing, contemporary decor and equally calming prices.
Hotel Bohème, 444 Columbus Ave. (tel. 415/433-9111; www.hotelboheme.com), is the perfect mixture of art, style, class, romance, and location -- just steps from the sidewalk cafes of North Beach. If Bette Davis were alive today, this is where she'd stay.
The Warwick Regis, 490 Geary St., Union Square (tel. 800/203-3232 or 415/928-7900; www.warwicksf.com), is for travelers who prefer stately old-world style over floral fun. Extremely well cared for and beautifully decorated, it's one of my favorite midrange picks.
Hotel Adagio, 550 Geary St., Union Square (tel. 800/228-8830 or 415/775-5000; www.thehoteladagio.com), is far more chic and hip than its category counterparts. The 1929 Spanish Revival building has sexy streamlined rooms swathed in rich shades of brown, and a very chic restaurant and bar on the ground level.
The Golden Gate Hotel, 775 Bush St. (tel. 800/835-1118; www.goldengatehotel.com), receives nothing but kudos from satisfied guests. Just 2 blocks from Union Square, this 1913 Edwardian hotel is a real charmer and a fantastic value.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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