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Posts tagged North America
Huntington Hotel: Review
Jan 14th
The elegant Huntington Hotel is named after one of the four builders of the Southern Pacific Railroad. The hotel overlooks many sites and includes a collection of railroad memorabilia. You can take the cable car from the hotel to Fisherman’s Wharf or the Financial District. The rooms are decorated by notable designers and were once used as apartments. Many rooms include incredible antiques and artwork. You will receive high speed DSL internet lines, data ports, faxes, and two line phones. There is complimentary limo service to the Financial District and Union Square.
Since 1924, the Huntington Hotel & Nob Hill Spa has been ranked consistently as not only the most distinguished choice of San Francisco luxury hotels, but as one of the finest places to stay in the world. Withstanding more than seventy-five years in the heart of the community, this family-owned and operated San Francisco hotel property is regarded as one of the last bastions of the city’s deep historic roots.
Recent honors bestowed upon this downtown San Francisco California hotel include: • Travel & Leisure’s 2003 Award, as one of the world’s 500 greatest hotels • Condé Nast Traveler’s 2003 Gold List, as one of the best places to stay More >
Pan Pacific Hotel: Review
Oct 20th
This hotel’s contemporary style, elegance, and great service make it an excellent choice. The Pan Pacific blends Asian and American styles to provide a unique experience. The third-floor features a 17 story atrium and an amazing fountain sculpture. Each room has a personal valet call button for anything you need! Even better, a ROLLS ROYCE is available to shuttle you around San Francisco. Truly a unique experience for any expense account…
K.D. writes “My favorite hotel in San Francisco is the Pan Pacific on Post and Mason. (Near Union Square) It is expensive but in my opinion is better than any listed in your expensive category. It is across the street from Postrio- a great fun restaurant.”
While hotel prices fluctuate rapidly — for June — prices quoted ranged from $170-$190 with a median price quote of $190.
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Stylish Hotel W: Review
Oct 20th
On Howard @ Third Street, a 30 story hotel with impeccable style and an unbeatable location is at your service. Located right across from Moscone Convention Center near the new Sony Metreon Entertainment complex and SF MOMA is “W”. Design is from Banana Republic and Pottery Barn and is operated by Starwood (Sheraton, Westin, etc.).
The hotel features internet e-mail access, cordless phones, and high-speed Ethernet modem connections. The beds feature goose-down comforters and natural fabrics. If you are looking for personalized service as a high-tech entrepreneur, journalist, or entertainment industry figure — “W” has been designed for you. The hotel has an edge for sophisticated travelers.
The 423 rooms include use of a lap swimming pool and an outdoor deck. The hotel’s sexy style are sure to make it a top choice in the City.
W is highly recommended by our editors,
M.A. writes, “I spent a week at the W Hotel in San Francisco, arriving on September 8 and leaving on the 15th. The guest room was very nice with a window seat in one corner, overlooking 3rd Street. They even provided a blanket and pillows with which to relax on the window seat. The bed was marvelously comfortable with down comforter More >
Fairmont Hotel: Review
Oct 11th
The Fairmont is located at California & Mason on Nob Hill — a steep hill overlooking the Financial District & Union Square. The hotel’s intersection is a major and convenient cable car stop to both popular neighborhoods. This hotel (and the Mark Hopkins) are nicely secluded from the city’s hustle and bustle, yet convenient to many key attractions. The hotel’s service is also impeccable.
We visited the Fairmont personally and it was an excellent hotel. The service is friendly and efficient. The hotel has the true historic feel of SF and is very classy. The rooms had been well renovated but were not a typical generic style. A place with class & style — highly recommended. Andy Rating = “A”)
The hotel was built to honor silver baron “Bonanza Jim” Faiir in 1907, with a Julia Morgan design. This hotel was the first to reopen after the 1906 earthquake destroyed every hotel in San Francisco. Renovated recently for $80 million, the marble floors and golf-leaf lonic columns are amazing.
The Fairmont is highly recommended by our editors for San Francisco’s legendary elegance on Nob Hill.
While hotel prices fluctuate rapidly — for June — prices quoted ranged from $251-$729 with a median price quote More >
Hotel Bellagio: Review
Sep 29th
This is the luxury resort that ushered in the new post-Vegas-is-for-families elegance epoch, and it was so successful that many of its attributes can now be found, in varying forms, up the street at the Wynn resort. It’s hard not to compare the two, and which you prefer will depend on your aesthetics. We give the edge to Bellagio because, even though it is not as theme-intensive as it could be, it still has some elements drawn from its charming Lake Como village namesake, and we do prefer even our resorts to have some old school Vegas silliness, however slight. In this case, it’s an 8-acre Lake Como stand-in out front, complete with a dazzling choreographed water-ballet extravaganza, plus a representation of an Italian lakeside village, while the pool area is sort of Hearst Castle Romanesque. However, don’t think this is much like a getaway to a peaceful, romantic Italian village because it’s not. But it is exactly like going to a big, grand, state-of-the-art Vegas hotel. To expect more probably isn’t fair, but then again, they tried to set the tone with dreamy, soft-focus TV ads aired when the hotel debuted. Nothing with a casino stuck in the middle More >
Casa Tua, Miami: full review
Sep 28th
Think Miami. Is that a cocktailed combination of sun and sea? The forensic gore of CSI: Miami? Or do you recall the rolled-up sleeves of Miami Vice? From its ‘snowbirds’ (retirees who flock for the winter sun) to the Art Deco district and back to Scarface, one thing’s for sure: Miami ain’t just one thing.
No one has yet, however, accused Miami’s South Beach of being Italian – Northern Italian, to be precise – which is exactly what this five-room Miami boutique hotel and destination restaurant is all about. After browsing Casa Tua’s confounding website (what’s that racehorse and dog doing there?), we were sent a lengthy questionnaire documenting our requirements (anti-allergenic or goose down pillows?) before arrival. Chuckling as we listed Fellini and Adam Sandler films as our in-room DVD selection, we couldn’t help feeling a tad VIP; Casa Tua seemed to be tailoring itself to us.
The test of any great hotel is its response when plans unravel though. After the hotel-ordered airport cab was evidently a no-show, Casa Tua quickly proved its worth. As we pulled up outside the hotel’s wrought iron gates, Manuel, the maitre d’, met us with a smile, paid cash for our taxi and later More >
Calistoga Ranch: Review
Sep 27th
How, goes the famous Napa Valley joke, do you make a small fortune in wine? Start with a large one. Winemaking is an expensive business, and you have to have serious financial clout if you want to start mucking about with the merlot. Still, if you can’t afford your own vineyard, then at least you can experience the Napa Valley lifestyle by staying at Calistoga Ranch. From the moment we arrived, when the cheery valet took the keys of our car to park it on our behalf, to the morning we left, when gorgeous Gloria on reception handed us two bottles of water for our journey home, Mrs Smith and I were made to feel like the most important oenologists in town.
The ranch nestles in a secluded gorge at the north end of Napa Valley, near the spa town of Calistoga. The 157-acre, 46-room resort is understated Cal-luxe, all low-rise buildings in cedar and stone, punctuated with modern accents such as giant cube lampshades in all the public spaces. There’s a luxurious spa, the Bathhouse, an outdoor yoga deck with soothing views over the valley’s aged oaks, and a dramatic pool overlooked by both a bar and gym. There’s also More >
Hip Hotel New York City: 60 Thompson Review
Sep 17th
The trendiest boutique hotel in Manhattan. Flush with modern-chic style and seductive atmosphere. A celebrity following that rivals the Oscars. A bar that is the place to be on a Thursday night. 60 Thompson is quickly becoming a household name, and we know why.
The light earth-tone walls, panelled leather headboards, crisp white Frette linens, and deep walnut paneling create an effortlessly sensual and relaxing atmosphere. Although the expansive hotel lobby can feel a bit intimidating if you don’t belong to the Seven/Vuitton crowd, the uber-hip Thom’s Bar is actually quite comfortable. The overly attractive staff is lucky enough to sport cashmere uniforms created by Nino Cerruti, although the tips they undoubtedly rake in from this swank crowd no doubt affords them their own cashmere.
Located in the heart of SoHo at, you guessed it, 60 Thompson Street between Spring and Broome (and across from the original Kate Spade store), this 12-storey, 100-room hotel is close to everything that is trendy and fashionable, and has become the favored hangout of discerning New York socialites.
If their standard New York-size rooms are too cramped for you, book yourself into the duplex penthouse loft, complete with its own private garden. If the Thompson Loft’s $3,500. More >
The Clift Hotel San Francisco – Union Square
Sep 8th
The Clift received a $50 million renovation by one of the world’s top hotel operator / designers – Ian Schrager. Who is Ian Schrager you might wonder? Ian created Studio 54 in New York, the legendary New York Nightclub of the 1980′s featured in multiple movies and is often seen in celeberity circles today. The Studio 54 nightclub is seen as the embodiment of the esxcessiveness of the 1980′s– ending with Ian and his partner serving one year in prison.
The massive renovation includes upgrades to San Francisco’s classic nightclub, The Redwood Room. The Redwood Room is so historic, a public action committee, “To Save the Redwood Room” was formed when it was announced that Ian had purchased the Clift from the Four Seasons chain for $80 million. The controversy eventually included newspaper editorials, cartoons, and letters to the editor. In the end, the style of the Redwood Room changed, but the basic structure stayed the same. Many San Franciscans have fond memories of the Redwood Room nightclub.
The Clift Hotel was built in 1915, after the major earthquake. The building was built by George Applegarth, who also designed the Palace of the Legion of Honor. The clift was a 12 story, More >
San Francisco’s Palace Hotel Review
Sep 8th
The Palace Hotel is one of the best and most beautiful hotels in San Francisco. Restored to its 1920′s beauty, the hotel truly is a palace. The stunning and romantic Garden Court restaurant is covered by restored antique glass panels that allow the sun to shine in. The hotel includes a health spa, skylit lap pool, and shopping plaza. The Palace Hotel is located near the Financial District and Union Square in a very safe neighborhood.
This hotel has weathered earthquakes and fire with grace. The hotel opened in 1875 costing $5 million and driving its founder to financial catastrophe. The 1906 earthquake threw guests from their bed and fires gutted the hotel. Rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake for $10 million, the amazing 1989 renovation cost $170 million. Worth a visit to the atrium, even if not a guest.
The Palace Hotel is a truly beautiful part of San Francisco history. Originally opening in 1875, it closed down after an earthquake and the resulting fires tore through the hotel in 1906. It was restored and opened back up shortly, and has recently been renovated so that it once again exudes its historic elegance.
The Palace Hotel is most famous for one of its More >