Get Away in Style in San Francisco

 

1. THE MARKER HOTEL

What better way to savor San Francisco history than a stay in a century-old hotel? The Marker, at the corner of Geary and Taylor, opened in 1910 as the Bellevue, and the seven-story, 240-room beauty is a stellar example of the Beaux Arts architectural style. Today this landmark, managed by Joie de Vivre Hospitality, still has many of the original features, including the impressive central fireplace with built-in benches, the grand staircase and stone floors.
Highlights Location, location, location — two blocks from Union Square, it’s a great base if you’re seeing a play and looking to grab a pre- or post-show meal.
Don’t Miss The Manhattan cocktail at the on-site Italian eatery Tratto is one for the must-have list.
Cost Rates start at $220 per night.

Read our extended article here.

 

2. HOTEL KABUKI

A weekend in Japantown can feel like a true getaway. The newly renovated (as in $32 million) Hotel Kabuki at 1625 Post Street is conveniently located for trips to the Fillmore District, the Marina District and the beach, yet Japantown itself is chock-full of gems within walking distance. The remodel retained the hotel’s historic exterior, with the onetime 1960s community center (currently the garden rooms) connected to the former Japanese Consulate (currently the tower rooms). The interiors were completely refreshed by Brooklyn-based MarkZeff Design.
Highlights The hip lobby bar is an ideal spot for a rendezvous, business meeting, midday breather or evening wind-down with bar bites and artisanal cocktails.
Don’t Miss In the outdoor fire pit of the Zen garden just off the bar, you can sip your sake in solitude.
Cost Rates start at $249 per night.

Read our extended article here.

 

3. THE LODGE AT THE PRESIDIO

This lodge in the U.S. Army’s former “Infantry Row” is a plush way to explore the city’s military past. It’s situated in one of the five Montgomery Street Barracks the army built between 1895 and 1897. The three-story, 42-room hotel is one of 470 structures in the Presidio on the National Registry of Historic Places and is the latest to be refreshed. Besides the lodge’s so-close-you- can-almost-touch-it views of the Golden Gate Bridge, you can enjoy the Presidio’s 24 miles of hiking trails and bike trails, restaurants within walking distance, the 18-hole Presidio Golf Course, and the Walt Disney Family Museum.
Highlights The hotel’s art collection, curated by Julie Coyle and Associates of Marin, includes a formation over the dining room fireplace made of rock from beneath the building’s foundation dating back to Ohlone times. In the lobby, a shadow box titled “A Soldier’s Story” displays typical possessions of army men.
Don’t Miss The complimentary evening reception (5 to 7 p.m.) features Bakers of Paris focaccia, Molinari meats, Cowgirl Creamery cheeses, nuts, crackers and grapes, and Napa and Sonoma wines.
Cost Rates start at $275 per night, presidiolodging.com.

 

 


Mimi Towle

Mimi Towle has been the editor of Marin Magazine for over a decade. She lived with her family in Sycamore Park and Strawberry and thoroughly enjoyed raising two daughters in the mayhem of Marin’s youth sports; soccer, swim, volleyball, ballet, hip hop, gymnastics and many many hours spent at Miwok Stables. Her community involvements include volunteering at her daughter’s schools, coaching soccer and volleyball (glorified snack mom), being on the board of both Richardson Bay Audubon Center. Currently residing on a floating home in Sausalito, she enjoys all water activity, including learning how to steer a 6-person canoe for the Tamalpais Outrigger Canoe Club. Born and raised in Hawaii, her fondness for the islands has on occasion made its way into the pages of the magazine.