Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
76
Approval” for environmental design, use of biodegradable cleaning pr oducts, and other
eco-friendly touches. The major drawback is that the O rchard was originally envisioned
as a business hotel, so r ooms are designed for two people. I f your party includes mor e
than parents and an infant, you'll have to get interconnecting rooms or spring for one of
the two-room suites, which hav e entertainment centers in both r ooms and can be had
for just $100 more than the lowest-available rate on the standard room. Another option
is to look into the O rchard Garden Hotel, listed above.
665 Bush St. (at Stockton St.), San Francisco, CA 94108.
&
888/717-2881
or 415/362-8878. Fax 415/362-
8088. www.theorchardhotel.com. 104 units, including 9 suites. $179-$439 double; $279-$439 suit e. No
rollaways; cribs $15. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $34.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar; exercise room;
concierge; courtesy car; room service (limited hours); laundry service; dry cleaning.
In room:
A/C, TV/DVD
w/movies and games, dataport, free high-speed Internet access, fridge, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer,
iron, CD player.
Serrano Hotel
The S errano is one of the mor e family-friendly options in the
neighborhood. The richly colored Spanish Revival lobby isn't overwhelmingly large, and
cozy seating under a beamed ceiling is arranged in small groups. During the complimen-
tary evening wine reception, a tarot card reader drops by to entertain. As at most Kimp-
ton hotels, one TV channel is dedicated to y oga, and a complimentar y yoga basket is
available. Guests can borrow games from an extensive game library to play in the lobb y
or in their r ooms. In keeping with the whimsical theme, y ou'll find y o-yos, mini E tch
A S ketches, and car ds, all for a fee, in the minibars. Another unique per k for y oung
families are complimentary strollers and booster seats. Check the w ebsite for family and
pet packages.
The building dates from the 1920s, although it was entirely renovated in 1999. Rooms
are lushly designed with warm colors and patterns, double-paned windo ws, and small,
well-stocked bathr ooms. D ouble-doubles ar e too small for a family of four . I nstead,
consider a queen delux e with a connecting double-double (best for large families); an
executive king with a bed, sofa bed, and large marble bathr oom; or a suite. The suites
have a king-siz e bed and king-siz e sofa bed, each in its o wn room. Corner r ooms have
views and are a bit more spacious. The hotel's Ponzu restaurant serves breakfast and tasty
Asian-inspired dinner dishes.
405 Taylor St. (at O'Farrell St.), San Francisco, CA 94102.
&
866/289-6561
or 415/885-2500. Fax 415/474-
4879. www.serranohotel.com. 236 units, including 129 suites. $159-$299 double; $279-$499 suite. Kids
under 18 stay free in parent's room. No rollaways; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $40 over-
sized vehicles $49. P ets welcome.
Amenities:
Restaurant; ex ercise room and sauna; business c enter;
room service (limited hours); babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning.
In room:
A/C, TV w/movies and
games, dataport, free high-speed Internet access, minibar/fridge, hair dr yer, iron, laptop-size safe, iPod
dock.
Sir Francis Drake
If you can snag a gr eat deal at this historic hotel, it 's an option
worth considering. But if you can't find a room rate well below the advertised rack rates,
I wouldn't recommend it. Cer tainly, the 1928 hotel is in a pr emier location b y Union
Square and on the cable car line. The Harry Denton Starlight Lounge on the top floor is
legendary, only slightly less famous than the hotel 's beefeater-clad doormen. ( Tom
Sweeney, who has been opening doors to guests for mor e than a quar ter-century, is a
verifiable San Francisco icon.) And the grandiose, chandelier-lit lobb y, complete with a
sweeping marble staircase, offers a majestic taste of the O ld World.
Unfortunately, many of the color fully decorated rooms are small, and the bathr ooms
even tinier, with har dly any counter space. B ut if y ou don't mind forgoing queen-siz e
beds, the executive double-double rooms are relatively spacious and have a bonus second
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