Stay at the top of Nob Hill at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins

San Francisco is classy and quirky, so how do you decide which side to experience on your San Francisco vacation? With the packages offered by the InterContinental Mark Hopkins, you can cover it all.

The Experience the City by the Bay package includes two cable car passes per day, breakfast for two at the hotel’s famous Top of the Mark (except for Sunday, when breakfast will be served in the Nob Hill Restaurant), parking for one vehicle and late checkout at 2:00 p.m.

The Top of the Mark package includes a deluxe room upgrade, two world-famous martinis and preferred seating at the Top of the Mark, where you can enjoy amazing views of San Francisco.

The City Escape package includes a hand-selected room with a view and 2:00 p.m. late checkout (regular checkout time is 12:00 p.m.), breakfast for two at the hotel’s famous Top of the Mark (except for Sunday, when breakfast will be served in the Nob Hill Restaurant), valet parking for one automobile, and consultation with concierge staff for best sites and experiences in San Francisco.

The hotel recently celebrated its 85th anniversary in December 2011, and has completed upgrades to all 380 guestrooms and suites, adding new Pro:Idiom LCD televisions; iHome docking stations for iPads, iPods and iPhones; Keurig coffee brewers; and UNO phones by Bittel, featured exclusively as a part of a luxury vacation package in the InterContinental Mark Hopkins suites.

To reserve any of the above packages, call the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco at 888-424-6835. Room rates vary depending on type of room preferred and time of year. If you’re interested in learning more about luxury vacation packages, visit Zicasso’s luxury tour operators for more information.

InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco, 415-392-3434

One Nob Hill, San Francisco, CA 94108

Photo courtesy of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco

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More time to relax at the Hotel Diva

Do you hate having to pay extra for parking when you stay at a hotel? At San Francisco’s Hotel Diva, you can leave your car with the valet, and not have to pay a penny more for your stay.

The hotel’s Get Pumped Parking Package lets you leave your vehicle with the valet with unlimited in and out privileges, plus get a $10 gas card when you check in. One car per room allowed, and if you drive an oversized vehicle, you’ve got to pay just $5 per day.

Fresh from a $2 million renovation, Hotel Diva is conveniently located in downtown San Francisco, close to primo shopping locations as well as two of the city’s best performing arts theaters. And when you don’t have to worry about the parking, that’s more time for shopping, theater, dining, or lounging in your swanky room.

With the savings, that’s more you can spend on fun in San Francisco.

Hotel Diva, 415-885-0200
440 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Photo courtesy of Hotel Diva

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Enjoy San Francisco views from your room at the Four Seasons

The holiday season can get out of control, and before you know it, you’re rushing everywhere. Why not slow down and enjoy a retreat in San Francisco this winter at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco.

The luxury hotel is right on Market Street, in the heart of San Francisco’s downtown shopping district—Union Square. The hotel’s 277 guest rooms include 46 luxury suites, and all are roomy. My room, a Deluxe King, had a long window seat where I could perch and watch all the Market Street action while I had slippers on.

Sure, those cozy slippers (and robes) are in all the rooms, but so are a flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi, CD player and an iHome alarm clock. The spacious marble bathrooms have a large vanity, deep bathtub (where you can relax after the shopping) and separate glass-enclosed shower. Rates start at $395 for a standard room, and $495 for the room I had.

When you’re not lounging in your room, head to Seasons Bar and Lounge for small-plate selections (or the burger lounge, offered on Sunday and Monday), cocktails (including specialty martinis) and live music. If you’re looking for something a little more leisurely, take your meals in Seasons restaurant. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant focuses on California-style cuisine.

Treat your taste buds at Seasons restaurant

And even if you’ve spent all day shopping, you can still people watch from the bar, restaurant, or your room—if you’ve gotten one on the Market Street side.

Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, 415-633-3000
757 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

Photos courtesy of the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

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Enjoy the view from your room at the Mandarin Oriental

Looking for a special place to celebrate? Whether it’s an anniversary, birthday, job promotion, holiday, or you’re just thankful for a drama-free day—one of the best places in San Francisco to celebrate anything is the Mandarin Oriental San Francisco.

Once you reach your room, one of the challenges is getting yourself to look away from the stunning city view, and around at the richly decorated digs. In my case, I had the bridge-to-bridge room, with a 180-degree view from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Bay Bridge. I think it took me about 30 minutes of gawking at all the San Francisco landmarks before I turned my back on the windows and settled down to my welcome beverage—a cup of jasmine tea.

Then, enjoy the view of your room

The rooms include HD LCD flat-panel TVs, radio, CD player, Wi-Fi (for an additional fee), binoculars, robes and slippers, and twice-daily maid service. If you’re really splurging, consider the Oriental Suite with its private terrace that spans the entire length of the suite.

Add to your celebration with a leisurely dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, Silks. It’s hard to choose just one favorite from the menu of California cuisine with Asian inspired dishes, and even if you visit on a busy night, the service is as attentive as if you were the only one in the room. The breakfast menu at Silks may be different, but consider starting your day there as well, before taking off to see the sights of the city.

Smack in the heart of San Francisco’s Financial District, the Mandarin Oriental proves that you don’t have to be a hotel right on the waterfront to have the best views. Now that I’ve spent my 10th wedding anniversary there, I’ll definitely consider going back for another special occasion.

Mandarin Oriental San Francisco, 415-276-9888
222 Sansome Street, San Francisco, CA 94104

Photos courtesy of Mandarin Oriental San Francisco

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