Relax in San Francisco style at the Sir Francis Drake

Its filmy fog, clanging cable cars and soaring hills not only make San Francisco a great vacation destination—but also gives it a kind of mysterious glamour that’s hard to duplicate. The Sir Francis Drake, with a recent renovation, mirrors some of that glittering city style. Plus, the brightly coated Beefeater doormen are still there!

The 416 rooms, along with the hotel lobby, now feature a more sophisticated look and feel, which complements the original Gothic Revival and Regency architecture of the hotel. The rooms include flat-panel LCD TVs, iHome alarm clock docking stations, Wi-Fi, ergonomic desk chairs, irons and ironing boards, hair dryers and in-room safes. Rates start at $189.

Along with the redesigned guest rooms and lobby, Harry Denton’s Starlight Room, the nightclub lounge located on the hotel’s 21st floor, has a new look as well. The dramatic renovation mixes contemporary design with the elegance of famed nightclubs of the past. The stunning 360-degree view remains, where you can see rolling fog, city lights and landmarks from Telegraph Hill to the Bay Bridge.

With all the amazing restaurants in San Francisco, it’s hard to narrow down the list for just once visit, but be sure to include Scala’s Bistro—conveniently downstairs. Executive Chefs and Bravo’s Top Chef contestants Jen Biesty and Tim Nugent use seasonal ingredients in the Italian and French countryside cuisine. It’s easy to linger here and enjoy all you can, because all you have to do to get home is take the elevator.

Sir Francis Drake, (415) 392-7755
450 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Photo courtesy of John Ellis and the Sir Francis Drake

Related information:
Waste a Day in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park

Cat nap at the Hemingway House in Key West

Another week, another hat tip to deeply discounted hotel packages from our friends over at DealBase.

If you’ve ever tried to book a trip down to see Hemingway’s cats (or his house, if that’s your fancy), you’ve noticed that Key West ain’t cheap. Book the “Travel Spike Promotion Package” at four-star Hawks Cay Resort for as low as $175 per night for king room.

Visitors to San Francisco know the cost of visiting that city climbs when you’re staying in Union Square and need to pay to park. Book the $119 per night parking package at three-star Sir Francis Drake Hotel and hoard your savings from all that free valet parking.

Dark and stormy night? Stay in and drink.

Finally, the Green Getaway Package at W Atlanta celebrates Earth Day with a discounted room, continental breakfast for two, cocktails and a donation of 100 trees to Trees for the Future’s plant-a-tree program. We’ll drink to that.