Parc 55, San Francisco

In July we spent a weekend in San Francisco to have some fun. I posted earlier here about the Friday night activities of that weekend. Well, on Saturday night, we stayed in SF again so we could go to a concert. What concert? Well, I'm glad you asked! The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit is group of guys from Oakdale, CA and we're lucky enough to be able to call these gentlemen our friends. People, let me tell you. These guys are such a good time! They played that weekend at the The Great American Music Hall in SF and it was a heck of a show. So much fun to see them play to a packed house in the city!

Anyway, we stayed at the The Parc 55 which is locate a very short walk from Union Square. Actually, it's just across the street from the Bart Station and Cable Car Station at Powell St. Can't get a whole lot more convenient than that! We booked the room for $85 on Priceline (score!) and were pleasantly surprised by both the location and the quality of the rooms, etc. The bed was super comfy, we had a great view, the room was reasonably quiet and cool...it's not every hotel in SF that can actually give you all of these things!

Most of the buildings in SF are pretty old with the majority of them being built after the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. People lived a bit more simply back then and as a result you'll notice that SF hotels rooms (if the hotel resides in a period building) are on the small side. So. If you find yourself in a larger room (such as we did at the Parc 55), it's a good indicator that the building is on this side of being newer. I am a fan of the new hotels and I love the quaint boutique hotels you find in the old buildings. Both have their charms.

Being the detail freak that I am I loved the necessity set up in the bathroom. Earplugs? Awesome. I didn't need them as the room was actually quite peaceful (and I had my ever-trusty sleep white noise machine tucked safely in my suitcase), but I thought it very clever to think of providing them for guests. And, I'll just say it. Hotels that spring a little more for quality products rather than random crappy bottles of worthless shampoo, etc, always get extra points in my book. Plus, I can squirrel them away in my bag and later use them in my guest bath baskets (more on that another time).

On an amusing side note, we discovered that Wyndham Hotels are where a lot of airlines put up their flight crews for the night. When we went to check out, the lobby was filled with flight attendants all decked out in various uniforms (Air China's were the prettiest) and pilots. I don't exactly know why I was taken by this, but I was. Weird.

As you can see in this photo to the right, we were blessed with beautiful weather that weekend. I'll say it again. I friggin' love SF.

Hotel Adagio, San Francisco

When we decided to go to the Giants game with our friends Mikey and Tawny we all figured it would be a good idea if we got a hotel room for the night of the game in the City. That way we could all relax (enjoy a few drinks) and not have to worry about who was going to drive us back late at night. We went with Hotel Adagio on Geary Street just a few blocks up from Union Square. Hotel Adagio is owned by joie de vivre, a company that owns a number of hotels in the city. Seeing as we stay in SF quite often, I figured it wouldn't hurt to join their Joy of Life Club; basically a frequent stayer club. Also, they partner with Virgin America Airlines (who I love; more on them another time). Anyway, made the reservation for a room with two queen beds (we figured we'd save a few bucks and share the room with our friends). Good deal.


{Surprise! Hi, Mikey!}

 So. Upon check-in, I was greeted very warmly by the gentleman behind the desk and he informed me that they had upgraded our room since I am a member of their club. Score! We got our keys and headed to the elevator to check out our room.

We were on the top floor of the building (makes for an incredible view) in the penthouse suite. Double score! There was a master bedroom and a living room. Dean and I decided since it was Tawny's birthday (and seeing as she's on crutches and all) that she and Mikey should take the big bed. Dean and I took the fold out couch--which- I will add- was actually surprisingly ok, as far as fold out couches go.

{Living Room of our sweet penthouse room}

Waiting on the table when we arrived in the room were a welcome card and a bottle of wine! Granted, kinda cheap wine. But hey! Fun either way, right?? At any rate, I was impressed by the fact that they actually take the time to make you feel special for being a member of their club. I'm looking forward to future stays at their hotels now for sure. In fact, I did a little research and found that they also own Carmel Valley Ranch in Carmel and Dream Inn in Santa Cruz. Definitely going to be looking into both of those. If not for a get-away for me and my guy then for a possible destination for our study club!

I am a big fan of the style of the decor they've gone with at the Adagio. Kind of modern and contemorary and at the same time comfortable and elegant. I wish I had taken a picture of the shower. It was o-mazing. I love those shower heads that are like rain falling. What are they called?

As I mentioned before, we had a great view from the top floor of the building. And we were stoked to find that we had a big balcony! One catch. No door! What? Seriously? And, as is common with a lot of SF hotels the windows didn't open very far. Boooo. Never fear. Eventually we discovered that there was a tiny window that DID open and it was just big enough that all of us were able to squeeze through and enjoy the fresh air and that beautiful view. Even Tawny demonstrated some serious agility and got out there broken foot in a boot and all!

{Tawny and the Panda sneaking in through the window!}