Club Lounge
Whenever the opportunity arises, I always mention to travelers the many additional benefits they will receive if they decide to book a room on the Club Floor of any hotel which offers its guests such a facility. On a recent visit to San Francisco, my wife Sandra and I decided to take our own advice when I made a booking at the Ritz Carlton Hotel.
We discovered this beautiful hotel on a prior visit when I was walking around exploring the prestigious Nob Hill area. I thought the hotel, with its white façade and a bank of pillars, looked so elegant and inviting that on my next visit to San Francisco, this hotel would be where we should stay.
The hotel is a low rise building, built in a U shape around a landscaped courtyard and was previously the West Coast headquarters of a New York based insurance company.
After pulling up at the imposing entry and admiring the spacious foyer with its inviting lounge and bar areas, the registration formalities completed, we were shown to the Ritz-Carlton Club Level where our corner suite room was located. Because our accommodation was on the Club Level we had automatic access to all the facilities available in the Club Lounge.
Welcome Treats in Our Room
The Club Lounge offers guests a relaxed and comfortable haven, with plenty of sofas and armchairs to sit back and enjoy reading a magazine, have a coffee, a glass of wine or a cocktail. A very substantial complimentary breakfast is available each morning, followed by mid morning pastries and cakes before the lunch selection of salads, soup, sandwiches and cold meats is displayed to tempt you. It does not stop there. Afternoon tea with beautiful cakes accompanied by tea and coffee then the day is rounded off with wines and cocktails made to order, hors d’oeuvres, savoury treats and sweets. We virtually spent the whole day in the Club Lounge trying all this fabulous food. If that isn’t enough, there is a round table displaying glass bottles of chocolate treats and meringues for guests to help themselves. All of this is included when you are staying in a Ritz-Carlton Club room.
The Concierge, located at the entrance to the Club Lounge, was extremely helpful and was able to provide answers to all our questions on where to go in San Francisco. We were also able to complete our check out procedures with ease in the Club Lounge.
Our spacious room, with its traditional style décor and 400 thread count Frette bed linens, had views of Coit Tower, San Francisco Bay and the Financial District. The large Italian marble bathroom, with its double sinks and Bulgari amenities made for easy sharing.
Located in a quiet residential neighbourhood in Stockton Street, overlooking the Financial District, near the corner of California Street, the hotel is just a short walk to Union Square with all its tempting shops and department stores, such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s plus many other boutiques and restaurants. The hotel is within walking distance of many of San Francisco’s famous sites such as Grace Cathedral atop Nob Hill, Chinatown, the Italian area of North Beach with its restaurants and specialty food shops plus Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world.
San Francisco’s famous cable cars run along California Street from their base in Market Street to Van Ness Street. The cable car stop on the corner of Stockton and California Streets is very convenient for Ritz Carlton guests.
Whether you are visiting San Francisco for business or pleasure, staying at The Ritz Carlton will give you a memorable experience. John Pond – Sandra Tiltman
