Hotel Whitcomb is an elegant, affordable historic San Francisco hotel.

San Francisco has it’s share of grand, splashy, historic hotels — the Fairmont, the St. Francis, and the Palace to name a few — but there is one that’s often overlooked.

Perhaps it’s the location on mid-Market close to Civic Center and the Tenderloin, not atop glamorous Nob Hill or in bustling Union Square, but despite its history and grandeur, Hotel Whitcomb doesn’t have the same cachet as the other century-old landmarks. And that’s too bad, it should.

The lobby sparkles with Austrian crystal, marble, and polished brass.

An opulent lobby resplendent with Austrian crystal chandeliers, Tiffany glass, Italian marble columns and floors, and Janesero wood paneling opens onto Market Street across from the Orpheum Theater. Above, 460 airy rooms have high ceilings and are appointed with beautiful furnishings.

On the mezzanine floor, the Crystal Gallery showcases vintage photos of the hotel’s unique history on the site of a gynormous 71,000 square-foot marketplace called the Crystal Palace Market that opened in 1923. A few years before, the Hotel Whitcomb had served as a temporary City Hall from 1912 to 1915 after the 1906 earthquake.

Off the lobby are a few options for refreshments. There is a Starbucks, Florinda’s Market Street Grill, and  of The Tavern, a lovely Victorian piano bar that hosts a lively happy hour and is a popular meeting place for theater goers.

Still privately owned, Hotel Whitcomb is also affordable. A recent check of rates displayed a range from $79 for a “petite double” to $488 for a king parlor suite. Maybe it’s time the Whitcomb is allowed to bask the limelight seemingly reserved for the other San Francisco grand hotels. Your travel and tour agents can easily arrange an itinerary that includes a stop at this historical place when you visit San Francisco.

With assistance in planning similar travel packages, click here for assistance with travel planning.

Hotel Whitcomb
San Francisco, CA
1231 Market Street,
San Francisco, CA 94103
Tel: 415-626-8000

Photos by Lisa Dion

Take in a Carmel-by-the-sea sunset at Hofsas House

Located in the quaint town of Carmel by the Sea, Hofsas House is a rare gem in this ocean-side village. The Bavarian-themed Hofsas House is family-owned and operated with 37 uniquely decorated rooms, some with ocean views. Many of the rooms have fireplaces and all have dutch doors to take in the fresh sea air.

Hofsas House Crafting Package

It was a a gorgeous 70 degree day on my early March visit to the Hofsas House in Carmel. While I was out walking the streets of Carmel-by-the-sea and dining on calamari at Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, women from all over the world were sitting contentedly at the poolside meeting room sewing with local Carmel business woman, Loes Hinse. Several times a year Hinse offers specialty four-day sewing seminars.

The Hofsas House offers the perfect European ambiance for sewing, quilting or knitting retreats.

Enjoy the swimming pool at Hofsas House, Carmel-by-the-sea

Family-friendly Hofsas House

Not only will the prices of Hofsas House not break the bank, your kids will be happy here, too. There is a heated swimming pool and sauna on property. Rooms are adjoining for parents with children, and for the adventurous or romantics, Hofsas House offers enhanced packages like the s’mores kit; complete with firewood, a blanket and all  the fixings for s’mores on Carmel Beach.

Tail Wagging Package

Hofsas House has one of the most dog-friendly hotels around. Dogs, from large to small, receive their own Frisbee and a special treat to start their vacation.  In addition to the Frisbee, the welcome package includes a Hofsas House dog bed, a copy of Coastal Canine Magazine – offering the best four legged options for visiting Carmel and a special package from California Pup. There is a $25 fee per night for one dog and $40 per night for two dogs. Woof!

Hofsas House King Suite #45 comes with a fireplace and ocean view

Complimentary Continental Breakfast

Our king suite, #45, with an ocean view and fireplace was a bargain at $175, (low season pricing.) The spacious room included a continental breakfast with coffee, tea, juice, fruit, yogurt and fresh made pastries from Monterey-based Paris Bakery. It also featured a kitchenette and bathroom with shower.

Hofsas House includes:

• Queen and King beds
• Maid service
• Refrigerator
• Data port
• Kitchenette
• Copier
• Cable/satellite television
• Shower
• Hairdryer
• Iron and Ironing board
• Non-smoking rooms
• Telephone
• Alarm clock

• Cable television
• Microwave
• Hair dryer
• Complimentary Wireless internet access
• Balcony/lanai/terrace
• Fax machine
• Handicap room
• Coffee/tea maker
• Voicemail
• Fireplace
• Ocean view
• Connecting rooms

If You Go:

Hofsas House (831) 624-2745

4th Street and San Carlos, Carmel, CA 93921

Article written by and photos courtesy of  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California.

I was a guest of Hofsas House.

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Spindrift Inn, Monterey

Insider Tips for Things to Do in Monterey

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to stay at a holiday resort, ranked by Conde Nast as the world’s best luxury resort? For those lucky enough to be able to afford it, Qualia Resort is the ultimate destination for the vacation of a lifetime. Qualia resort also gives you the opportunity to visit one of Australia’s most popular holiday regions that boasts one of the world’s best climates. The resort is situated on Hamilton Island which is the largest resort island in the Whitsunday’s region of north Queensland on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef coastline.

Hamilton Island is home to a number of resorts in either 4 or 5 star configurations. The island can be accessed directly by air from either Brisbane or Sydney with regular daily jet schedules. This is truly a sub tropical resort island. The dry season extends from late April right through to November and the weather is spectacular with the average daily temperature around 26 or 27 degrees Celsius and little rain. The resort lifestyle revolves around the islands marina and foreshore as well as the magnificent championship golf course which has been likened to Pebble beach in the USA. The views from this course are amazing. The Golf Course is actually located on nearby Dent Island and is serviced by a regular ferry service. The resorts provide a multitude of other water sports and entertainment.

For those staying at Qualia resort there are many options. The resort has its own high end restaurant, but a golf buggy is included in the tariff and also dining at any of the other seven or eight restaurants located in other resorts or around the boat harbor and yacht club. The accommodation at Qualia is sensational with a number of private pavilions privately positioned around the waterfront. As far as luxury and comfort is concerned, nothing is left to chance.

Hamilton Island is situated in the Whitsunday Passage region and surrounded by an archipelago of 74 magnificent islands, several of which also have holiday resorts on them. The Great Barrier Reef lies just offshore and most of these islands also have some fringing reefs. Fast catamarans run daily tours out to the reef where you can snorkel and dive in complete safety.

If you fancy a holiday where everything you could imagine is available for your enjoyment, come and stay at Qualia Resort on Hamilton Island in Australia. The weather is pleasant all year around and you can find the ideal travel season for you to visit.