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.

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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Premium Cabin at Yotel New York City

It’s no secret that New York City hotel rooms are among the priciest in the country. So when a hotel comes along with low rates, there’s got to be a reason for it. In the case of the Yotel Hotel, it’s because it specializes in tiny compact rooms that they call cabins.

But just because the rooms are tiny, doesn’t mean they scrimp on features. All rooms come with convertible beds, TVs, plenty of storage space and bathrooms with showers. Amenities also include complimentary wifi (almost unheard of in a NYC hotel).

What they don’t have is room service, mini bars or even in-room coffee bars. They don’t have a lot of space to lounge around in either. But let’s face it, if you’re in New York City, you’re probably not going to be in your room much anyways. Especially when the hotel is located two blocks from Times Square.

The trade-off of room space for low rates is one worth making, especially when, for the month of March 2012, Yotel New York City is offering an additional 20% off stays of 2 nights or longer. This deal can be booked online. Be sure to sign up for the company’s Stash hotel rewards program to earn additional benefits from your stay.

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Yotel Hotel
570 Tenth Avenue
New York City, NY 10036
Phone: 877-90YOTEL
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[Image courtesy Yotel Hotels]

A down home, family fun kind of place

When the notice appeared in my e-mail inbox that I had won two tickets to the Osmond Brothers concert at the Bearcreek Farms Country Resort in Bryant, Indiana, it was a no brainer. “Heck, yes, I’m going.”

Never mind that Donny wasn’t going to be there, or that my musical tastes have changed since the day when a frenzied friend pushed past me to get close to the stage in Columbia, South Carolina where Donny crooned “Puppy Love” to a packed arena of swarming girls. Seeing only Jay and his brothers, including Jimmy, this time around would do.

Besides, heading to the concert from Columbus, Ohio was road trip material. I corralled my husband, my then teen-aged daughter and 7 year-old son for the up and back excursion. To her credit, my daughter didn’t roll her eyes when I told her she was to be my concert date. Bearcreek Farms Country Resort became one of those surprise finds to tell folks about.

Bearcreek Farm's lake

Bryant, Indiana is smack dab in the middle of Indiana’s farm country that looks a lot like next door Ohio’s farm country–flat and fertile. After a few hours stop at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum (I highly recommend the place) in Wapokoneta, roughly halfway between Bryant and Columbus, we pulled into the parking lot of the Bearcreek Farms Country Resort in time to browse the resort’s country store before dinner and the concert. 

What started out more than 3o years ago as a small restaurant venue in a barn, complete with a petting zoo, is a rambling establishment that includes the Homestead Restaurant– big enough for 600 diners at one time, retail stores, a theater/concert hall, a chapel and several one room cottages and cabins with private bathrooms. Both cottages and cabins have two double beds. There’s also a 60 site RV park.

Where there's a buffet of country comfort food

The combination of live theater, concerts, heaps of food and lodging is a Midwestern people magnet.

As part of my two free ticket deal, we had to buy two buffet dinners. At $12.50 a pop, it was a screaming deal of comfort fare complete with country favorites like fried chicken, green beans with flecks of ham, and for dessert items like bread pudding, cakes, pies and ice-cream. The meal my daughter and I ate were part of the concert package.

The 2012 concert series begins on March 22 and the Osmonds are returning. Hmmm. Should I head to Bearcreek Resort on July 21? I just might. The 2009 concert was splendid.

The cottages are one lodging option

Bearcreek Farms Country Resort offers several activities reminiscent of simpler times. From the end of April through the summer, bikes, shuffle board, paddle boat rides on the lake and an outdoor pool are part of the entertainment menu.

Contact information:

Bearcreek Farms Country Resort
8339 North 400 East
Bryant, Indiana 47326

Reservations: 260-997-6822

Before you go, check out the website for package deals. The restaurant is also open to those who are just coming for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Photos courtesy of Bearcreek Farms Country Resort

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