Lodging

The Laurel Inn, San Francisco.

When my brother got married last June, I helped arrange affordable accommodations for the couple’s out-of-town guests.

Most of my family landed at the Hotel del Sol in the Marina, while my brother and the bride’s entourage stayed at the Laurel Inn, close to the ceremony site and the Presidio, where the reception was held.

A mid-century former motor lodge, the Laurel Inn has been gussied up by the Joie de Vivre folks and bears their unmistakable stamp — a fancy paint job, niceties like afternoon lemonade and cookies, attractive and efficient rooms, and a helpful and friendly staff.

Though the bridesmaids seemed underwhelmed by their lodgings, my brother’s suite was colorful and spacious with a view of downtown, a seating area, and a kitchenette.

One nice perk is access to the splashy JCC, an amazing fitness facility across the street for $10.

The location, on the edge of Pacific Heights, can go either way depending on what you’re seeking. It’s not in the middle of any real tourist area, but nearby Sacramento Street has great shopping and some standout and restaurants.

Laurel Village, two blocks a way is convenient for banking, groceries, Peet’s Coffee, Walgreens, Starbucks, a hardware store, Book’s Inc., and several clothing stores. Ella’s across the street has had hungry patrons lining up outside for brunch on the weekend for close to 20 years.

A colorful suite at the Laurel Inn, SF.

A solid option for families, many of the rooms at the LI have kitchenettes and the neighborhood has lots of retail aimed at the shorties — from The Ark, selling only wooden toys to Snippety Crickets, a children’s hair salon to Dottie Doolittle, a high-end baby boutique. The aforementioned JCC also offers childcare. And in the Presidio, a few blocks away is the mack daddy of San Francisco playgrounds.

But I wasn’t at the Laurel Inn to discuss bambinos, I dropped by to take a jittery groom out for a cocktail. Fortunately Swank, the plushy, retro lounge was just downstairs.

My brother got married this past June and as big sister/bridesmaid/travel writer, I was tapped to help find suitable accommodations for the incoming legions of friends and family. The stipulations — affordable, family-friendly and close to the Presidio where the wedding took place.

I set my sites on the lively Marina district of San Francisco adjacent to the Presidio, a former military post which is now one of the most stunning public areas in the city. The Marina is close to the bay as well as restaurants, cafes, the Exploratorium (a hands-on science museum), a great playground and two huge waterfront parks — the Marina Green and Crissy Field. There are several motels/motor lodges on Lombard St. which rambles over Russian Hill (the crooked part) and cuts through the Marina into the Presidio. Among the strip of run-of-the-mill motels, a bright, sunny yellow beacon beckoned — the aptly named, Hotel del Sol.

This vibrant, colorful, former ’50s-style motor lodge, has been renovated into a cheerful boutique hotel with a heated outdoor pool and a Southern California vibe. The interior courtyard is lined with hammocks suspended between palm trees. Amenities for kids include sun visors, sunglasses, beach balls, a free video library and cookie hour from 3-5 p.m. A nice feature for families is that suites are split and have a separate sitting area next to the small bedroom. The “family suite” has bunk beds, kid-sized furnishings, toys and games. Continental breakfast is served poolside and parking is free. We booked it.

One big caveat is that the common outside area is next to the parking lot, so for young children and kids prone to bolting, parents need to be extra vigilant. Suites come with refrigerators and microwaves, but guests need to request them for standard rooms.

The wedding went off without a hitch and most guests were pleased with their lodgings, though one couple complained that the walls were too thin and that the hotel was just an overpriced motor lodge with a paint job — but hey, that’s family, there’s always one, n’est-ce pas?

Photos by Dan Dion