| If you are planning a trip to San Francisco, then you | | | | world's most luxurious hotel. Certainly, the hotel's sure |
| should definitely consider a stay at one of San | | | | size made it impressive: The hotel towers eight stories |
| Francisco's historic hotels. Not only do many of these | | | | above the city of San Francisco. Though time has |
| hotels have excellent services and deals, but they | | | | passed, this century old hotel is still one of the most |
| offer customers a truly one of a kind experience, one | | | | lavish in San Francisco. This is thanks to the restoration |
| with a rich history. The following are just some of the | | | | of this historic hotel. The Palace has Austrian crystal |
| best historic hotels in the area. | | | | chandeliers and has played home to presidents, royals, |
| One of the most important hotels in the area is the | | | | business giants, and movie stars throughout the years. |
| historic Sir Francis Duke Hotel. Known as "The Drake," | | | | Today, the Hotel not only has the glamour and history |
| it is one of the most famous places in the area. This | | | | of the past but also modern amenities to keep it |
| hotel is named for the English explorer Sir Francis | | | | comfortable for those who wish to visit San Francisco |
| Drake, who narrowly missed discovering the San | | | | and experience an important slice of history. In fact, the |
| Francisco Bay in 1579. Instead of discovering the Bay, | | | | hotel is still praised as one of the best in the world. In |
| he sailed into the Golden Hind and found himself in | | | | 2002, it was selected to be placed on Condé |
| Drake's Bay, which is about 28 miles north. The hotel | | | | Nast Traveler's 2002 Gold List. |
| was designed by architects Weeks & Day and | | | | Lastly, the Hotel Whitcomb is yet another famous and |
| became famous in the late 1920s because it became | | | | important historic hotel in the San Francisco area. This |
| a home for glamorous films and vaudeville stars. This | | | | building is not only a beautiful space to see but it is |
| hotel was a major piece of Conrad Hilton's business | | | | widely thought to be a 20th century masterpiece. With |
| empire. During World War II, the military took over | | | | high cathedral ceilings and interiors restored with turn |
| pieces of the hotel, and became known for the | | | | of the century furnishings and architecture, travelers |
| farewells and reunions between troops and their | | | | will feel as if they have stepped into a different time |
| families. The hotel is well known not only for its grand | | | | once they walk through the Whitcomb's doors. The |
| marble staircase and gold-leaf ceilings but for the | | | | hotel's history is long and varied. For example, after the |
| murals W.F. Bergman painted to depict Drake's life. | | | | 1906 earthquake, the hotel was used as the city's City |
| After this War, the hotel continued to rise in fame and | | | | Hall from 1912 until 1915. Evidence of this time is still |
| became a happening night spot. People specifically | | | | present: guests can ask to tour the old jail cells used |
| came to this hotel for the Starlite Roof, a legendary | | | | during this time period. The very beauty of the |
| rooftop for those who wanted to dine and dance | | | | Whitcomb's interior is enough to awe even the most |
| beneath the stars. Today, the Sir Francis Duke Hotel is | | | | experienced traveler. There are turn of the century |
| one of the most famous buildings in all of San | | | | Tiffany Stained glass, Janesero paneling, and Austrian |
| Francisco. | | | | crystal chandeliers, among other beautiful pieces from |
| The Palace Hotel is another of San Francisco's historic | | | | ages past. A visit to the Whitcomb is bound to impress |
| hotels and is known as being one of the city's best | | | | everyone from history buffs to those who want to |
| luxury hotels ever built. The Palace made its debut in | | | | witness one of the most beautiful buildings in San |
| 1875, and it quickly became known as one of the | | | | Francisco. |