On a recent (all too short) visit to San Francisco, we stayed at the fabulous Stanyan Park Hotel. What a gem! The hotel is utterly delightful. We were in one of the two corner cupola rooms and had plenty of space. The staff are friendly and helpful (even to supercilious guests - I saw one or two that made me cringe), the afternoon tea and early evening wine & cheese are a charming bonus, and the location is outstanding. The hotel is just a short walk to a bus stop - hop on the No 7 to get downtown via Haight and Market Street. It's also very close to an excellent organic grocery store (not normally my kind of thing, but when in Rome …) and for music nuts, a ginormous CD and record store (conscious of getting purchases back to NZ, I was severely tested). There are some tasty cafe and restaurant options on Haight Street and even better ones in nearby Cole Valley - well worth the short walk. And just across the road is the Golden Gate Park, a great place for a sunny stroll. So much to love, nothing to hate. Can't wait to go back!
