Review: San Francisco's Hotel Vitale

Proving that hospitality AND chic can actually co-exist in a hotel, San Francisco's Hotel Vitale is quickly earning itself a reputation as the place to stay in the City by the Bay.

Located on some prime real estate just across from the Bay Bridge and the gourmand's wet dream Ferry Building, Hotel Vitale ably covers all the basic we've come to expect in a luxury hotel: high-thread count sheets, fluffy towels and an intimacy set, as well a full tech-suite (Wi-Fi, LCD flat screen TV and CD player).

And with prime real estate comes views to die for. If you are lucky enough to visit San Francisco on one of those gloriously sparkling days, there may be no better place to soak it in than from a Panoramic Suite, which offers discriminating travelers a 180-degree view of the Embarcadero and the bay. With a hefty price of $569, this is the creme-de-la-creme but compared to some of the things I've seen out there in hotel land, this is a splurge worth splurging on. (Oh, and the tub holds two, so you and a friend can go dutch...at least, that's my plan for next time...just need the friend...)

Less pricey rooms (running from $200 and up, with some package deals available online) also offer some amazing views; mine was on the fourth floor,and offered an incredible, if not panoramic, view of the Ferry Building and the Bay Bridge. But if you're not a view kinda guy, or don't plan on being in your hotel too much, you're equally lucky. A mere trip downstairs lands you at the Americano, a decent restaurant and even better bar. A hot-spot among locals, Americano is hip and trendy without being intimidating; it's full of good people out for a good time, not trying to impress everyone who crosses their path.  It's a good mix of straight and gay, with an outdoor patio for those strangely warm winter nights. (Oh, and I know it's not "PC" -- especially for the City by the Bay -- but with plenty of outdoor patio space to smoke, you feel like it's 1999 all over again.)

To be fair, Americano definitely verges on scene-y, so if you are looking for something a little more mature and intimate, you might need to go walk, hop on a street-car or jump in a pedicab to one of the many fine dining options in the neighborhood: Chaya, Ozumo, Slanted Door, Boulevard, Epic Roasthouse and Waterbar, to name a few.

What the surprise is, then, is the convivial atmosphere and the attention to being, well, attentive. Starting with the valet and the bellhops, and all the way up the food chain to the concierge, the staff at Hotel Vitale are clearly on top of their game. And that, ultimately, is what makes staying their such a pleasure. Fluffy towels and a soothing color scheme are as important to me as the next guy, but more often than not you get those at the cost of hospitality. At Vitale, they've figured out that hotel staff can be efficient and friendly, and gay-friendly at that (yes, I know it's SF, but it's worth noting that the hotel offers Pride Weekend promos.)

Not all is perfect: the gym is on the smaller side, and there is no pool (though there are soaking tubs on the rooftop). And while it wasn't a problem for me, I did hear someone complain of street noise in the early morning. So if you are a light sleeper you may want to request a room on an upper floor and probably facing south. (I know the person was quickly accommodated with a transfer).  Still, I imagine it's nothing like the street noise that wafts up from Union Square.

And honestly, I've never been on board with the whole "bring-your-pet-to-the-hotel" thing, but I know some people who would rather die than leave their little teacup behind, so there are amenities for the four-legged guests upon request. Oy.

The hardest part of sitting in the lap of luxury is getting up from it, and sitting there looking out my window, staring down at the bay and the beautiful city below, I almost couldn't motivate to leave my room. I felt so at ease. But I'd be a fool not to take advantage of my surroundings, and knew that I'd love my room even more after a day of exploring the city. So I mustered my strength, found my way to the fabulous concierge, got his insights on Chinatown, hopped on a streetcar and started my adventure. By the time I came back, changed and went for a run down the Embarcadero, I had but one thing on my mind: getting back to my room...and that view.

Visit the Hotel Vitale Web site for rates, etc.

(Images courtesy Hotel Vitale)