The swanky, sweet Palomar Hotel in downtown Frisco.
My friend Dave is turning 30 next month and his girlfriend Ann and I often take lunch walks on Tuesdays since we both work in downtown San Francisco. She got a good deal to on hotwire.com to stay at the Hotel Palomar, so she booked it for the night. But she really had no idea what to expect.
The hotel is a block from my office at the San Francisco Chronicle.
I was about to cancel our noontime rendezvous with her last week to take a tour of another property, when, in anticipation of her stay, she asked me to check out the Palomar instead.
Good call.
Not only is the Palomar, home to the world-class Fifth Floor restaurant, a stylish and beautiful venue, but as part of the Kimpton Group, the details, amenities, and service is exemplary.
Aaron Anderson, the front desk manager, greeted us and took ample time to give us a thorough tour.
The Palomar’s theme — Art in Motion — is prevalent throughout, beginning in the lobby. Currently through September 14, the show CHAGALL: Visions of a Storyteller, is being presented by the hotel in conjunction with the Linearis Institute. All of the artwork is available for purchase, and on select Fridays and Saturdays, docents are on tap for tours and to answer questions about Chagall and his work.
A hotel that doubles as an art gallery? Me likey!
The stylish lobby at the Palomar, San Francisco
Being a newspaper gal, I noticed the free copies of the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal right away (I assume all the copies of the Chronicle had all been scooped up) in a corner of the first-floor lobby.
The fifth floor lobby is the locale of the daily wine hour between 5 and 6 p.m. If ice cream is more your flavor, you’re invited stop by for complimentary scoops daily, between 2 and 3 p.m.
Wall sconces in the hallways provide subdued lighting and delicate orchids greet visitors as they step out of elevators laid with parquet floors.
Of the 198 rooms configured around a square that lets in light from above, 11 are deluxe suites. Recently renovated, the rooms pop with spicy colored pillows, duvets, and upholstery as well as sculptured carpeting, and touches of animal prints (rugs, robes). There is free Wi-Fi throughout, a small fitness center (if you desire something bigger with a pool, passes to Club One a block away are available for $15), CD/DVD players and flat-screen tellies.
The Palomar Hotel is filled with art.
If you’re cold, cozy socks are available. If you’re lonely, dial up and ask for a pet goldfish. The staff at this hip yet warm hotel are there to make it all good.
Randi mentioned her imminent stay for the occasion of her hubby’s upcoming birthday. Aaron and his staff immediately put in for a room upgrade and a few other niceties including breakfast.
Now that’s hospitality. Know what I’m sayin’?
Photos by Lisa Dion
