Luxurious Low-Key Lodging What's new: Hotel Vitale, San Francisco Claim to fame: The newest hotel in the revitalized Embarcadero area. The scene: It's sleek and serene. Hotelier Chip Conley, founder of San Francisco-based Joie de Vivre Hospitality, designs his one-of-a-kind boutique lodgings based on popular magazines and their readers. His latest, and the first in a spanking new building, is patterned on Real Simple meets Dwell, with a multitude of nature references. Colors are soothing earth tones with accents of watery blues and moss greens. Overhead hall lighting is studded with leaves for a dappled-sunlight effect. Flat-screen monitors in the elevators flash nature scenes. Oversized lampshades have a vaguely floral effect. Conley has said he regards it as the first "post-hip" boutique hotel. Its mantra: luxury, naturally. Who'll like it: Low-key hipsters; Martha Stewart denizens; Zen masters. Who won't: Aficionados of glitz and in-your-face-décor. (The lobby is so understated in it beige-ness, it almost disappears.) Smokers. (Lighting up is verboten.). Bedding down: The requisite bazillion-thread-count sheets (actually 440, but we were impressed) and duvets; cushy-soft bathrobes. Turn down service with bottled water and chocolates is a nice touch, especially since it's automatic. (Since 9/11, many luxury hotels have switched to upon-request-only turn-down service.) Wining and dining: Americano, its sole restaurant, is joined with the bar and lounge, which can make having a quiet conversation over dinner a tad challenging. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. Food is "modern italian with a California twist." Highlight: Grilled Niman Ranch lamb sirloin ($26). Entrées: $20-$26 Indulgences: The spa is small - just three treatment rooms - but boasts two outdoor soaking tubs on a bamboo-shrouded deck amid a forest of high-rises. The fitness center also is small but guests get free access to the nearby YMCA or a $10 admission to two of the city's most exclusive fitness clubs. Don't miss: The outdoor terraces on the fifth and eighth floors. Views are to die for. (On a clear day, you can see Alcatraz Island from the higher terrace.) Vital statistics: 191 guests rooms and eight suites. |
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