Meeting fellow bloggers is just one of the many things I love about blogging. Last summer I met two of my favorite bloggers in person: Kim of
Northern California Style and Heather of
StyleMindChic.
When Kim and I had lunch in San Francisco last September, we came up with a plan to return during the holiday season and stay overnight and we asked Heather to join us for this special overnighter.
We planned our
“Bloggers in the City” getaway for early November so we could beat the holiday rush. Our itinerary was simple: eat great food, shop in Union Square, one of the best shopping districts in the world, and get to know each other a little better.
Having been a long-time frequent guest of Kimpton properties, I thought
Kimpton’s four-star Hotel Monaco, located just steps from Union Square, would be the ideal place for the three of us to do everything we wanted to do while staying at a hotel with lots of style and great customer service.
Hotel Monaco’s 201 guestrooms and suites have been recently redesigned and given a playful and chic new look. The inspiration for this transformation was the brand’s founder, Bill Kimpton who is known for his passion for world travel and discovery. The new décor is reflective of San Francisco’s modern edginess, old world grandeur and its independent spirit.
My favorite part of my queen room is the French Art Nouveau headboard and vibrant and luxurious silk pillows.
The laser-cut striped wallpaper and trompe-l’oeil cabinetry add to the whimsy and boldness of the room’s décor.
A spacious desk area complete with a comfortable chair is an ideal place for doing a bit of blogging before heading out for the evening.
The bathroom has a large countertop, which I love for keeping personal toiletries and hair tools in view.
The design touches continued into the bathroom as seen with the contemporary black and white wallpaper and Italian cotton waffle weave shower curtain.
The “living room”, as it’s referred to, is adjacent to the reception area and features a stately fireplace. It’s a cozy, relaxing and comfortable room to just sit and chat by the fire or reflect on your day.
The three of us spent some in the living room after a lovely dinner out on the town. It is a serene place where we unwound from the day before heading off to our separate rooms. The living room is my favorite part of the hotel!
After a sound night of sleep in a dreamy bed, I awoke wanting a hot cup of coffee. Hotel Monaco has a lovely coffee bar just off the reception area. There is a cozy fireplace with plush chairs and couches and large windows looking out onto the sidewalk.
But I am not one to dress myself for public view before coffee so I ordered a pot of to be delivered to my room. It arrived quickly and with a smile. I enjoyed it quietly in my pajamas while watching San Francisco wake up.
Once caffeinated, I met my friends in the lobby before heading out to breakfast. I noticed this classic bicycle, which along with other bikes, was available for guests’ use.
Adjacent to the Hotel Monaco and under the same management is the
The Grand Café Brasserie and Bar, a magnificent French-themed bar and restaurant. We enjoyed an elegant breakfast with excellent service. The food was fresh and flavorful with lots of both healthy and indulgent options. The staff was incredibly accommodating to our needs.
Besides the chic and charming rooms, what really struck me about the Hotel Monaco was the friendliness of the staff. Warm, welcoming and helpful, we never felt like just a guess with a room number. Before we left we wanted a photo of the three of us to remember our exciting getaway. We asked a customer service representative working at the front desk if she wouldn’t mind snapping a quick photo for us and she happily agreed, taking as many as we wanted until we were pleased with our photos.
The service, newly redecorated interior, quiet and comfortable rooms and a fantastic location close to superb shopping and world-class dining, made our “Bloggers in the City” getaway a big success. We hope to return next year and make it an annual event!
Hotel Monaco offers guests an onsite fitness center and spa, meeting and event space and catering provided by The Grand Café Brasserie and Bar. And for all of you wine lovers, wine is served each evening in the living room. Ask the concierge or front desk for details.
For more information or to make a reservation, please visit the Hotel Monaco website or call (866) 622-5284. Be sure to ask about their great
vacation packages and hotel deals.
Disclosure: All three of our rooms and all incidentals including our breakfast at Grand Café were complimentary. All opinions stated here about Hotel Monaco, Kimpton and The Grand Café Brasserie and Bar are my own.
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