Of all of California, I feel that I live in the best area. Located inland from the Monterey Bay, I’m only 40 minutes from Carmel and Big Sur, just over 4 hours from Lake Tahoe and Santa Barbara and under 2 hours from San Francisco. After 3 children and nearly 20 years of marriage, my husband and I enjoy getting away within the state, even if it’s just for a night’s “staycation.” Just before the holiday rush, we took a trip up to the city to enjoy a night away combined with a dinner cruise out on the bay. Located at the Embarcadero, Hotel Griffon, one of many great California Greystone Hotels, was a great spot to enjoy a night, dine on local fare, as well as being within walking distance to our Hornblower Holiday Cruise making for a perfect weekend getaway!
From check-in to check-out we had wonderful customer service. Upon arrival we parked in the temporary parking on Steuart Street and awaited the valet. Because of the rain and the exciting Golden State Warriors game, the valet was just inside and my husband approached him and let him know we had arrived. We were in no rush and were also basketball fans so my husband made small talk about the latest sports news and before you know it they were both laughing and cheering on the team. 
The Christmas holidays were abundant in the outdoor and indoor décor and the joy of the season made our trip more festive. Our reservation was just as planned, we even were delivered a packet from a local PR firm that we were expecting. While my husband watched the end of the game, I scanned the lobby that had a concierge, plenty of modern designed seating, a computer center, and I poured myself a complimentary cup of hot apple cider. For a small boutique hotel, we didn’t feel cramped at all as we gathered our luggage and headed up the elevator.
Our room faced the city’s financial district and was amazingly comfortable with many amenities. Plenty of windows and doors offered lots of light and we loved having a nice chair and ottoman and couch for additional seating during the evening and morning. Nearby YMCA access is available to maintain your fitness regimen at a nominal cost, or if you prefer, a yoga mat and videos that can be done in the privacy of your room. But, my personal favorite thing about our suite was the terrace! 
Whether enjoying the day with my morning coffee or popping the cork on a bottle of wine in the evening, the outdoor table and chairs plus view added a bit more romance than usual. Speaking of romance, the sunken tub is a nice touch although time didn’t allow us to run a nice bath. The end of the evening included bed linens that were luxurious and combined with the infinite quiet at night, it made for a peaceful night’s sleep. You’ll also be pleased to know that Hotel Griffon is certified Green utilizing eco-friendly bath products, pens and stationary made from recycled materials, striving to provide an eco-friendly hotel experience!
Our weekend included a dinner cruise out of Pier 3 which was just about a 9 minute walk one way. Along the way we stopped at a Walgreens for some late night snacks, adding to the convenience of the location. Within a mile from Hotel Griffon you can visit Union Square, MoMA and the Moscone Center, North Beach, and Coit Tower. Within 2 miles, AT&T Park, Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, and Ghirardelli Square are easy to explore.
Adjacent to the hotel (which even has a special entrance from the hotel elevator and two entrances from both Steuart and the Embarcadero) was Perry’s Restaurant. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, we rolled out of bed after sleeping late for their weekend brunch menu, available both Saturday and Sunday mornings. Bar seating is available as well as other nearby tables to enjoy sports on the plentiful televisions. The dining room has cozy booths, bay side seating as well as outdoor tables during nice weather. Luckily our Sunday brunch crowd was small, so we were seated right away. Portions are enough for two, so my husband and I shared a club sandwich and fries.
Our late checkout request was granted, so we had more time to enjoy our room. The rain was falling so the terrace was out of the question for the early afternoon but the parlor couch and second television called and we relaxed to complete our perfect 24-hour getaway. Plenty of packages are available for guests: pre-pay and get 20% the best rate, romance packages include late check out,champagne and strawberries, or a breakfast package that includes $40/day to enjoy room service or a meal at Perry’s. Guests in town for business will enjoy the free wi-fi as well as the complimentary Financial District Town Car service weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. as well as meeting space for small groups/companies of up to 14.
For more information or to book a stay, visit http://www.hotelgriffon.com.
What an utterly charming looking little hideaway. I shall keep it in mind.