I love to explore boutique hotels from a chain I’m familiar with, or have stayed in before. This was the case when we visited San Francisco and checked into the King George Hotel, one of many great Greystone Hotels that are spread throughout California and a few in Bend, Oregon. We’ve enjoyed the Hotel Griffon along the Embarcadero and looked forward to the same quality and customer service at the King George Hotel, in the heart of the city.
One of my favorite areas of San Francisco is Union Square. When your hotel is nearby, you can just park and walk to great places to wine taste, dine, and shop. The King George Hotel is just literally right around the corner from the Powell Street cable car station so you can hop on a classic and make your way to Fisherman’s Wharf or Chinatown without having to get your keys out!
When we arrived, we had the choice to valet park our car with the hotel or park publicly in a garage just across the street and save about $10. It wasn’t as convenient as valet but it was appreciated as we always want to save money while traveling. Entering the building you suddenly feel a European charm with inspired decor everywhere you look. I loved the old red telephone booth, a photo opportunity for sure, and it was a hit with families and even pups (pet-friendly hotel) alike!
Check in was easy, the staff so gracious and before we made our way to the room, we stopped into Winston’s Lounge just beyond the lobby. Serving complimentary drinks from 5-6pm daily, the room is full of games for kids, a chess table, and plenty of comfortable seating. Televisions and tables finished off the space and you can even play darts. The warm tones of the furniture keep this room cozy and a great place for a drink or to have a bit of quiet time throughout the day.
There isn’t a restaurant on site, but you can order a variety of snacks at the bar. I saw a lovely cheese plate go out for room service, and you can get bar-style goodies on the spot. Just down the hall there is also a vending machine for any other munchies that you need. On the website, you can find a great list of nearby restaurants to make reservations in and walk to.
Over 150 rooms and suites offer modern amenities at the King George Hotel, and up a spiral staircase, we made our way to our second floor Superior King Parlor Suite. Located in the center of the floor off the main hall, we loved the quietness of the location despite being just across from housekeeping. We literally didn’t hear a peep from neighbors or the cleaners our entire stay and we know the hotel was booked pretty full for the weekend! Walking in, we stood in the sitting area that had a pull out sofabed, table, lamps, and a small desk. 
Simple things that make me remember hotels include a candy jar on the desk, Keurig coffee brewers, and a split of champagne from the manager. All these things greeted us (including a welcome note), and it is those niceties that have me sharing with friends, relatives, and people I encounter on the internet above and beyond the call of duty! In the second room, our king bed greeted us as well as a gorgeous bathroom.
The marble countertop included typical amenities plus a jar of verbena bath crystals. Running a warm tub smelled so good and felt so good after a long evening! It’s a cozy space but perfect for my husband and I.
Another cool feature in our room was the KEYPR technology. A bedside tablet was offered to use during our stay which gives you the option for many personal services (including room service) in room as well as the KEYPR app that you can get on your phone and use as keyless entry! Use the tablet to find a nearby restaurant or check off a bucket list item on your to-do list. Log into your Pandora music or watch your favorite Netflix series, read the paper, or call valet for your car, it’s awesome to have this option right at your fingertips! Just when you think you’ve seen it all, I look down below the bed and see these compartments. Storage for your oversized suitcase, it’s like they knew! They also have a closet that rivals the size of the bathroom and I used it as my personal dressing room. 
Other fun spots throughout my self-guided tour of the hotel included antique books on shelves and a curved couch that was so comfortable. Also the lobby has this gorgeous mirror near the phone booth that I’d love to have adorn a home in my future!
Just next door to the Hotel is Cafe Mason, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Upon check-in, we were given our keys plus two coupons for a discount at the restaurant, so we took them up for breakfast. We shared a chorizo and vegetable frittata that was out of this world! The customer service was excellent too! 
Also of note, two great place on Geary Street right around the corner from the hotel: if you’re a wine drinker visit ENO Wine Bar and also The Daily Grill has delicious dinners and desserts that are large enough to share!
Greystone Hotels, I’m a huge fan! They welcome me, they welcome pets, the King George Hotel is also proud supporter of the LGBT community and endorsed as a TAG approved hotel! I’m happy to recommend it next time you’re looking for a Union Square hotel in San Francisco. For more information and to make a reservation, visit http://www.kinggeorge.com/.
Hotel was hosted in exchange for this honest review.
Holiday gift giving doesn’t have to be hard when you’re thinking outside of the box. For people like my parents, I’ve struggled to give them gifts over the years and I’ve finally come to the conclusion, “it shouldn’t be this difficult!” I’m starting a new tradition this year, I’m gifting experiences for the couples in my life like my parents, my brother and his girlfriend and my in-laws. Instead a one-and-done item, I plan to offer my loved ones memories, a festive adventure, or possibly a new tradition.
Shh don’t tell them, I’m buying lucky family members an adventure on the San Francisco Bay with Hornblower Cruises! Maybe it will be a champagne brunch they’ll enjoy or a sunset dinner cruise, but I can be sure that they’ll love the gentle bay breezes, glittering waves, and the dramatic San Francisco skyline!
