Finding the perfect hotel in San Francisco

 We had chosen the San Remo hotel first of all because of its location. Not wanting to brave traffic coming from somewhere further away the next morning to be on time for the boat's departure for Alcatraz, not to mention paying exorbitant prices for parking, we needed something within walking distance from the major attractions. We came up with two options: one was a former army hospital turned hostel right by the ocean, the other the San Remo hotel, both reasonably priced for their location. I had immediately been taken by what I saw on the website of the hotel: built in 1906, very well kept up, it bore witness to the time it sprang from. I would not be disappointed. 

Entering the hotel was like stepping back into a different time. A narrow stairway led from the small vestibule to the first floor with the reception booth with its panelling of dark wood. Coffee, tea, lemon water and sweets were free for the taking on a nearby table. Hallways led into different directions, with even smaller hallways branching off to three or four more rooms. 

The same principle applied to the second floor where we stayed. We stayed in a 'family room' with Manfred and Marietta, their room obviously meant to be the parents' room, with a small sink and windows looking out to the street below, while ours, with two smaller beds, separated from the main room by a sliding wooden door, had a window to the inside stairwell, a concept not likely to be found in any hotel of the present.

 Beautiful old furniture, from armoires to bedside tables, desks to mirrors, were complimented by the bedspreads, carpets and pictures on the wall. I couldn't have chosen a more perfect place to transport myself back to the time of my grandmother's birth.

There were no private bathrooms, but with four bathrooms and showers (NOT from the beginning of the 20^th century!) there was no shortage, even with thirty-two rooms on each floor, and guests were free to use the bathrooms on the other floor. 

It was evening when we arrived, and the doors of rooms not yet taken stood invitingly open, a small lamp burning, so that we had a chance to enjoy even more of the atmosphere. They all were different, decorations chosen with much care, just like in the hallways. We were all enchanted. 

The location, too, proved to be the best we could have chosen. In less than fifteen minutes we were at Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown, and the cable car was only five minutes away. No frantic search for a place to park, no loud traffic noise (amazing), a safe area to walk in even at night.