Burgundy Comforter Set King

Hello from San Francisco Arrival and a tour of the Queen Anne Hotel

A long and harsh winter can take the wind out of you and just make you feel like you want to get away. And what a long winter it has been: Toronto has experienced one of the harshest winters in a long time, with near-record snow accumulation. I knew I had to get away to warmer, sunnier place, even if it was just for a few days. I started to think and looked at the map and – bingo – I had the answer: San Francisco!

The City by the Bay has fascinated people for many decades now, and a brief trip to San Francisco in 2001 had introduced me to the extraordinary beauty of this unique metropolis. But I had just seen the city in passing and decided it was time to explore San Francisco in more detail and get reacquainted with it. So I called the Visitor and Convention Bureau, and with their help I was able to lay out an extremely packed four and a half day program that would bring me up close with many of the unique areas of San Francisco.

My travel partner Leslie and I got a head start on February 20 with a late night drive from Toronto to Buffalo where we spent a few quick hours in a hotel next to the airport and could park our vehicle for our getaway. Among many savvy Canadian travelers, Buffalo has become a bit of a secret travel savings tip since US-based flights from Buffalo are often many hundreds of dollars less expensive than the same destinations from Toronto. According to recent data, Toronto's Pearson International Airport has the most expensive airport taxes in the world, so a quick jaunt to Buffalo can often save a few precious travel dollars.

So day one of our San Francisco trip, February 21, 2008, started with a wake-up call at 4:50 am. The hotel shuttle dropped us off at the Buffalo Airport and even at 5:30 am, the waiting areas were full of travelers lining up for their security checks. After a quick stopover at Cincinnati Airport, where we had to run to the gate to catch our connection flight, we arrived in San Francisco at about 11 am. Unfortunately the weather was not very welcoming: it was drizzly, grey and cold.

With the help of a variety of public transit vehicles we were going to make it to our hotel. San Francisco, being relatively compact, has a great public transit system, and its easy to get around, without the need to rent a car. We first caught the Airtrain to transfer to the BART Commuter Railway system and enjoyed a relaxing, yet rainy ride downtown. We hopped off at the downtown Civic Centre Station and got greeted by a grizzly grey sky, and with the assistance of a helpful BART employee we found our way to the correct bus station to catch the Number 19 MUNI bus. We travelled through the Tenderloin, historically one of the rougher areas of San Francisco, which is still experiencing significant poverty, homelessness and crime. According to one local legend, this colourful neighbourhood got its name because local policemen were supposedly paid more to work there and could afford tenderloin steak.

Finally, after switching to another bus we had reached our home-away-from-home for the next few days: the historic Queen Anne Hotel, located at the intersection of Octavia and Sutter Streets. We checked in and dropped off our luggage in a beautifully decorated large corner bedroom that featured a large bay window with a great westerly view. I found out that the hotel was a equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi Internet access as well as with a computer on the main floor that was freely accessible to all hotel guests.

Naturally this historic property caught my interest, and I needed to find out more about the Queen Anne Hotel. I was able to locate Michael Wade, the Director of Sales, who graciously volunteered to give me a tour through this extensive property. The origins of this imposing building go back all the way to 1890 when it opened as "Miss Mary Lake's School for Girls", a finishing school for young girls from upper class families. This San Francisco Victorian landmark was built by Senator James G. Fair, who was one of the Comstock Lode Silver "Kings" who became a millionaire virtually overnight with the discovery of the first major U.S. Deposit of silver ore. Two of his daughters also attended Miss Mary Lake's Finishing School for Girls.

When we walked into the hotel's expansive parlour, Michael explained that it actually used to be the gymnasium where the young ladies learned how to ball-room dance and do calisthenics. The original entrance to the school, with its opulent granite steps, impressive main door and stained glass panels, had been located on the second level, and it was not until some later renovations that the entrance was relocated to the main floor.

Michael started by showing me the Parlor which is outfitted in period furnishings and decorated in deep Victorian colours including burgundy and gold. A roaring fireplace provided a cozy ambience, and various hotel guests were sitting and chatting or reading the newspaper, enjoying a warm and welcoming atmosphere more reminiscent of an upscale and spacious private living room than an anonymous hotel. What impressed me was that different groups of guests were chatting with one another, creating a very communicative ambience. The back of the Parlor features the Library, a cozy sitting nook for guests who wish to relax with a book in front of another a fireplace.

The front portion of the Parlor contains a picture of Senator James G. Fair who was a big architecture fan and commissioned the construction of this historic property as well of several others in San Francisco. The history of this property gets even more interesting: for nine years the building operated as "Miss Mary Lake's Finishing School for Girls", and was then sold to "The Cosmos", an exclusive gentlemen's club about which very little is known. It then became the "Girls Friendly Society Lodge", run by the Episcopal Diocese, which was a home and haven for young working women. The front portion of the Parlor still holds a safe that displays the name of the Girls Friendly Society Lodge in gold lettering. Numerous original Victorian pieces and furniture enhance the Queen Anne Hotel.

Every day from four to six pm the Parlor becomes a gathering place for hotel guests when a table is set up with a complimentary afternoon tea and sherry service up that entices with home-baked cookies in different flavours. The Queen Anne strives to make every guest feel right at home.

To the left of the Parlor is Salon or Breakfast Room which is also often used for weddings and other special functions. The décor again features deep rich colours like burgundy, cream and gold. Doors lead out to a courtyard that is decorated with statues and often used as a bar for special events. In the summer this area opens up and guests can enjoy sitting outdoors. The architectural features in this room include an original fireplace with original sconces on the mantle and Victorian ceiling medallions in the shape of little angels. Every morning hotel guests at the Queen Anne enjoy a full American breakfast with fresh fruit, eggs, different types of toasted breads, pastry and a variety of juices and beverages.

Through an impressive staircase my tour continued upstairs to the second floor. At the time of Miss Mary Lake's School this was the area of principal activity, and the main hallway still features a geometric inlaid floor pattern and five-foot high paneling of carved oak. A stained galls ceiling window floods the area with natural daylight, and original Victorian ceiling medallions surround all the light fixtures in the hallway.

Michael showed me around a variety of the hotel rooms and suites, and definitely no two are alike. First we visited a Junior Suite that featured a beautiful armoire with an old fire escape outside the window. Like in many other suites, painted cherubs created by a local artist added a little bit of whimsy to the room. All the suites that I saw had comfortable beds, granite bathrooms, flat screen TVs, clock radios and a convenience area appointed with a fridge, microwave and coffee makers. Large desks are also part of the standard features at the Queen Anne Hotel, making it very popular with business travelers.

The variety of rooms that Michael showed me included standard rooms, a one bedroom suite with a separate sitting room, a two bedroom suite on two levels featuring two bathrooms as well as a a private courtyard with a hand-painted mural. One of the crowing jewels was the Honeymoon Suite, an elaborately decorated large suite with a bay window, showcasing the "World's Smallest Park" across from the hotel. Two fireplaces, a huge mirror and a beautiful bathroom set a very romantic mood for any travelers fortunate enough to stay in this suite. All the rooms were outfitted in period décor with antique furniture pieces and elaborate drapery, providing a glimpse of what Victorian era living was all about.

Having quenched my architectural curiosity, I thanked Michael for showing me through the entire hotel. My travel partner Leslie and I were now ready to set off and start our first explorations of San Francisco. Our first explorations were going to include San Francisco's northern waterfront and Fisherman's Wharf.

About the Author

Susanne Pacher is a Travel Journalist specializing in Unconventional Travel you can get tons of great unconventional and unique travel information and tips if you Click Here

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