We went to San Francisco in April to see the Lion King, the Broadway play that’s now touring the country, and needed a place to stay for the night.

The folks at the Handlery Hotel were kind enough to oblige. The hotel is a family owned business, along with its sister property in San Diego. The location is ideal for anyone going to Union Square to shop or have dinner and a show - just half a block off Powell, the hotel is visible from Union Square. Within two to three blocks are many great restaurants (including one of our Italian favorites, L’Ottavo), tons of shopping (including Macys, Sachs, the San Francisco Center, a Virgin Megastore, Niketown, Levi’s, and many other national and local shops.

Union Square itself was recently remodelled, and now is a great, open public space where you can often catch outdoor events and do some terrific people watching. Just down Powell Street, you can catch a cable car to Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf, and the Historic F line - restored street cars from the turn of the century - will take you up Market Street for just $1.00.

The hotel is in the safe Union Square district, right across from the world-renowned St. Francis Hotel. Recently remodeled, the hotel was originally two separate accommodations -the boutique hotel or "Historic Section", with 284 rooms (each different) filled with amenities, and the old motor inn, with 93 Club Rooms that also include extra amenities for the business traveler, including two telephones, morning newspaper, and electronic shoe polishers. The two sides of the hotel were built in the early 1900’s, and added to in sections over time, giving the place a charming eccentricity.

The lobby is gorgeous, decorated in beautiful marble, soft tones, and classic but modern decor.

Keep in mind this is an urban hotel. There was some street noice, but the windows, when closed, did an admirable job shutting it out. We were in the "Club" section, looking out over the street, and it was actually kinda cool. We could see the Marriott "Jukebox" hotel from our room, and could sit on the balcony and watch all the city comings and goings. We could also see the reassuring presence of a Starbucks Coffee at the corner just below us. The historic section has no views, but is consequently a little quieter.

All of the rooms are tastefully & beautifully decorated in serene earth tones. Our room was spacious, clean and welcoming. Mattresses in all rooms are Serta, and they were very comfortable. While many of the rooms are "typical" hotel rooms, in that they consist of a bathroom, closet, and bedroom, there are also a few deluxe rooms, available upon request (based of course on availability). These rooms are also used for VIP guests, and include:

Room 747: This room has a very cool, retro Murphy Bed - you know, the kind that folds down out of the wall.

Room 754: The hotel owner lived in this full suite for awhile. With a decent small kitchen, long sitting room with marble fireplace, and four to five times more space than a typical room, this room is the lap of luxury when you visit San Francisco for a romantic occasion.

When we met with the sales folks there, John Handlery, the third generation owner, stopped by to meet us. John’s an old fashioned hotel owner. He often meets guests personally, especially those celebrating important events, and his own children work in the hotel cleaning some of the rooms, learning the business literally from the ground up.

Although initially he was reluctant to follow his father into the hotel business, he’s come to love it, and it shows.

All management employees periodically stay in the hotel, looking for areas where improvements can be made. One coming upgrade - wifi connectivity in all rooms by Fall 2004.

There’s a Sauna available, and (a rarity for San Francisco) a pool sandwiched between the two buildings that’s kept nice and warm.

The Daily Grill is on the main floor, a stylish restaurant with art deco accents that’s a great place for a casual lunch while staying at the hotel.

If you’re looking for a place to stay in the heart of San Francisco’s theater, shopping, and financial districts, the Handlery Hotel is a great choice.