There are 26 years between then and now and San Francisco is still a real sensation. Maybe even bigger than when I first visited in the 90s, even if not much has changed at first glance. Tourists are still buzzing through the souvenir and fast food shops on Fisherman’s Wharf or enjoying the perfect row of houses of the Painted Ladies, which smile like a well-formed row of teeth in front of the imposing skyline.
So why is it that San Francisco has touched my heart this time? Maybe the weather, because 30 degrees Celsius and bright sunshine are the exception rather than the rule in the Bay. Or the cosmopolitan style mix of noble and dignified, high and outstanding, to cool and cosmopolitan urban. Or it’s because of my quarters, which are located at the former Presidio military base in the northern tip of the city. Shielded from the noise of the big city, I stay alternately in the Inn at the Presidio and in the Lodge at the Presidio in a 1,500-acre park and I can see the famous Golden Gate Bridge from my room window. There is hardly a more exclusive and secluded place to stay in this city, even though you are in the center of all the top attractions.
Inn at the Presidio
As befits a historic building that was once home to US Army officers, the Inn at the Presidio has a lot of history and accessories from the past decades. You feel transported back in time and enjoy a private atmosphere that feels much better than in the interchangeable hotel chains. The fireplace is smoldering in the lobby, coffee and cookies are ready and at 5 p.m. sharp there are cheese snacks and wine. The rooms and suites are spread over 3 floors and usually have two rooms. The living area has a cozy corner fireplace and access to the balcony, where the rocking chairs are already ready for the sunset. There is also a spacious bedroom with a dressing room and a beautiful bathroom with a shower.
Lodge at the Presidio
The rooms in the Lodge at the Presidio, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the Main Parade Lawn and offers perhaps the best view of the -Golden Gate Bridge, are similar and yet a touch more modern. The impressive entrance hall along with many inviting loungers is worth the visit, not to mention the stylishly furnished rooms that offer an unobstructed view of San Francisco’s most important landmark. And while the cars go by outside in “stop and go”, you sit relaxed in an “american historic place” and enjoy the mild summer evening with a glass of Chardonnay. There is hardly a better place to spend the night in the city and regardless of whether you have checked into the Inn at the Presdio or the neighboring hotel Lodge at the Presidio, you do not want to miss a moment in the ambiance.
