Winning praise from persnickety hotel critics is no easy chore, but that's what the Savoy Hotel accomplished. Travel & Leisure magazine calls the Savoy "one of the 10 best small hotels in the city that invented them." Located on Theatre Row, this ultra-romantic, European- style boutique in a boffo location puts guests within short strolls of Union Square's high-end shopping and entertainment as well as cable cars that'll whisk them to anywhere in this mystical city. Even without advanced tickets, drama buffs can still bag fab seats at many of the city's top theaters at the TIX booth three blocks from the Savoy, where they can buy half-price, day-of- performance tickets. You're welcome.
Dating back to 1913, the thoroughly updated Savoy still retains original charm, such as the lobby's black-and-white checkerboard marble floors. Over those floors, guests and locals make bee lines to the hotel's highly acclaimed restaurant, Millennium, which dishes up eclectic, fashionably elegant - and environmentally friendly - vegetarian dishes, such as savory parsnip flan and plantain torte. The bar features an extensive all-organic wine list. What's more, guests can get to know each other at the Savoy's free wine-and-cheese reception every afternoon.
Evoking a 19th- century French feel, guest rooms feature European- influenced décors and mahogany furnishings. Luxurious feather beds are made up with fine fabrics and goose- down pillows. Guests can crank up the ceiling fans and fling open the windows to luxuriate in the cool San Francisco breezes. The rooms also include safes and fully-stocked mini-bars.
Europeans, season ticket holders to the theater, business travelers, families and other vacationers looking for that unique experience and good value find the Savoy a great home away from home. However, smokers, leave the sticks at home: the Savoy is totally non-smoking.
