Thank God for Marriott Points. This “Autograph Hotel” is a place I’d never stay if I had to pay for it, as it is in the heart of Union Square, San Francisco’s premier shopping district. I don’t shop much these days.
But the hotel opened in 1929 and was renovated by Marriott last year. Like most big city hotel rooms built before I was born, there’s not much space, but everything is clean and chic.
I arrived after 10 p.m. and managed a complementary glass of (very good) red wine, but no food was available. So I wandered out and understood why this is the hottest district in San Francisco – amazing when the shopping ends and the nightlife begins.
As I was near starving, I did not so much care where to eat. I ended up at the Grand Cafe across the street and craved a medium rare blue-cheese burger. After all, I have been in Mexico for over two months.
It, and the fries, and the red wine where awesome. The gay couple at the bar were amusingly entertaining while I devoured the burger. I love this city!
All I have planned for the morning is a great breakfast (which comes with the room) and arriving in Sacramento sometime before dark. I rented a Dodge Charger – hopefully it comes with no speeding tickets included. More tomorrow!
