Luxury Destinations - San Francisco’s Sir Francis Drake Hotel

For those of you spending Euros or British pounds, the U.S.A is an attractive destination at the moment. Some luxury hotels are feeling the pinch, and offering specials at what becomes an insanely low price when the exchange rate is taken into consideration.

The Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco for instance, is currently offering packages from as little as $159. (or $3.50 in the unlikely event  you happen to have visited before 1958 and kept your receipt.)

The Sir Francis Drake is a San Francisco landmark on Powell street, and Harry Denton’s Starlight room, an national treasure. Of course, in true American marketing style you do not eat in their restaurants, you have  a "dining experience." Damn fine food nonetheless. A recent press release states: The legendary Sir Francis Drake Hotel turns 80 years young this year, and like a good bottle of wine, proves that things only get better with age. The hotel, a Kimpton Hotel in San Francisco’s Union Square, recently underwent a $20 million transformation, giving it a more contemporary look and feel that perfectly complements the traditional elements and original architecture of the property.

In honor of this historic milestone, the Sir Francis Drake Hotel will offer a variety of exciting and enticing programs and packages throughout the year, which are outlined below:

Roaring 20s Roll-Back Rate

To kick off the year-long celebration, the hotel will offer a Roaring 20s Roll-Back Rate to past guests who have original receipts dating back prior to 1958, in an effort to collect historical artifacts for a future display at the hotel. With rates ranging from $3.50 per night when the hotel opened to $40 for the best suite in the 40s, guests who have held onto these mementos will find extraordinary value in this special offering when during the month of April when the Sir Francis Drake will honor the rates on these original receipts.

Ruby Jubilee Treasure Hunt

The Sir Francis Drake will offer guests the chance to win a variety of fantastic prizes with the Ruby Jubilee Treasure Hunt. During the month of April, 80 faux ruby rings will be hidden throughout the hotel in guestrooms and public spaces alike. The 80 lucky guests who find the “jewels” will be able to redeem them at the front desk in exchange for gifts ranging from complimentary hotel stays to complimentary dinners at the adjacent Scala’s Bistro to a real ruby ring.

Anniversary Themed Packages

In keeping with the milestone of this historic San Francisco hotel, anniversary themed packages will be rolled out throughout the year, including the Legends Package which offers a VIP tour of San Francisco’s most revered historical landmarks.

Signature Cocktail at Bar Drake

A sophisticated and sleek new lobby bar — Bar Drake — debuted in 2007 which and has fast become a favorite gathering spot for guests and locals alike. Reminiscent of a speakeasy evoking the ambiance of another era, mixologists are on hand, providing expertly mixed cocktails which truly bring the craft of the cocktail to life. A unique bar menu is also offered for those looking for a light bite to eat. To commemorate the "Ruby Anniversary," acclaimed master mixologist Jacques Bezuindenhout has created the "Ruby Jubilee" – a special signature cocktail which will be offered throughout the year at Bar Drake, along with some exciting promotions.

Truly a legend in its own time, the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, which opened in 1928, has played host to a bevy of amazing people from all over the world including numerous Hollywood celebrities, heads of state, five U.S. presidents, professional athletes, and more. Since its opening, the hotel has been a favorite for visitors and locals alike, best known for its celebrated doormen dressed in their customary Beefeater uniforms, always ready to offer a smile and a helping hand.

History and the Future

Called the “last word in hotels,” by newspapers and "an ideal San Francisco Residence" in its own brochures when it launched in 1928, the Sir Francis Drake Hotel was state-of-the-art long before that catch phrase was even invented. The Texas-based Huckins-Newcomb Hotel Company, the hotel’s builder-owners, had spared no expense when it came to the building. San Francisco architects and engineers, Weeks & Day, lavished its English Renaissance-style interior with exquisite handiwork, including vaulted gold-leaf ceilings, hand painted murals, graceful iron grills, a dramatic entryway staircase and an abundance of French and Italian marble, which is still the cornerstone of this majestic property.

Times have noticeably changed since the Sir Francis Drake’s original inception and no expense has been spared to ensure that today’s travelers are equipped with all of the modern amenities and services they need when they are on the road. A brand new business center was added in 2007 adjacent to the hotel lobby, and complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access is available throughout all areas of the property. The meeting space has also been completely renovated and outfitted with the latest state-of-the-art technology and audio visual capabilities, providing meeting and event planners with fantastic, modern San Francisco meeting facilities perfectly located within the city.

For guests looking for an exceptional dining experience, they need look no further than Scala’s Bistro, located adjacent to the hotel lobby. A San Francisco favorite, the restaurant embarks diners on a culinary tour of Northern Italy and Southern France, highlighting fresh, hand-selected artisanal ingredients. And for guests and visitors looking to carry the revelry into the night, Harry Denton’s Starlight Room, located on the 21st floor of the hotel, is the place to go, offering delicious cocktails, live entertainment and dancing.

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