Residing in the Nob Hill area, the Renaissance Stanford Court Hotel in San Francisco, Calif., is located two blocks from the Grace Cathedral and four blocks from Union Square. The Transamerica Pyramid and Chinatown are both one half mile of the hotel. Coit Tower is one mile away. The hotel provides complimentary weekday transportation to and from the Financial District one half mile away. The hotel's 19th century lobby displays a Victorian stained glass dome ceiling, Beaux Arts fountain and murals representing civic history.

The marbled lobby winds into Fournou's Ovens, the on site Mediterranean restaurant boasting an exhibition kitchen and a cellar stocked with 5,000 wines from around the world. The neighboring lobby lounge mixes afternoon tea times, cocktails and original artwork.

The lobby also houses a business center with high speed wired and wireless Internet access. Recreational amenities include a fitness center with cardiovascular equipment.

The Renaissance Stanford Court Hotel accents its guestrooms with reproduction antique furniture and large windows with bay views. Pillowtop mattresses and feather goose down pillows compose premium bedding arrangements in each room. All rooms are equipped with high speed wired and wireless Internet access and cable television with premium channels. Wake up service includes complimentary coffee and tea.

Adjacent to the hotel is a Cable Car stop, providing transportation to and from attractions throughout San Francisco, including my favorite, the Chinatown Gate entryway to Chinatown's eclectic shops, restaurants and art galleries, just four blocks away.