San Francisco
San Mateo County
- In March, the 177-room Galleria Park Hotel (415.781.3060; www.galleriapark.com) emerged from a $7.1 million makeover of the former Sutter Hotel that began in June 2005. The boutique property’s Art Deco rooms and public spaces are brand-new, from the 300-thread-count linens to flat-screen TVs and alarm clocks with MP3 players. Other amenities include nightly wine receptions, a rooftop terrace and a walking track.
- In February, the boutique Inn at Union Square (415.397.3510; www.unionsquare.com) completed a $600,000 upgrade of its 30 guest rooms, lobby and lounge areas. The inn emphasizes personal service and warmth, with amenities including a wood-burning fireplace in each level’s lounge and complimentary nightly champagne, hors d’oeuvres and freshly baked cookies.
- Just south of Market Street, the 57-room Hotel Griffon (415.495.2100; www.hotelgriffon.com) wrapped up a soft goods renovation of its guest rooms in January that included new wall coverings, artwork, upholstery, carpet, and lighting. Many rooms have bay views and all feature flat-screen TVs and new bedding. Continental breakfast, nightly turndown service with cookies, high-speed wireless Internet, and weekday morning Town Car service are complimentary.
- In March, the Ramada Plaza on Market Street reopened as the 459-room Hotel Whitcomb (415.626.8000; www.hotelwhitcomb.com), a return to the hotel’s original 1916 name following a major renovation that preserved and restored its historic character. The property features a fine-dining restaurant, a cocktail lounge and over 17,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space. The hotel will undergo an additional $5 million in phased upgrades.
- As of May 3, fans of JetBlue Airways (800.538.2583; www.jetblue.com) can take advantage of new service into San Francisco, with flights between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport offered four times daily and one flight offered daily between SFO and Boston’s Logan International Airport.
- Midwest Airlines (800.452.2022; www.midwestairlines.com) will launch one to two daily flights between Kansas City and San Francisco in 2007 and extend the season for its flights between Milwaukee and San Francisco by two months, from May 1–Oct. 31.
San Mateo County
- The 391-room Doubletree Hotel San Francisco Airport–Burlingame (650.344.5500; www.doubletree.com) plans to finish a renovation of guest rooms in its East Tower this June.
- In January, the San Francisco Airport Marriott (650.692.9100; www.marriott.com) in Burlingame completed a $7 million renovation of its 685 guest rooms and 21 suites, including the new Marriott Revive bedding package and the Wired for Business high-speed Internet package. The property’s grand ballroom also received decor and technology upgrades.
- Earlier this year, the 476-room Marriott San Mateo (650.653.6000; www.marriott.com) wrapped up renovations to its guest rooms and suites, installing 37-inch, high-definition TVs, pivoting desks with ergonomic chairs, plug-and-play outlets for all electronic devices, and drawer safes with built-in electrical outlets. The property also added the Marriott Revive bedding package and all-new furnishings, wall coverings, window treatments, and carpets, and bathrooms were also updated. In addition, the property enhanced its 22,000 square feet of meeting space with new wall coverings, lighting and audiovisual updates, and upgraded its fitness center with new flooring and equipment.
- In 2006, the Westin San Francisco Airport (650.693.3500; www.starwoodhotels.com/wes tin) in Millbrae completed a renovation of its 397 guest rooms, which included new furniture, Westin Heavenly Beds, carpeting, wall coverings, window treatments, and bathroom tile and countertops. Guest room corridors were also upgraded.
- In March, the Best Western Grosvenor Hotel–South San Francisco (800.722.7141; www.grosvenorsfo.com) finished a soft goods renovation of its 207 guest rooms and nine suites, which included new bedspreads and skirts, window treatments, table and floor lamps, and desk chairs.