By Kim P. Alden
Budget Hotels Near Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival in San Francisco, California
Each fall, the Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival delights crowds in the famous
San Francisco shopping area. Vendors offer an array of sweet treats and beverages. Among the participants are Ghirardelli Chocolate, Kara's Cupcakes, Mary Louise Butters Brownies, Amore Chocolate Pizza, Arlene's Gourmet Toffees, Napa Valley Fudge and more. Admission to the Festival is free, but you'll need to buy tickets in order to sample chocolate products. All proceeds go to Project Open Hand, which provides meals to seniors and people with serious illnesses. After a full day exploring Ghirardelli Square and sampling chocolate, you might enjoy resting at one of the budget hotels nearby.
The Mosser Hotel
Courtesy: Mosser Hotel
At this chic hotel, guests can choose a deluxe room with private bath or a lower priced room with a shared bath. Both types of rooms have two-line phones, waffle bathrobes, iron and ironing board, voicemail, wireless Internet access and stereo radios with CD players. Double pane windows keep the rooms quiet so guests can sleep peacefully on the custom made platform beds. Annabelle's Bar & Bistro in the Mosser Hotel has been restored with warm bistro decor and an open kitchen. Chef Larry Piaskowy and his staff use fresh, organic ingredients to create the dishes on Annabelle's extensive menu.
The Mosser Hotel
54 Fourth St.
San Francisco, California 94103
(800) 227-3804
themosser.com/
Castle Inn
Each comfortable, spacious room at the Castle Inn features a two-door refrigerator and freezer combination, a microwave oven, coffee maker, full bath with a massage showerhead, cable television with HBO, desk, breakfast table, free wireless Internet access and data port. Rollaway beds are available for a charge. A small breakfast is served each morning, and a variety of restaurants, cafes and coffee shops are within easy walking distance. The hotel provides free parking for guests. All accommodations are smoke free. Changes or cancellations must be made four days in advance.
Castle Inn
1565 Broadway
San Francisco, California 94109
(415) 441-1155
castleinnsf.com
Hotel Bijou
This delightful boutique hotel is inspired by the cinematic history of San Francisco. Double features of San Francisco based films play nightly in the lobby's small movie theater. Guest rooms are decorated in jewel tones, and each one is named after a different movie. Each room provides cable television, voicemail, data port, full tub and shower, writing desk, free wireless Internet access and electric locks. All rooms are smoke free. Complimentary pastries, coffee and tea are served each morning. Parking is available for a fee. The Bijou's Alhambra Room and Rialto Room offer perfect settings for meetings, conferences and other functions.
Hotel Bijou
111 Mason St.
San Francisco, California 94102
(415) 771-1200
hotelbijou.com
Nob Hill Hotel
This historic European boutique hotel opened in 1906. The original stained glass panels are still in place. An elegant marble lobby greets visitors in grand style. Each guest room has Victorian decor and features period antiques, velvet comforters, hand painted walls, half canopy beds, microwave ovens, mini refrigerators, cable television, CD alarm clocks and wireless Internet access. The Colombini Italian Cafe & Bistro serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the evening, enjoy wine tastings that feature California wines.
Nob Hill Hotel
835 Hyde St.
San Francisco, California 94109
(415) 885-2987
nobhillhotel.com
Resources
About the Author:
A professional writer and editor for more than 25 years, Kim Alden is also a certified yoga therapist who has lectured in and traveled to many parts of the world. She combines her travel savvy with natural health and yoga expertise to write for various online publications. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.
Photo Credits:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ghirardelli_Square.jpg
