By Pamela Keene
The Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival is an annual celebration of all things chocolate. It is held every September at Ghirardelli Square in
San Francisco, California, former site of the Ghirardelli Chocolate factory. Visitors can taste chocolate delicacies, participate in the activities or visit nearby shops. Signature activities include a chocolate-sculpting competition, an eating competition, chef demonstrations, live music and crafts. Entrance is free but visitors must purchase tickets to enjoy the chocolate tastings. There are several luxury hotels within five miles of Ghirardelli Square, so visitors can relax in style while remaining close to the chocolate festival and other San Francisco attractions.
Campton Place Hotel
Campton Place Hotel is situated near Union Square, approximately 1.8 miles from Ghirardelli Square. It is also close to the San Francisco financial district, art galleries and museums. Renovated in 2001, this hotel surrounds guests with an intimate, sophisticated atmosphere. The hotel offers 24-hour concierge service and room service, valet parking, a fitness terrace and three restaurants. Guest can retire in comfortable yet elegantly decorated suites or rooms. Amenities include Bose surround sound systems, feather beds, hair dryers, TVs, honor bars, high-speed Internet, irons and ironing boards, safes, slippers, leather topped desks and wood paneling. The suites have a separate bathtub and shower. Room rates begin at $275 per night.
Campton Place San Francisco
340 Stockton Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: (415) 781-5555
The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco
The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco is approximately 1.5 miles from Ghirardelli Square and is located within the former Metropolitan Insurance Headquarters. It is the only hotel in San Francisco to be honored with the Mobil Five-Star Hotel and Restaurant Award. Hotel guests can enjoy the business center, fitness center, on-site car rental, valet parking, shoeshine service, spa and indoor pool. This hotel's attention to detail continues into the guest rooms and suites. The rooms feature LCD TVs, wireless Internet, safes, honor bars, refrigerators, bathrobes, ironing boards, irons, slippers and original artwork by local artists. Room rates begin at $299 per night.
The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco
600 Stockton Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: (415) 296.7465
Clift San Francisco
Located a few blocks from Union Square and two miles from Ghirardelli Square, The Clift Hotel is well situated to enjoy what San Francisco has to offer. Old-world elegance meets contemporary style in this hotel. Guests are surrounded by bold combinations of furniture and décor by artist such as Salvador Dali, Renee Marguerite and William Sawaya. The historic Redwood Room features a bar and a fantastic array of ever-changing digital artwork. Guests can also relax in The Living Room, a lounge located off the lobby, or visit the 24-hour fitness center. The rooms provide flat-screen HDTVs, desks, high-speed Internet, 24-hour room service, floor to ceiling mirrors and luxurious fabrics like silk, leather and velvet in a soft pallet. Room rates begin at $195 per night.
Clift San Francisco
495 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 775-4700
Four Seasons San Francisco
The Four Seasons San Francisco is located near Union Square and the San Francisco Shopping Center. It is approximately 3 miles from Ghirardelli Square. Guests will find plenty to do at this hotel. The 10,000-square-foot Sports Club/LA has weight and cardiovascular equipment, exercise classes, a basketball court, a junior olympic swimming pool and a spa. The Four Seasons also caters to younger guests by offering child-sized bathrobes, a children's menu, childproof rooms and help with arranging babysitting. Guests can choose between several room and suite upgrades. Basic room amenities include dressing areas, work areas, high-speed Internet access, alarm clocks, safes, TVs, floor-to-ceiling windows, marble bathrooms and soaking tubs. Upgraded rooms may include flat-screen TVs, separate bedrooms, walk-in closets, powder rooms and upgraded furniture. Room rates begin at $345 per night.
Four Seasons San Francisco
757 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 633-3000
Mandarin Oriental San Francisco
The Mandarin Oriental San Francisco towers above the city offering guests unparalleled views. This hotel is located in the Financial District, approximately 1.6 miles from Ghirardelli Square, and is near many other popular destinations, such as Union Square, museums, art galleries and shopping. Guests can visit one of the two on-site restaurants or work out in the 24-hour fitness center. Guests can also purchase passes to Equinox fitness center, located across the street, for spa services. Every room offers a view of the city and is decorated in a comfortable, contemporary style specifically designed to take advantage of the view. Room amenities include flat-panel TVs, telephones, binoculars, safes, minibars, hair dryers, separate bathtubs and showers, bathrobes, irons and ironing board, complementary shoe-shinings, tea , cookies, bottled water and work areas. Room rates begin at $345 per night.
Mandarin Oriental San Francisco
222 Sansome Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (415) 276 9600
Resources
About the Author:
Pamela Keene has written professionally since 2007 with articles published on USAToday.com, eHow, Travels.com and other websites. She writes about a variety of topics including home projects, gardening, health, finance, travel and parenting. Keene holds a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry.
