Downtown SF

Taxi pulls up at the Hotel. The entrance is very minimalist, in fact you would not recognise it apart for the topiary outside the windows, get into the "dark" low lit lobby and are hit with the fact that this a cool, trendy hotel. Darkwood floors, funky art sculptures in the lobby a huge giants chair sits off centre.

Check in was a little slow, a bit of a queue. This is certainly a not a secret hotel and I certainly cannot work out the clientèle. It seemed to be a mix of the middle class young, the older couple, and the completely out of place holiday inn couple. I was basing this on how people were dressed, their luggage and their body language. But then again I had stumbled in pulling my own baggage wearing knee length shorts and a stripy tee, having traveled across the world sitting next to a nutter to get here. So nothing special in the check in. No Four Seasons personal service of taking you to your room by the person who checks you in, nor any funky present or recommendation for a refreshing cocktail or "do you want reservations to Aqua de cuba?"

The Room
Its ok. I walked in with no pre-conceived perceptions, and that helped. Its a small room don't get me wrong its larger than your standard UK Travelodge and larger than most other standard rooms, but just a little cramped in the main room and in the bathroom. What I did like was the huge mirrors behind and in front of the bed that create the optical illusion of a tunnel, plus I imagine it is good for bedroom antics.

Pro/Cons List
Pros:- Mirrors, the purple smarties the turndown maids provide, the cool orange perspex bedside tables, the designer tap in the bathroom, the bathroom goodies, the minibar, the decor on the whole.
Cons:- The fag burn in the carpet next to the bed in a non-smoking room, $10/day WiFi charge, not enough table space to spreadout all of my stuff (gadgets mainly), I forgot my USB cable to plugin a external HD for music.

The Bar (Redwood Room) http://www.clifthotel.com/clift_hotel_redwood_room.asp
Man it was like we had arrived. Again all low lit, full wood panelling bar down one side, funky furniture, maitre d service to tables. Huge selection of booze from floor to ceiling all with backlighting. Huge 6ft tall electronic picture frames with cool art range from art to slow moving portrait photos (like out of Harry Potter but less animated). Started on the Blackberry Margarittas and then moved to the Clift Bellini's. It was lively at 7pm. Come 10:30 when we arrived back it was a hive of beautiful people just having a great time people buying bottles of champagne and vodka and just chilling. There were no ego's on show, no Fareham Chav, no fights just happy people. By 11pm I was boxed and ready to hit the sack. Subtle issue, perhaps its the £/$ thing but the rounds were costing a lot. The last round a double Remy and a Belinni cost $48. Gulp

Dinner
We met up with my work colleagues 2 friends from Rome who were over on a 3 week holiday of doing the west coast. We had reservations at Aqua De Cuba but canceled and went to Little Italy and a fine traditional restaurant that immediately gave us the VIP treatment as 3/4 of the party were Italian and we ate some fine simple Italian food. I follow the lead and had this seafood soup which was killer. Big pile of shellfish in a lovely

24hr party people!!!!!