San Francisco's first Chinese immigrants arrived in 1848 abroad an American ship called the Eagle. San Francisco's Chinatown has grown into the largest the U.S. since the 19th century. The neighborhood's centralized location make it a good home base for tourists and business travelers. A luxury hotel offers an escape from the bustle of the shopping crowds while the budget traveler can find a cozy room with a location that can't be beat.
Chinatown's proximity to the financial district make it a convenient spot for business travelers. Located near Union Square, the Taj Campton Hotel is one of San Francisco's premiere hotels. The Conde Nast Traveler's Gold List named the hotel "One of the Ten Best Places to Stay" in 2007. The hotel provides a long list of amenities, including valets that help guests unpack and twice daily maid service. An inviting mixture of Egyptian sheets and goose-down pillows are used on all the beds.
Two restaurants are housed inside the hotel. The Campton Place Bar and Bistro is a casual dining environment with a standard bistro menu. The atmosphere of the bar is relaxed making it a good spot for a business lunch, or a nightcap. The Campton Place Restaurant is a fine dining establishment with a master sommelier, master chef and its own wine cellar.
Hotel Triton greets its guests with an elaborate lobby design; bright colored murals stretch to the ceiling, while mythical sea creatures oversee loitering visitors. Nine local artists collaborated in the Triton's design with the intention of sharing local art with city visitors. The Triton is located directly across the street from Chinatown's gates giving guests easy access to the San Francisco hot-spot.
The hotel uses eco-friendly cleaning products and donates a portion of its room revenue to The Trust for Public Land. Triton even partnered with celebrities to design a handful of eco-celebrity suites.
The Triton prides itself on its eccentricity as evidenced by its quirky amenities; for example fresh baked cookies in the afternoon, in-room zebra print robes and wine tastings paired with tarot card readings.
Hotel Des Arts on Bush Street offers a handful of individually-designed rooms. The small boutique hotel makes up in character what it lacks in size. A guest can reserve a painted room individually designed by emerging artists from around the world. Painted rooms must be reserved by contacting the hotel directly. Des Arts' also accommodates its international guests by hiring multilingual staff. Twenty-four-hour concierge service assists travelers with restaurant reservations and information on local sites. Other services include a complimentary continental breakfast, free wireless Internet and airport transportation.
Budget travelers have fewer options in Chinatown and the surrounding areas. However, a few options exist for the savvy adventurer. One example is the Park hotel advertising itself as "San Francisco's most central hotel for the budget traveler." Rooms are available under $100 and each offers only the most basic amenities: a television and wireless Internet access. The Park is right next door to Chinatown in Union Square making it a good option for the lone budget traveler.
