San Francisco's Stanford Court Hotel

The Stanford Court Renaissance Hotel on San Francisco's prestigious Nob Hill (a.k.a. Snob Hill) is one of the city's classiest hotels. A year-and-a-half ago, the 393-unit property underwent a $35 million dollar renovation, transforming what was already a nice hotel into an absolutely fabulous hotel.

The Stanford Court is ranked as a four-star hotel but don't let that deter you bargain-seekers. The sluggish economy has meant that even luxury is on sale. If you can travel during San Francisco's slower winter months, you can score a room at the Stanford Court for as little as $139.

December is usually the slowest month in San Francisco, so expect to get your best deals then. The hotel has been known to offer a pre-paid room rate for as low as $109 on the least busy days. Like all hotels, price is a matter of supply and demand. If you are visiting when a big convention is in town, expect to pay for it.

Spectacular Views of Spectacular San Francisco

Many rooms at the Stanford Court offer spectacular views of the city - and because the hotel is nearly at the very top of Nob Hill, you don't have to go far to get a good view.

The hotel was on the site of railroad magnate Leland Stanford's mansion until it burned in the fire following the 1906 earthquake. It was rebuilt as luxury apartments and in 1970 opened as a hotel. The stone walls of Leland Stanford's mansion are still intact on the side of the building.

Nob Hill is one of the most beautiful parts of San Francisco during the holidays. The trees in Huntington Park (the green space at the top of Nob Hill) are festooned with lights through New Year's. All the Nob Hill hotels, businesses, and many homes go all out with decorations as well. The Stanford Court uses LED lights to bathe the exterior in a candy cane motif.

You don't have to go far for the real meaning of Christmas: gay-friendly Grace Cathedral is the hill's greatest landmark. The Episcopal Church has a touching AIDS memorial near the front entrance.

The California Street Cable Car Line

California doesn't have a reputation for having good public transportation, but the San Francisco Bay Area is an exception. Unless you plan to do a lot of driving outside of the city, you can get along fine without a car. Parking in popular neighborhoods like Nob Hill is scarce and expensive.

By the way, if you don't want to walk up the hill, two cable car lines stop right in front of the Stanford Court. The California Street cable car line, which runs from the start of California Street at Market to Van Ness Avenue, is the least crowded of any of the cable car lines The Stanford Court offers package deals that include a cable car pass.

Celebrate the New Year in San Francisco

The Castro is a hop, skip, and a twirl from Nob Hill. The best way to get there is to take the cable car down California Street through the heart of the city's financial district to the last stop on California and Market Streets. Take the underground Muni Metro six stops to the Castro Station.

As you might expect, the biggest gay party in the winter in San Francisco is New Year's Eve. Gus Bean, of Gus Presents, plans a series of three mega-parties over the long holiday weekend. People usually celebrate in the streets at midnight in the Castro before quickly going back inside for another drink.

So go ahead: ring in the New Year in San Francisco with a stay at the Stanford Court Renaissance Hotel.