One may think that the intimacy of a boutique hotel is compromised by fewer amenities, but I didn’t notice any essentials missing. I was prepared for a luxurious and relaxing weekend at the Hotel Palomar and I certainly got what I expected: stylish decor, down comforter, local chocolates by Joseph Schmidt (you know, those decorative, disc-shaped truffles) with turndown service, full mini-bar, room service, stereo/CD system, friendly staff, WSJ, NY Times, and the San Francisco Chronicle, quick check-in time and easy self-serve check-out service option, and a gym. What I enjoyed best was the classy, subdued and relaxing atmosphere, along with the most comfortable bed; yes, even more comfortable than my bed at home. My only complaint is that for some reason, we had bathrobes on the first night, but they disappeared and did not reappear again for use on the second night. Hmmm. . . lucky, I don’t usually use bathrobes.
The Palomar houses one of the city’s best restaurants and sophisticated bar in town, called The Fifth Floor (on which they are situated) ensuring that you don’t ever really have to leave the building. Unfortunately for me, I did not check the times they were open and attempted to dine there on a Sunday night, when they are closed. Palomar’s ideal location allows guests to be just a block away from the SF Shopping Center, the Sony Metreon movie theaters, and the Yerba Buena Center, two blocks away from the MOMA, and a short walk away to the corporate offices in downtown or South of Market dotcoms that are still alive.