Hotel Rex, a Joie de Vivre hotel

Description:

• Joie de Vivre, the most creative hotel group in the city, is the brains behind this cleverly restored historic building, a restoration that was inspired by the San Francisco art and literary salons of the 1920s and '30s. JDV kept some of the imported furnishings and the European boutique hotel ambience, but gave the lobby and rooms a major face-lift, adding the decorative flair that makes its hotels among the most popular in town. The clublike lobby lounge is modeled after a 1920s literary salon and is, like all the group's properties, cleverly stylish. (They even host jazz artists Fri 6-8pm.) The guest rooms are above average in size, decorated with custom wall coverings, hand-painted lampshades, and works by local artists. If you have one of the rooms in the back, you'll look out over a shady, peaceful courtyard. It's also in a great location, situated near several fine galleries, theaters, and restaurants.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

CitySearch

•  Boutique Hotel 2006 – Audience Winner
•  Boutique Hotel 2007 – Audience Winner
•  Business Hotel 2007 – Audience Winner
•  Tourist Hotel 2007 – Audience Winner
•  Union Square Hotel 2007 – Audience Winner

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2009
•  Recommended 2010

Other features:

The lavish guest rooms feature a tasteful decor that is less generic than other hotels and come equipped with data ports, a writing desk, mini bar, cable television, CD player, hairdryer, iron, and robes. Hotel services include a bellman, concierge, valet, and laundry. In its true artistic spirit, the hotel offers a "Patron of the Arts" rate, where guests donate $5 to local arts organizations each night they stay. Parking is $30 a day.