Last week's blog post we shared the exciting news that Hotel Union Square was celebrating its 100 year anniversary along with some fun historical facts! A lot has happened in 10 decades, so, as you can imagine, there was a lot to celebrate!

And that's exactly what we did last Wednesday night! We threw a fabulous party and celebrated with our amazing clients in the newly re-designed Hotel Union Square Penthouse Suite. It was truly a night to remember!

HUGE thanks to the talented culinary students from the Art Institute of California for the delicious spread of hor d'oeuvres, Le Grand Courtage for the celebratory bubbly, John's Grill for the timeless martini bar, Teldeschi Winery for their tasting table, DJs Michael & Michael for spinning old-school vinyl hits, and Jonathan Rachman for the beautiful finishing touches!

These adorable mini cupcakes were handmade by our very own Group Sales Director, Janelle Granfors. Thanks for sharing one of your many hidden talents!

And a very special thank you to all who joined the celebration! Until next time...

If you've stayed at the Steinhart Hotel then you know how charming and timeless it is. And if you've stayed at our long-term property recently, then you might have noticed some beautiful new changes. 15 one bedroom apartments were recently refreshed in a sophisticated Parisian style by Jonathan Rachman Design and they look absolutely gorgeous, don't you think?

"I brought in designer Jonathan Rachman to transform the space because he's simply the best visual storyteller I know. His first career was in the hospitality industry in Switzerland, so he understands what is necessary to make a winning first impression on guests--and what it takes to give them an experience as unforgettable as the decor. Jonathan also appreciates the history of buildings and designed our spaces with complete respect to the building's stunning architecture. When I saw the renderings for the first time, I thought he'd had a peek inside my head and stolen my best ideas before I could articulate them: rich and elegant without being the least bit fussy." -- Yvonne Detert, Personality Hotels CEO & Founder

We caught up with Jonathan Rachman to get the inside scoop on his vision and the inspiration behind his design. Here's what he had to say:

PH: What was the inspiration behind the renovation?

JR: Our inspiration was 'old world' European - classic, yet current. Respecting the history of the Steinhart was crucial because there are so many rich elements of the property that I hope to showcase - from the elevator and the old school front desk, to the tile in the lobby and the coffered ceiling and wall paper in the hallway. San Francisco is an intimate global city and the Steinhart carries the old charm of San Francisco so well.

PH: Where did you pull inspiration from? 

JR: I lived and studied in Europe and have traveled extensively, but Hotel Costes in Paris truly inspired my design for the Steinhart - to continue its rich history AND texture in the current time in San Francisco. I love the rich colors and textures without being pretentious and impractical.

PH: What is your favorite thing about the Steinhart?

JR: Hands down - the history, but as far as interiors - the architectural elements like the elevator and the tiles in the lobby! 

PH: What is the most important thing you consider when designing a home away from home?

JR: The feeling of TRULY being at home, which means being cozy, not stuffy. It's all in the details  - to make the space warm, chic and personalized - not feeling commercial and generic. We put a touch of whimsies in the accessories and art elements at the Steinhart.

Personality Hotels is excited to be the first on the West Coast to offer guests of Hotel Diva and Hotel Union Square the opportunity to use their smartphone to open their hotel room door. CNET TV recently interviewed our CEO Yvonne Detert about our new technology and before we knew it, our feature was live on CBS News! Check out our video clip below!

[Excerpt from CBS News]

 If you've ever lost your hotel key card or had it accidentally demagnetized, some hotels may have a high-tech solution. At the Personality Hotels chain, in the San Francisco area, guests can now use their smartphones to unlock their hotel room doors. 

So, what are you waiting for? Get busy planning your visit and make sure to document your travels on Instagram when you're staying at @PersonalityHotels in San Francisco! We can't wait to see all your gorgeous posts!

  

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and whether you're planning a staycation or a weekend getaway, Personality Hotels has what you need to celebrate the one you love. Both back by popular demand, is our Cheap Date and VaVa Voom packages!

**Sidenote for the fellas... trust us when we say this is the easiest way to surprise your sweetie and get a big thank you in return.

 All the romantic classics needed for a Valentine's night to remember:

• Intimacy Kit to unleash the lover in us all

• Bottle of Le Grand Courtâge Sparkling Wine

• Heart shaped box full of Ghirardelli Chocolates

• Late Check out of 2:00 PM (who wants to leave early?)

• 2 blank Valentine's Day cards (to leave sweet messages for each other)

Everything a hipster couple (with a good sense of humor) could need for a good time, on a dime! 

• Bottle of Andre Champagne (a slightly sweet and people-pleasing bubbly)

• Bear-shaped bottle of honey (let your imagination run wild) 

• Box of conversation hearts 

• Jack-in-the-Box coupons (for that romantic dinner)

• A little romance kit (includes all the necessities like toilettes, condoms and more...)

• 2 blank Valentine's Day cards (so you don't have to run to Walgreens last minute) 

*The VaVa Voom package and the Cheap Date package are available at Hotel Diva, Kensington Park and Hotel Union Square from February 1st, 2014 to March 1st, 2014.

Packing anxiety is a thing, it's a real problem, right? You're so excited for your trip to SF and want to look absolutely fabulous the entire time - then, suddenly you feel completely overwhelmed. Sound familiar? Well don't worry, we're here to coach you through this...

Let's get one thing clear first. San Francisco weather is highly unpredictable, no matter what season it is. Even the different districts and neighborhoods have their own microclimates. In just 7 miles, from one end of the city to the other, San Francisco can surprise you with thick fog, patches of sun, wind tunnels, and possible areas of rain. 

So, for winter, we have a few tips to ease your packing anxiety. (Chances are these tips will be appropriate no matter when you visit, thanks to SF's ever-changing conditions).

•  Layers are key - both lightweight and heavier layers: t-shirts, warm sweaters, leggings, scarves, hoodies, maybe even gloves. The point is to bring anything that is easy to remove if the sun peeks out and it suddenly becomes warm, but easy to carry and put back on when the clouds roll in.

• A warm coat, especially for walking around the city.

• Comfy closed toed shoes. (No flip flops - save those for September/October)

We are a fairly casual city. Remember to choose comfort first, then add layers. For example...

Some winter looks we love (for more inspiration check out our Fashion // Style board on Pinterest):

A few weeks ago we were delighted to have designer and DIY blogger, Aimee Santos, stay at Hotel Diva for a weekend in the Suite Atelier. She reunited with college friends, shopped at H&M in Union Square, and took gorgeous photos of her suite - which we couldn't resist sharing.

We loved having you, Aimee. And we must say... no one has ever looked better in the bubble chair! 

Something about this time of year makes us crave sweets more than usual. Maybe it's our way of prepping for the holiday season and all the indulgence that seems to come along with it. Or maybe it's just because our San Francisco Personality Hotels are located (dangerously) close to some of the best spots to treat that sweet tooth. Even if you're not a sweets person, chances are someone you're shopping for this holiday season is!

1. Tout Sweet Patisserie

You just can't go wrong with anything at Tout Sweet. Owner and Top Chef Desserts winner, Yigit Pura has perfected the French macaron and, well, all of the other sweet and savory treats they offer. And with an upscale, European feel and plenty of seating, you’d never know you were on the third floor of Macy’s. 170 O’Farrell Street, Macy’s Union Square  

2. Fiona's Sweetshoppe

Hard candy, soft candy, chewy candy, toffeed candy, chocolate candy - that pretty sums up this little treasure trove that specializes in treats from the UK. And the petite shop has all the charm of an old English Sweetshoppe. 214 Sutter Street

3. Cafe Madeleine

Think Starbucks alternative, but with a twist. Breakfast and lunch is available but the cakes, pastries, and coffee drinks are what we come for. There is limited seating, but the line moves fast. 43 O'Farrell Street

4. Leonidas Chocolates

If you love Belgian chocolate, definitely stop by Leonidas. Their spacious shop on the ground level of the Crocker Galleria is the perfect place to indulge and grab a gift for your favorite chocoholic. 50 Post St

5. Ghirardelli Chocolate

A San Francisco staple and an absolute must, Ghirardelli has been getting it right since 1852. Our personal favorite is the hot fudge sundae but hey, nothing disappoints here. Multiple locations - 42 Stockton Street; Westfield San Francisco Centre - Concourse Level

We absolutely love Union Square during the holiday season! Besides endless shopping, it offers all kinds of festive activities that the whole family will love. Below are some highlights that we definitely won't miss! See you there... 

1. Nutcracker Under the Dome - November 21st - December 31st, Westfield Centre

Westfield’s iconic Dome will come to life each night with a brand-new, 3-D light show that will showcase performance footage of San Francisco Ballet dancers in an innovative new format. Inspired by the real-life ballet performance, Nutcracker Under the Dome provides a magical holiday experience for shoppers and visitors of all ages.

The free 6-minute light spectacular runs nightly every half hour from 5:00pm until the Centre’s closing on Level 4/Dome Level.