Hotel Monaco050

Hotel Monaco offers families an elegant and whimsical heart-of-the-city getaway.

The 201-room four star boutique hotel is located right off of San Francisco's Union Square - within walking distance of restaurants, department stores, art galleries, comedy clubs, and theaters. Zeum, SFMOMA, Metreon and Yerba Buena Gardens are just blocks away.

Walking into Hotel Monaco lobby off the crowded street in like walking into an oasis. A French-inspired, fanciful oasis filled with sophisticated-yet-friendly hues of gold, red, blue, and black. Parents love the drawing rooms with lovely (yet comfortable) chairs and sofas, and huge fireplaces. Kids love the tall ceilings painted with fluffy clouds, old-fashioned airplanes, and hot air balloons. The front desk staff is cheerful, warm, and gracious.

The hotel offers a variety of room and suite possibilities - something for every family type. We stayed in a Junior Suite, which boasted a king bed, a desk, and a small sitting area with a pull-out queen sofa bed. The window seat looking out onto the bustling street below was great entertainment for the kids. But when they got bored of that, the large flat-screen television with on-command movies and Nintendo did the trick. Some rooms have DVD players; ask the front desk about this when reserving a room. The hotel also treats younger kids to a San Francisco coloring and activity books, some Mad Libs, and crayons.

The bathroom, while a tad on the small size, offers plush towels and L'Occitane hair and body products. Two animal print robes are available for parents to lounge in or take with them down to the wonderful Equilibrium Spa.

Guests at the hotel enjoy complimentary use of the sauna, steam Room and whirlpool. (Bring a bathing suit - it is coed!) But don't miss the chance to receive a hot stone massage, seaweed wrap, or restorative facial treatment. The spa also offers manicure and pedicure services. Ask about the availability of in-room treatments.

While restaurants abound in the area, there's no need to walk much further than the downstairs lobby, as Hotel Monaco is home to the Grand Cafe which serves breakfast, lunch, or dinner, featuring salads, ribs, sandwiches, salmon and - wood oven pizzas and Mac & Cheese that parents and kids alike delight in. Kids can also choose from the usual children's fare such as PB & J or grilled cheese. 24-hour room service is also available.

If the kids can't leave home without Spot, don't fret. Hotel Monaco is pet friendly. So much so that it offers a "Bone-A-Petit package of bottled water, a dog bowl, doggie towels, chew toys, gourmet cookies, and a clean-up bag. Guests can even order a copy of Lassie, Babe, or Dr. Doolittle to watch with the family! Ask the concierge for recommendations of local doggie day care facilities and pet-friendly parks.

Other amenities include a hosted wine hour; morning Starbucks coffee and tea; a fitness center that includes treadmills, cross trainers, and weight machines; two-line telephones; free wireless Internet service, television Internet access, fully-stocked honor bars; morning newspaper; and valet parking.