San Francisco Urban Retreat at Hotel Vitale

hotel, hotel vitale, san francisco
Hotel Vitale Suite. Photo © 2016 Nancy D. Brown

There’s nothing better than checking into a nice hotel overlooking the water. The fact that it’s a Joie de Vivre hotel located in San Francisco, makes this stay even more special. Hotel Vitale is an urban retreat next to San Francisco’s Embarcadero waterfront. Offering Bay Bridge views and a four-minute walk to the Ferry Building, Hotel Vitale is an excellent location for the business or leisure traveler.

hotel vitale, soaking tubs, spa vitale
Rooftop soaking tubs

I stayed here for business while attending the San Francisco Winter Fancy Food Show at the nearby Moscone Center. The hotel is a few blocks from the Embarcadero BART station, making it an ideal location for those arriving from San Francisco or Oakland International Airport.

I didn’t take advantage of the penthouse level spa with the rooftop soaking tubs, but I did make a reservation at Americano Restaurant & Bar. For appetizers, I suggest the deviled eggs with Dukkah spice and shaved onions and the artichoke & brussels sprouts fritti if they are on the menu. For dinner, try any of the wood-fired pizzas or the fresh seafood – on my visit I had grilled local Albacore with cilantro yogurt and curried raisins. My dining companion and I shared the milk chocolate almond budino with whipped cream and house made Madelines served alongside. Dreamy!

Americano Chocolate Budino. Photo © 2016 Nancy D. Brown
Americano Chocolate Budino. Photo © 2016 Nancy D. Brown

As a member of the Joy of Life Club I scored an upgrade and landed in the Panoramic Circular Suite. I’m not sayin’ that you’ll get an upgrade every time you stay in a Joie de Vivre hotel, but it only takes a couple of minutes to join the club and it’s free! Perks include fun experiences like a hotel or spa reward and free air miles starting with your very next stay. Complimentary tee and coffee are available in the hotel lobby. Another bonus with Joie de Vivre hotels is that they are all pet-friendly!

hotel vitale, suite, san francisco
Tub for two with water view. Photo © 2016 Nancy D. Brown

Built in 2004, the 200 room Hotel Vitale all feature limestone bathrooms, shower/tub combinations, large work desks and honor bar. My circular suite included a separate, deep soaking tub large enough for two people and offered a fantastic view of the Bay Bridge. I was there when they were gearing up for Super Bowl City and testing out the Bay Bridge light show – what a trip! The circular suite is a corner room with six large floor to ceiling windows. Once I stopped being occupied with the view, I had fun playing with the remote that controlled the electronic shades. There was also a DVD player. My only complaint about this room was the lack of available electrical outlets by the king bed.

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indoor patio, hotel vitale, san francisco
Covered patio photo © 2016 Nancy D. Brown

If this is a casual date, have drinks at the indoor patio (there’s live music with a DJ on Tuesday nights.) If this is a romantic hotel stay, check out the rooftop patios. Or enjoy the skyline with the night lights from the nearby Ferry Building Clock Tower. Room rates range from $250. to $2,500. The price on the circular suite ranges from $700. to $2,000. depending on the day and time of year.

Need to know:
The urban retreat fee ($30 as of this writing) includes access to the Bay Club, roof top patios, WiFi, pillow options and a nightly shoe shine. Concierge service is on site. The hotel is pet-friendly and pets stay free!
Check in: 3:00 p.m.
Check out: 12:00 p.m.

san francisco, ferry building clock tower, embarcadero
Ferry Building clock tower photo © 2016 Nancy D. Brown

If You Go:
Hotel Vitale (805) 968-1800
8 Mission Street
San Francisco, California 94105

Insider Tip: If you like to keep up with your exercise routine while you are traveling for business or on vacation, walk across the street to the Embarcadero, our eastern waterfront. Here you’ll have a long jogging trail and Bay Trail Bikeway stretching for miles. If you prefer a swanky gym for your workouts, your stay at Hotel Vitale includes complimentary access to the Bay Club. For additional insider tips follow luxury travel writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter @nancydbrown and follow @HotelVitale and @jdvhotels for local tips.

Hotel review, all photography except spa photo, and YouTube video by travel writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Hotel Vitale, however all opinions are my own.