This series of posts on family travel to California is generously sponsored by Omni Hotels.Stay tuned for more of Kath’s adventures in California courtesy of CityPASS. You could win four CityPASSes to one of ten exciting cities! Click here for details.
You know that feeling when you get a taste of something – but just a taste – and it lingers in your mind, leaving you wanting more? I’m not talking about good food or fine wine here (although both of those have inspired similar feelings – ha!). No, what I’m talking about here is a city. And that city is San Francisco.
To quote The Cars, you might think I’m crazy, and looking at my three cities in seven days California itinerary…you would be right. In retrospect, would I pack so much driving into one short week again? No, probably not. On the other hand, had I not been so ambitious, I might never have made the acquaintance of this beautiful city.
So yes, after two full days at Disneyland, we packed ourselves and our bags (my companion in the front passenger seat was a large, blue suitcase) into our tiny convertible and hit Interstate 5 for the six-hour drive to San Francisco. The drive was straight, fast and uncomplicated, but still very long. Thanks to the help of the GPS unit I wisely rented with the car, we drove straight to the front door of our hotel without incident.
Once at the Omni San Francisco, we were greeted by helpful, polite and liveried bellhops and valets, who whisked our car away to the garage and loaded all our bags on a trolley for us. I knew right then that we were at a different kind of hotel. A better kind. And the experience only got better as we checked in and were greeted by the friendly, helpful and knowledgeable concierge and front desk staff (they even gave the kids special Omni backpacks full of fun stuff for them to do). The Omni, I was beginning to see, was going to be a step above the ordinary. And when you’re traveling with children, the ordinary is what you become accustomed to.
The experience only got better when we arrived at our suite (yes, you read that right: suite). The incredible Kids Fantasy Suite consists of adjoining rooms – one beautifully appointed for the grownups in your party, and one decorated by Pottery Barn Kids, just for the little ones.
The girls checking out their sweet digs just after check in…
Needless to say, we slept very well. I awoke the next morning to the sound of my youngest daughter rattling off her alphabet…she was looking at her sheets and pillowcases, finding all the letters of the alphabet on her Dr. Seuss bedding. So cute!
We ate most of our meals at the Omni as well – they have a comprehensive and reasonably priced kids’ menu, as well as excellent choices for adults. We chose to eat in our room both nights, and were very impressed with the quality of food as well as the speed and courtesy of the room service. I would strongly recommend sampling the fare if staying at the Omni San Francisco – it rivaled meals I’ve had at fine restaurants worldwide.
All the amenities at the Omni were first-class. From the incredibly friendly and helpful staff to the little touches like fresh fruit, hot drinks and complimentary umbrellas in the lobby (so welcome on a cold, rainy San Francisco day!) to the beautifully appointed guest suites, everything was geared toward comfort and luxury. Simply put, this was a wonderful hotel. It’s situated right downtown, only a ten-minute walk to the San Francisco bay and all the attractions of thie piers, which makes it a perfect home base for your explorations of this incredible city.
Check back tomorrow to find out what we did in San Francisco courtesy of CityPASS!