San Francisco's Historic Galleria Park Hotel to Redefine Modern Luxury After $4 Million Restoration

In August 2013, the 177-room Galleria Park Hotel will complete an 18-month, $4 million renovation to celebrate its rich heritage and enhance its stylish appeal to today's discerning traveler.

The Galleria Park Hotel is built upon the site of the former Lick House, recognized as the country's finest hotel west of the Mississippi when it opened in 1862, and the Occidental Hotel, described as "Heaven on a Half Shell" in Mark Twain's novel, "Roughing It".

The Lick House and the Occidental Hotel reigned as San Francisco's Grande Dames until they were destroyed by the 1906 Earthquake and Fire. Their prime location gave birth to the Hotel Sutter, today's Galleria Park Hotel, in 1911. The Galleria Park Hotel is the most historic property within the Joie de Vivre collection.

"Throughout the decades, San Francisco's grand sense of hospitality has survived and thrived to make it one of the world's most popular destinations. We are honored to be part of this tradition and strive to be as relevant today as the Lick House and Occidental Hotel were more than 150 years ago," comments James Lim, regional managing director for Joie de Vivre Hotels.

The hotel exudes a timeless yet vibrant style, combining its original Art Deco and Art Nouveau design with contemporary elements and services for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Key aspects of the renovation project include:

• A chic redesign of the hotel's guest rooms and suites. Updates include stunning accent walls, designer furnishings, Frette linens, large HD televisions and the installation of marble bathrooms with mosaic glass walls and rain shower treatments. The guest rooms' high ceilings, expansive windows and jewel-toned color palette create an inspiring oasis for work or play.
• The introduction of Franck Leclerc's Gaspar Brasserie, where guests can savor French fare by celebrated chefs Brigitte Batson and PatRick Kelly in an inviting bi-level restaurant and bar showcasing an eclectic mix of vintage design pieces.
• The creation of the Legacy Room, which will replicate the Hotel Sutter's original speakeasy and feature historical memorabilia.
• New landscaping and décor on the hotel's outdoor Park Terrace - perfect for viewing the cityscape with a glass of wine.
• Internet hardware upgrade providing a 500 percent increase in bandwidth - the highest available in San Francisco hotels.
• Expansion of the hotel's impressive collection of fine art prints and photography, ranging from the 1930s to the present, to all public and private spaces within the hotel.
• State-of-the-art equipment in the Fitness Studio boasting floor-to-ceiling windows.

The Galleria Park Hotel offers a hosted wine hour daily, complimentary Wi-Fi access and a pets-stay-free policy, welcoming dogs of any size with a bowl of organic biscuits. Rates start at $229 plus tax.

A hidden gem favored by celebrities, statesmen and guests seeking style and comfort, the Galleria Park Hotel is centrally located in San Francisco at 191 Sutter Street - steps away from the Financial District, world-class shopping and cultural attractions. Click here for images of the Galleria Park Hotel. For more information, call 1-800-792-9639 or visit www.galleriapark.com.

The Galleria Park Hotel is owned by Interwest Capital and managed by Joie de Vivre Hotels. Founded in 1987, Joie de Vivre manages 30 boutique hotels offering authentically local and eclectic experiences in California and Honolulu, Chicago and Scottsdale, Arizona. Joie de Vivre is a Commune Hotels & Resorts brand.