Kensington Park Hotel, S.F.

If Sunset Boulevard’s Norma Desmond stepped out of the classic 1942 film and into the lobby of the Kensington Park Hotel in downtown San Francisco, she’d be right at home. The intricately detailed space makes quite a statement starting with the architectural details … soaring hand painted beamed ceilings and indented arched walls with faux columns and wrought iron sculptural sconces. A big crystal chandelier dangles over a baby grand piano in the far corner ready for Liberace to play an etude. And there’s that Coromandel screen that looks like it’d be right at home in Norma’s bedroom along with the giant sculpture of a sprinting horse ready to bolt out the front door.

The entire space is about as close as you can get to Norma’s gothic-baroque décor in her mansion on the famed winding street in Beverly Hills, save for the Surrealist/Dada touches at reception – a vintage French poster of Magritte’s bowler hats framed in black above a wall of key holders, and the word KEYS sculpted in oxidized copper alongside a giant antique key. It’s clear than many of the distinctive flourishes from the original 1925 Elks Hotel remain and that’s why Norma would be giddy. Add plump, cushy club chairs, faux French Bergeres fitted out in striped velvets and a pair of rose chintz loveseats with bullion fringe and a distinct Tony Duquette sensibility ( nailhead trim and brass pineapple adornments) and the place looks like it’s channeling old Hollywood. Then again, this is California, filmland’s backlot, and San Francisco loves to revel in its past (unlike homely stepsister Los Angeles). You’d be hard pressed to find this kind of authenticity in a hotel’s legacy there. And that’s partially the raison d’etre behind Personality Hotels, the quirky hotel group that understands the DNA of a landmark property’s like this.

Corridors are brightly lit with old world wall candelabras showing off the vermillion doors and moldings. In fact there is quite a lot of the color red in the public spaces, no doubt to mask the building’s age. It works! Rooms are compact yet nicely furnished with dark woods in the commode, bedside tables and chair, upholstered in a snazzy print. Eclectic accents like Lucite lamps with two-tone silver and white shades and glossy white framed mirrors and photographs set off a kind’ve country French décor that feels cozy especially when you draw the sumptuous ombred drapes and snuggle up under your faux fur bed throw. And you just may want to do that frequently after stomping up and down the city’s numerous hills. If you find yourself alone a nice big 36 inch flatscreen will keep you amused. Or cozy up with your computer as many seem to be doing these days; Hotel Kensington Park has complimentary Wi-Fi that’s as fast as your own at home.

But if it’s a Wednesday or Friday between 4 and 6 pm, make your way to the lobby post haste for a bewitching Happy Hour of sherry (yes, sherry) and live music – see, that piano does come in handy. I guarantee you won’t be alone much longer. Hotel Kensington Park attracts the kind of guests that are up for making new friends and making the most of their idyll in this alluring town. And that my friend is the mantra of Personality Hotels; providing a home away from home with surprises that make you want to stay longer.