San Francisco’s Square Deal – The Handlery HotelRead Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com
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San Francisco is a city of unique landmarks:
Golden Gate Bridge , Alcatraz , Lombard Street, former mayor Willie Brown — list goes on. Take one look around and you know you could be nowhere else in world.
Think of San Francisco ’s hilly streets and you’ll think of cable cars. There’s no more picturesque way to travel in this city, and if your hotel happens to be right by one of three cable car lines, that’s a big plus. The Handlery Union Square Hotel (351 Geary Street) is a classy European-styled property in heart of downtown San Francisco. It’s surprisingly affordable, given its elegance and location. Another plus is hotel’s general manager, who seems a bit of a landmark himself.
Jon Handlery greeted me wearing a dark suit instead of a frilly tutu — but only because this wasn’t Halloween. Last October Jon dared to dress as a ballerina for occasion, according to delightful lady who checked me in and ordered champagne for my room. That says a lot about Handlery’s — in a good way, of course. In a world of huge hotel chains, family has operated independently for 75 years, with hotels here and in San Diego. Jon has served on San Francisco’s Convention and Visitors Bureau since 1997 and was elected its chairman in 2004. He is often visible around hotel and is clearly popular with staff. I wonder what executives of big chain hotels looked like at Halloween.
Union Square has been public parkland since mid 1800’s and got its name in 1861 in honor of young state’s decision not to secede from Union. Occupying a city block, square has long been surrounded by upscale shopping and restaurants. Many theaters and museums are nearby. The passing cable car will take you to Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghirardelli Square , another important landmark if you like really good chocolate and ice cream. The same car will bring you and your stomach ache back to within a block of hotel.
