You absolutely must…
Must do:
When James Stewart discovers he suffers from vertigo in the Hitchcock classic of the same name, he tells a friend that means he won't be going to the Top of the Mark for drinks. But you must! You will be dazzled firstly by the near 360 degree view, secondly by the martini list of 100 choices. Opened in 1939 on the eve of WWII, this legendary nightspot has entertained serviceman, royalty, statesmen and Hollywood during its 70 plus years. Cocktails, champagne brunches, dancing and live music are all on offer but you ca also just enjoy breakfast with a view.
Must explore:
3 cable car lines meet at the top of Nob Hill so take the cars to North Beach and The Wharfs. But just a short walk will take you into Chinatown for the very best Dim Sum or to Union Square for retail indulgence.
• On the very crest of Nob Hill with the city’s finest views across the city and bay.
• An historical landmark that has hosted royalty, statesmen, Hollywood and rock and roll (from Elvis to The Stones). A thousand stories to tell and its old heyday grandeur has been lovingly preserved.
• Top Of The Mark on the 19th floor is a legendary nightspot.
The Whole Story
The Intercontinental Mark Hopkins is an American institution. When James Stewart discovers he suffers from vertigo in the Hitchcock classic of the same name, he tells a friend that means he won't be going to the Top of the Mark for drinks. Watch any American film set in World War II and you are almost guaranteed to hear a reference to the Mark.
In 1939, when George D. Smith decided to convert the top-floor penthouse apartment of his Mark Hopkins Hotel into a cocktail lounge, he wasn't quite convinced that people would travel nineteen floors in an elevator just to have a drink and take in the view. To make sure, he installed a dancefloor and hired a band. Only a few days after the official opening he had to cover the dancefloor up again: they needed the space to accommodate the people who were lining up for hours outside. More than sixty years later, the view is still probably the best in San Francisco - and with the Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the infamous Alcatraz, there's plenty to look at.
The Intercontinental Mark Hopkins is synonymous with the city and the city's history. Mr Mark Hopkins was one of San Francisco's famous Big Four railway barons, and this address, Number One Nob Hill, was the location of his forty-room mansion. The original mansion was lost in the 1906 earthquake but the hotel that opened in 1926 kept his name.
Unlike many a grande dame of the hotel world, the Mark Hopkins was never allowed to fade. Over the years, the hotel has benefited from several comprehensive makeovers, the most recent in 2002. All the electronics and telecommunications are right up-to-date, and stylistically the hotel does a great job of balancing the grandeur of a bygone age in the public areas with a more modern, pared-down approach for guestrooms and suites. And one thing has not changed at all: Number One Nob Hill is still the most prestigious address in San Francisco.
The Rooms
380 rooms and suites, many of which have views due to hotel’s design that is compared to 2 wings stretching out from a central body.
The room are categorised by their floor and therefore the reach of the view. All have either a king-size bed or 2 double beds.
Standard rooms are on the lower floors.
Deluxe are on the mid to top floors and are slightly larger
View rooms are at the top and are those rooms with the very best vista of the Golden Gate Bridge or the Bay.