Palace bellmen greet guests as they arrive and depart from the hotel .
One of the best of the city ’ s historic hotels is the Palace . Aside from elegant accommodations , the hotel enjoys a convenient location at the corner of New Montgomery and Market . Shops , restaurants and museums now flourish in what was once a blighted area of the city . In addition , Market Street is a main thoroughfare for public transportation . Streetcars offer transportation along the Embarcadero to Fisherman ’ s Wharf , while buses to Golden Gate Park and most other areas of the city , stop for passengers just outside the hotel .
The initial Palace Hotel opened its doors in 1875 as the world ’ s largest hotel . Seven stories tall , it housed 750 guest rooms , many with a private bath . It was one of the first hotels to offer air conditioning along with modern conveniences that included five “ rising rooms ,” or elevators . This was in 1875 !
Unfortunately , the hotel , like most of the rest of the city , was a casualty of fires that erupted throughout San Francisco following the devastating 1906 earthquake . Over three years were required to rebuild the hotel , but the new Palace Hotel opened larger and even more beautiful in December 1909 .
The hotel ’ s signature feature is the stunning Garden Court where visitors gaze in wonder at the massive stained-glass ceiling . The huge expanse is flanked by four pairs of Italian marble columns , while ten huge Austrian crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling . These set back the owners $ 7 million in 1909 .
The initial Palace Hotel opened its doors in 1875 as the world ’ s largest hotel . Seven stories tall , it housed 750 guest rooms ...
MAY 2022 | TiftonScene 27