Joie de Vivre Hospitality Announces the Reopening of the Hotel Carlton, an Outpost of Vintage International Style

Rare Photographic Collection Inspires Bohemian Flair in an Affordable and Uniquely San Franciscan Hotel

San Francisco, CA (April 7, 2004) - JOIE DE VIVRE HOSPITALITY (www.jdvhospitality.com), well-known for its creative collection of lifestyle-oriented hotels and properties in the Bay Area, announced today the May 12, 2004 grand reopening of the now-renovated Hotel Carlton in San Francisco. The 163-room Hotel Carlton is an historic and stately building originally constructed in 1927, centrally located in an area of the city that is distinctly "San Franciscan" in its architecture and environment. The hotel is near the California Cable Car line, one mile to Fisherman's Wharf and other western areas such as Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, Union Street, and Fillmore Street, and is only nine blocks to City Hall, the Opera House and Davies Symphony Hall. The interior design has been crafted by the California-based team of Marni Leis and Oren Bronstein, the designers behind other distinctive Joie de Vivre properties, such as the Hotel Los Gatos and the Acqua Hotel. The reopening also includes the introduction of a hotel restaurant, Saha, serving Arabic-fusion cuisine for dinner, and a traditional American breakfast with Arabic influences.

The ambiance of the Hotel Carlton can be best described as "international vintage," featuring eclectic and exotic touches from around the world that celebrate the joy of travel. This theme was initially inspired by the special opportunity to exhibit a private and exclusive collection of travel photographs, courtesy of the archives of the San Francisco-based American Himalayan Foundation, and will be displayed throughout the lobby and guestrooms.

One of the first impressions a guest will have upon entering the hotel is that they have stepped into a grand private San Francisco estate-intimate, personal, and not at all stuffy. The lobby's residential yet global vintage style will inspire guests to linger in seating arrangements of both new and antique furniture upholstered in a variety of rich fabrics. One-of-a-kind treasures and cross-cultural pieces will be placed throughout, such as tribal figurines, Oriental rugs, and carved furnishings. Original details, like the intricate hand-carved moldings and the wrought-iron pinecone-topped banisters, hearken back to the hotel's past.

Each of the guestrooms offers a soft palette of soothing tones such as light breezy blue and cashmere cream, punctuated by touches of glowing colors like saffron, Oriental red and a cheerful persimmon (the colors were inspired by a vintage Indian sari the design team has in their collection). Another cherished component of this quintessential San Francisco hotel experience includes the striking views. The Hotel Carlton isn't flanked by adjoining buildings (a rarity in this district), so the majority of rooms look out upon an expansive and unobstructed view on all four sides of the building.

Guestrooms are appointed with charming international accents, including imported hand-painted Moroccan tables, Lucite-beaded table lamps that echo a classic '40's-style vanity light, and a comfortable '30s-style easy chair upholstered with three colorful fabrics. Additional residential features include ceiling fans, wood blinds on the windows, and a painted wood headboard adorned with a striking gold medallion (reminiscent of the hotel's logo). Marni Leis said of the guestroom design, "It feels like an overnight stay at your globetrotting Swedish grandmother's house."

The 66-seat restaurant, Saha, features ebony wood-plank floors, bright red lacquer seats and red leather upholstery that will contribute to a warm and inviting experience. In addition, the presence of an old-world Chinese "scholar's table" that seats eight family-style is sure to become the hub of the restaurant for shared meals and stories.

Prices at the Hotel Carlton have been structured to appeal to travelers who want an authentic San Francisco experience, without sacrificing style, comfort, and modern amenities. Opening rates range from $89 -$129. For groups, the hotel also provides The Summit Room, a conference facility that can accommodate up to 40 people.

About Joie de Vivre Hospitality

Based in San Francisco, Joie de Vivre Hospitality (www.jdvhotels.com) is a creative collection of lifestyle businesses. As California's most prolific hotel operator(2005 projected sales are $120 million), the Joie de Vivre portfolio encompasses 33 hospitality businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area, including 28 boutique hotels. These properties represent a total of over 2,800 rooms and include five distinctive restaurants and bars. The company also owns and operates San Francisco's largest day spa, the Kabuki Springs & Spa. Each property celebrates California through a unique visual style, uncompromising design principles, one-of-a-kind amenities and personalized service. "Our goal," notes Joie de Vivre founder and CEO Chip Conley, "is to create landmark destinations full of soul and personality."