A Room with a View

[Shakey]

Anyone want to guess where this hotel room is?

A virtual beer to the first who gets it.

[defiance]

Lessee... Cars on right side, so definitely USA or Canadia...  Looks like there's water in the background... I'm thinking ocean, but there's something out past it...  An island?  Hm...  Cable cars... 
San Francisco?

[defiance]

Wait, no, canadian flag on the building on the right ...

Montreal?

[Brock Samson]

it's S>F> al right, the Fairmont Hotel...
best address in the city..
as a matter of fact,.. that's where my parents met...
been to the Tonga Room Yet Shakey?..




Was the Blonde Bombshell champagne concoction I'd just quaffed in the Fairmont San Franciso's tony lobby lounge a tad stronger than I realized? Walking into the hotel's subterranean Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar, I was sure I was seeing (and hearing) things.

I had expected the paper umbrellas in the Mai Tais. I assumed there might be some Polynesian-style carved heads and maybe a few plastic palms. But when the gentle tropical rain began falling around the turquoise lagoon, complete with flashes of lightening and claps of thunder, I had to ask my companion if he saw and heard it, too.


Affirmative. And he nodded towards the equally astonishing Don Ho-esque musical combo playing from a boat-like stage in the center of the lagoon. All around us octogenarians danced with each other's grandchildren. We were in the midst of a family celebration, Fairmont San Francisco style, as well as in the center of a surreal South Pacific Hollywood dream, straight from the 1940s. Or maybe they were just all stragglers from the earlier $7 happy hour buffet with dim sum.

Walking back to my room, my ears ringing with the refrain from "Tiny Bubbles," I peered at a collage of black and white photos hanging in the hall. Here lay the Tonga Room's history. The lagoon was originally a swimming pool called the Terrace Plunge, opened in 1929 and christened with a dive by actress Helen Hayes. In 1945, the room was remodeled to become the Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar. Along with the Polynesian décor and storm effects, it's got an exceptional dance floor, built from the remains of the SS Forester, a four-masted lumber schooner that sailed regularly between The City and the South Sea Islands in the early 1900s.

If you don't have any plans yet for December 31st, consider The Tonga Room. For $185 (plus tax and tip) it's offering a five-course prix-fixe dinner, with champagne at midnight, and party favors. Or, for a $50 cover charge, there's entertainment and dancing in the bar.

[defiance]

Wha, I was right the first time??

Oh, I see, there are a lot of flags on that building, aren't there...

heheh

[Brock Samson]

im just down Jones street from ya' @ 5th 'n mission, i'll take a shot of Johnny Black in lieu of the beer...

One reason for all the flags was the United nations was founded there.

[Brock Samson]

no!
your across the street!
the Mark Hopkins?..
ok I'm buyin.. 



give me a min. and I'll figgure out what room your in.. 

[Shakey]

Defiance - you were correct - San Francisco, CA

I am sure the cable car in the photo was the key factor but virtual beers are free!

Have two -     

Strat - you're correct also - that is the Fairmont across the street and then, you are right again - I am staying at the Mark Hopkins.

I just went for a "daycap" at the "Top of the Mark"           Actually three!   

Here are a couple of photos from the bar upstairs.

[Brock Samson]

I don't think I've been to THAT particular bar... the waitresses sure are cute though... 

Cheers!

[Silver R/T]

nice view

[Shakey]

Hey Strat - thanks for the drinks!   

Sorry you had to go back to the office.   

Back to the Top for a nightcap.   

And yes, that is my Daughter who just had to come and help with chores in her pajamas last Saturday AM.   

[defiance]

Cool!  I'm having fun with your 'virtual beers' - well, that and a couple of martini's I've mixed myself tonight

[Lowprofile]

no!
your across the street!
the Mark Hopkins?..
ok I'm buyin.. 



give me a min. and I'll figgure out what room your in.. 

A little off subject....... Was that hotel in "Bullitt"??

[Brock Samson]

yeah they did a lot of filming there and at the Catherdral across the street on the steps off the street...
the chase, by the way was filmed on easter morning...

[Charger_Fan]

Wow, look how old that pic is. I bet that was taken right around '38 or '39.
That front parking area looks like the one in the original "Vertigo" too.

[Brock Samson]

i did a google image search for Mark Hopkins and found a old postcard site...

http://www.alamedainfo.com/postcards_of_san_francisco_4.htm

Shakey is a GREAT GUY BTW! And truly Blessed!