Walking up the wide stone steps into the lobby of the Mark Hopkins Intercontinental in San Francisco, I had to pause — for a split second, I thought I’d time traveled to the heart of Europe. Evoking historic continental chic, this stunning hotel may have the corner on Spanish Renaissance meets French chateau, but it’s far more than just a pretty address. Offering unsurpassed guest services and a sumptuous and welcoming décor, the property stands out for charming details that include the small Prohibition Era tribute museum off the lobby. Built in 1926 by Central Pacific Railroad magnate Mark Hopkins on the apex of Nob Hill where views include the city and bay, the original wood mansion was destroyed in the fires following the 1906 earthquake. It was rebuilt by mining engineer Georg D. Smith and became a hot location for film stars and statesmen, with the Art Deco-esque Top of the Mark on the 19th floor an especially popular spot for a sky-high signature cocktail, the dancing lights of the Golden Gate Bridge sparkling in the distance — made even more enjoyable thanks to the perfectly mixed sugar-rimmed Sweet & Sour on the table beside me.

All of that fascinating history aside, the Mark Hopkins is grounded firmly in the present, with eco-friendly features that guarantee I’ll choose this hotel for future trips. Dinner at the Nob Hill Club carries on the property’s green efforts with farm-to-table dining, a California wine list and plenty of support of area producers. For tucking in of the culinary kind, choose from a collection of gorgeous suites that includes the Cyril Magnin. The room’s namesake once served as San Francisco’s Chief of Protocol and lived here in private residence for 20 years. The space is an Asian-inspired, 1,352-square-foot oasis with lacquered furniture, a Chinese folding screen and a scarlet and black color scheme. On the 18th floor, the elegant two-bedroom California Suite provides 2,240 square feet of contemporary elegance with a private dining room, a parlor, two-and-a-half bathrooms and gold accents in the design. The Mark Hopkins celebrates the 50th anniversary of San Francisco’s Summer of Love with a Summer of Love escape that includes club lounge access for two, parking, a box of chocolates and two tickets to the DeYoung Museum.