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Diva

Diva. With that kind of name, could one even dream up a better location in San Francisco than Geary Street, right next to Union Square, opposite the two main theaters in the town, the Curran and American Conservatory Theater? At the time when the building was restored for the current Hotel Diva, San Francisco did not yet have a very trendy hotel that stands out.

When I developed the design and hired a designer, I was looking for something different from a hotel design. I was inspired by the film Diva for the name and overall design of the place. - Yvonne Lembi-Detert.

We might be surprised that across the Atlantic Diva could make such an splash. But remember, the first film by Jean-Jacques Beneix based on a novel by Delacorta was considered to be a real social phenomenon when it came out. It was the first time that a totally unknown young film-maker managed to develop a contemporary universe that was so personal, an unlikely mixture of the austerity typical of the 80s, a sensual action film and a flamboyant ode to lyrical art.

Handprints pressed in the sidewalk by several celebrities set the eminently glamourous tone of the establishment. The impression that you are about to have an exceptional experience is further accentuated by the bright window of the Lobby which looks like an strangely frozen waterfall of emeralds. This feeling persists once you are inside the futuristic avant-garde space due to an astonishing metallic presence there. Stainless steel strips, that were cold-pressed at their ends as if shaped by a wave, are placed like horizontal borders at the bottom of the walls or hang vertically from the ceiling to the floor in two huge back rests enthroned majestically above the beds in each room.

Diaphanous light is diffused through two partially rolled upper corners into the clever refined design of the room with its strange small vases suspended over the bedside table, lamps with minimal lines, curved mirrors, diamond chairs by Harry Bertoia, office furniture with stainless steel drawers transformed into bedroom furniture.

The curved metal forms, cobalt blue carpet and onyx with only a little lighting give a somber coloring which obviously contributes to the imagery of a restful place (the Colibi restaurant has just opened and along with its Tequila bar offers a genuine Mexican cuisine of tapas and specialties) which could also become an ideal work space (with conference rooms and wi-fi Internet available). But above all, the quite sexy Hotel Diva transmits an incomparable sensuality.

In my opinion, hotels should upset habits, cause a break with normal routine. The guests sleep in new beds with lovely sheets, use all the hot water they want, call room service, get up late and even make love in the middle of the day!

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