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Goodlife
HOT HOMO HOTELS
by Korina Jochim

HOTEL DIVA
San Francisco, CA

"The Diva" is the hotel that defined cutting-edge boutique hotels in the early '80s, and it's just as relevant two decades later. It belongs to a group of San Francisco boutique properties known as Personality Hotels, and the pervasive theme is taking a lovely historic building in Union Square and outfitting it in Art Deco decor. The results are charming: The Diva's masculine, industrial design, with luxurious cobalt textiles, complements the more antiquated aspects of the building. The Diva's most unique touch is its design lounges on every floor, each conceptualized by a different local artist and equipped with iMacs.

The rooms are comfortable and sleek, all stainless steel and modern prints, with all the amenities you need and nothing you don't (we love minimalism). With a 24-hour gym and business center, wireless Internet access throughout the hotel, and strong, hot coffee provided in the mornings, we felt pampered without the sense of anyone hovering about. The one drawback is that the walls are a little thin between rooms, so keep your, ahem, vocalizations in check.

The Diva doesn't have an on-property restaurant, but you can order in from the Colibri Mexican Bistro (438 Geary St.; www.colibrimexicanbistro) next door-or if you're feeling adventurous, plan a foray into North Beach 20 minutes away for modern Southern Italian food at Panta Rei (431 Columbus Ave.; 415/ 591-0900).

Homo Clincher: Witty touches like a condom in the safe, robes with a "Divaaaaaah" insignia, and a twist on the do not disturb sigh: "The Star Is In."

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