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Sweet Dreams
By Scott Hocker

Two of the most famous theaters in San Francisco - the Curran and the American Conservatory Theater - sit adjacent to each other in the theater district downtown. The first is the destination for many shows before they head to Broadway; the second is home to the city's leading regional theater company, A.C.T. With so much theater in one place, it makes sense that Hotel Diva would be located just across the street.

Since it opened in 1985, Hotel Diva has been the "it" place for hip travelers seeking a stylish home base while in San Francisco. The proof is on the sidewalk in front of the hotel. There, stars such as Angelica Houston, Stevie Wonder and Tony Curtis have put their handprints in concrete, commemorating their stay. A group of dogs from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals even got in on the action a few years ago when the Diva became pet-friendly.

The moment you enter the lobby, the Diva begins working its charms. Movies such as Blade Runner play on a flat screen in the corner. The dark colors and shimmering surfaces draw you in, and the welcoming staff puts you at ease. Over the last year, Hotel Diva has added some exciting new features that accentuate the hotel's already cutting-edge status. The home furnishings store Design Within Reach paired with local designer Lisa Sayed to redo room 222 - Suite Within Reach. Now, the entire room is decorated with contemporary furniture from the company, along with lighting from Pablo, a San Francisco designer based in Potrero Hill.

Young stars can now have their own dream room, too. The Little Diva suite opened last June and, understandably, was a hit with families on vacation. The suite has bunk beds with red bedding, a vertical set of cubbyholes, a drawer full of building blocks, a radio and karaoke machine, and a computer with Internet access. The adjoining parents' room, modeled after the rest of the hotel's rooms, is just as nice.

Architect Olle Lundberg's signature headboards, made form steel, open up at the top, revealing a nautical-style lamp. Mauve bedspreads are a strong contrast to the cobalt-blue carpet that runs not just through the rooms, but also through the halls. In a stroke of genius, the hotel has put together a welcome kit that includes not only a toothbrush but a set of plastic bags the perfect size for carrying liquids allowed under the current Transportation Security Administration flying guidelines - in case you forgot some and don't want to throw away your toiletries.

The Diva also has redone the lounges throughout the hotel, turning each of the five over to a different artist. In addition to having lighting fixtures in all the rooms, Pablo took over the second-floor lounge, making it a showroom for his company's innovative lighting designs. The sixth-floor lounge, designed by the skateboarding company DLX, comes complete with a vending machine that dispenses beanies, wallets and T-shirts, while the fifth floor lounge has a dress from local artist Colleen Quen hanging from the ceiling.

On the fourth floor is the business center. Two computers anchor the room, which also has a printer and fax machine. The room is available by reservation only, making it the ideal space for interviews or a couple of hours of private work.

When the work is done, the restaurant next door, Colibri Mexican Bistro, serves upscale Mexican food such as pan-seared duck breast in green mole, lamb shank in banana leaves and guacamole that's prepared tableside. Best of all, if you want to stay in, an order can be placed from your room for delivery. Now that's how it feels to be a star.

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