SAN FRANCISCO ? A city of endless sights and sounds, sightseeing in San Francisco is an exercise in strategic planning. There?s always more to discover?and never enough time. Fortunately, guests at The Argent have the benefit of being in the South of Market (SOMA) area. SOMA, San Francisco?s trendy new downtown, is a great location central to The City?s thriving business district, arts and culture, shopping, entertainment and children?s activities.
For business travelers, The Argent is conveniently located right across Market Street from the Financial District. Also steps away, the Moscone Convention Center is home to over 700 conventions and trade shows each year, drawing professionals from around the world.
There are also a variety of artistic and cultural activities surrounding The Argent. The hotel overlooks the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, less than a block away down Third Street.
From the museum, cross Third Street to the Yerba Buena Gardens and Center for the Arts. The center?s visual and performing arts provide a forum for the work of San Francisco?s artistic and ethnic communities. The adjacent 5.5-acre Esplanade Garden is an ideal resting spot.
Baseball fans can make a straight shot down Third Street to Pacific Bell Ballpark. Seating more than 40,000, the new home of The San Francisco Giants is located in SOMA?s China Basin.
The Argent is conveniently located for all your shopping needs. San Francisco?s grandest shopping avenue, Post Street, is just two blocks from The Argent?s front door. Post Street is where you?ll find Armani, Cartier, Coach, Gianni Versace, and San Francisco?s own, Gump?s.
Further up Post is one of the West Coast?s most elegant shopping destinations ? Union Square. Union Square boasts a mix of international designer boutiques, sumptuous gift stores, fine art galleries and major luxury retailers such as Macy?s Flagship store, Neiman Marcus, Sax Fifth Avenue and Tiffany & Co.
A block and a half down Market Street, San Francisco Shopping Centre is anchored by a 5-story Nordstrom department store. Riding America?s only spiral escalators through the nine-story mall, shopper?s can discover a unique mix of upscale and trendy retailers.
The Argent?s neighborhood also houses various entertainment venues. The Sony Metreon Entertainment Center is a four-minute walk from the hotel. This venue combines interactive family attractions, a Sony Style store, the Discovery Channel Destination store, restaurants, an upscale nightclub, and a movie theater, including San Francisco?s only SONY-IMAX? screen.
For entertainment of a more thespian nature, go to San Francisco?s nearby theater row. On any given night, there is an overwhelming selection of traditional and contemporary shows.
Traveling families will find endless activities on the Rooftop at Yerba Buena Gardens, located on top of the Moscone Convention Center. Highlights include Zeum, San Francisco's new art and technology center for kids, and the fully restored 1903 Charles Looff antique carousel. The Rooftop also features a regulation-sized ice skating rink, bowling alley and child care center.
Exciting future projects in SOMA include Jessie Square. Located behind the hotel, the square will be the meeting point for The Mexican Museum, The Jewish Museum, and St. Patrick?s Catholic Church. The stone-paved square, with outdoor cafรฉ seating and a major water sculpture, will open in 2002.
The Argent is at the hub of San Francisco?s public transportation system. Just take a short stroll to Powell and Market Streets to catch a ride ? and some great views ? on a cable car.
Enjoy a slightly longer walk down Market Street towards the Ferry building and take a ferry to picturesque Sausalito and other points around the Bay. Also at this intersection, ride the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) ? the fastest trans-bay transport to all East Bay attractions.
The guest services team at The Argent has information on all these attractions and more. Ask about special agreements and seasonal offers.
The Argent Hotel stands high above San Francisco?s new downtown ? the artistically cosmopolitan-chic South of Market Area (SOMA). With breathtaking floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views and custom furnishings, each of the Hotel?s 667 recently remodeled guestrooms and suites are designed with metropolitan elegance in mind. Equipped for business, and designed for pleasure, The Argent Hotel offers warm, attentive service delivered with true San Francisco flair. Cozy, contemporary, cool?discover The Argent and discover style. For more information visit our web site at www.argenthotel.com.
The Argent Hotel, managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts, is part of a collection of distinctive, independent upscale and luxury hotels and resorts in the U.S. offering exceptional recreational opportunities and conference facilities. You can visit Destination Hotels & Resorts online at www.destinationhotels.com. Travel professionals can access Destination Hotels & Resorts properties, including The Argent, on the global distribution system via the company?s chain code DN.