Fodor's Expert Review InterContinental Mark Hopkins

The circular redbrick drive of this towering 1926 architectural landmark leads to an opulent, mirrored, marble-floor lobby that's the gateway to luxurious rooms aglow with gold, cream, and yellow tones. Rooms on the upper floors have views of either the Golden Gate Bridge or the downtown cityscape; bathrooms throughout are lined with multicolor Italian marble. The rooftop lounge, the Top of the Mark, serves a lovely array of classic cocktails in the evening, but the real star is the breathtaking, nearly 360-degree city view that can also be enjoyed during an elaborate Sunday brunch.

The hotel oozes with history. Stroll around and learn about the rich past of San Francisco's Big Four railroad barons, including Mark Hopkins (Central Pacific Railroad).