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The Stonehill Tavern at St. Regis Monarch Beach Introduces $39 Value Menu

Where: 1 Monarch Beach Resort [map], Dana Point, CA, United States, 92629

Though much of the recent reportage about the St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point has been about the popular luxury resort’s financial troubles, we found at least one bright spot, economically speaking: the new $39, three-course prix fixe menu at Michael Mina’s Stonehill Tavern restaurant.

The budget menu is available Wednesday-Sunday (every night that the restaurant itself is open), and each night features a simple, hearty main course like Wednesday’s fish and chips, Thursday’s Kobe steak frites with roasted baby carrots, Friday’s cedar-plank salmon with potatoes and bacon vinaigrette, and Saturday’s roast prime rib with twice-baked potato.

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Tags: Hotel Renovations / San Francisco Hotels / Rockwell Group / Westin Hotels / Michael Mina / → All Tags

Westin St. Francis Has Its New Look Ready

Where: 335 Powell St [map], San Francisco, CA, United States, 94102

In San Francisco, the famous Westin St. Francis has finished its extreme makeover, and almost on time, too. When we last checked into things, they were promising a Spring 09 finish, and they've nearly got that right. And we're pretty impressed – spending $40 million in just two years is not easy to do.

It sounds like everything we were promised has been delivered: 37" flat screen TVs and handsome dark wood furniture in the rooms, a massive lobby renovation and the new Clock Bar opposite the restaurant. There is now WiFi throughout and as promised, a snazzy new security system, and they've also spent $2 million modernizing the elevators so you'd hope at that price there's no waiting around or stair-climbing ever required.

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Tags: Hotel Renovations / San Francisco Hotels / Rockwell Group / Westin Hotels / Michael Mina / → All Tags

The Westin St. Francis to Get Extreme Makeover

Where: 335 Powell Street [map], San Francisco, CA, United States, 94102

A couple weeks ago we wrote about the tired-looking Westin St Francis. We don't want to assume we are some kind of soothsaying project of visionaries, but let's just say we found it very interesting that the grand dame of San Francisco has just announced they are undergoing a $40 million renovation anticipated to be complete in Spring 2009.

Starting on the ground floor, the lobby renovation is headed up by none other than Jesus-for-hospitality-design, Rockwell Group. The lobby will take on a modern palette with blues and browns for the color scheme and guests will notice a cooler, more hip feel (picture hanging edison bulbs and sleek couches.)

However, the traditional aspects that made the hotel famous in the first place will still be honored such as glass and metal reproductions of the lobby's original globe chandeliers.

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