Photo Credit: Russell Abraham Photography
Pineapple Hospitality, based in the Pacific Northwest and best known for thoughtful service and unique design, has opened its first San Francisco hotel – The Alise. The stunning boutique hotel located at 580 Geary Street is steps from Union Square, the Theater District, Nob Hill, the Wharf, Cable Cars and more. And while San Francisco visitors will likely choose The Alise for it’s great location, the hotel’s true allure is revealed in a number of both obvious and subtle details found within. Here’s why The Alise might become your favorite San Francisco boutique hotel:
Photo Credit: Russell Abraham Photography
The Art: The Alise boasts such an extensive collection of fine art and commissioned works that they participate in monthly First Thursday Art Walk activities. Center stage in the lobby is a life-size figurative sculpture from the Nocturnes series by artist Karen LaMonte. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, LaMonte is known for her monumental forms that explore clothing as a metaphor for identity. She’s has had solo exhibitions at the Czech Museum of Fine Art in Prague and at the Museum of Glass International Center for Contemporary Art in Tacoma, Washington. Recently, her work was exhibited at the Knoxville Museum of Art and the Oklahoma Museum of Art and was acquired by the Smithsonian Museum of American Art. Anchoring the hotel’s Pineapple Bistro & Bar in the lobby are two large-scale glass on panel works by artist David Willis who works with glass in cross-disciplinary manors. A graduate of UC Berkeley, Willis’ work is included in public, private, and museum collections nationally and internationally. Other works in the collection include End Game II by Victor Ostrovsky, Penguins by Robert Kuo, New Year’s Eve, Flower Petal Gown, and California by Erte, and Lustful Selection by Peter Anton, whose work will be featured at Tangent Contemporary Art on Geary Street in September.
Photo Credit: Russell Abraham Photography
Décor: Featuring completely modernized elements in a historic building, the 93 room Alise is distinctive and original. Elegant scroll work on the grand front door, stylish furnishings, expansive ceilings, a two-story window, and a flaming red grand piano welcome guests to the lobby. Landings feature historic San Francisco photographs. Rooms feature a cheerful color palette of vibrant yellow and dove gray with black lacquer accents. Marble bathrooms are small yet well appointed with fluffy towels and Tommy Bahama bath products.
Photo Credit: Russell Abraham Photography
The Naked Experience: It’s not as naughty as it sounds; The Alise pampers every guest with the Naked Experience—an integral part of a stay with Pineapple Hospitality hotels. Inspired by traditional European hotels, each luxurious Pineapple Bed comes with two individually folded duvets allowing each sleeper to snuggle into comfort. It might not sound like a big deal, but combined with the crisp San Francisco air from your open-able window (it’s a historic building after all) these cozy duvets really do make for a great sleep experience. “The Alise embodies the spirit and personality we envisioned for Pineapple’s first hotel in San Francisco,” said Michelle Barnet, Pineapple Hospitality’s founder and president. “The hotel has been operating in preview mode to wonderfully positive reviews. Now that the artwork is in and we’re putting finishing touches on the design, we look forward to formally introducing The Alise in October and to welcoming everyone.”
