The Kensington is a spiffed-up fairly old hotel with a cheery, eager-to-please (albeit sometimes short-handed) staff, tasteful accommodations, and extra efforts -- like afternoon tea and sherry -- that show the hotel cares about its guests. Large guest rooms on the 5th through 12th floors have handsome Queen Anne-style furnishings, and the bathrooms, though small, are sweetly appointed in brass and marble. As for the views, ask for an upper corner room, and you'll get postcard views of Nob Hill or Union Square. If you want the full treatment, book the Royal Suite, which contains a canopy bed, fireplace, Jacuzzi, and wet bar. The hotel adjoins a popular fantasy -- and fancy -- seafood restaurant called Farallon; hotel guests are given preferred seating.