A note from Patrice Everett of San...

A note from Patrice Everett of San Marino: “ . . . the name of a romantic inn or small hotel in San Francisco?”

A couple of suggestions: the White Swan Inn and Petite Auberge. Expensive but popular. The White Swan, with its English theme, is an early San Francisco hotel that was totally renovated in 1985. Twenty-six rooms with polished woods, English wallpaper/prints. Fresh flowers, fruit, a wet bar/refrigerator in each room. A library styled after an English gentlemen’s club. A public lounge with a fireplace (tea, wine, sherry served each afternoon). Shoes polished by the staff. Complimentary newspapers. Within walking distance of Union Square.

The White Swan Inn, 845 Bush St., San Francisco 94108, (415) 775-1755. Rates (including breakfast): $145/$160 plus tax.

Petite Auberge, a sister hotel of the White Swan, provides the mood of a French country inn. Loads of antiques. Afternoon tea and hors d’oeuvres served in the lounge before its fireplace. Rooms with quilted bedspreads, handmade pillows, fresh flowers.

Address: 863 Bush St., San Francisco 94108, (415) 928-6000. Rates: $105/$155 (breakfast included).

Note: The same group recently opened a new property in Southern California with a Cape Cod theme. The Blue Lantern Inn, 34343 Street of the Blue Lantern, Dana Point 92629, (714) 661-1304. Twenty-nine rooms with individual fireplaces, Jacuzzis. Rates: $125/$225, including breakfast, afternoon tea.

New Mexico: Cheryl Kendall of Vista is planning a trip to Santa Fe, N.M. Asks for an “inn with real Southwestern flavor.”

I enjoyed Grant Corner Inn, 122 Grant Ave., Santa Fe 87501, (505) 983-6678. In downtown Santa Fe. Thirteen rooms, $55/$125, including a full breakfast.

Another: The Territorial Inn, 215 Washington Ave., Santa Fe 87501, (505) 989-7737. This remodeled, century-old home is one block north of the plaza. Ten rooms with fireplaces. Rates: $60/$130.

Good reports continue to come in about La Posada de Chimayo, P.O. Box 463, Chimayo, N.M. 87522, (505) 351-4605. This adobe guest home is 30 miles outside Santa Fe on the High Road to Taos. Rates: $75/$85.

New England Odyssey: A group of innkeepers has banded together to provide self-guided inn-to-inn tours of the Connecticut River Valley. Guests will travel by foot, bike, canoe. Cost: $35 per person per day, based on double occupancy. Innkeepers provide luggage transfers, maps, details for touring between the inns. Canoes rent for $25, bikes for $10. Vacationers will fish, swim, visit antique shops. Golf, hot-air ballooning also offered.

Your travel agent or Silver Maple Lodge & Cottages, RR1, Box 8, Fairlee, Vt. 05045, (800) 666-1946 or (802) 333-4326.

The Good Life: Vacationers joining the luxury liner Sea Goddess on Inside Passage cruises to Alaska this summer will be provided free transportation to the Pacific Northwest. A private railway car has been spiffed up like a pasha’s palace. Staterooms, an observation lounge, formal dining room. A butler to tote bags, shine shoes, deliver cocktails. The private rail car will be at the disposal of passengers returning from the cruise as well as those traveling from Southern California to meet the Sea Goddess. A 40-hour train trip. Great scenery. It’s all part of a package for anyone with $5,400 to spare for a 10-day fling. (The rest of us can dream.) Departures July through September.

Contact Uncommon Journeys at (800) 323-5893.

Reunited Germany: With the reunification of East/West Germany, the German National Tourist Office has produced free brochures and a map detailing each region of the “new” Germany. Information on vacation packages ranging from horseback riding through the Black Forest to wine tasting along the Rhine. Fly/drive vacations, hotel voucher programs. Camping, biking, castle touring. Oktoberfest activities. The map accompanying the brochure pinpoints cities, towns, villages with details on ferry routes, driving distances, rest stops, service stations. A handy package for Americans motoring in Germany this summer.

German National Tourist Office, 444 S. Flower St., Suite 2230, Los Angeles 90071, (213) 688-7332.

Student Guide: A free student catalogue provides information on rail passes, special air fares, car rentals. Tips on low-cost accommodations, where to buy travel gear. Other details on study, work, voluntary service programs in dozens of countries. The catalogue contains an application for a Student Identification Card that’s good for air fare discounts, accident/medical insurance, a 24-hour toll-free assistance hot line. Last year the card was used by students in 74 countries. Copies of the “1991 Student Travel Catalogue” can be obtained from the following offices of the Council on International Education Exchange:

Los Angeles, 1093 Broxton Ave., Suite 220 (90024), (213) 208-3551.

Sherman Oaks, 14515 Ventura Blvd., Suite 250 (91403), (818) 905-5777.

Long Beach, 1818 Palo Verde Ave., Suite E (90815), (213) 598-3338 or (714) 527-7950.

San Diego/Pacific Beach, 953 Garnett Ave., San Diego 92109, (619) 270-6401.

New Zealand on Wheels: A New Zealand tour operator is offering vacationers one free holiday night for every seven days’ rental of a motor home. Homes are equipped with bedding, cutlery, crockery. Large vans feature baths, microwave ovens. Some free campsites for stops up to 20 nights at selected campgrounds throughout New Zealand. Rates for the motor homes range from $50/$77 U.S. per day, including tax, unlimited mileage.

Contact Dennis McKinley, New Zealand Central Reservations, 6033 W. Century Blvd., Suite 1270, Los Angeles 90045, (800) 351-2317 (California) or (800) 351-2323 (nationwide).

Reader Recommendations

California--Elizabeth Faulkner, Studio City: “Fern Creek Lodge, Route 3, Box 7, June Lake 93529. Fishing, hiking. Prices: $35/$154 per night.”

Oregon--David and Becky Jex, Lehi, Utah: “Clinkerbrick House B&B;, 2311 N.E. Schuyler, Portland 97212, (503) 381-2533. Hosts Bob and Peggie Irvine offer three beautifully appointed rooms; a huge, wonderful breakfast, homemade cookies. All this for $45/$55 double occupancy.”

Hawaii--Barbara and Jim Dilar, Laguna Niguel: “Gloria’s Spouting Horn Bed & Breakfast, 4464 Lawai Beach Road, Poipu, Kauai 96756. Oceanfront on the sunny south shore. Rates: $55/$100.”

South Carolina--Dr. H.C. Holmberg, Santa Ana: “Antebellum home with five antique-filled guest rooms. River views, fireplaces. Rates per couple: $70/$80, includes full breakfast, chocolates, use of bicycles. Innkeeper Gene Roe. Address: 601 Bay St., Beaufort, S.C. 29902.”

France--Don and Flo Gluck, Manhattan Beach: “French country B&B; in the heart of the Chinon wine country, about 15 miles from several Loire Valley chateaux. It’s called Montour Manor, 37420 Beaumont en Veron. Rates: about $55 double.”

New Zealand--Jim Cloud, San Simeon: “On the North Island, the dairy farm B&B; of Tony and Jill Webber, Pirongia Road, R.D. 3, Otorohanga. Rates: $30 U.S. with breakfast. Great view, great people.”

Switzerland--Ronald A. Ovadia, Los Angeles: “A high-speed elevator inside the mountain transports you to the ultramodern Grand Hotel Schonegg, Zermatt. Unobstructed view of the Matterhorn. Prices: approximately $160 per person, double occupancy, service/taxes included.”

England--Bob Compton, Santa Monica: “Kantara Guest House B&B;, 7 Trelawney Terrace, West Looe, Cornwall PL13 2AG. A real bargain at $20. Owners specialize in vegetarian meals.”

Greece--Dora P. Crouch, Glendale: “Hotel Nefeli, Iperidou 16, The Plaka, Athens. Staffed by helpful family. Rates: $28 single/$37 double, and from the end of June until mid-October, $32.50/$47.”

We regret that only a select few recommendations can be used. They must be brief (typewritten or printed). Only one recommendation per reader, please. Note: Recommendations will not be used unless prices and addresses are included.