The 336-room Ritz-Carlton, located on Nob Hill, was recently acquired by Maryland-based Host Marriott Corporation for $161 million. The building, built in 1909, was originally the Metropolitan Life Insurance western headquarters. It was then redeveloped and re-opened in 1991 as the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Its character is similar to grand hotels in San Francisco but portrays a turn of the century appearance . The hotel has received both the AAA Five-Diamond and Mobil Five Star Awards. It features two restaurants, three lounges, approximately 14,400 square feet of meeting space, including a 9,500-square-foot ballroom, a full-service fitness center, an indoor pool and an outside courtyard for dining and special functions. By: Amy Elgamil (9/10/1998)