Starwood Preferred Guest - SFO Comparison - Palace vs. Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf

Hi. I've been reading FlyerTalk for awhile, but I need some advice, so I thought I'd make a post here for the experts. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I'm currently holding two reservations for SFO for between Christmas and New Year's. Right now, I've got reservations at the Palace and the Sheraton Fishermen's Wharf. Now, I know the hotel's probably don't compare very well, but what have your experiences been at these properties?

These are my choices because I have a family member who works for Westin, and these are where she said she could get good rates for me. She just needs to know which one I want. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif So, what do you think?

My intuition tells me to try the Palace, but I've heard from some that the rooms are quite small. How's the location?

Also, this is probably a little bit out of topic, but can any of you advise me of what i should do and see in SFO? This is my first visit.

Thank you for your advice!

Choose the Palace : Fishermans Wharf is not too good at all.

Forget them both and choose the Westin St. Francis! There are tons of posts here about all of the SF Starwoods. Reserve a few hours of your time, a use 'search'.

The last post says stay at the Westin I would agree.Since I beleave you are staying on the employee family rate the Palace is the place to stay.

The rooms are a little small but this is a first class place.I had a very nice king room when I have stayed there,I'm sure over the holidays you could try for a upgrade when checking in.

There is tons of shopping within walking distance and if you need to go down to the wharf the cable car route is a few blocks away.

[This message has been edited by PETEFLYS (edited 12-08-2001).]

I checked with my sister and she said that she can't get the employee family rate for me at the St. Francis. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif Apparently, these are capacity controlled, and the St. Francis and the W are both sold out for the rate. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I would most certainly choose Palace. It's a beautiful property with terrific lobby. Location is great.

Btwn these two take the Palace. The Fisherman's Wharf is a dump (being kind).

But if you can go for the St Francis and ask for the OLD bldg (the new wing could be any hotel in the world) and then insure that you get a good room (some are very small)--ask on check in. If you are Gold (there is a thread on how to get that) or better then you will get a great room.

I have not stayed at the others (nor would I be likely to at Fisherman's wharf) but the Palace is lovely. We stayed there a few nights in a super corner suite. Looking in rooms that were being cleaned though they are quite small. Also, there is not much going on in that neighborhood on Sundays or probably holidays. As I recall even the hotels own restaurants are barely open on Sunday after the huge breakfast. We took a pretty long cab ride Sunday night to go eat. Also parking prices were like $35 a night at the Palace. I think they'd be less at Fisherman's wharf. But the hotel itself is very beautiful, and if you have a car theres lots to see and do within driving distance.

Thanks for the replies everyone. It looks like I'll ask my sister to book the Palace for me.

Has anyone stayed at an employee family rate before? Do you know if I can earn Starpoints in my account in these rates? What about using points to try to upgrade??

I asked my sister, but she wasn't sure about these, since I guess she can't earn points as an employee anyway. Perhaps the Starwood Lurker might be able to clarify.

If I can use points to upgrade, can any of you who have stayed at this hotel before recommend any particular room types or numbers that I should try to get?

Thank you again! This is a very helpful board!!

I have always recieved points for all my stays,regardless of the rate.

The employee rates and family rates are called Hot rates.You can check on these yourself,by calling Starwood reservations and ask for this rate.

Then if it is avaliable contact your sister and she will make the reservation at her property I beleave through personel and they give her a special form that you will need at check in.

Please do not try to check in without this form,if they ask for it at the desk and you do not have it you will see your rate go to "rack" as this has happened to me and I had to have my brother fed-ex it to me.
I have found starwood very nice when traveling on these special rates and based on occupancy like any other property your room category could vary.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PETEFLYS:

I have always recieved points for all my stays,regardless of the rate.

The employee rates and family rates are called Hot rates.You can check on these yourself,by calling Starwood reservations and ask for this rate.

Then if it is avaliable contact your sister and she will make the reservation at her property I beleave through personel and they give her a special form that you will need at check in.

Please do not try to check in without this form,if they ask for it at the desk and you do not have it you will see your rate go to "rack" as this has happened to me and I had to have my brother fed-ex it to me.
I have found starwood very nice when traveling on these special rates and based on occupancy like any other property your room category could vary.</font>

PETEFLYS and Euroguy, the Starwood employee HOT rates are not eligible for Starpoints. If you receive Starpoints paying this rate, it would be due to the mistaken generosity of the hotel.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

[This message has been edited by Starwood Lurker (edited 12-10-2001).]

I stayed at the Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf this fall, and it sucked!

I'm a gold elite member and they told me my room was on the club level, but it had no amenities as a club rooms does. After insisting with the desk staff, I came back to my room and all of a sudden it had robes, a refirg, water, etc.

Very unlike most Starwood properties, it was totally clueless people running the place.

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