Starwood Preferred Guest - San Fran SPG hotels

Staying SFO in for 5 nights in November, wondering on people's experience with SPG properties in the city area?

I'm quite new to booking hotels and don't have much idea of what is a good deal and what is not. When is the best time to make a booking - closer to the date of stay or earliest possible time?

Also, I am sure that paying a high room rate will usually get you a good room, but there must be plenty of ways to get such a room at a discounted price. I'm keen to make that my stays are eligible for SPG points. If a rate is heavily discounted is it still eligible?

My personal recommendation--location, staff, rooms, etc, for a general sightseeing trip would be the Westin St. Francis; preferably a tower room. For personal travel, I generally tend to book a refundable rate early (unless there's an incredible deal for non-refund) and read the T&C carefully; then check regularly for better deals. Discounted rates on SPG.com should earn, but otherwise, it's a crapshoot.

The spg hotels are all good (except for the one by Fisherman's wharf), and I'd suggest staying at 3 different ones for 1 or 2 nights each. Westin St. Francis for its towering view and the remnants of its history (not very well preserved by Starwood but still interesting -- this was a grand dame hotel that employed a person to wash all the coins used in the hotel!). The Palace (built for the gold rush money as the most lavish and expensive hotel in the world at the time -- more lavish than anything in Paris or London or New York). The suites are outstanding, if you want to splurge this is the hotel to do it in (or use points). Finally the W, brand new construction making a nice contrast to these historic buildings. All 3 have a great location, but with different restaurant and bar options. W has the "hottest" bar in SF, a city full of great bars (well, its cooled down a bit, but you get the idea). Palace has 2 outstanding restaurants that are far better than you would normally find in a hotel. Maxwell's grill serves classic california food (but well done, and cheap) while the formal Japanese restaurant is maybe the best Japanese food in the US (and very expensive). The Palace also has the best indoor pool of any hotel in the US, to help you unwind and burn off those calories that are inevitable in a foodie town.

Next to Starwood's New York hotels, there is probably no more discussed topic than the company's San Francisco hotels. A possible reason is sheer number. Starwood has lots of properties in both cities.

Please conduct a Search first. When you are finished scanning the comments, pose your query in the most applicable thread.

Well, there are basically 5(?) properties in the city itself: Sheraton Fisherman's wharf, Westin St Francis, Palace, W, and the soon to be open St Regis San Francisco.

I would cross Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf off the list immediately. You don't want to stay in that area (not the best). It's way too touristsy and not that close to anything really.

Westin-St. Francis is a "classic" hotel that had been converted into a Westin in the last decade. If you like the classic hotel feel then this or the Palace is the place for you to stay. A good rate is somewhere between 150-200 a night (regular room) depending on the time of year. The location is good from a tourist point of view but definitely not for locals. It is in the middle of the shopping district, Union Square. There are A LOT of people in that area at all times. If you will be taking BART, you will have to drag your luggages a couple of blocks through the very crowded Powell st. It's doable, but I wouldn't do it.

W hotel is my choice. It is in a more quiet area of town on 3rd st (next to the infamous SF MOMA and Sony Metreon and the new St Regis SF? It's weird because St Regis is on the left of MOMA while W is on the right). There are a lot less people in that area so you will have no problem dragging your luggages from BART montgomery station to W hotel. One side of the W hotel offers fantastic city+bay bridge view that is out of this world. I agree with the other OP that the W living room is very hip and happenning and a lot of locals go there for drinks. That is not to say the W bar is THE bar is SF. A good rate there is between 179-249 a night (wonderful room)

There are a lot of great clubs south of W hotel towards Harrison. For instance, the Slim's (a very small club) often has famous celebrities performing. I saw Michelle Branch there - 5 feet away from her and ticket was $13. Celebrities love coming to SF for small intimate performances. Other venues to check are Great American Music Hall and Fillmore.

You might also want to catch a couple of Broadway shows at the Orpheum Theater (BART civic center station). I think Wicked is playing right now.

If you can afford it, I would suggest checking out the St Regis SF. I heard it is going to be great - you should expect a rate for about $349

If you want more info about the city PM me.

My personal recommendation--location, staff, rooms, etc, for a general sightseeing trip would be the Westin St. Francis; preferably a tower room. For personal travel, I generally tend to book a refundable rate early (unless there's an incredible deal for non-refund) and read the T&C carefully; then check regularly for better deals. Discounted rates on SPG.com should earn, but otherwise, it's a crapshoot.

I did not get to see the tower rooms on my visit (seems some VVIP w/tons of Security was visiting -- they would not let anyone go up unless they showed their key). But I thoroughly enjoyed the classical feel of a junior suite in the historical bldg, overlooking Union Square. The traditional rms in the Hist (or Main) bldg would likely not suit me due to their smaller size and the "standard" rms are as small as 145 sq feet w/one (1) double bed! This is vital to know when shopping discounts. Avoid those rms at all costs, even as a Plat. I would never want to be 'stranded' in that type of rm hoping for an upgrade in a full house.

Booking refundables early and re-checking rates is great advice. The St Francis usually offers a holiday shopping rate starting around Thanksgiving.


I would leave Fisherman's Wharf to the tourists. The Sheraton there is a four story bldg with other bldgs around = no view. I can't tell one room type from another at that property, so if you're ever stuck there as a Platinum, take the lowest rate since you get Club access anyway.

Thanks to all for the great info so far. I'll hopefully put it to good use in my travels and will let you know how I go.

Greetings all,

I just did a string of one nighters at a number of the San Francisco Hotels this past week from both Starwood and Hyatt
Returned at 5:00 AM this morning after grueling delays with mechanical delays coming and going with 6 hours worth of delays.....(sigh)
We would board then be told to get off as the second plane was not worthy to fly on either :rolleyes: :(

I will do a updated Sheraton trip report on one of the other threads

I seem to have left it too late to book my hotel/s as there is nothing available for my dates (Nov 9-14) apart from the undesirable Fisherman's Wharf. Unfortunately my flights have only just been confirmed.

I'm using the SPG site to make reservations and would assume this is the best way but if anyone has suggestions on what to do in my limited time (and hope to find a rate below $250) I'd be most appreciative.

I seem to have left it too late to book my hotel/s as there is nothing available for my dates (Nov 9-14) apart from the undesirable Fisherman's Wharf. Unfortunately my flights have only just been confirmed.

I'm using the SPG site to make reservations and would assume this is the best way but if anyone has suggestions on what to do in my limited time (and hope to find a rate below $250) I'd be most appreciative.
CdaWorld, this is going to be a little tricky for you, but I have a way to get you there.

First, I want to say that I would not hesitate to stay at the Fisherman’s Wharf Sheraton. I know everyone says it is in a touristy place, but you ARE a tourist. The Wharf is a must to see. The F line cable cars will get you anywhere you want in less than 15 minutes. The stop is near the Sheraton.

Here is how you can stay at the W (or the Palace, but please take the W) for $239 - $259. Since you are not in the states the AAA rate does not appear. So, you will call the USA SPG Gold number at 888-625-4990 and book the AAA rate of $239 per night - for in the 9th and out the 11th. Then book again at the same hotel for in the 11th and out the 14th at $259/ni. Tell the agent you are doing this because you want to save the $20 per night – I do this all the time. You will have to pay when you book as these are "advance purchase rates" so have you credit card ready. If they even ask about your AAA card tell them your spouse has it - never once asked for it in 100 stays. If you run into trouble PM me and I will see what I can do to help you get that rate.