Westin St. Francis, San Francisco [Master Thread]
Apr 12, 2015, 6:57 am
#211
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,998
Just got back from 4 nights @ this property and I highly doubt we'll ever go back to it.
The room (older part of the hotel, 10th floor) was in very poor condition. I understand a hotel is difficult to maintain but the LARGE pieces of paint peeling off the celling were pretty bad. The furniture was stained and dirty, the carpets are well past needing replacement and in general, the room was beat up. On top of all of that, the internet connection was pathetic. I ended up having to tether to my cell phone for a reliable signal.
When we ate in the Oak Room, the waitress managed to get 2 of 3 orders wrong. One of them was off the children’s menu which only had 4 items on it and what she brought wasn’t any of those 4.
I realize that only being a Gold member means we’re not at the highest level of priority to the staff but a bottle of water in the room would have been nice and I’ve yet to see a copy of my folio for the stay.
In contrast, the SFO Airport Westin (where we stayed prior to departing SFO) was spotless, very attentive and 100% on top of everything.
About the only good thing I can say about this hotel is that the staff were very friendly and the location is nice, but the next time we visit San Francisco, it'll be at a different property
The room (older part of the hotel, 10th floor) was in very poor condition. I understand a hotel is difficult to maintain but the LARGE pieces of paint peeling off the celling were pretty bad. The furniture was stained and dirty, the carpets are well past needing replacement and in general, the room was beat up. On top of all of that, the internet connection was pathetic. I ended up having to tether to my cell phone for a reliable signal.
When we ate in the Oak Room, the waitress managed to get 2 of 3 orders wrong. One of them was off the children’s menu which only had 4 items on it and what she brought wasn’t any of those 4.
I realize that only being a Gold member means we’re not at the highest level of priority to the staff but a bottle of water in the room would have been nice and I’ve yet to see a copy of my folio for the stay.
In contrast, the SFO Airport Westin (where we stayed prior to departing SFO) was spotless, very attentive and 100% on top of everything.
About the only good thing I can say about this hotel is that the staff were very friendly and the location is nice, but the next time we visit San Francisco, it'll be at a different property
May 2, 2015, 7:03 pm
#212
Join Date: Dec 2003
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I'm here now and I think it's one of the worst Westin/plat experiences I've ever had. I booked a "Grand Deluxe Tower King" room and give two thumbs up to the marketing department for the names of their rooms. There is nothing grand nor deluxe about this room.
As a 100+ night Ambassador Plat SPG member, I was assigned an interior corner room. The view from my bed when I wake up is...a wall! There are no newspapers delivered, no bottled water, no vending on the floors, and housekeeping just kind of tosses the sheets on the bed. Both nights I completely remade the bed.
Check in was not just unfriendly, it was nearly hostile. Thinking maybe I rubbed the guy wrong, I watched him from across the lobby interact with three guests this morning and he didn't smile once. He didn't mention status, offer any kind of amenity or confirm my 500 bonus points. I'll confirm them on the way out; I didn't want to ask him.
Although the Market Street Westin just left the brand, there are many other Starwoods within a five minute walk of this one and that's where I'll be going next month. This one obviously relies on conferences and tourists.
Sep 7, 2015, 3:53 am
#213
Join Date: Jun 2015
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Nov 2, 2015, 4:15 pm
#214
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Just stayed here over the weekend and had a decent stay. No upgrade to a suite but upgraded to a large room in the renovated tower/wing. As plat, got $15 off breakfast per person.
Nov 2, 2015, 6:35 pm
#215
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http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...-benefit.html#
Nov 3, 2015, 5:57 pm
#216
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: LA
Programs: AA CK, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum.
Posts: 18
I stayed here this last weekend as well. Agreed with the small likelihood of ever staying here again, though the lobby and location are nice.
They held a rave/Halloween party without notice to occupants that ran until the early hours of the morning and could be heard in the rooms. If you asked the front desk, they gave 6,000 points for the issue, which was nice.
They held a rave/Halloween party without notice to occupants that ran until the early hours of the morning and could be heard in the rooms. If you asked the front desk, they gave 6,000 points for the issue, which was nice.
Nov 3, 2015, 7:04 pm
#217
Join Date: Jan 2009
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I stayed here this last weekend as well. Agreed with the small likelihood of ever staying here again, though the lobby and location are nice.
They held a rave/Halloween party without notice to occupants that ran until the early hours of the morning and could be heard in the rooms. If you asked the front desk, they gave 6,000 points for the issue, which was nice.
They held a rave/Halloween party without notice to occupants that ran until the early hours of the morning and could be heard in the rooms. If you asked the front desk, they gave 6,000 points for the issue, which was nice.
Nov 3, 2015, 7:19 pm
#218
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Would people prefer this or the Park Central? I saw the room redemption size of the Westin property and got turned off. The Park Central looks like it is a Westin inside though. 
Nov 3, 2015, 7:40 pm
#219
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Remember this: The Park Central charges a "resort" fee, IIRC $27 per night.
Also, the locations have somewhat different characters.
Have you checked rates for the Palace etc.? I'd pick that (or some other Starwood in an acceptable San Francisco location for your plans) before I'd voluntarily go to either the Westin St. Francis or the Park Central.
Also, the locations have somewhat different characters.
Have you checked rates for the Palace etc.? I'd pick that (or some other Starwood in an acceptable San Francisco location for your plans) before I'd voluntarily go to either the Westin St. Francis or the Park Central.
Nov 3, 2015, 7:53 pm
#220
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Remember this: The Park Central charges a "resort" fee, IIRC $27 per night.
Also, the locations have somewhat different characters.
Have you checked rates for the Palace etc.? I'd pick that (or some other Starwood in an acceptable San Francisco location for your plans) before I'd voluntarily go to either the Westin St. Francis or the Park Central.
Also, the locations have somewhat different characters.
Have you checked rates for the Palace etc.? I'd pick that (or some other Starwood in an acceptable San Francisco location for your plans) before I'd voluntarily go to either the Westin St. Francis or the Park Central.
It's a vacation though, so the points are 8,000 points per night more for the Palace. Any other options in SFO?
PS Thanks for this. A few of us were going to SFO for a Do, now we've switched hotels accordingly.
Last edited by superangrypenguin; Nov 3, 2015 at 8:07 pm
Nov 3, 2015, 8:07 pm
#221
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There's a StR and maybe a W too in the same area south of Market, near the convention center and the art museum/galleries.
IIRC there's a Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf oriented toward tourists that is cheap (for SF) but gets mixed reviews.
Toward the financial district, there's a Hyatt (Regency, Embarcadero????, IIRC with the distinctive old atrium Hyatt architecture, in addition to the Hyatt on the opposite corner of Union Square from the Westin StF) and IIRC a Westin.
Have I missed any downtown hotels that are on the SPG list?
What are you planning to do during this vacation? Stuff right in the city, such as riding cable cars, or outside things like Muir Woods, Sausilito, etc. that require a car?
IIRC there's a Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf oriented toward tourists that is cheap (for SF) but gets mixed reviews.
Toward the financial district, there's a Hyatt (Regency, Embarcadero????, IIRC with the distinctive old atrium Hyatt architecture, in addition to the Hyatt on the opposite corner of Union Square from the Westin StF) and IIRC a Westin.
Have I missed any downtown hotels that are on the SPG list?
What are you planning to do during this vacation? Stuff right in the city, such as riding cable cars, or outside things like Muir Woods, Sausilito, etc. that require a car?
Nov 3, 2015, 8:41 pm
#222
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There's a StR and maybe a W too in the same area south of Market, near the convention center and the art museum/galleries.
IIRC there's a Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf oriented toward tourists that is cheap (for SF) but gets mixed reviews.
Toward the financial district, there's a Hyatt (Regency, Embarcadero????, IIRC with the distinctive old atrium Hyatt architecture, in addition to the Hyatt on the opposite corner of Union Square from the Westin StF) and IIRC a Westin.
Have I missed any downtown hotels that are on the SPG list?
What are you planning to do during this vacation? Stuff right in the city, such as riding cable cars, or outside things like Muir Woods, Sausilito, etc. that require a car?
IIRC there's a Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf oriented toward tourists that is cheap (for SF) but gets mixed reviews.
Toward the financial district, there's a Hyatt (Regency, Embarcadero????, IIRC with the distinctive old atrium Hyatt architecture, in addition to the Hyatt on the opposite corner of Union Square from the Westin StF) and IIRC a Westin.
Have I missed any downtown hotels that are on the SPG list?
What are you planning to do during this vacation? Stuff right in the city, such as riding cable cars, or outside things like Muir Woods, Sausilito, etc. that require a car?
I don't think i'll be in the hotel room much but that's what it's boiling down to (costs for the room).
Nov 3, 2015, 8:54 pm
#223
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If you're going slightly north of Market (which you are already doing with the Hyatt) there's a Le Meridien I like very much on Clay & Battery. The architecture of the building makes for some strange room shapes and wall angles, but I've had great success with upgrades there, the staff is nice, and the location is good.
Nov 4, 2015, 6:00 pm
#224
Join Date: May 2011
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I agree check out Le Meridien. I believe they have just finished all the room renovations. It is a few blocks off the beaten path, but well worth it if you get a balcony on a nice weather day, and/or a room with a view. The bar downstairs can also be busy and fun.
The Park Central is centrally located and always seems to have the best rate wise. Of courser there is the $25 resort fee, but I have had luck as a Plat getting it waived or have received drink vouchers, extra points, etc. when I have had to pay it. The rooms are basic, but decent views. This hotel does have service level issues, but nothing too major. They also seem to treat Plats fairly well, but you have to ask!
The Park Central is centrally located and always seems to have the best rate wise. Of courser there is the $25 resort fee, but I have had luck as a Plat getting it waived or have received drink vouchers, extra points, etc. when I have had to pay it. The rooms are basic, but decent views. This hotel does have service level issues, but nothing too major. They also seem to treat Plats fairly well, but you have to ask!