Excellent advice from LarkSFO above. The restaurant is on my regular lunch rotation and the bar below Americano is a scene for the Financial District crowd after work.

I attended a champagne reception hosted by one of the partners at my old consulting firm at a suite there a while back. It is not in the realm of what we are used to - on this forum in terms of luxury.

Vitale is also not exactly close to Union Square. I would still go with a suite at the FS, if I were you. Send me a PM with your itinerary while in the city and I will respond with a recommendation for a centrally located hotel.

I have a possible solution for your pool situation.

One of the grand dames mentioned above includes the St Francis. They don't have a pool on site; but will let you access the pool at the Palace on Market St. The pool at the Palace has a huge glass skylight that lets you enjoy the sunshine (if present) without the chill.