I have stayed at both the Waterfront Marriott and the Madison Renaissance during a six month project out there last summer. As a platinum, the Renaissance treated me very well with an upgrade to a suite usually and of course you got to love the wake up call and coffee waiting for you. The hotel is convenient to the freeway and downtown but the rooms are nothing spectacular.

Even though the Waterfront Marriott did not provide me with the room upgrades as often (got Concierge access and floor, but no suites), I actually would recommend this hotel over the Renaissance. The location is fairly close to many restaurants on the Waterfront, convienent walk to Pikes Market, and a trolley stop is next to the hotel where you can hop on to get to the International District (Chinatown) or bus terminal for everywhere else.