NickyD

I've just booked a stay at the SF Hilton&Towers last night. However, since then I looked at one review site for this hotel, and of the 7 reviews it had, 4 of them were poor.

Does anybody have any experience with this hotel?

peteropny

It's been quite some time since I've stayed in this hotel. My comments would be that it's a pretty typical large convention hotel. Supposedly rooms in Tower 3 are slightly nicer. Location is pretty good, about 3 blocks from Union Square and is safe to walk towards the square but the area to the other side is to be avoided especially at night since it's a bit seedy. Hope you got a good rate, hotel room inventory is usually available on Priceline for about $70/night.

UpgradeMe

Use of search quickly reveals:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/003649.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/003304.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/003079.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/002791.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/002413.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/002059.html

[This message has been edited by UpgradeMe (edited 03-13-2002).]

The _Banking_Scot

Hi,

I stayed in Tower 3 on the 18th floor at the SF Hilton on 24th February 2002.

The hotel is nice with a very nice lobby, It can be a bit of a hike from the elevators to the lobby and to some of the hotel shops along corridors but not too bad.

The rooms I felt were a little smaller than the Hilton Garden Inn in Sam Mateo but well decorated, quiet and clean.Bathroom was good, bright and the water pressure was fine. I had a minbar in the room but did not have anything ( apart from two bottles of water which were free to HHonors members- you got a sticky note to put on the fridge)
There is a fitness room (5am to 9pm) and an outdoor pool ( on the 16th floor courtyard in Tower 3) but it is closed until 18th March but it did look failry large and deep at one end (8ft?)
A couple of the restaurants were closed in the evening but the bistro was fine.
The breakfast buffet is of good quality but a littel expensive at around $16.

Check in and check out were quick and efficient and the staff were friendly.

Have a good stay.

the.fluffy.bunny

In reference to the SF Hilton and Towers:

I stayed there last spring. I was certainly not impressed, but I also do not have a negative impression. I guess I am indifferent, and would willingly try another hotel in the hope of a more positive expereince.

The hotel is ok, but the check in process took forever, and considering I am Diamond I have certain expectations and waiting in line for 35 minutes is not one of them. Most of the "desk" staff had major attitude problems.

The hotel itself was clean, but unexceptional in terms of decor. The room was okay, but once again very plain-jane and certainly not worth the 300+ a night I paid for the room.

The executive lounge was nice enough and gave you a bit of a view of the city.

You really NEED to plan which way you decide to walk. I am am not that tall, but fairly muscular without being built, and I was surprised at the amoung of "victim" interest I attracted when walking in the less desirable area. I have attracted far less attention in rough areas of Detroit and Pittsburg.

One direction is fairly safe, (as safe as you can be in a city like that you know... muggers, and druggers, and queers oh my), but the other area (I think it is called the tenderloin)is very seedy, with many acts of violence being perpetuated in plain view of everyone.

I guess what I am saying is this hotel is ok as a convention center, but it does not have that homey feel I wish for a vacation or leisure travel.

TFB

NickyD

Thanks for the input. I feel more confident about the hotel now. I will be careful about avioding this "tenderloin" area. But, I've lived in both Washington, DC and downtown Cincinnati; so hopefully, I'll recognize a dangerous area if I see it.

Again, Thanks.

hscottm

I just stayed there last week. A few things to mention.

I got a decent rate for the room ($119/nt) but parking is $30/day. There goes the great rate! Dont get me wrong - this is the going rate in SF. But count on paying $30 more/nt if you have a car.

There were a bunch of freebies in my welcome folder - not sure whether they came only since I am Hilton Gold or just because the lounge is closed. Included were 2 free bottles of water from the minibar, continental breakfast coupons for each morning, and free appetizer coupons for the bar. Nice hotel with nice rooms. As mentioned, close to Union Square.

Only other thing to add is there is a Krispy Kreme outlet on the street level - although its a satellite operation (dont make the donuts there). Also, theyre $10/dozen. Welcome again to SFO.

uthornsgo

I'm a new Gold member and would like to if you would recommend this hotel. Thanks for your help.

Eugene

uthornsgo -- You may want to check the following threads:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/002059.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/000997.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/001265.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/001577.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/002791.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/003649.html

Personally, it would not be my first choice in San Francisco (I assume you are talking about the downtown Hilton). There are many excellent hotels there, in better locations, although none of them belong to the Hilton family.

uthornsgo

Dumb me! I didn't realize I could search for a post on the same topic. Thank you for your help.

NickyD

Is there one, or would it just be better to take a cab?

TravelLover

There's a lot of competition by bus companies for that market. Lately I've been taking the SFO Airporter, though all the usual suspects play there. There's often a Supershuttle coupon in the local advertising circulars so you might pick some up when you land.

NickyD

Thanks, will do.

I'll probably fall back to taking a cab though, this is a short trip, and I want my wife to fall in love with SF.

svpii

Don't take that shuttle bus - it must stop at six hotels before it gets to the Hilton - I was grinding my teeth by the time we got there - took a taxi back!

CLE-Flyer

SFO Airporter is $12 and a cab is about $35. svpii is right about the number of stops before getting to the Hilton, it can be kind of annoying.

[This message has been edited by CLE-Flyer (edited 04-15-2002).]