InterContinental San Francisco Mark Hopkins Master Thread - after January 01, 2008
Jan 15, 2018, 7:29 pm
#181
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PL, SPG G, MR G, HH G, CC G, AMEX PL
Posts: 1,465
Stayed here recently on a BOGO ambassador weekend.reserved a club room and they upgraded us to a executive room next to the elevator. We went the room and it was way too loud with elevator whining so we asked for something else, executive rooms are nice and large but too noisy as they are all next to the elevator. The manager on duty offered us a special upgrade to a terrace suite since no other suites were available, great! Then he calls back 15 minutes later and says “ sorry the terrace suite is too much of an upgrade so you can’t have it unless you pay the difference!” Really? He then claimed he found us a great club room with a wonderful view and would send the keys up. We waited for 45 minutes and no keys so we gathered our luggage and went to the front desk that was now mobbed with people trying to check in. Someone gives us the keys to our new room and says “ oh, the bellman forgot to deliver your keys.” Ugh. We get to the new room and it was a basic small room with no view so i guess we got the special downgrade from the terrace suite! We called the front desk to speak to a manager and they promised one would call us right back, nope. terrible, tacky service. Finally a manager found us in the club, and she somehow found us a lovely room with a nice view, but it was way too much work to get an ambassador upgrade. The club is lovely here but not sure i want to stay here again.
Jan 16, 2018, 2:01 am
#182
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
May 26, 2018, 2:38 am
#183
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Window Seat
Programs: National Executive, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Visitor
Posts: 2,495
Check in was relatively efficient and the clerk was friendly. The 13th (they call it 14th) floor is the "Elite" Floor and I guess that is where us "Platinum" "Elite" members go. The room had a nice view and was very clean. The bed was comfortable and crisp. The towels were quite cheap/low grade (worse/thinner/smaller than the ones that have a Holiday Inn logo I've seen at some of those properties). The location on top of Nob Hill is great as long as you like to walk up and down the hills. I actually think this is a great location because it is very central, it is just you have to deal with the hills. Easy walk to Chinatown, Financial District, Union Square, etc. Nice walk to Fisherman's Wharf as well. Cable Car museum is also kind of close. The area surrounding the hotel was VERY safe and very clean (until you walked down toward Union Square which does not feel safe nor smell very good).
The room size is very average. The bathroom size is on the small side, but a shelf above the sink really helps. There is no empty refrigerator in the room but there is a mini bar and you can relocate items there to use it as a refrigerator.
Top of the Mark is a nice way (the only way) to end the night (because there sure isn't much going on outside this hotel late at night) but sure pushy about the "cover charge" which is supposed to be waived if you are staying there. I provided them documentation of this upon entry and upon exit the cover charge was still on the tab.
The walls are thin and I heard things above and beside during the 7 PM to Midnight period, but by the time I fell asleep I was so exhausted that nothing woke me up.
I would stay here again at the right rate. I think it is much more pleasant than the Union Square Hilton (that place is just in a dangerous neighborhood) and a couple independent hotels I've stayed in down in Union Square area. The other San Francisco IC is a much nicer property, though... I sure prefer the atmosphere of this property's location.
I think what it really comes down to is what location works for what person.
Overall I liked the hotel and really liked the neighborhood.
May 31, 2018, 10:19 am
#184
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,749
I stayed at this hotel and was quite satisfied. For my stay there was a cash rate of $190 or a points rate of 70,000 points per night (ouch).
Check in was relatively efficient and the clerk was friendly. The 13th (they call it 14th) floor is the "Elite" Floor and I guess that is where us "Platinum" "Elite" members go. The room had a nice view and was very clean. The bed was comfortable and crisp. The towels were quite cheap/low grade (worse/thinner/smaller than the ones that have a Holiday Inn logo I've seen at some of those properties). The location on top of Nob Hill is great as long as you like to walk up and down the hills. I actually think this is a great location because it is very central, it is just you have to deal with the hills. Easy walk to Chinatown, Financial District, Union Square, etc. Nice walk to Fisherman's Wharf as well. Cable Car museum is also kind of close. The area surrounding the hotel was VERY safe and very clean (until you walked down toward Union Square which does not feel safe nor smell very good).
The room size is very average. The bathroom size is on the small side, but a shelf above the sink really helps. There is no empty refrigerator in the room but there is a mini bar and you can relocate items there to use it as a refrigerator.
Top of the Mark is a nice way (the only way) to end the night (because there sure isn't much going on outside this hotel late at night) but sure pushy about the "cover charge" which is supposed to be waived if you are staying there. I provided them documentation of this upon entry and upon exit the cover charge was still on the tab.
The walls are thin and I heard things above and beside during the 7 PM to Midnight period, but by the time I fell asleep I was so exhausted that nothing woke me up.
I would stay here again at the right rate. I think it is much more pleasant than the Union Square Hilton (that place is just in a dangerous neighborhood) and a couple independent hotels I've stayed in down in Union Square area. The other San Francisco IC is a much nicer property, though... I sure prefer the atmosphere of this property's location.
I think what it really comes down to is what location works for what person.
Overall I liked the hotel and really liked the neighborhood.
Check in was relatively efficient and the clerk was friendly. The 13th (they call it 14th) floor is the "Elite" Floor and I guess that is where us "Platinum" "Elite" members go. The room had a nice view and was very clean. The bed was comfortable and crisp. The towels were quite cheap/low grade (worse/thinner/smaller than the ones that have a Holiday Inn logo I've seen at some of those properties). The location on top of Nob Hill is great as long as you like to walk up and down the hills. I actually think this is a great location because it is very central, it is just you have to deal with the hills. Easy walk to Chinatown, Financial District, Union Square, etc. Nice walk to Fisherman's Wharf as well. Cable Car museum is also kind of close. The area surrounding the hotel was VERY safe and very clean (until you walked down toward Union Square which does not feel safe nor smell very good).
The room size is very average. The bathroom size is on the small side, but a shelf above the sink really helps. There is no empty refrigerator in the room but there is a mini bar and you can relocate items there to use it as a refrigerator.
Top of the Mark is a nice way (the only way) to end the night (because there sure isn't much going on outside this hotel late at night) but sure pushy about the "cover charge" which is supposed to be waived if you are staying there. I provided them documentation of this upon entry and upon exit the cover charge was still on the tab.
The walls are thin and I heard things above and beside during the 7 PM to Midnight period, but by the time I fell asleep I was so exhausted that nothing woke me up.
I would stay here again at the right rate. I think it is much more pleasant than the Union Square Hilton (that place is just in a dangerous neighborhood) and a couple independent hotels I've stayed in down in Union Square area. The other San Francisco IC is a much nicer property, though... I sure prefer the atmosphere of this property's location.
I think what it really comes down to is what location works for what person.
Overall I liked the hotel and really liked the neighborhood.
Agreed on the neighborhood and other than what's in the Mark and the Big 4, not a neighborhood with a lot of places to go. I generally take the long walk to Gary Danko for one meal--the walk, especially the climb back to the Mark, helps offset some of the calories!
Jun 19, 2018, 7:00 am
#185
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Stay Report - 6/13 - 6/15
Location: The hotel is located on the corner of California and Mason Streets in the Nob Hill Neighborhood. While I felt on my visit that a lot of San Francisco is suffering from a massive homeless population, some of whom are very aggressive, it's not noticeable in this neighborhood. The California Avenue trolley had a stop right outside the hotel or you can walk about a mile to Montgomery Street or Embarcadeo BART stations. Just be advised any walks south or east involve a steep downhill and obviously steep uphill on the way back.
Hotel: Beautiful from the outside. A classic Depression era building that's inviting and has sweeping views of the city and the bay. There's a small lobby bar and of course on the 19th floor is the Top of the Mark restaurant and bar which features great views of the city.
(Top of the Mark)
Check In: Handled by a very friendly agent who confirmed my upgrade to a "deluxe" room and prepared keys for me. No issues getting a 4 PM late checkout my last day.
Room: Pretty disappointing. In a word it's old. While I don't mind the older style building and older style lobby, the room itself was depressing. No outlets near the bed, small closet, absurdly tiny bathroom without enough room to put one person's toiletries on the shelf let alone two etc. I was glad I wasn't spending too much time in the room. My welcome amenity was a fruit bowl, one bottle of Evian and a box with two truffles in it.
Other: The Top of the Mark is a great place for drinks. They have an incredible liquor selection and very friendly staff. Their bar bites menu is a little weak but not as expensive as you might think. I also had room service breakfast my second day which was done well.
I spent a lot on this hotel (something like $750 for two nights) and was disappointed by the room which cancelled out the service and the location. Not sure I'd be back.
Location: The hotel is located on the corner of California and Mason Streets in the Nob Hill Neighborhood. While I felt on my visit that a lot of San Francisco is suffering from a massive homeless population, some of whom are very aggressive, it's not noticeable in this neighborhood. The California Avenue trolley had a stop right outside the hotel or you can walk about a mile to Montgomery Street or Embarcadeo BART stations. Just be advised any walks south or east involve a steep downhill and obviously steep uphill on the way back.
Hotel: Beautiful from the outside. A classic Depression era building that's inviting and has sweeping views of the city and the bay. There's a small lobby bar and of course on the 19th floor is the Top of the Mark restaurant and bar which features great views of the city.
(Top of the Mark)
Check In: Handled by a very friendly agent who confirmed my upgrade to a "deluxe" room and prepared keys for me. No issues getting a 4 PM late checkout my last day.
Room: Pretty disappointing. In a word it's old. While I don't mind the older style building and older style lobby, the room itself was depressing. No outlets near the bed, small closet, absurdly tiny bathroom without enough room to put one person's toiletries on the shelf let alone two etc. I was glad I wasn't spending too much time in the room. My welcome amenity was a fruit bowl, one bottle of Evian and a box with two truffles in it.
Other: The Top of the Mark is a great place for drinks. They have an incredible liquor selection and very friendly staff. Their bar bites menu is a little weak but not as expensive as you might think. I also had room service breakfast my second day which was done well.
I spent a lot on this hotel (something like $750 for two nights) and was disappointed by the room which cancelled out the service and the location. Not sure I'd be back.
Sep 20, 2018, 1:44 am
#186
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London / Los Angeles
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, BA Silver
Posts: 1,631
Does this hotel give Ambassador members a choice of welcome amenity at check in. We were not given a choice(just an email the next day to say we had received 600 welcome amenity points).
We also did not receive an in room welcome gift which is another story..
We also did not receive an in room welcome gift which is another story..
Feb 25, 2019, 5:44 am
#188
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,770
Feb 25, 2019, 7:41 am
#189
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,749
While I agree, I don't think it comes out on the other side as an IHG property. A total refurb without changing the size of the rooms would cost many millions. A refurb with structural changes to increase the size of the rooms (thus reducing the number of rooms) would cost many millions more.
Someone will eventually do this as the Mark is an iconic property in a great city. With real estate values in SF going the way they are, however, it's possible someone buys the Mark to turn it into condos. If it remains a hotel with either of the refurb schemes listed, it'll have to charge much more than it does currently--I think so much so that the 70K redemption we see now that can be too dear in comparison with paying cash will in the future be seen as a bargain. I suspect that owners spending millions on this property would choose to take it outside IHG with either a possible Ritz-Carlton badge or a Waldorf-Astoria (especially since Hilton will allow them to charge pretty much what they want for a points redemption) or just make it an independent hotel again.
Someone will eventually do this as the Mark is an iconic property in a great city. With real estate values in SF going the way they are, however, it's possible someone buys the Mark to turn it into condos. If it remains a hotel with either of the refurb schemes listed, it'll have to charge much more than it does currently--I think so much so that the 70K redemption we see now that can be too dear in comparison with paying cash will in the future be seen as a bargain. I suspect that owners spending millions on this property would choose to take it outside IHG with either a possible Ritz-Carlton badge or a Waldorf-Astoria (especially since Hilton will allow them to charge pretty much what they want for a points redemption) or just make it an independent hotel again.
Feb 26, 2019, 1:17 am
#190
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,770
While I agree, I don't think it comes out on the other side as an IHG property. A total refurb without changing the size of the rooms would cost many millions. A refurb with structural changes to increase the size of the rooms (thus reducing the number of rooms) would cost many millions more.
Someone will eventually do this as the Mark is an iconic property in a great city. With real estate values in SF going the way they are, however, it's possible someone buys the Mark to turn it into condos. If it remains a hotel with either of the refurb schemes listed, it'll have to charge much more than it does currently--I think so much so that the 70K redemption we see now that can be too dear in comparison with paying cash will in the future be seen as a bargain. I suspect that owners spending millions on this property would choose to take it outside IHG with either a possible Ritz-Carlton badge or a Waldorf-Astoria (especially since Hilton will allow them to charge pretty much what they want for a points redemption) or just make it an independent hotel again.
Someone will eventually do this as the Mark is an iconic property in a great city. With real estate values in SF going the way they are, however, it's possible someone buys the Mark to turn it into condos. If it remains a hotel with either of the refurb schemes listed, it'll have to charge much more than it does currently--I think so much so that the 70K redemption we see now that can be too dear in comparison with paying cash will in the future be seen as a bargain. I suspect that owners spending millions on this property would choose to take it outside IHG with either a possible Ritz-Carlton badge or a Waldorf-Astoria (especially since Hilton will allow them to charge pretty much what they want for a points redemption) or just make it an independent hotel again.
I have only stayed once and would never choose to stay again (in fact the Hilton and Marriott options will probably be my first choice in SF moving on).
Mar 5, 2019, 1:39 am
#191
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Capetown
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG and Hilton Diamond, LH SEN, BA Gold
Posts: 10,167
Better to have another good property option to choose with another brand than a bad option with IHG. The other IC on Howard Street is far better, not withstanding some recent service issues I had with them.
I have only stayed once and would never choose to stay again (in fact the Hilton and Marriott options will probably be my first choice in SF moving on).
I have only stayed once and would never choose to stay again (in fact the Hilton and Marriott options will probably be my first choice in SF moving on).
Mar 5, 2019, 9:56 am
#192
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,770
Mar 17, 2019, 2:27 pm
#193
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Seat 2A
Programs: AA EXP LT GLD 1MM, BA GLD, NH/UA*G, Hyatt Dia, Marr Tit LT PLT, IHG Spire,HH Dia, MGM NOIR,Hertz PC
Posts: 10,571
Looking to use my BOGO voucher here and it seems decent value to book the Jr Suite (comes down to $220 a night after all is said and done).
Anything I should expect or not expect as a Plat Ambassador? Not sure if paying for lounge access or booking a Club Room would be worth it as I assume the breakfast is rather mediocre.
Anything I should expect or not expect as a Plat Ambassador? Not sure if paying for lounge access or booking a Club Room would be worth it as I assume the breakfast is rather mediocre.
Mar 19, 2019, 4:54 pm
#194
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Looking to use my BOGO voucher here and it seems decent value to book the Jr Suite (comes down to $220 a night after all is said and done).
Anything I should expect or not expect as a Plat Ambassador? Not sure if paying for lounge access or booking a Club Room would be worth it as I assume the breakfast is rather mediocre.
Anything I should expect or not expect as a Plat Ambassador? Not sure if paying for lounge access or booking a Club Room would be worth it as I assume the breakfast is rather mediocre.
Mar 20, 2019, 3:42 am
#195
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Capetown
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG and Hilton Diamond, LH SEN, BA Gold
Posts: 10,167
Royal Ambassador brought me a four category upgrade from a mid priced suite to a top level suite. I would never ever book a basic room at this property but always aim at spending an extra 100 or 150$ - Upgrades can be really generous but it is giving and taking (and not only taking)