danielmadrid07

I am planning a weekend trip to San Francisco. It has been awhile since I have been there, but in the past I have stayed at the Ritz Carlton and the Grand Hyatt. I have enjoyed the Ritz very much, but I hear that the Grand Hyatt has gone downhill and is no longer even deemed a luxury property.

I see that most of the top properties all have similar rates (ranging from $390 to $415) and am quite overwhelmed by the amount of properties available: Four Seasons, Ritz, Mandarin, St Regis, Fairmont, etc.

Which is the best and why? I would be going by myself (30 year old male) and my main interests would be bar hopping, dining, and shopping. I also would love a hotel with a great indoor pool and spa facilities.

Thanks

nba1017

Daniel,

I really disliked both the Ritz and Mandarin on my last trip a few months back. FS management is below par for the brand; if you've stayed at the Miami property you'll get the idea. St. Regis would be my choice for you if money is not a consideration, ideally in a Metropolitan Suite. Secondarily, though frankly my preferred place, is the Huntington Hotel on Nob Hill. The hotel has a world-class spa and pool area in addition to a really great old San Francisco restaurant and bar. Request the suite on the SE corner on the 11th floor for a separate soaking tub and shower.

Hope this helps!

RichardInSF

The Grand Hyatt was never a luxury property but the rooms were all refurbished not too long ago and, in the price range, might be a good value if an upscale hotel is OK for you. Fairmont, IC, Stanford Court, and StFrancis are in the same category, not luxury.

Many folks here like the MO but I didn't, my room was substandard the one time I tried it. The RC has a great location but doubtless needs renovation by now. I would pick the FS if I was choosing for me.

Usairelite

Yeah the FS while nice, has some problems. For example, when I got into my room the door area between the living room and bedroom has a cantaloupe size orange stain. OCD me, started working on the stain and it came out. Obviously, housekeeping needs a revamp.

mstraveler

I live in SF so don't stay in the hotels, but have some comments. We toured the FS before it opened -- we are owners at FS Aviara and they had an opening reception we were invited to -- undoubtedly in the hopes that we would want to buy one of the pricey condos on the top floors. The rooms looked very much like the FS Miami, in which we have stayed. We found it to be a rather "utilitarian" FS. Not much soul and the FS in San Francisco felt a bit the same. Have been several times for meals and drinks on the lobby level which is nice enough. Location is fabulous. Hard to beat. Easy walking distance to everything downtown, Ferry Building etc.

The Huntington is a beautiful old hotel close to the Fairmont, the Mark Hopkins and the Grace Cathedral. Up on top of a hill. Gorgeous. Had a friend who used to stay there and the spa is indeed world class. The downside is that it is a longish walk (and a longish UPHILL) walk to the shops and museums, restaurants etc.

Hotelsforlife

I would definitely chose the St. Regis. The Ritz is terrible and although I hear the Mandarin was just renovated the location in not great. The St. Regis has by far the best rooms. I find the rooms at the FS to be very dull. Also, the pool is much better at the St. Regis. The FS is connected to the Sports Club LA so the pool/gym tends to be very crowded.

ABG

Another St Regis vote. Look for a 3rd night free promo from the usual upscale sources.

Goodmorning2U

For warm welcoming excellent service, good food, and the top notch Sports Club LA access, the FS gets my vote.

We have stayed several times at the St. Regis and like it, particularly the breakfast, but there is some noise issue with the fire station being around the corner. They also, of course, don't have the free group exercise classes of the Sports Club.

pantanal

st regis..cant go wrong

SP0

This may well not be to your taste, but just to put a different point of view:

We used to like the Mandarin Oriental - the view from some of their rooms is fabulous. We tried various others, including the W (which we walked out of after one night) and the FS (dull).

Eventually we twigged that San Francisco is far lovelier if you get right out of the business and tourist districts. So we found the Hotel Drisco up in Pacific Heights. This neighbourhood is where many of the zillionaires live ... tranquil, mostly tourist-free. The sort of area where you might see kids selling lemonade from a stall in their front garden, and people walking dogs. Wonderful restaurants not too far away too,

Hotel Drisco is below the "luxury" standards of most chain hotels covered in this forum - it's more like an independent mid-priced European hotel - but we found the service to be kind, personal and thoughtful; the rooms are comfortable; and there are little touches like wine or tea in the lounge in the afternoons. We loved it and have been back for both business and personal trips.

janehoya

My mother used to stay several times per year at the Drisco up until 2012 when she--or rather I, on her behalf--decided that it isn't worth upwards of $400 per night (tax included) for an entry-level room.

While it's true that service is indeed kind, personal and thoughtful, some of the rooms are tiny and all have old(er) radiator heating that makes enough noise when cycling off and on to wake one up.

Having said that, they do offer a car service to Union Square and the Financial District on weekday mornings (only during certain times), and I love the location as well, although be warned that if you want to walk to the close-by restaurants you'll need to walk up a very steep hill on the way back.

ABG

Indoor pool and spa was OP's comment.... why the quality of LA sports club keeps coming up in thread i'm not sure. Rather have a pool for hotel guests and condo owners than health club's pool that hotel guests can access.

Goodmorning2U

The gym of the Four Seasons, the Sports Club LA, is one of the best in the country. The group classes are excellent, free, and diverse. Their indoor pool was renovated not too long ago. The place is alive.

The St. Regis gym has good equipment but is small and always empty. The pool and spa, likewise, are always deserted. Based on the OP's request I think he'd far prefer the service and amenities of the Four Seasons (it usually costs a bit more but is worth it!)

crocodilian

One terrific hotel to consider, just outside of town, is the Inn at Cavallo Point (on the Marin side of the Golden Gate); it's a spectacular setting (but you do have to drive to get into town). It's in the middle of what was an old army base, and the rooms are the former officers' quarters. Unique and definitely different.

Agree on the St Regis for quality, but -- the high floor Mandarin rooms, with the big window bathrooms looking north northwest towards the golden gate are spectacular . . .

DirtyDan

+1... Had the pleasure of staying at The Huntington back in August. Lovely rooms and the restaurant was most enjoyable. Great location too!