San Francisco Area Starwood Hotels (General Discussion 2008 Onward)
Apr 8, 2013, 11:56 am
#211
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: DE,UN,StarwoodGold
Posts: 522
Awesome, that makes my day, thanks! Not only should such hallowed institutions NEVER go out of business, they are the heart of what makes a city; but in addition, knowing it's still there also raises the appeal of the St. Francis just down the block, a couple of notches at least!
Apr 8, 2013, 2:17 pm
#212
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 19
We just burned some points and SNAs at the St. Regis for a long weekend and couldn't have been happier. Excellent recognition of SPG status and facility/staff/food was top notch. Easily one of the best stays we've had at an SPG property.
Apr 9, 2013, 9:25 pm
#213
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: DE,UN,StarwoodGold
Posts: 522
Okay, so we have the St.F covered for hot breakfast a block away, but what about the others; I'd assume both Palace and Market St. have enuff happening in their immediate radius to present good options, slightly more concerned about LM in its somewhat quieter/more isolated locale, especially on weekends when the whole hood is likely to be shuttered. Don't really mind the absence of a hot lounge breakfast -- altho it can be a lovely perk, as in some of the European properties -- but just want that fuel to launch a full day that may include lots of activities, and would greatly prefer a local option to a very over-priced hotel dining room. Help me out here, it factors into the choice of hotel believe me...
Apr 9, 2013, 10:15 pm
#214
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 69
Westin Market Street is my favorite for the balance of quality, location (2 minute walk to all SF buses via Market St. and the BART Montgomery stop), and price. I'm sure the St. Regis is fancier, but very few people can afford it on a regular basis. And if you're only in SF for a touristy visit, how much time do you plan to spend in your hotel room? I would recommend Westin Market Street. They have a very good breakfast lounge if you're a breakfast fan. However I only had it on weekdays as a platinum with free breakfast coupons. I don't know if it's available on weekends. I would call and ask if you're concerned about it. However, SF has so many restaurants that you're probably better off going somewhere if you want a big breakfast experience. Personally I would eat a light breakfast and just get my day going, then worry about lunch/dinner later.
Le Meridien lobby is still under renovation. I only stayed there once, and it is a bit more out of the way. Room was very nice.
Le Meridien lobby is still under renovation. I only stayed there once, and it is a bit more out of the way. Room was very nice.
Apr 10, 2013, 1:16 am
#215
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,685
so now the website won't let me book 5 consecutive days at the st. regis in june, even though there seems to be standard room availability for all days....have asked my ambassador to look into it....
Apr 10, 2013, 10:26 am
#216
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 19
I kind of like that the LM is a little bit out of the way from all the super touristy stuff around Union Square and Market St. Easy walk into North Beach for tons of restaurants/bars.
Apr 10, 2013, 8:24 pm
#217
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: DE,UN,StarwoodGold
Posts: 522
Westin Market Street is my favorite for the balance of quality, location (2 minute walk to all SF buses via Market St. and the BART Montgomery stop), and price. I would recommend Westin Market Street. They have a very good breakfast lounge if you're a breakfast fan. However I only had it on weekdays as a platinum with free breakfast coupons. I don't know if it's available on weekends. I would call and ask if you're concerned about it.
Apr 10, 2013, 8:38 pm
#218
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: AC SE, SPG Lifetime Plat, ACMM
Posts: 3,535
Anybody stayed at the Aloft SFO? I have a great rate there--$100.00/night on the days where all the hotels downtown are over 400 USD (yes a convention going on) methinks taking the shuttle or taxi up and down will be much more economical than the higher prices.
Apr 10, 2013, 8:51 pm
#219
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,654
Consider yourself corrected: http://searsfinefood.com/ 
Apr 10, 2013, 9:00 pm
#220
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Chicago
Programs: Starwood Platinum, AA Exec Plat, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, Kimpton Inner Circle, Hertz PC
Posts: 99
I stayed in the W recently and enjoyed my stay there. For your platinum breakfast amenity they give you $15 per person for use in their restaurant, which is excellent.
Apr 10, 2013, 11:58 pm
#221
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat
Posts: 1,472
Yes, I've stayed there. Its not bad at all and just went through a very significant refurbishment (I think it was the Clarion hotel prior). They have an airport shuttle, so you could take that to SFO and then take the BART to downtown to get to your convention. That will likely be a 45 minute commute each way.
Apr 11, 2013, 3:41 pm
#222
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: AC SE, SPG Lifetime Plat, ACMM
Posts: 3,535
Yes, I've stayed there. Its not bad at all and just went through a very significant refurbishment (I think it was the Clarion hotel prior). They have an airport shuttle, so you could take that to SFO and then take the BART to downtown to get to your convention. That will likely be a 45 minute commute each way.
Apr 11, 2013, 7:20 pm
#223
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,498
Yes, I've stayed there. Its not bad at all and just went through a very significant refurbishment (I think it was the Clarion hotel prior). They have an airport shuttle, so you could take that to SFO and then take the BART to downtown to get to your convention. That will likely be a 45 minute commute each way.
Apr 22, 2013, 7:12 am
#224
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: columbus,ohio, USA
Posts: 103
Which SPG Hotel has the best location for a family with some older teenagers ??
Not looking for amenities or upgrades...... just a location that has interesting stuff/restaurants/sports bars within easy walking distance.
Not looking for amenities or upgrades...... just a location that has interesting stuff/restaurants/sports bars within easy walking distance.
Apr 22, 2013, 12:21 pm
#225
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: On the road, 24/7/365
Posts: 3,467
For you, as a concerned parent, it's as safe as anything in the city.
If the Haight is of interest, I think the Westin St. Francis would be closest by a few blocks. It's a manageable walk (for a teenager), though you do walk through the projects.
If they're more "high tea" than "High Times", the Palace is great; they won't have to leave the property
If they want gaudy tourism, the Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf is your place.
If you're giving them your Platinum Amex, the St. Francis.
If you're sending them clubbing at/after midnight, the W works, as does the St. Regis.
If they want to hang out at the (former) Pacific Stock exchange and Federal Reserve, the Le Meridien.