San Francisco Area Starwood Hotels (General Discussion 2008 Onward)
Feb 26, 2016, 7:44 am
#316
Join Date: Feb 2012
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FP San Rafael or SF Bay Bridge (Emeryville)
Early April I'll be in the area for work for 4 nights and will be hotel-hopping (mainly to take advantage of some excellent BRG rates at the Palace).
On one of the nights, rates everywhere are astronomical. The exceptions are FP San Rafael (FPSR) at $174 and FP SF Bay Bridge (FPSFBB) at $204. Which one should I pick? I have a 9:00AM meeting in Oakland, and while I am aware the FPSBB is more conveniently located, it looks as if it's located in a somewhat industrial area whereas the FPSR looks newer and has a nicer vicinity. I don't mind setting off 20 minutes earlier for my meeting if it means staying in a far nicer area/property.
Anyone stayed at both and can comment? Thanks.
On one of the nights, rates everywhere are astronomical. The exceptions are FP San Rafael (FPSR) at $174 and FP SF Bay Bridge (FPSFBB) at $204. Which one should I pick? I have a 9:00AM meeting in Oakland, and while I am aware the FPSBB is more conveniently located, it looks as if it's located in a somewhat industrial area whereas the FPSR looks newer and has a nicer vicinity. I don't mind setting off 20 minutes earlier for my meeting if it means staying in a far nicer area/property.
Anyone stayed at both and can comment? Thanks.
Feb 26, 2016, 8:03 am
#317
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,051
Early April I'll be in the area for work for 4 nights and will be hotel-hopping (mainly to take advantage of some excellent BRG rates at the Palace).
On one of the nights, rates everywhere are astronomical. The exceptions are FP San Rafael (FPSR) at $174 and FP SF Bay Bridge (FPSFBB) at $204. Which one should I pick? I have a 9:00AM meeting in Oakland, and while I am aware the FPSBB is more conveniently located, it looks as if it's located in a somewhat industrial area whereas the FPSR looks newer and has a nicer vicinity. I don't mind setting off 20 minutes earlier for my meeting if it means staying in a far nicer area/property.
Anyone stayed at both and can comment? Thanks.
On one of the nights, rates everywhere are astronomical. The exceptions are FP San Rafael (FPSR) at $174 and FP SF Bay Bridge (FPSFBB) at $204. Which one should I pick? I have a 9:00AM meeting in Oakland, and while I am aware the FPSBB is more conveniently located, it looks as if it's located in a somewhat industrial area whereas the FPSR looks newer and has a nicer vicinity. I don't mind setting off 20 minutes earlier for my meeting if it means staying in a far nicer area/property.
Anyone stayed at both and can comment? Thanks.
San Rafael is very far out of the way for your purposes and would probably require much more than an extra 20 minutes in AM rush hour traffic. I'd recommend looking at other non-SPG properties before considering staying there, no matter how strong your SPG loyalties.
Feb 26, 2016, 9:02 am
#318
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Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
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I haven't stayed there but the Bay Bridge property is not in such a bad location. There are industrial areas in the vicinity, but the immediate area around the hotel is mostly retail and is close to a BART station, which could be handy for getting to your meeting as traffic around Oakland in morning rush hour can be terrible (due to people trying to get to the Bay Bridge).
San Rafael is very far out of the way for your purposes and would probably require much more than an extra 20 minutes in AM rush hour traffic. I'd recommend looking at other non-SPG properties before considering staying there, no matter how strong your SPG loyalties.
San Rafael is very far out of the way for your purposes and would probably require much more than an extra 20 minutes in AM rush hour traffic. I'd recommend looking at other non-SPG properties before considering staying there, no matter how strong your SPG loyalties.
The I-80 corridor has some of the worst traffic in the state, and you'll be caught up in it from San Rafael. All that said, the SR property is in a very nice setting and has a country escape sort of feel.
Feb 26, 2016, 11:03 am
#319
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: GVA
Programs: BA Silver (OW Sapphire), A3 Gold (*G), Bonvoy LTTE, HHonors Diamond, LeClubAccor Silver, UA Silver
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Last edited by RafKa; Feb 26, 2016 at 11:04 am Reason: typo
Apr 9, 2016, 4:42 pm
#320
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 69
With the Westin Union Square and Park Central having moved from cat 5 to cat 6, leisure travelers are being priced out of SPG properties in SF. Sad. Even business travelers will probably be forced by many companies to stay at other brands due to their lower rates.
Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf remaining in category 5 is little solace, as the location is not convenient for anyone besides Wharf tourists.
Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf remaining in category 5 is little solace, as the location is not convenient for anyone besides Wharf tourists.
Apr 9, 2016, 9:28 pm
#321
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Nov 13, 2016, 9:02 pm
#322
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,820
I'll be in San Francisco for 2 nights arriving in the evening on the 1st night from SJC airport around the end of January. Any recommendations? Between the W San Francisco and The Palace Hotel, I'm leaning towards the later.
Last edited by lcpteck; Nov 13, 2016 at 9:07 pm
Nov 13, 2016, 9:07 pm
#323
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
The Emeryville property (Bay Bridge) is your only reasonable option. It is a short drive to Oakland, you don't even have to get on the freeway. A very short walk from the hotel there's Bay Street, an open air mall with a theater complex and several better casual dining options, and there's Powell St. Plaza which has a Trader Joe's and Starbucks.
The I-80 corridor has some of the worst traffic in the state, and you'll be caught up in it from San Rafael. All that said, the SR property is in a very nice setting and has a country escape sort of feel.
The I-80 corridor has some of the worst traffic in the state, and you'll be caught up in it from San Rafael. All that said, the SR property is in a very nice setting and has a country escape sort of feel.
Nov 13, 2016, 9:11 pm
#324
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
The breakfast at the Palace is amazing, one of my favorite SPG breakfasts worldwide. The (free platinum) breakfast at the W is OK, but more of a "order a cheap item off the menu".
Nov 13, 2016, 9:29 pm
#325
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,820
I prefer the Palace, especially as a platinum. The rooms are really nice after the recent renovations. The rooms at the W feel a bit worn and dated.
The breakfast at the Palace is amazing, one of my favorite SPG breakfasts worldwide. The (free platinum) breakfast at the W is OK, but more of a "order a cheap item off the menu".
The breakfast at the Palace is amazing, one of my favorite SPG breakfasts worldwide. The (free platinum) breakfast at the W is OK, but more of a "order a cheap item off the menu".
I notice there's also either a $7-9 upgrade to breakfast buffet as well if needed. If so, that means I can skip lunch and just spend on dinner.
Nov 13, 2016, 9:45 pm
#326
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
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IME, The Palace tends not to charge the upgrade fee if you're by yourself. If you like a hot breakfast, the $7-9 is well worth it.
Nov 14, 2016, 12:18 am
#327
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
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Mar 12, 2018, 11:01 am
#328
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
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Posts: 5,789
I have an upcoming mini trip to San Francisco and am trying to decide where to stay. Of the SPG options in town I've only tried the Palace and the W - which I both enjoyed. The dates I'm going in addition to the aforementioned the LM, Park Central and San Francisco Proper seem to be within budget (St Regis is not and Westin St Francis only through expensive BRG). I am looking at staying at two different properties. Ideally I'd like a property that has a decent bar (something along the W) or within close reach of more bars. Many thanks for your input ^
Mar 12, 2018, 11:04 am
#329
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,051
I have an upcoming mini trip to San Francisco and am trying to decide where to stay. Of the SPG options in town I've only tried the Palace and the W - which I both enjoyed. The dates I'm going in addition to the aforementioned the LM, Park Central and San Francisco Proper seem to be within budget (St Regis is not and Westin St Francis only through expensive BRG). I am looking at staying at two different properties. Ideally I'd like a property that has a decent bar (something along the W) or within close reach of more bars. Many thanks for your input ^
The W and the Palace are both clearly better than the PC IMO. So unless the PC is much cheaper (and watch out for its scammy "resort fee" in addition to the rate when doing the comparison, though I think some of the others might have started charging a similar thing by now), I'd stick with what you know. Both the W and Palace are reasonably solid and as you know offer very different styles so it's a matter of preference from that point.
Mar 12, 2018, 11:19 am
#330
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The dates I'm going in addition to the aforementioned the LM, Park Central and San Francisco Proper seem to be within budget (St Regis is not and Westin St Francis only through expensive BRG). I am looking at staying at two different properties. Ideally I'd like a property that has a decent bar (something along the W) or within close reach of more bars.