willywilkes

Trying to decide between a few hotels, Marriott and Hilton properties, apologies for cross-post in two forums. Going this weekend Sat - Mon to see the Harry Potter play at the Curran on Sunday. Arrive late afternoon Sat, depart early morn Mon.

Currently Marriott Plat - if I stay at a marriott property this weekend, I should make Gold this year, otherwise I will fall to Silver. I don't place a lot of value on gold given where it currently falls in Bonvoy schema.

Considerations:
-San Fran Marriott Marquis - total price $406
-Park Central - total price $368 (already includes resort fee and get an extra 1000 bonus points per night)
-(Hilton) Parc 55 - total price $305 (Hilton gold, comes with $10 daily food credit/per person)
-Hilton San Fran Union Square - total price $305 (Hilton gold, comes with $10 daily food credit/per person)

For my location, all seem to be essentially the same area and I don't think that is going to make a huge difference. We don't have plans for Sat night yet, Sunday morning we will BART to Berkeley to get breakfast at a favorite cafe of ours, then back into the city for the play all afternoon/night. We fly in and out of SFO and will BART between them. Will likely be leaving hotel around 6AM Monday morning.

Using my higher status at Marriott appeals to me before I lose it, but Park Central looks like breakfast in restaurant, so we likely won't take advantage of that. They appear to have a wine hour (assume its on weekends?) that I might utilize one or both days. The lounge at Marquis sounds appealing for grab + go/all day access. I also have 5 SNAs that I likely won't use otherwise this year, so could try to apply them in advance.

I have read the Hilton threads and see that they are pretty meh - not good or bad, gold benefit is pretty lame, but again we won't likely be using much of the benefits anyway. I guess I am looking for thoughts on choosing any of the 4 hotels, and if you would pay an extra $100 to have lounge access at the Marquis.

I should have posted sooner because my cancellation deadline is tonight... Thanks!

Kacee

They're all mediocre properties at best. I would narrow the choice to Marquis and Parc55 as marginally more convenient to BART and slightly less unpleasant locations.

andrewstahl

it may not be important to you but the breakfast at the Park Central is actually very good.

JayeJ

Would that be Bette's? ^

willywilkes

No, it is Sconehenge - big fan of the scones, really making the trip just for those.

knownothing

My favorites are the Marriott Fisherman's wharf and the St Regis, Bu you can't go wrong at the W. the fairmont, the Palace, Westin, Marriott Union Sq or JW Union sq -- I have stayed at all and like. I have heard good things abt the Adagio (autograph) and the Proper. I definitely would stay at a Bovoy to keep your status and they are all great hotels. I think the JW's lounge is open weekends

Antarius

Dont forget the LM. Great staff.

JayeJ

That sounds wonderful! Enjoy!

ntamayo

From the photos here, it looks like you could potentially arrange the corner sofas into a sleepable config, if in fact they don't fold out.

Jjfab

My favorite thing about the Marquis is that on my last two trips the lobby bar had Pliney the Elder on tap. A hard to find IPA (in other parts of the country) that is considered one of the best of the style.

ntamayo

The newly renovated suite that we stayed in has a small-ish sofa (~5.5 ft wide) that’s more like a chaise lounge, flanked by separate chairs. Don’t know if your teenager would mind sleeping on it with feet dangling over. Otherwise, you could test it out after checking in, then ask for a rollaway at that point.

BTW, the furniture in our suite matches the ones in the YouTube video, to give you a better idea:

DELee

No embedded pull out bed in sofa?

David

ntamayo

No pull out bed, plus the cushions are all attached.

i would say if you are less than 63”, you could technically lay on it.

nmpls

What's weird is I'm in a bog standard 1 king room at the Marriott marquis right now and the sofa (which looks different than the one in the video) has a bed in it.
The lounge was a goddamn zoo this morning and you had to sit in the second floor lobby as there was no seating.
Otoh, I was feeling a bit under the weather this evening and just went to the lounge for some snacks for dinner. You could totally make a real meal there if you wanted to, though I'm not sure why you would in SF (unless exhausted/full/ill) as eating is normally half the reason I come here.

TravelinSperry

Just an fyi... the SF Marriott Marquis asked to see my AAA card to validate my rate. I had the card and showed it. But it was the first time in my life that any Starwood or Marriott property ever asked for the card. So for those who are booking the rate without AAA membership... be careful.

As to the hotel, it is large and busy. The elevators are quick at least and the gym is AWESOME. The bed was comfy but the layout of the 1 br suite was awkward imo. However, I could see how some would love a 1b suite like that. It's basically 2 rooms separated by a long corridor. So if you want privacy (someone could be in the living room and another in the bedroom) this could be a good option for you. Since I was solo, I'd have preferred a large giant room (to feel more spacious).

Anyway... good CS but check-in was abysmal. Couldn't believe the lines. And getting an Uber out of there around rush hour was a nightmare (20 min wait). I'd stay again, but it's not without some issues.