Kacee

Bonvoy T&C as quoted by ElevatorEnthusiast.

pentiumvi

Considering doing a quick overnight at the Courtyard SFO (San Bruno). I have no expectations, as it's just a basic airport Courtyard. But I would like to know if anyone that's stayed here can comment on the shuttle availability?

I've stayed at some airport hotels before where the wait for shuttle pickup from airport was so long that I ended up having to taxi/Uber.

Adelphos

Can we rank the bars at the various SF Marriotts for ambiance, hours available, etc?

Thinking specifically of:
Westin St Francis
Palace
Le Meridien
Marriott Union Square
W
Clancy
JW Marriott
Of these, I've only stayed at Le Meridien and don't remember much about the bar

I am in SF for a convention in November, staying at the Marquis. I am thinking about booking two nights the weekend before at a Marriott property. Boutique hotels with good scenes (1 Hotel, etc) are at $600 a night, Marriott hotels are at $200 a night, I can't justify paying for the better ambiance properties (also want to burn a 50K cert).

I am thinking Westin St Francis as I will now be able to take advantage of the breakfast Buffett (Thanks Bonvoy Brilliant) and the bar seems well reviewed. I could also just walk over to Hotel Zelos one day and go to 1 Hotel the other day and not rely on the hotel bar...

WillBarrett_68

Can't speak to hours, especially in this post-covid hellscape of unpredictable staffing, but I've stayed at all of these except the clancy (I had stayed there when it was a courtyard, which is worth nothing in this discussion). All of them have competent bars, The Palace is probably the best all around, the St. Francis is a bit better than you would expect considering the rest of the propertly, and the rest are all basically what you would expect from those particular brands. The SF JW in particular is probably the biggest disappointment when compared to other properties with the same flag in other major US cities in general but I didn't get any particular bad vibes from the bar.

ElevatorEnthusiast

About a month ago, it looked like the bar was pretty hopping at the St Francis on a Saturday night - I'll be there again this weekend, though, I probably won't hit the bar.

boolean64

I'd agree with all of this. I personally would skip the W bar if you are looking more for delicious libations than a scene (and even the scene at the SF W is lacking vs other Ws). If you're looking at 1 hotel i'm guessing you're looking for both scene and quality drinks (although i've heard that the scene there has not yet returned to the greatness of the hotel vitale happy hour). If you are optimizing for hotel bar, the best is the SF Proper. Both the lobby bar and rooftop bar are light years above the other bonvoy choices. However, the hotel itself has small rooms and the location feels unsafe (I put that in italics as there are many many sub discussions about whether the location feels unsafe or is unsafe...either way perception is reality for many).

Otherwise, against your previous list, some good "ambiance" but not a lot of "sceney" vibes. Palace definitely the most on point hotel bar. St Francis bar punches above the hotels overall weight. I'd add the bar at the St Regis in the consideration set although not that sceney unless your scene is aging former mayors holding court. But the SF St Regis overall is a great property. sleek and modern...more like a park hyatt than the stuffy traditional St Regis "king cole bar" style.

I don't know how sceney it is but i'll throw the Cavalier at the hotel zetta into the mix for good downtown hotel bars. Easily accessible from the St Francis, St Regis or W. (or i believe the JW as well but not sure without looking at a map)

ElevatorEnthusiast

JW is across the street from St. Francis, so it would be close.

JayeJ

We stayed there before and after a trip.. After calling to be picked up in the evening from the pick up point, I'd say we waited about, 20 minutes or so? They don't run on a schedule like some shared shuttle services do. It was after 9 pm so food choices were pretty much non-existent.

Polytonic

What's the best full service property in the city to burn off a 40k FNC? (single night stay)

Currently holding a room at Westin St. Francis (40k FNC + 10k top off vs. $469)

Other properties available:
- SF Proper for 44k vs. $356
- SF Marriott Union Square for 48k vs. $308
- Clancy for 48k vs. $528

Redemption value isn't exactly the greatest. Am I actually better off just paying cash?

Kacee

I'd stick with the St. Francis.

Polytonic

Seems I've been Bonvoyed. Can't use the 40k FNC while I have an 85k FNC in my inventory.

Marriott Bonvoy Lurker II

Hi Polytonic,

You may call customer service for assistance to use the free night certificate.

Best Regards,

Christina Z
Specialist, Social Media
Marriott International

[email protected]

KingCanute

Just following up on this conversation.

I have 2 nights in San Francisco next month. After "enjoying" browsing the cash prices, I am planning to use one 40k FNA and points.

I'm mostly interested in a comfortable and mostly quiet room, in a safe central area. Most Bonvoy hotels are coming up at around the same points prices for my dates. Would the St Francis still be the best bet? I always plan on having to sleep in the room I book (rather than relying on upgrades, even as Amb), are the traditional kings in the landmark building OK?

Thanks for any thoughts!

ElevatorEnthusiast

My favorites are the following:

• St Francis - great staff, great comfort, some rooms are going to face a wall, lovely breakfast buffet with fantastic staff
• Marriott Union Square - comfortable, boring as hell
• W - closer to the grunge of SF, really great bed, limited breakfast choices for Elites

As long as you're fine with potentially viewing a wall, go for the St Francis.

KingCanute

Very helpful ("boring as hell" lol ) Thanks very much