Westin St. Francis, San Francisco [Master Thread]
Apr 13, 2006, 12:00 pm
#76
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: EWR (Wayne Township, NJ) and PHX
Programs: CO OnePass Plat and SPG - Plat, Marriott Plat (don't use -it's a comp), AmericaWest CP
Posts: 4,810
BTW Points posted like clock work - just wating for the West Coast Bonus and 700 (to celebrate the 7th brand) points to post 
-Vincent
-Vincent
Apr 13, 2006, 5:55 pm
#77
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: MOD/SFO
Programs: Whole Lot of Nothin' anymore - Thanks to baby!
Posts: 582
i stayed there on tuesday night on a cheapie promo rate (119)
and got upgraded to a "traditional" room on the 11th floor in the historical building.
Decent hotel in all, pretty good for only 119 a night and getting points for it.
I didnt have to push for my 500 plat points, I just assumed they were going to give it to me, which they did without my even needing to ask.
edit:
Additionally, I felt the same worry about accidentally charging something to the minibar, as the little fridge can be jostled pretty easily and an accidental charge coming through. They had a disclaimer on the fridge saying something to that effect.
One more slightly weird thing:
When booking my promo rate online, they charged my SPG Amex the deposit of 135.75 based on room rate + 14.08% tax. For some reason, SPG.com has the deposit amount wrong, as 119*1.1408 = $135.76. So they were going to charge me a grand total of $.01 to my SPG Amex. Instead, I asked them to charge it to my new WaMu debit card, which I get $.03 per transaction by using it.
and got upgraded to a "traditional" room on the 11th floor in the historical building.
Decent hotel in all, pretty good for only 119 a night and getting points for it.
I didnt have to push for my 500 plat points, I just assumed they were going to give it to me, which they did without my even needing to ask.
edit:
Additionally, I felt the same worry about accidentally charging something to the minibar, as the little fridge can be jostled pretty easily and an accidental charge coming through. They had a disclaimer on the fridge saying something to that effect.
One more slightly weird thing:
When booking my promo rate online, they charged my SPG Amex the deposit of 135.75 based on room rate + 14.08% tax. For some reason, SPG.com has the deposit amount wrong, as 119*1.1408 = $135.76. So they were going to charge me a grand total of $.01 to my SPG Amex. Instead, I asked them to charge it to my new WaMu debit card, which I get $.03 per transaction by using it.
Last edited by bassmanben; Apr 13, 2006 at 6:05 pm
Apr 13, 2006, 8:38 pm
#78
Join Date: Apr 2006
Programs: DL Plat, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 218
I've stayed at the St. Francis about a dozen times in the past 6 months, and found the rooms/amenities to be incredibly inconsistent.
Some of the rooms are great, some are tiny closets. I personally prefer the tower, as the rooms seem more consistent. In the older building, I've had a bathroom that was so small, I could touch all 4 walls while standing in one place, and another room that was huge with a nice bathroom!
Regarding the amenities, about a third of the time there is no robe, and in more than half of the rooms there has been no bottled water. Overall the hotel service is mediocre, and VERY INCONSISTENT, just like the rooms. I only spend about 10 hours in the hotel (in at 9PM, out at 7AM), so I just come to sleep and shower.
To be honest, I haven't frequented any other hotel in the Starwood system this much, so perhaps others have similar idiosyncracies. In the old building, I could understand due to the historical age of the hotel, but not in the tower. Several years back I frequented a Hilton down in NC, and recall having many more similar rooms.
Some of the rooms are great, some are tiny closets. I personally prefer the tower, as the rooms seem more consistent. In the older building, I've had a bathroom that was so small, I could touch all 4 walls while standing in one place, and another room that was huge with a nice bathroom!
Regarding the amenities, about a third of the time there is no robe, and in more than half of the rooms there has been no bottled water. Overall the hotel service is mediocre, and VERY INCONSISTENT, just like the rooms. I only spend about 10 hours in the hotel (in at 9PM, out at 7AM), so I just come to sleep and shower.
To be honest, I haven't frequented any other hotel in the Starwood system this much, so perhaps others have similar idiosyncracies. In the old building, I could understand due to the historical age of the hotel, but not in the tower. Several years back I frequented a Hilton down in NC, and recall having many more similar rooms.
Apr 13, 2006, 10:09 pm
#79
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 42
Vincom, is Kevin S still working there? I stayed there for almost a year straight and talked to him quite a bit - he's very helpful. I thought he was in some rotational program, so I'm surprised he's still working as the front desk manager.
Apr 14, 2006, 2:23 am
#80
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: EWR (Wayne Township, NJ) and PHX
Programs: CO OnePass Plat and SPG - Plat, Marriott Plat (don't use -it's a comp), AmericaWest CP
Posts: 4,810
Originally Posted by hurdler
Vincom, is Kevin S still working there? I stayed there for almost a year straight and talked to him quite a bit - he's very helpful. I thought he was in some rotational program, so I'm surprised he's still working as the front desk manager.
He is just not that long ago out of school, he seems to be very talented and passionate about his job - which is refreshing...
-Vincent
May 9, 2006, 2:33 pm
#81
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Boston, MA, US
Posts: 305
I've stayed here few times and always forget not to come back (i.e. remember to tell TA not to book there) -- it's not typically anything major, but lot of small things.
Shower not having warm water in the morning, thin walls/ doors letting lot of noise through, internet connectivity problems that take 45 minutes to solve at midnight when I really need to send email before going to bed for 5 hour sleep, ...
I always mention these things when I am checking out and they seem appropriately apologetic, but never offer any thing else. On the other hand in Toronto when they (or I) had similar issues -- a customer reletions person had left two voicemails within 4 hours after check-out to get better understanding of the problems.
Shower not having warm water in the morning, thin walls/ doors letting lot of noise through, internet connectivity problems that take 45 minutes to solve at midnight when I really need to send email before going to bed for 5 hour sleep, ...
I always mention these things when I am checking out and they seem appropriately apologetic, but never offer any thing else. On the other hand in Toronto when they (or I) had similar issues -- a customer reletions person had left two voicemails within 4 hours after check-out to get better understanding of the problems.
Feb 8, 2007, 10:28 pm
#82
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Santa Barbara, Ca
Posts: 487
St. Francis, SF- Please "join" the SPG program
I am a platinum member. I had a room booked on Wed for three nights. I arrived at 7:00 in the morning. I knew the hotel was sold out the evening before. I asked for and the clerk assured me of a tower room, high up when I returned at 5:00 P.M.
Upon my return at 5:00 p.m. I was given a key to a room in the "historic" section. (translation: old and smelly) I was told that the tower was all sold out. I politely asked how was it that not one person had checked out of the tower between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 pm? I was told that those room were "assigned" Then the clerk got weasly about how that was "too much of an upgrade" She then went in the back, spoke to a manager, came back and told be no rooms were in the tower were available. (Obvious BS) I went to my room, found it old and smelly as expected and called and asked for a manager. After being persistant, a room in the tower was available.
There were hundreds of people in the hotel from Canada attending a convention. I am sure not one had any Starwood Status.
Would Starwood corporate be kind enough to advise the St. Francis that best available room is the listed benefit and to knock it off.
Upon my return at 5:00 p.m. I was given a key to a room in the "historic" section. (translation: old and smelly) I was told that the tower was all sold out. I politely asked how was it that not one person had checked out of the tower between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 pm? I was told that those room were "assigned" Then the clerk got weasly about how that was "too much of an upgrade" She then went in the back, spoke to a manager, came back and told be no rooms were in the tower were available. (Obvious BS) I went to my room, found it old and smelly as expected and called and asked for a manager. After being persistant, a room in the tower was available.
There were hundreds of people in the hotel from Canada attending a convention. I am sure not one had any Starwood Status.
Would Starwood corporate be kind enough to advise the St. Francis that best available room is the listed benefit and to knock it off.
Feb 9, 2007, 7:12 pm
#83
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K2MM ACMME50 SQPPS HHDiamond Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 4,391
I am a platinum member. I had a room booked on Wed for three nights. I arrived at 7:00 in the morning. I knew the hotel was sold out the evening before. I asked for and the clerk assured me of a tower room, high up when I returned at 5:00 P.M.
Upon my return at 5:00 p.m. I was given a key to a room in the "historic" section. (translation: old and smelly) I was told that the tower was all sold out. I politely asked how was it that not one person had checked out of the tower between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 pm? I was told that those room were "assigned" Then the clerk got weasly about how that was "too much of an upgrade" She then went in the back, spoke to a manager, came back and told be no rooms were in the tower were available. (Obvious BS) I went to my room, found it old and smelly as expected and called and asked for a manager. After being persistant, a room in the tower was available.
There were hundreds of people in the hotel from Canada attending a convention. I am sure not one had any Starwood Status.
Would Starwood corporate be kind enough to advise the St. Francis that best available room is the listed benefit and to knock it off.
Upon my return at 5:00 p.m. I was given a key to a room in the "historic" section. (translation: old and smelly) I was told that the tower was all sold out. I politely asked how was it that not one person had checked out of the tower between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 pm? I was told that those room were "assigned" Then the clerk got weasly about how that was "too much of an upgrade" She then went in the back, spoke to a manager, came back and told be no rooms were in the tower were available. (Obvious BS) I went to my room, found it old and smelly as expected and called and asked for a manager. After being persistant, a room in the tower was available.
There were hundreds of people in the hotel from Canada attending a convention. I am sure not one had any Starwood Status.
Would Starwood corporate be kind enough to advise the St. Francis that best available room is the listed benefit and to knock it off.
I stay at St.Francis often.Have always been upgraded.
During the Oracle convention in Oct. 2006, I was upgraded to a suite^
By the way I am a Canadian.Been Starwood Plat from the first year it was offered.
Feb 9, 2007, 7:42 pm
#84
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Beautiful Atlantic Canada
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum & LFT Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Silver, Airmiles Onyx, Aeroplan, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,203
Are you for real!?
Are you mad because you didn't get the room you wanted or because the hotel was full of Canadians?
Are you mad because you didn't get the room you wanted or because the hotel was full of Canadians?
Feb 9, 2007, 7:51 pm
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,630
It isn't that there were Canadians, it was that there were Canadi<ns Seriously, this property rarely gives a suite as a platinum upgrade. I have generally received tower rooms with a nice view.
Seriously, this property rarely gives a suite as a platinum upgrade. I have generally received tower rooms with a nice view.
Feb 9, 2007, 8:33 pm
#86
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Beautiful Atlantic Canada
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum & LFT Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Silver, Airmiles Onyx, Aeroplan, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,203
Why was it relevant to indicate that the hotel was packed with Canadians???
Last edited by NBSPGMEMBER; Feb 9, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Feb 10, 2007, 11:59 am
#87
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,630
Feb 10, 2007, 12:54 pm
#89
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Pasadena,Ca.,US.
Programs: AA, Delta, United, SPG plat, Hyatt dia
Posts: 7,140
On thanksgiving 2006 the St.Francis was PACKED-mostly with families.I was still upgraded to a great tower room with a fantastic view-even though I was staying on a super cheap travelzoo rate($89).
The one thing that stands out for me was that on the day after thanksgiving all of the jr.managers were out in the public spaces assisting guest and all were smiling/saying hello welcome to the St.Francis!
It was that stay,and subsequent stays with both Marriott and Starwood Properties that have tipped the scale in Starwoods favor and soured me on Marriott.
The one thing that stands out for me was that on the day after thanksgiving all of the jr.managers were out in the public spaces assisting guest and all were smiling/saying hello welcome to the St.Francis!
It was that stay,and subsequent stays with both Marriott and Starwood Properties that have tipped the scale in Starwoods favor and soured me on Marriott.
Feb 10, 2007, 2:15 pm
#90
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: YVR
Programs: AC Elite, SPG Gold, millions of points scattered across thousands of other programs...
Posts: 157
I have the feeling that it wouldn't have mattered who the folks were, but as NB said, many of us are Gold and Plat members. We are taxed to death - we need the points to be able to afford... never mind. The Gov't used to require us to claim those too.