kevino

At this hotel, you can get a suite if you ask and it's available, but it will usually be in the old part of the hotel, towards Powell Street.

NBSPGMEMBER

Canada may not be as powerful or rich as the US. However, I'll take that any day, instead of being in trouble with the rest of the world all the time...
I'm done with this silly thread, goodbye!

CandymanJim

Just stayed here this past weekend. Reserved 2 rooms using cash and points. No upgrades were availible at checkin. I then asked about a suite and yes this was availible and was given the 2? "room" suite on the third floor (305+306). Just goes to prove that asking never hurts. I was give a room accross the hall for our other room in 311. Checkin was easy and professional even though we were not in the SPG line (Closed when we were there at 9pm). I graciously tipped the check in clerk upon recieving the upgrade. The bad - $63 a night for Valet, but I knew this going in.

Not sure why no one (gold) gets upgraded. I have been throughout the world and have had great results getting upgrades. Politely ask and upon recieving I tip appropriatley. And, no I don't dangle the carrot!

Jim

socalterp

Just returned from 4 nights at the St. Franics. Big hotel, quite crowded with a dental convention in town.

Was gold at the time of check-in, close to Plat. Originally was told that no upgrades were available, but upon asking again, got an upgrade to a nice Towers room on the 20th floor. The room itself was pretty nice, good sized bathroom, and fast internet.

Loved the location, walking distance to a ton of shops and restaurants, and convenient to public transportation as well.

Service was more than adequate, both on check-in and check-out. Also called service express to have the HSIA cord replaced, and it was done without any problems. Room service breakfast in the morning was prompt and good.

Score8

Had a similar Platinum issue to others. Fortunately, prior to my arrival, I had checked available room types on spg.

When checking in I was told that I had been upgraded from my 'Traditional' room to a standard king on a middle floor with a king bed. When I pressed a little I was told that they were sold out...not at all true.

I mentioned that my assistant had just checked online and there were certainly many better room types available. I was moved to a top floor room that was pretty nice but it was one of the shorter end rooms.

I will likely avoid this hotel until it is reported that they follow spg rules.

chazas

I just stayed here for 5 nights - it was an award stay, 11,500 points/night for a "Grand Deluxe" room.

It was just barely ok. The grand deluxe rooms are basically higher-floor rooms in the tower. Ours appeared to be one of the smaller ones, and one of the few that faced west over the city rather than east over the bay, with part of the view blocked by a concrete bay.

The "Westinized" room renovation appeared several years old and was in pretty bad shape. The walls were dirty, and all of the dark wood furniture and trim had bad nicks and scratches. The furniture in the main lobby was even worse - the cushions on the couches basically had no padding left.

Service was friendly enough, but the only thing we specifically asked for (paper every day, WSJ + local paper) they never got right.

Good location, but there must be better choices in SF.

FrAAmer

4/27-28/08

Arrived Sunday at 2 PM and were escorted all the way from the car park to registration by the door man even though we only had a small overnight bag. Tip I wish I knew- the car entrance to the hotel is on Geary Street and not on Powell as the address is. With all of the one way streets, cable cars and lots of pedestrians, getting into the hotel took some doing. Be forewarned....parking is $49 + tax per night (with in and out privileges.)

Booked a stay on points. I am now Gold dropping from Platinum due to curtailed travel last year and this was my first stay as a Gold. If this is how this hotel treats Gold Members, it will be a good year........

Receptionist was very friendly, told us immediately that we were already upgraded to a tower city view room and confirmed that my amenity choice of "points" was correct. (Could also of had a mini bar credit or a free movie) Never had to ask for a thing. She also asked if we wanted a late check-out (past noon) - first time I have not had to ask for any of the SPG benefits, she covered all the bases.

Our room on the 25th floor had a spectacular view overlooking Union Square and all the way to the bay. This was the first room I have been in with HDTV (a large LG flatscreen, at least 32") Had flatscreens before but the HD was a nice treat. The room was very large by any standards and had a great chaise for reading with good lighting (something often missing). The windows were operable and you could get fresh air in the room.

The bed (and bedding) and bath towels were the usual high quality Westin product and there were complimentary robes in the closet. Hair dryer in the bathroom was not affixed to wall so my wife could take it out of the bathroom to use it. Additional large magnifying make-up mirror, excellent lighting.

There was a complimentary self-brew coffee machine with Starbucks coffee, well stocked mini bar and bar accessories, huge closet with iron and ironing board and a full length mirror. Also received both a USA Today and a Wall St. Journal at the door in the AM.

There is a complimentary boarding pass printing station in the lobby with automatic links to most major airlines. This is a great feature (that bypasses the business office) and one that I wish would become a fixture in all hotels.

When we called down for our car it was parked facing out and they had pre-printed and very easy to follow directions to the airport.

In all an excellent stay and well worth the points spent.

kevino

Thanks for the report. I will be there in two hours. I wish they had a lounge.

For the price of parking you could rent a car for the day and return it.

Totoro

From the previous posts, I've concluded that the consensus for ideal upgrade is to a tower room suite facing Union Square. Do most people agree? I don't have high hopes for a suite, so I will request a tower room facing Union Square as second choice.

Does this property offer free gym access to Plats? The San Francisco Le Meridien has one of the best Starwood property gyms, and I hope to find the same at Westin St. Francis.

I will ask for breakfast vouchers and report back on that.

Starwood Lurker

Just as an FYI, they don't have to upgrade you to the towers level. If you book the towers level originally, however, then they have to give you the best room available in the towers, including select standard suites (if such a room type exists), subject to availability at check-in. Says that in the T&C's of Membership in SPG.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

itsaboutthejourney

While in a great location and a historic landmark, the St. Francis is simply too much trouble for me to follow-up on the inconsistencies and sub-par service. You can do much better in SF, and obviously lots of good SPG properties.

I had a conversation with one of the housekeepers this last visit and I asked her why rooms are serviced so inconsistently (missing shampoo, no mouthwash, no shower gel, sometimes water, sometimes not) she said management has instructed them not to put these things in the rooms and that guests need to call. Shower gel costs how much? Water costs them what?

DesertRat

I think the best upgrades are the bigger rooms (some suites, some just big) in the old building overlooking Union Square. The Tower rooms are nice but generic and lack the character of the old building. That said, some people think the old tower is sub-standard, so it's personal preference, I guess.

The gym is free for plats.

ederemer

Another trip report to this hotel:

Stayed 12/22 - 23 on a C&P reward. Upgraded at arrival to a 2 room "suite" in the old, er, I mean historic, building x05-x06.

I'd have to concur with most of people's opinions of this property. The rooms are old and tired. The furniture has many dings and scrapes on them. The sofa and chairs in the sitting room looked like they were from the 70s... They may have been trying to go for that "old money" feel, but it just looked worn to me.

The room's condition was poor as well. The doors BADLY need a new paint job - and the ceiling was cracking from a water leak. Worse yet, in the morning the bathroom sink back filled with brown stinky water - and then promptly receded back down leaving a ring of brown scum on the sink. On my way out for lunch I stopped by the front desk, explained what happened, and asked someone to go look at it. The front agent was very apologetic and promised to have someone up to look at it while I was away. All in all I think they handled it pretty well – I left my feedback on one of their cards and asked to have it sent directly to the manager. I wonder if I’ll get a follow up?

Regardless, if you’re going to stay here, ask for a room in the towers. A newer room there is almost certainly nicer than a suite in the old building. But you can’t beat the location!

Also, valet is apparently $60+ but you can park overnight in the Union Sq. garage for $31/night.

FOLLOW UP: After emailing the Guest Services manager listed on the folio (I wish more hotels gave the email address of their GS manager!) - I got an apologetic response to the above problem and credited 10,000 pts. Also to book a "great room at a great rate" if I email him next time I'm looking to stay there. This kind of response really improved my opinion of the place...

flyinbanana

Even though times are hard,IM proud to say the St Francis in San Francisco is finally updating the rooms in the main building.
I must say even though the standard rooms are small ,they are finally doing it right,as the new rooms are beautifull.
The ancient elevators are also being replaced and is a full 2 year project.
Youll be happy to know the outside glass elevators will remain as the biggest free thrill ride in the city

obscure2k

Welcome to Flyertalk, flyinbanana
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Obscure2k
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Luxury Hotels