Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [35]
Westin St. Francis ★★ At the turn of the 20th century, Charles T. Crocker and a few of his wealthy buddies decided that San Francisco needed a world-class hotel, and up went the St. Francis. Hordes of VIPs have hung their hats and hosiery here, including Emperor Hirohito of Japan, Queen Elizabeth II, Mother Teresa, King Juan Carlos of Spain, the shah of Iran, and the U.S. presidents from Taft through Clinton.
The hotel has done massive renovations, costing $185 million over the past decade, the most recent being a $40-million upgrade that was completed mid-2009—$12 million of which was delegated to the Main Building. The older rooms of the Main Building vary in size and have more old-world charm than the newer rooms, but the Tower is remarkable for its great views of the city from above the 18th floor. If you can swing a room in the Main Building overlooking Union Square, it’s worth it. Although the St. Francis is too massive to offer the personal service you get at the smaller hotels on Nob Hill, few other hotels in San Francisco can match its majestic aura.
335 Powell St. (btw. Geary and Post sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. www.westinstfrancis.com. 866/500-0038 or 415/397-7000. Fax 415/774-0124. 1,195 units. $229–$529 Main Building double; $179–$559 Tower (Grand View) double; from $650 suite (in either building). Extra person $30. Continental breakfast $15–$18. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $42. Bus: 2, 3, 4, 30, 38, 45, or 76. Cable car: Powell–Hyde or Powell–Mason line (direct stop). Pets under 40 lb. accepted (dog beds available on request). Amenities: 2 restaurants; concierge; elaborate health club and spa; room service. In room: A/C, TV, fridge (some rooms), hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi ($9.95 per day).
Expensive
The Donatello ★ If you’re not looking for trendy lodgings or an anonymous business hotel but want old-world elegance, book a room here. The Donatello is, in a word, dignified. The lobby is classy, with Italian marble and a serious staff. The airy, contemporary Art Nouveau rooms, which are some of the largest in the city (an average of 400 sq. ft.), were overhauled in 2006 with new bedding, carpet, and furniture and feature original art, king-size mattresses, and textiles. Unfortunately, most of the extra-large windows lack great views, but if it’s fresh air you’re after, the fifth floor has seven terrace rooms.
501 Post St. (at Mason St.), San Francisco, CA 94102. www.thedonatellosf.com. 888/732-8021 or 415/441-7100. Fax 415/885-8842. 94 units. $109–$300 double; $300 presidential suite. Children 11 and under stay free in parent’s room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $28. Bus: 2, 3, 4, 30, 38, or 45. Cable car: Powell–Hyde or Powell–Mason line (1 block west). Amenities: Restaurant; bar; concierge; exercise room; limited room service. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, CD player, fridge, hair dryer, free Wi-Fi.
Executive Hotel Vintage Court ★ Consistent personal service and great value attract a loyal clientele at this European-style hotel 2 blocks north of Union Square. The chocolate-brown lobby, accented with comfy couches, is welcoming enough to actually spend a little time in, especially when California wines are being poured each evening from 5 to 6pm free of charge. (Each week a local vintner is on hand to do the pouring.)
But the varietals don’t stop at ground level. Each tidy, quiet, and comfortable room is named after a winery and boasts a modern country look (think Pottery Barn meets Napa Valley), where greens and earth tones reign supreme, with cream duvets and lovely mahogany-slat blinds. Niebaum-Coppola