Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [36]
Masa’s, one of the city’s more upscale restaurants, serves very expensive contemporary French dinners here.
650 Bush St. (btw. Powell and Stockton sts.), San Francisco, CA 94108. www.executivehotels.net/vintagecourt. 888/388-3932 or 415/392-4666. Fax 415/433-4065. 107 units. $105–$329 double; $325–$395 penthouse suite. Rates include continental breakfast and evening wine reception. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $37; self-parking $27. Bus: 2, 3, 4, 30, 45, or 76. Cable car: Powell–Hyde or Powell–Mason line (direct stop). Pets accepted. Amenities: Restaurant; concierge; access to off-premises health club ($14 per day). In room: A/C, TV w/Nintendo and pay movies, hair dryer, minibar, free Wi-Fi.
Handlery Union Square Hotel ★ A mere half-block from Union Square, the family-owned Handlery was already a good deal frequented by European travelers before the 1908 building underwent a complete overhaul a few years ago. Now you’ll find every amenity you could possibly need, plus lots of extras, in the extremely tasteful and modern (although sedate and a little dark) rooms. Literally everything was replaced: mattresses, alarm radios, refrigerators, light fixtures, paint, carpets, and furnishings. Perks include adjoining L.A.-based chain restaurant the Daily Grill (which is unfortunately not as good as its sister restaurants down south) and club-level options (all in the newer building) that include larger rooms, a complimentary morning newspaper, a bathroom scale, robes, two 2-line phones, and adjoining doors that make the units great choices for families. Downsides? Not a lot of direct light, no grand feeling in the lobby, and lots of trekking if you want to go to and from the adjoining buildings that make up the hotel.
351 Geary St. (btw. Mason and Powell sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. www.handlery.com. 800/995-4874 or 415/781-7800. Fax 415/781-0216. 377 units. $115–$229 double; club section $188–$269 double; suite $315–$529. Extra person $10. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Parking $32. Bus: 2, 3, 4, 30, 38, or 45. Cable car: Powell–Hyde or Powell–Mason line (direct stop). Amenities: Restaurant; babysitting; access to nearby health club ($10 per day); heated outdoor swimming pool; room service; sauna. In room: A/C, TV w/Nintendo and pay movies, fridge, hair dryer, free Wi-Fi.
Hilton San Francisco Complete with bustling conventioneers and a line to register that resembles an airport check-in, the Hilton’s lobby is so enormous and busy that it feels more like a convention hall than a hotel. The three connecting buildings (the original 19-story main structure, a 46-story tower topped by a panoramic restaurant, and a 23-story landmark with 386 luxurious rooms and suites) bring swarms of visitors. Even during quieter times, the sheer enormity of the place makes the Hilton somewhat overwhelming.
After you get past the sweeping grand lobby, jump on an elevator, and wind through endless corridors to your room, you’re likely to find the mystique ends with clean but run-of-the-mill standard-size corporate accommodations. That said, some of the views from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the main tower’s rooms are memorable. All rooms have bathrooms with walk-in showers (no tubs), Serta Suite Dreams beds, and a pillow menu that ensures you get a pillow that suits your firmness preference.
333 O’Farrell St. (btw. Mason and Taylor sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. www.sanfrancisco.hilton.com. 800/445-8667 or 415/771-1400. Fax 415/771-6807. 1,908 units. $149–$239 double; $214–$359 suite. Children stay free in parent’s room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Parking $52–$56 (some oversize vehicles cannot be accommodated, depending on height). Bus: 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 21, 27, 30, 38, 45, or 71. Cable car: Powell–Hyde or Powell–Mason line (1 block east). Amenities: 2 restaurants; bar; concierge; health