I’m flying my staff out and the last night they are here I’m having them stay in SF. None of them have ever been to SF so I want to give them the best experience possible. They want to see as much a they can in a short period, but also check out some shopping and night life after seeing the sights. Where should I put them up?
Not knowing your budget, but Hotel Vitale is great. It’s on Embarcadero, across the street from the Ferry Building. Has great views of the Bay Bridge, close to many restaurants, etc etc etc.
+1 vitale
Powell hotel is a nice boutique
Villa Florence is a nice boutique right on the Powell st trolley, makes for the full expeience and the line runs down to the warf, girhadelli square, etc.
Both within walking distance of union square where all the shopping is located.
St. Francis or Fairmount are nice but big bucks.
The Palace Hotel was built at the turn of the last Century and survived the Earthquake. It has ben refurbished several times and if you like traditional and elegant it is great. It is part of the Starwood hotels. In any event do a meal in the Palm court, it is unique.
Thanks for the tips. Unfortunately all the recommended hotels were booked for the data I needed! So I ended up going with the Handlery Union Square Hotel. Looks to be pretty nice and located close to Union Square.
The Handlery is fine and in a good location. Your staff should have a great time.
Ipad3 launch? LOL something is going on obviously.
I’m in sf for oracle openworld every fall, not a hotel for 20 miles…
Have a great time.
Try any of the Kimptons. I usually stay at the Monoco.
Here are some popular ones for different reasons:
St. Francis - On Union Square and Michael Mina restuarant onsite
Clift - Old time hotel that is popular with visiting musicians and major bar scene
W - The cool kids place and great bar
Plenty more, but these are off the top of my noggin
Ritz-Carlton, on Stockton Street.
There are also two Hyatt’s one at the embarcardero - close to the Ferry Building, Financial District, Union Square.
The other is right in the Union Square area and close to Chinatown. Stayed at both a bunch - the emb was a bit nicer.
I practically lived at the W. On 3rd and Howard. Decent place as long as you have a high floor room.
Any updated recs here? Wife would like to stay in Union Square, usually prefer a boutique hotel vs something larger. Just one Thurs night on way home from Napa.
I am looking to get some status @ a good to great SF hotel, a place we can stay 3-day weekends say 4-6X/year. Try to find some discounts or other perks if we’re going to be steady customers.
Stayed at the St Regis many times.
Highly recommended.
IMHO, Starwood and Hyatt have the best status programs. If you apply for Chase Hyatt, you get 2 free nights after meeting min spend and platinum status. Amex SPG card gives you 25,000 pts after meeting min spend, good enough for 1-2 nights depending on hotel category. I value those pts higher than other hotel pts and they’re a higher class of accommodations (usually). A notch below is Hilton but their points aren’t that valuable to me. Another way is Chase Ultimate Rewards that let you transfer pts to Hyatt. I value Ultimate Reward pts higher than the hotel pts since you can transfer them to airlines also. Good sign up bonuses with Chase Sapphire Preferred or Business Ink cards. I’m also a fan of Fairmont Hotels. Love the gold floor of Fairmonts. Free breakfast and afternoon hors d’oeuvres, plus a different class of service with an honor bar to pour yourself drinks, but there aren’t that many Fairmonts outside the US and Canada.
Joe - what are the Starwood properties in SF? I’m too old for most W. Grand Hyatt in SF just doesn’t excite me much.
Westin, St. Regis, Palace, Sheraton, Le Meridien, some others, actually tons in SF…I think you can find a Starwood hotel to fit what you’re looking for and a price range you’re comfortable with.
St Regis and Palace fit the bill, thx Joe.
Fair warning tho, you won’t get much status staying only 12-18 nights/yr, maybe Gold, but everyone has Gold, you can get gold just by having the AMEX Platinum card. SPG Platinum is where the real benefits start, but you have to be a road warrior to get platinum. Still some status is better than none. Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square is supposed to be fantastic but super pricey, I’ve never stayed there, but hear nothing but great things. As you well know, the thing that bothers me most about staying in SF is the rape without lube when you need to park your car overnight. I understand space is a premium, but damn, the parking fees are freaking ridiculous.
We’ll be carless, thank God!