HotelChatter

Room Reaction
Once in our room which was on the 22nd floor, we were impressed with the overall size and looking out at Union Square was peaceful. It's our recommendation to stay in the tower building on a higher floor.

The decor was as to be expected. There was lots of tan tones, a king size white bed with nice pillows that actually was quite comfortable.

Bathroom Trouble
We really love our bathrooms and the bathroom here was where the letdown began. The tub was standard and the fixtures were ho-hum. We felt it was a very B- performance.

We love the feeling of getting to our room, settling down and then checking out the bathroom and immediately getting a "wow!" This did not happen here.

Fading Furniture
Upon closer inspection the room felt worn. The furniture had that look of inexpensive wood chipping. This is where we felt that being a landmark hotel is a blessing and a curse.

It's great if it can be maintained to museum quality standards, but when the landmark begins to crumble, it feels sad, like an old depressed man who once stood tall and proud, the years forming a hunch in his back.

Amenity Madness
For the most part we sat in our robes and loved the Heavenly Bed that is a signature component of any Westin hotel.  We watched our huge flat screen TV before having one of the best meals in our young lives at Michael Mina that night.

Bottom Line
In terms of the big picture, The St Francis will be forever popular because of its history and location and should be appreciated for that. The best part was the value of our stay. We found the best rate on their website and paid $165 a night while we were there which we rank as a value incroyable!

The room and overall service felt more like a $300/night stay, so that was appreciated. So go get an Irish Coffee at Fisherman's Wharf, ride a street car and spend a night at the St Francis, it's not glamorous, but it is famous.

[Photo: Http2007]