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Beauty Is Facade-Deep at the Intercontinental San Francisco

Where: 888 Howard Street [map], San Francisco, CA, United States, 94103

The New York Times knows that it's what's on the inside that counts. Which is why despite vehement dislike of the 32-story Intercontinental San Francisco's architectural attributes (our favorite: that its turquoise and glass make it look like "a deodorant stick"), the Times bestows the new hotel with a rave review. Writes Chris Colin:

"...[T]he view from the inside is quite different. The muted beige interiors are well proportioned and calming. The service is polished. And many of the hotel's 550 rooms offer spectacular views of the low-slung city."

Colin particularly enjoyed the hotel's "cozy" lounge, "airy" fitness center and "large and inviting" rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows. (He recommends paying more for a king bed superior to be guaranteed a room above the 12th floor, which apparently offers killer views of San Fran and all the way out to Oakland.)

Room rates start at $229, a pretty reasonable rate that will likely attract business travelers and shoppers alike, given the hotel's SoMa (South of Market Street) location, within walking distance of the financial district and "gobs of shopping," according to Colin.

So unless you're really shallow, sounds like this purported Ugly-Betty building may be worth checking out.

Photo: [NY Times]