HotelChatter

Check-In
The driveway of the hotel slopes down into a grand circular courtyard, complete with fountain and glass-domed ceiling. The entrance to the lobby is to the right. Check-in was quick, within a few minutes I was off to the 8th (top) floor and my room.

Being on the top floor the first thing I did was walk up to the window and look outside to see... the Mark Hopkins next door. Since the Renaissance only has 8 floors, and the hill continues (and the Mark Hopkins is a much taller building), views are highly dependent on the room you are in.

True, from one of the windows I looked past the MH to the southwest, but if you are going for views and want to stay on Nob Hill, either the MH or the tower rooms at the Fairmont are your best bet, or reserve specifically one of the rooms with city views at the Stanford Court.

Room Reaction
My room had a short hallway with the bathroom to your immediate right when entering the room. The bathroom was different than usual, running the width of the room to the right, with first an open space with clothing rack, continuing on to the single vanity. Only after that a sliding door to seal off the combined shower/tub and toilet.

Quite spacious bedroom, with desk and chair, lounge chair with footrest, chest of drawers with flat screen TV on top. The best part: definitely the bed - comfortable, with clean, white, quality linens. Apparently, the headboards are one of the distinctive design features the hotel is known for (so it is explained on the website). The worst part: the water pressure in the shower - very very low.

While the room clearly has been renovated recently, I did not find it very imaginative. The word formulaic almost comes to mind. Don't get me wrong, you could do much worse, but both the room and the public spaces, while modern and maybe edging towards boutique, are slightly... bland. Having stayed at a few Renaissance properties and looking at the strong push from Marriott to differentiate the brand as highly distinctive and stylish, I haven't really been blown away so far (maybe I've visited the wrong properties), and the Stanford Court didn't change that.

I did not use any of the on-site facilities (restaurant, bar, gym). Internet is 14.95/day in your room, opposite the concierge desk there is one complimentary pc with printer (no seating) that can be used for quick email or flight check-in.

Bottom Line
If you are looking for a classic, Nob Hill hotel, is the Stanford Court the place to pick? Would I stay again? For $169 plus tax, which for SF is not even that expensive, probably not. The Fairmont had similar rates as the Stanford Court for the days I was there, and for the same money, I would probably go with that next time.

The Huntington draws a clientele looking for a more traditional, homey feel and is smaller in scale. The Ritz-Carlton is far more luxurious, but you will have to cough up more cash for the privilege of staying there. If you are lucky, you can score a rate below $200 at the Mark Hopkins, which has much more character in my opinion, in addition to having Top of the Mark, with stupendous views over the city from the top floor - if there is a breakfast included package, take it and enjoy gazing out the window every morning.

Also, as a hotel guest there is no cover charge (or at least not the last time I was there) at night; with live jazz and a dance floor combined with the city lights, a great spot to end the evening. Even if you are not staying there, it's worth a try!