 | San Francisco Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 704 |  |
 | |  |  | Mandarin Oriental S F: "Our" Hotel
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There is not a better service, a better view, or a better hotel in the world.
I know I am talking in superlative term here, but that is how Charles and I think when we think of Mandarin Oriental Hotel in San Francisco.
We call this "our" hotel because we love it very much. We have tried to stay here at least half of the times whenever we came to The City, and that was very often during the last years of our living in the U.S. We have always stayed in the same room each time (or so I thought). We even had our wedding here.
One night, nine years after the last stay, I called the hotel to verify "our" room number.
I did not need to describe the room, remember the date, or give out any information except our last name. Susan at the front desk told me immediately that we have stayed on two different floors although the rooms (4711 and 4811) have the same view. She even told me which floor was our preference (48th, the highest floor). Susan sounded the same as always -- courteous, subtle, and observant.
Susan was not the only one who treated their guests as if they were very important people.
Our wedding's ceremony and reception were held in Mandarin Oriental's Library Room. We stayed at the hotel but our guests and family members stayed in a different place downtown. Afterward, our children wanted to go back to their hotel so they asked the desk staff to order them a cab.
"No, you don't need a cab, our limo will take you anywhere you want to go." The desk staff replied.
At the time, our children were not very polished if you judged them from their appearance. They were the typical college students who lived in (and sometimes even slept in) their jeans, T-shirts, and track shoes. They were intelligent, polite, and articulate, but they were not preppy and definitely not the limo-rider kind. They were also not Mandarin Oriental's guests, but that fact did not matter to the staff. Everyone treated them with respect and courtesy.
Need I say more?
Every room has panoramic view because of the floor-to-ceiling windows and because this all-glass hotel is the third highest building in The City. There are different views available with different room series.
All three Bays and Oakland Bay Bridge can be seen from the bathtub of Bay Bridge rooms.
The bathtub in Golden Gate Bridge rooms open out to The Bay, Transamerica Pyramid and Golden Gate Bridge.
The Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, Transamerica Pyramid, Coit Tower and Alcatraz are seen from the Bay View rooms.
In our opinion, Bridge-to-Bridge rooms have the most spectacular view. These rooms are situated on the corner, with the side window offers the view of the Oakland Bridge while the front window is an open display of the Transamerica Pyramid (almost within touch) and Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Alcatraz, both Bays, and half of San Francisco County spreads out in front, all of them can be seen from the bed or anywhere in the room. At night, you are surrounded by different degrees of soft lighting from the buildings outside especially when the lights inside the room are off. If you stay here in December, you will think you are living inside of a Christmas tree, an absolutely wonderful feeling.
There are also suites but we had never stayed in one.
Frette linen; thick and soft bathrobes; his and her slippers; high quality bath products. Evening service includes fresh fruit plate brought to room. Limo service is gratuity to guests (and in our case, family members of guests). Understated luxury and old world elegance are what you will find here.
Mandarin Oriental in San Francisco writes the book about quality and service. I wish everyone else would read their book and follow their example.
Note: Fridays and Staturdays' rate is lower than during the week. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Villa Florence - A Kimpton Hotel: Plain awful!
Tip Rating: Satisfaction:  | | | | |
A friend of mine had told me about this bidding site (priceline) that would allow you to bid on a specific area, not knowing the Hotel you would get. I tried it and ended up with this one.
I read some reviews on the net and was looking forward to our stay.
I had specifically asked for a non-smoking room and when we opened the door there was such an intense odor that I could hardly breathe. The room must also have been badly affected by an earthquake as the floor was uphill entering the door.
Of course the view was over a wall which was about 1 meter from the window. This also made it impossible to open any of them, you could only slide them open a little bit (about 10 cm), so it was not possible to "change the air" in the room.
It was a bit late so we rushed out for dinner, as soon as I came back I told the person at the reception (the same one that had checked us in) about our problem and that I wanted to change room. I was told no and that if I wanted a maid could go upstairs and "spray" the room.
Since he said that with a very sarcastic smile, I figured there was no use in insisting and at that time I am sure the manager was long gone.
The next day at check-out the person was much nicer, apologized and said that I should have been given a new room.
When I came back home I wrote an email to the Hotel manager and was ignored, after a second attempt I got a reply with an apology and stating that "the maid should have come up with an ozone machine to purify the air" - Unbelievable.
Parking was $33, I suggest you try to find an alternative.
It actually seemed like a nice hotel, the soap and lotion in the bathroom were good quality, the bed was large and there was a large TV and a DVD player. Location was very good too, but I would never stay there again with that kind of service. Leave a Comment
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We didn’t stay here but stumbled across it while walking towards the Painted Ladies to get some photos. It was actually a more striking building than its more famous neighbors up the street. As it turned out, it’s an operating B & B and a very good one evidently, having won the best B & B in San Francisco award this year.
From the looks on their website, the rooms are very well appointed and atmospheric. Though it’s far from inexpensive, it does seem to be good value and even I, the savvy budget traveler, would consider staying here. Oh, did I mention, it’s within stumbling distance to the beery shrine, Toronado on Haight Steet? Leave a Comment Theme: Bed and BreakfastPrice: US$80-120 » Currency ConverterComparison: more expensive than averageAddress: 1057 Steiner StreetPhone: (800) 228-1647Directions: Steiner is just off Haight Street and the B & B is a couple steep blocks down the street from the Painted Ladies row of Victorian homes everyone wants to capture on film.Website: http://www.chateautivoli.com/
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I was a bit leery when booking a hostel in San Francisco. I had stayed in the Tenderloin ten years ago and though not as dangerous as purported, it was certainly a seedy locale. The first place I reserved was down a one-way street but when I found this place on the Internet, I quickly changed the booking. And was glad I did. It was a very good location, more in Nob Hill than the Loin and a San Franciscan referred to the area as the Tender Nob. It was completely safe and very convenient to everywhere in the city, whether on foot or using the extensive mass transit system.
Aside from its great location, the place itself was quite pleasant with helpful staff and clean rooms. We stayed in three different rooms and all were roomy with attached bathrooms, TVs, and comfy beds. There is a lift (elevator) which comes in handy since the place is about seven stories! The kitchen area downstairs is well kept and there is pancake batter for those on a tight budget though we preferred to eat rice porridge in Chinatown for $2.55 a huge heaping bowl. All this for $54 and remember that hostels are exempt from San Fran’s exorbitant 14% tax. You can book online at their useful website or call their toll free number. Leave a Comment Theme: HostelPrice: US$20-40 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveAddress: 717 Sutter StreetPhone: 1-877-483-2950Directions: Take BART to Powell Street Station, walk north on Powell to Sutter, make a left and it's about four blocks and on your left.Website: www.usahostels.com
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| | | | Renoir Hotel: An old but beautiful restored Hotel with class.
Tip Rating: Satisfaction: | | | | |
This Hotel was very nice , great location ,and the Lobby was refurbished and it was done very very nice ,with high ceilings moldings and a lot of brass on the elevator doors.
The rooms were ok pretty standard not to big ,our window looked out at Market street
This Hotel is very reasonable priced if you find it through an internet site it was $68 + Tax came to about $77 dollar U S .
The room was clean and the Staff was very nice and very good
I recommend this Hotel ,it was very good
We did not eat in the Hotel so I can't speak on the food .
Well we were warned that this Hotel was located in a very '' seedy '' area of San Francisco .
Well through our travels we seen all type of places fancy and not so fancy .
If they mean by '' seedy '' the many men and homeless people that hang around all day ,well there were many homeless people in this area .
At no time did we feel threatened or uncomftable by these people ,They did not bother us ,just the odd person would ask for something but no worse then anywhere else in a big City
We had a great 3 nights and 4 days here in this downtown San Francisco area ,Lots of hussle and bussle . Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: US$40-80 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: 45 Mcallister St, San Francisco, CA 94102Phone: 415-626-5200 & 800 -576-3388Directions: Downtown ,one exit (rear ) on Market street .Website: www.renoirhotel.com Map: Renoir Hotel
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| | | | Four Seasons San Francisco: When Someone Else is Paying ...
Tip Rating: Satisfaction: | | | | |
I highly recommend this hotel if someone else is paying or if you have deep pockets for that very special occaision. In our case, my husband's company had deep pockets, and we had no idea what a wonderful experience we were in for as I arrived for a week's visit and my husband went to a software conference.
DISCRETION is the operative word here; this is the perfect hotel to hide out in or have a discreet rendevous. The bell desk is located up an alleyway, and the main desk is located 5 floors up from the bell desk. The main entrance on Market Street has silver lettering the same grey as the elegant outdoor granite walls, so you could very easily walk by the hotel if the doorman wasn't present.
The Seasons restaurant, washrooms and business centre, and elevators are all hidden behind half walls, so it can be very confusing for about a day and a half to find your way around or even out.
This hotel is a quiet, pampering oasis after experiencing the hubbub of San Francisco, and the staff cannot do enough for you. The decor is modern, warm and very elegant, but not over the top that you're afraid to sit down and relax on any of the comfy couches in the lounge area -- complete with gas fireplace and dubbed "The Living Room". I could not get over the decor -- all sight lines in the main areas are amazingly Architectural Digest-perfect.. The staff are so accomodating you do often wonder if they are for real, but they are genuine and do want you to have a good experience and I felt like I was saying goodbye to friends as we checked out.
The Frette sheets and L'Occitaine bath products are to die for, plus the turn-down service (those maids MUST carry an iron for those 600-count cotton duvet covers, I don't know how they get them so smooth) is complete with soft lighting and smooth jazz turned on your personal radio/cd player. All beds have down pillows and comforters. The pictures of the rooms on their website is very accurate.
If you want to stay here, please, puuuuleease spring for a view suite -- you will thank yourself. The rooms are bigger and either get a view of Market Street or Yuerba Buena Gardens; also, book on the high floors as the traffic can get pretty noisy. The bathrooms are all marble and huge, complete with separate shower and soaking tub.
This hotel is walking distance to many sites and shopping, and is also very convenient to public transit. The staff are very helpful in helping you find your way around, plus the hotel can give you a good map of the area. Leave a Comment
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| | | | The Archbishop S Mansion: Sleeping With The Past
Tip Rating: Satisfaction: | | | | |
Although we spent a great deal of time in San Francisco for many years, we stayed at Archbishop's Mansion only once, in 1997.
We originally booked Der Rosenkavalier room, but when we arrived, the room was under repair of some sort. The B&B's management offered us the Don Giovanni suite for the same rate.
The suite consisted of two very large rooms and an equally large bathroom.
In the middle of the bedroom was a beautiful mahogany four-poster bed with elaborate lace and carved cherubs; the bed was high and a step stool was provided, thankfully, so that a person of my height would not have to scramble up or slide down ungracefully.
Though the bed was remarkably large, the size of the room made it look unsubstantial. The fireplace occupied half of one wall, flanked by arched windows on either side. A pair of damask upholstered wing chairs, a mahogany wardrobe, and a tea table nestled in front of a lace-curtained window completed the picture.
There was enough space in the room for many more pieces of furniture but none was present. This was not a room created to flaunt, but one that conveyed traditional values and an understated affluence.
The sitting room was twice as large as the bedroom, and twice as somber. The fireplace here spanned almost the entire wall space, and the furniture in front of it -- sofas, couches, settees, tables --
were of the same impressive size. Off to one side was a breakfast table where each morning a small repast of fresh baked croissants, fruits, toasts, orange juice, tea, and coffee were served on china, heavy silver, lace, and linen.
Complimentary wine and cheese were served in the sitting room downstairs in the late afternoon/early evening.
Taking a bath in the Don San Giovanni suite was an enticing experience. One side of the bathroom had a tub large enough for two people to comfortably share. The other side of the bathroom sported a shower even more spacious than the bathtub! There were seven showerheads strategically pointed at various parts of the body, making cleansing oneself (or one's partner) an act of eroticism. Two very thick bathrobes, an abundance of extra thick and large towels of all sizes, and luxurious bath items completed the opulent experience.
Archbishop's Mansion is rumoured to be haunted, although no one told us of any sights of its past occupants. Nevertheless, for each of the three nights we were there, Charles experienced the same eerie feeling that there was another presence in the sitting room, and that some sort of spirit was watching us.
Note: The mansion was located in a residential area across Alamo Square. Although we walked back and forth from there to every point in the city, most people probably would consider the distance too much to tackle. If walking through several "real" neighbourhoods in between downtown and Alamo Square is not your preferred way to spend time, an alternate option is the bus. Leave a Comment
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This place is not fancy, however you can't beat the location.
It is in the center of most of the major attractions. Walking distance to Fisherman's wharf, Ghiradelli Square, and even North Beach and China Town, A short bus ride takes you to Golden Gate park and the bridge. Extremely safe location, next to tons of shops and restaruants in Pacific Heights.
Staff is very freindly, the price comes with a continental breakfast.
Don't take room 16. It's so noisy I woke up every 20 minutes due to trucks going down Union, or drunken youths screaming at the top of their lungs at 2 am.
Any other room is fine. Leave a Comment Theme: HotelPrice: US$40-80 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: 1555 Union Street, , San Francisco, California 941Directions: Corner of Union and Van Ness There is a bus stop almost directly in front of the hotel.Website: http://www.pacificheightsinn.com/
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on June 16, 2007
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