Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
77
bathroom. They can be had for $199, if y ou search the Kimpton w ebsite for specials.
There are some interconnecting rooms as well. Unlike at other Kimpton properties, you
will find neither complimentary morning coffee nor afternoon wine in the lobby, but the
hotel does have two good restaurants on site: Caffe Espresso and Scala's Bistro. The view
is better and the street noise less audible on the upper floors.
450 Powell St. (at Sutter St.), San Francisco, CA 94102.
&
800/795-7129
or 415/392-7755. Fax 415/391-
8719. www.sirfrancisdrake.com. 417 units, including 4 parlor suit es and 1 pr esidential suite. $239-$319
double. Suites from $599. Kids 18 and under stay free in parent's room. Rollaways $20; cribs free. AE, DC,
DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $45; oversized vehicles $50. Pets welcome.
Amenities:
2 restaurants; lounge;
exercise room; concierge; business c enter; room ser vice (limited hours); bab ysitting; laundr y ser vice;
same-day dry cleaning.
In room:
A/C, TV/DVD w/movies and games, dataport, wireless high-speed Inter-
net access, minibar/fridge, hair dryer, iron.
Westin St. Francis
Overrated
The historic St. Francis Hotel, a sur vivor of the 1906
earthquake, is a v eritable hubbub of activity . With its location just acr oss from Union
Square and steps away from serious shopping, downtown theaters, and the cable cars, the
hotel's expansive lobby has always been a conv enient meeting place for tourists, walking
tours, friends taking tea, and the occasional elementar y school gr oup on a field trip to
ride the glass elev ators to the 27th floor . Travelers under 12 r eceive Westin Kids Club
backpacks with age-appr opriate pr omotional items like light socket co vers and sippy
cups. Rooms are outfitted with comfor table “Heavenly Bed” and “H eavenly Bath” and
good linens.
Despite its siz e, perpetually cr owded lobby, and, quite frankly , impersonal feel, the
hotel's prime location on U nion Square seems to make it v ery popular. If high energy,
location, and the historical aspects intrigue y ou, her e's some advice: P hone in-house
reservations and be as specific as possible about y our needs. P rices can fluctuate wildly
due to the many r oom configurations, some less desirable than others. S tandard queen
rooms are barely large enough for two . Traditional queen r ooms have more space, and
can accommodate a crib or r ollaway. The deluxe double-doubles are very spacious with
renovated bathrooms, and the Grandview rooms have smarter decor. Ask for a view or a
corner room if you want natural light and avoid rooms by the ever-busy elevators. Hall-
ways go on for ever. If your child has forgotten his sw eatshirt, you'll have to go back to
the room with him unless he's outfitted with a compass and a map .
335 Powell St. (at Geary St.), San Francisco, CA 94102.
&
800/WESTIN-1
(937-8461) or 415/397-7000. Fax
415/774-0124. www.westin.com. 1,195 units. $149-$569 double; $250-$5,000 suit e. Kids under 18 sta y
free in parent's room. Rollaways and cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $45; oversized vehicles
$52. Small dogs welcome.
Amenities:
3 restaurants; 2 bars; health club; concierge; business center; shop-
ping arcade; 24-hr. room service; massage; bab ysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning.
In room:
A/C, TV,
dataport, high-speed Internet access, minibar, hair dryer, iron, safe.
MODERATE
Chancellor Hotel
Across the str eet fr om S aks Fifth Avenue and less than a block
from Union Square, the Chancellor , built in 1914, is a typical old-time S an Francisco
hotel. The rooms are small and the furnishings ar e very basic, although in some r ooms
the back wall is painted in an unusually bright hue. B ut the prime location makes this
place worth looking into, as do nice touches such as coffee, apples, and cookies at the
reception desk; a pleasant staff; free local calls; and a pillow menu with selections such as
firm, soft, hypoallergenic, down, and even snore-reducing (useful when sharing r ooms).
Rooms come with one queen-siz e bed or two twin beds, and inter connecting rooms are
available. The hotel has two suites, each with a double bed and pullout sofa. F
4
rom
