Hotel review: The St Regis San Francisco (California, USA)

Wednesday newsletters always feature a luxury hotel and/or flight review.

Today (July 30, 2014): Review of The St Regis San Francisco (California, USA).

Location: Google Maps
Hotel website: St Regis San Francisco
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso

This Forbes 5* hotel in the SoMa District offers personalized service, luxury amenities and elegant accommodations. Hotel guests are near area attractions, including Moscone Center, Oracle Park, SFMOMA and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Revealing views of downtown San Francisco, each of the 260 refined rooms and suites feature indulgent beds, ample bathrooms with soaking tubs and rainforest showers, large workstations and Wi-Fi. Exquisite suites offer generous layouts with separate living rooms and hardwood floors, exclusively serviced by St. Regis Butlers. Guests can savor the flavors of San Francisco at the Grill restaurant, experience the property’s signature afternoon tea in the lounge, or refresh in the 24-hour fitness center, indoor infinity pool and luxury spa.

The St Regis San Francisco features in my top 10 list of most luxurious city hotels in San Francisco.

In this review (more info and photos below my YouTube video):

Pros & things I like
Cons & things to know
My verdict
Tips for future guests & save money
Best time to visit
How to get there

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

The hotel enjoys a terrific location, whether you are in San Francisco for business or pleasure. It’s a short stroll to Union Square and a 10 minute taxi ride to Fisherman’s Wharf (where you can book a tour to Alcatraz or take a boat ride around the bay). The hotel is also very close to the Moscone Center and as such a no-brainer if you’re attending a conference there.

The contemporary hotel architecture is gorgeous. The hotel lobby is airy, light-filled, and sumptuous, while also having an urban edge. It feels more like a boutique hotel than most St. Regis properties, which lends the property a certain intimacy.

The staff is exceptional as you would expect from St Regis, one of the most exclusive hotel brands in the world. From the opening of the doors to the check-out procedure at the end of your stay, you will be pampered and taken well care of.

The bright rooms and suites are thoughtfully designed in a contemporary palette of soothing cream and white, with lots of modern amenities and technology. Bed comfort, linens and amenities are top-notch. The bathroom is well-appointed with a large vanity area and a deep soaking tub which fills quickly; it is open to the bedroom but with a panel that can be closed for privacy. Most rooms enjoy terrific city vistas through the large windows, but motorized shades can block out the city if you need to.

The on-site leisure facilities are state-of-the-art. The fitness center is a world of revitalizing energy, complete with advanced exercise equipment and the inspiring motivation of personal trainers. The 50-foot, heated, indoor infinity lap pool is open 24 hours and features a full poolside menu; it has a nice deck area with comfortable furniture and a water cooler.

WiFi is complimentary for all guests (as long as the booking was made on the official hotel or Starwood website).

The hotel provides a chauffeur-driven Bentley for guests to use within a 2 mile radius of the hotel. This is a great free perk!

If you wish to dine elsewhere besides the hotel, you will be happy to know that the St. Regis is in the middle of restaurant heaven.

The hotel breathes luxury without being obnoxious.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

The St Regis San Francisco is an amazing hotel and hard to fault. Nevertheless, I want to share with you some issues you need to beware of:

The hotel is expensive but worth every penny. Be prepared though to pay a lot. To give you an example: the parking fee is over $50 USD a day.

The continental breakfast is good but far from exciting: it is complimentary for Platinum members, but it is overpriced for others (29 $ for yogurt, pastries, and granola).

Rooms can be a little loud (because of street noise), but this is a city, so there is no real way to escape sirens and traffic sounds. If you are a light sleeper, then request a higher room on the side of the hotel facing the interior instead of Third Street.

MY VERDICT

Location: 8/10
Design: 9/10
Rooms: 9/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 9/10
Overall experience: excellent: 8,6/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Save money: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check in, late check out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).

Save money: Marriott Bonvoy elite members are well treated here, with – among other benefits – free WiFi, a room upgrade (when available), early check-in or late check-out (when available), and complementary breakfast (for top tier members). Read here my review of Marriott Bonvoy.

Save money: book your room with an additional 25% off making use of a Best Rate Guarantee.

Save money: read my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like The St Regis San Francisco (and/or receive many free perks).

Room tip: If you are a light sleeper, then request a higher room on the side of the hotel facing the interior instead of Third Street.

Make use of the complimentary, chauffeur-driven Bentley car service to a destination within a 2 mile radius of the hotel.

Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

San Francisco weather is best in the spring and fall, with warm and clear days, and comfortably cool nights. The city is often shrouded in fog during mid-summer (June to September). Winter can bring storms and rains. So the best months, that usually come with brilliant sunshine, are October, November, April and May.

HOW TO GET THERE

The San Francisco area is served by 2 airports:

San Francisco International Airport is located 13 miles (21 km) south of Downtown San Francisco and it served by many full-service carriers (click here for a direct link to their websites). Check the Wikipedia page of San Francisco International Airport for an updated list of airlines that fly to San Francisco.

Oakland International Airport is located accross the Bay, 5 miles (8 km) south of Downtown Oakland, and is served by most American full-service and low-cost carriers (click here for a direct link to their websites). Check the Wikipedia page of Oakland International Airport for an updated list of airlines that fly to Oakland.