Hotel Review – The Westin St Francis, San Francisco

The Concept:

Dating back to the days of the Gold Rush in the early years of the 20th century, The Westin St Francis in Union Square, San Francisco, goes down in the history books as a hotel that has stood through time and so much more (it was partially damaged in the great earthquake of 1906). This 32 storied (originally 12) establishment is one of the largest hotels in San Francisco, with more than a thousand rooms and suites for guests, and top notch amenities like an all day fitness studio (free for guests), wellness spas and beauty centres and world class restaurants. And many significant people have been guests to its services over the years, like Hollywood stars and Queen Elizabeth II.

This luxury hotel is best known for its history, something which it wears proudly in its décor- high ceilings, crystal chandeliers and lots of antiques in the lobby that serve to record the yester years of the hotel. But it has come into the modern world quite well too, with flat screen TVs and WiFi (daily fee charged) contemporary interiors and glass elevators on the outside, from which the view of Union Square is fantastic.

The Room

A night at this four star hotel starts at about USD $232, or Rs. 15,500 with the deluxe suite costing about USD $269 or Rs. 18,500. The rooms in the tower that was upgraded in the 70’s, are big and spacious and overlook the Union Square making it a perfect spot to view the city from. The original building however, has smaller rooms and bathrooms, but these are the ones with the historical significance.

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Restaurants

The hotel’s eating places have had some pretty interesting stories attached to them- with US presidential elections being lost because of a banquet held by one of the chefs and what not. Today, The Westin known for the Bourbon Steak by celebrity chef Michael Mina and the Clock Bar, a cocktail bar that serves mouthwatering gourmet finger food. The Oak Room Restaurant is another option, with its rich wood walls making it a sumptuous feast for your eyes. Besides these, the hotel also has a lobby café and a special kids menu, to make sure everyone is well taken care of at any time of the day. Also, they allow pets.

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What We Wish Had Been There

The in-room service still have a few kinks to work out; our request for room service coffee didn’t went through at once, we had to call for it twice. Also the breakfast options were very limited and they serve the same breakfast menu every day, during my stay there for 5 days. It was as boring and repetitive as daily chores.

The Verdict

If you’re looking for a taste of history, or just fancy a night in a grand hotel that used to be the legendary home-away-from home of the stars of Hollywood’s golden age, this 100 year old landmark is the perfect place for you. Just read some more about their history? We’re sure you’ll be convinced.