Best for Families: Kids like the Westin St. Francis because upon arrival, children 11 and under get the travel-themed Westin Kids Club backpack filled with a make-your-own postcard kit, colored pencils, a travelogue, a map of the world, and a safari hat. Parents with babies get a rubber duck, a night light, and an emergency kit. At the nautically themed Argonaut kids get to pick a toy out of the "treasure chest," and parents will appreciate the free cribs and strollers. But the place kids will probably love the most is the Hotel del Sol with its "Kids are VIPs" program that includes a lending library of books, toys, and videos; evening cookies and milk; and a plethora of toys to use by the heated outdoor pool. Parents will love the bonded babysitting services and the three baby-proofed rooms, among many other perks for families.
Best Bang for Your Buck: We're received nothing but glowing reviews from readers who've stayed at the Golden Gate Hotel. The hotel offers individually decorated rooms with handsome antique furnishings, quilted bedspreads, fresh flowers, afternoon tea, and free Wi-Fi, and it's only 2 blocks north of Union Square -- starting at $95 a night.
Best Splurge: Custom-made mattresses and pillows, beautiful works of art, and huge luxury marble bathrooms with deep tubs and L'Occitane toiletries: If only we could afford to live in an Executive Suite at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco.
Best Elevator Ride: Sometimes getting there is half the fun. No need for Disneyland: Take a ride in a glass elevator at the Westin St. Francis to get your thrills.
Best City Views: Preview heaven on the 48th floor of the Mandarin Oriental, particularly when the fog rolls in . . . below you. Enjoy the best views of the city from your Japanese soaking tub.
Best for Business Travelers: If you have to do business, why not do it in a centrally located replica of Giorgio Armani's villa in Milan, complete with double-paned soundproof windows, private screening room, work desks, and spa tubs? That would be the Hotel Milano.
Most Romantic: Oozing with bohemian romance is the Hotel Bohème in North Beach. Gauze-draped canopy beds, Beat-era jazz images, and ornate parasols shading ceiling lights set a romantic mood.
Best Public Space in a Historic Hotel: The Palace Hotel, the extravagant creation of banker "Bonanza King" Will Ralston in 1875, has one of the grandest rooms in the city: the Garden Court. Equally eye-catching is the magnificent lobby at Nob Hill's the Fairmont San Francisco.
Best Trendy Scene: If you want to shack up with the tragically hip, head to Clift Hotel, which promises upscale flirting at its bar, the Redwood Room. Less chichi and funkier in style and location is the Phoenix Hotel, where guests lounge poolside or hang at the too-cool Bambuddha Lounge.
Best Service: As usual, the Ritz-Carlton corners the market in ultimate luxury, from its stunning ground-floor bathrooms to its fabulous restaurant to everything in between. Of course such pampering comes at a cost, but if you can afford it, it's worth the splurge. While it doesn't have quite the number of perks that the Ritz has, the St. Regis Hotel is a fabulous place to stay. From its state-of-the-art rooms swathed in browns and creams to its huge spa, gym, hopping bar scene, and destination-restaurant Ame -- not to mention its location next to the Museum of Modern Art -- it's one of my favorite hotels in the city.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
