W San Francisco
181 3rd Street
(at Howard St)
San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 777-5300
- Price Range: $$$
156 Reviews for W San Francisco
One of W San Francisco's Favorite Reviews
Hands down one of the coolest spots to stay in, in SF! You mos'def need to hit up the XYZ bar. The raspberry mignonette they serve with the oysters is to die for! Oh and don't forget the tasty frittes! Hooray for high cholesterol!
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Too cool from the moment you step through the front door.
The W takes the experience to a new level - with a cool vibe, rooms that are a sanctuary and if you ever get bored - then step into the lift andhead to XYZ - one of the best hotel bars to just idle, switch off from work or do whatever...
My first room was a 7th floor corner above the dumpsters. The 4am trash dumping was sort of a drag, so they moved me to a 26th floor corner facing the Bay. Gorgeous room with a gorgeous view and, best of all, whisper quiet. The 2nd floor gym is great for an urban hotel. The service is always attentive without being overbearing or uptight.
Bonus: The elevators always smell fantastic.
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Room 2814... you really made me hot. The views you provided gave me a stiffy.
During my weeklong trip in SF, I was not planning to stay here at all. However, my boyfriend and I decided to stay in the city one night extra, so we booked a room at the W. From booking the room over the phone, I had already received good service. I was booking a room under my employee rate, and even though it was last minute, the manager gladly made the reservation for me right away.
So I am a total nerd and I love hotels, and I was fascinated when I walked into the W. The building from the outside looks pretty much like the rest of them in downtown, but the inside is awesome. I have only been to the W in Silicon Valley, but this one is way cooler.
Upon entering the building, I felt kind of out of place. My friends and I were all in our jeans and sweatshirts and all of the other patrons were dressed up, at the bar, etc. But whatever, that isn't gunna phase me.
The check in went really well, and the two girls at the front desk were both very nice. I could tell the girl who checked me in was training, but she was very nice throughout the whole process.
Anyhow, down to the bottom line. I was very impressed with the hotel (all the cool lighting and decor), and the room itself. I loved the subtle, yet chic, classy, and cool interior decor of the room. From our room, we also had an amazing view of the Bay Bridge from the 17th floor. The bed was super comfortable, and everything was clean.
Another thing that was awesome is their pool here. It's an indoor pool with hot tub, and there's music playing inside and the walls are decorated with posters of body sillhouttes doing yoga.. pretty cool. And there was one big chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
Also, when we checked out the next day, I was frantically looking for my makeup, hair dryer, and straightener in my luggage when I got back to my car. I couldn't find any of them, and after freaking out for a minute, I realized I had left everything in one of the drawers in the room. I immediately called the hotel, and they had someone go to the room to get all of my items. I got back to the hotel in around 5 minutes, and all my stuff was ready for me at the front desk.
Overall, I loved staying at the W. For the one night that we were there, we got exceptional service, and the decor and amenities were awesome. If you're into the type of feel that the W Hotel offers, I would recommend staying here. And although I was staying with an employee rate, I didn't feel treated any differently as if I were to pay the regular rate. This doesn't apply everywhere, but it did here.
PS. i uploaded pictures from my stay.
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Date & Time: Various Weekends when we just want to Getaway from our Neighborhood
Company: Michael
Crowd: Tony Young Professionals
Vibe: Chill
Decor: Chic & Comfortable. Cozy Rooms in Deep Rich Shades of Brown, Beige, Blue. Comfy Bed & Intimate Window Bench.
Service: Attractive & Clad in Black. A Little Too Cool For School Attitude
Bars-
Lobby Bar
Crowd: Young Hip Professionals
Vibe: Chill
Service: Efficient
Imbibe: San Francisco Spring which is Grey Goose, Grapefruit Juice, Cointreau Orange. Yum!
Devour: Crisp Fries & Ice Cream
Also My Fave Bar Here - The Living Room
Location: The Mezzanine Level of The W
Company: Ex-BFF's, Pheny, Michael & Friends
Crowd: Young Girls in True Religion Jeans, Skimpy Tops & Heels Guys in Striped Fitted Shirts, Tee's or Blazers & Seven Jeans
Vibe: Energetic
Decor: Sexy! Sheer Sweeping Curtains leads you to this Massive Bar. Sleek Sofas & Cubes to Lounge around in while listening to Hip Music.
Service: Cool
Imbibe: Hangar One "Buddha's Kiss" Citron, Kaffir Lime, or Mandarin Blossom
Restaurant- XYZ
Date & Time: Dinner @ 8pm
Company: Pheny, Michael & Friends
Crowd: Hip Professionals
Atmosphere: Chic
Decor: Signature W Sleek Dark Woods. Brown/Beige Lush Booths, Tables and Tightly-Packed Seating as you enter. Impressive Dining Room.
Service: Efficient. Helpful. Knowledgeable.
Imbibe: Hangar One Citron or Grey Goose Le Citron & Wine
Devour: Soup, Seared Foie Gras, Tuna Carpaccio, Seared Scallops for Starters. Duck Breast or Beef Tenderloin for Entree. Ice Cream Sandwiches for Dessert.
Room Service Available!
Notes: Grab some Green Apples during Check-in.
Definitly Check out The Pool & Hot Tub.
Toiletries of Bliss Products in its very own Travel Case!
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I knew our days together were numbered when my German date ordered a pink Cosmo (yes, a dude) and I ordered a Scotch, neat. But W does make a mean Cosmo.
My absolute favorite place to stay if i am treating my self to intown excursions. The decor is fantastic.
This place rocks!
I stayed here with my sister this past weekend after her graduation from Cal.
We got in around 7 pm. Check-in was easy and the guy gave me a FREE upgrade from a Wonderful room to a Spectacular room! Woot!! That means, better views! yay! =)
I booked the whirlwind weekend rate and got a free pair of Bliss softening socks along with a ton of coupons to different stores and 2 free cosmos!! What better way to start the night than with 2 martinis? Especially for 2 alcoholics!
Room was very nice! I love their beds! Super comfy, great colors and lots of pillows! I also love the window seat, soooooo freakin cool!
Bliss toiletries are da bomb!
What is the best thing about this place?
The downstairs bar!!!
Ask for Ryan. He will hook you up with the best tasting raspberry lemon drop martini EVER!! I can have 5 of those a night and keep going. Mmmmm..
Too bad Ryan wasnt there the night we were.. :( Oh wells! We still got our drink on!
As for eye candy, didn't see any.. maybe I needed to drink more. :P
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awesome hotel! it is so close to union square and the soma district! decor is gorgeous! very comfy and chic room! i highly recommend this place! i love how they have fruits everywhere haha at the front desk, pool and gym area! i guess its part of their decor? great service!
-1 star for receiving dents in our car when we used the valet "service" (which cost $45 no less...)
-1 star for the expensive business center having pathetic internet speeds (mind you, wireless was available for free in the lobby, but there's no printer there)
-1 star for no soap, shampoo or lotions in the room when we arrived and a broken iron
-1 star for the unprofessional and slow service we received the entire time we were there (30 minutes to get our car back from the valet is unacceptable among other things..)
Look, they had a fantastic view of the Bay Bridge in our room and the bed was super comfortable, but there's better values in the city than the W hotel. Just look across the street at the Westin.
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W means many things:
Good beds
Good drinks
My baby dog Sasha can sleep here too
Amazing views
Fast room service
Beautiful staff
Champagne package
I could go on and on, the W gets to the point of relaxing in slow party way. LOVE IT
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My wife and I stay here EVERY time we visit the city, and it is, without a doubt, my fave in the country. The staff is exceptional. The vibe is perfect. The location is spectacular. The receptionist always, and I mean ALWAYS, upgrades us up to an upper "COOL, CORNER, SUITE", and usually drops in a couple of free drinks at XYZ.
Speaking of XYZ, is there a better hotel bar than this one? I usually go to hotel bars rather than restaurants in my hometown (SD), as their service is much better, and the bartenders friendlier, but XYZ takes the cake. Not too rowdy, not to mellow, but just right. Besides, this is where my buddy introduced me to Hendricks Gin, so it will always hold a warm spot in my heart!
Back to the rooms. My wife loves the "bliss" products, and the housekeeping ladies always give her a few extra bottles. The bed is "Heavenly" and better than anything else you can sleep in, and if you get an upper floor, you usually have a pretty amazing bay or city view.
All in all, this will probably be the ONLY hotel we stay in any time we stay in SF.
Thanks for the "Wonderful" time!
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Great place, but.....
W stands for
Weak drinks
Wrong drinks
WTF
Maybe We had a neW bartender or one With an off day. There's always next time.
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I liked the W, but I also don't really see what the fuss is about? I had a standard corner room, but I've stayed in plenty of nice hotels... this one didn't seem any better. Nice, but worth all the raving?
The lobby of the W is spacious and is divided between general seating area and the bar. The bar has a great lemonade cocktail and is a nice place to stop in for a drink, even if you're not staying here - good people watching after a MoMA date.
The Bliss bath products in the rooms are fab (I still have a travel lotion floating around somewhere) and there was hot apple cider on tap at the check-in desk in the evening. The staff was very friendly, especially the door men. I'd send relatives here, but there are smaller hotels that don't cost quite as much that are just as great!
I'm still a bit buzzed as I write this -- I went to the W Hotel for the first time tonight for a video game event after the Game Developers' Conference. I didn't stay in any of the guest rooms, but the lounge(s) and bar are classy and impressive.
I imagine that under the right circumstances the hotel lobby, lounge, bar, whatever would be a great, classy social breeding ground, but after GDC it was a complete nerdfest. No offense. I used to be one of those people too, I just hide it better now (I learned to wear lesser and lesser Nintendo shirts).
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Perfect location, great drink, & best service for Starwood Preffered Guests.
We stayed here a few times & they had always consistent. We book a regular room, but when we checked in, the reps upgraded it us to the "Spectacular View" on 30th Floors (they have 31 floors) for no charge. The view to SF city @ the Metreon Center was beautiful with all the city light.
The bar on teh second floor is more cozy & great cocktail there. The XYZ restaurant serves healthy choice of Californian dishes.
PROS: The location, the bar, the room decors, the view & the service.
CONS: $43 + tax valet parking!! Ouch!!! But then all SF hotels are like that between $27 - $45
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I remember when the hotel opened, they had models in pajamas showing off the rooms. Even with all that sexy royal blue silk hugging the hunks and hotties, you couldn't help but notice how small the rooms were. Why such small rooms in a relatively new hotel? Sophia C. broke it down for ya in her review. Still, the beds are super comfy and the bar is hip enough for convention goers who can't find their way out to a real scene. There's just so many better W's...I'll take New Orleans for one, actually there's two in NOLA!
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Consistently great service -- whatever, whenever.
I have stayed here for over 20 nights. It's hard for any hotel to be perfect all the time -- but the W SF is consistent and I appreciate that. I like the rooms -- they were redone in late 2007. The turquoise blue bed covers, the cloud shaped mirrors, the window-seat bench, and those funny glow Buddhas all make me happy each time I enter the room. AND the beds are *great.*
I also appreciate the fresh (always green) apples in the lobby, the free wi-fi and the wonderful concierge and amazing parking staff (my car is always ready!).
Things that make this place a 5-star:
- free bottled water when you pick up your car.
- a gym + pool + bliss spa w/ free towels, water etc.
- i pod docks in every room (i use it for charging, the sound isn't great)
- free lobby wi-fi
- when they call you for a morning wake up call they say "Sorry to wake you from your dreams, but its' time for your 7 am wake up" and then they offer you a 15-minute follow-up call. I love LOVE the 15-minute follow-up.
- they have a policy of "not moving" stuff when they clean your room. SF visitors are more picky so they are good at leaving newspapers and things where you left them -- if you want more "organizing+cleaning" call housekeeping and they will adjust. I appreciate that they think about this!
- They provide face wash and it's great (made by bliss). I hoard this stuff and it's the only thing I use. Most places just say "use the soap" but they actually have a specific face wash. love it!
- you get a 50% discount on parking if you are driving a hybrid
- XYZ is always fun and creates a good vibe. It can be nuts when there is a conference at Moscone (but that usually means parties...)
- The mini-bar has pink champagne.
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Anyone expecting the San Francisco 'W' to be the chaotic nightlife scene that the top floor of the Lakeshore Drive Chicago or Beverly HIlls W's offer will be surprised and disappointed.
Rooms are clean and well appointed but extremely pricey if you are here just for the hotel, though food was very good.
For the money as a guest, I would prefer a room large enough that if two guests visit you they will not be forced to sit in a manner that part of them is always touching the bed, but for the money as an investor, I would say "well done, pack'em in!"
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Great location
Great Staff
Great Ambiance
Great Rooms
Would definitely go back to W San Francisco. The whole staff was very warm and welcoming. Had one of the best hamburgers that I've had in a long time at the XYZ bar and the XYZ drink list is very extensive. Over all a great hotel with a lot to offer!
I love W hotels. The decor and ambiance of the place just gushes with yuppieness. The Bliss Spa was definitely a blissful experience as well. The suites on the upper floors are amazing and lavish with great city views. The regular rooms were nice as well but a little on the small side. I would definitely stay here again.
Knowing that the Yelp Holiday Party would do us in, my brother and I decided we'd get a room at the W Hotel to avoid any driving disasters. Plus, being the kids about town that we are, we've been wanting to check this place out for awhile. Perfect excuse!
I arrived at the hotel in the late afternoon and pulled up to a smiling & very friendly valet attendant. Though the cost of the parking is high ($45 per night for guests), I was informed that because I'm so eco-fabulous and drive my little Prius I get parking for 1/2 price.
Woot woot!! Another reason I love being green.
The front desk clerks were helpful and nice. They gave me the keys to our room on the 27th floor and up I went in the lightning fast elevator with the bellman in tow. I was pleasantly surprised by the decor from the ground up. Minimal, fresh and modern. Very subtle but makes a statement. I like it.
Upon arrival on the 27th floor, I found we had not one but TWO rooms that were put together for our use. The overly generous sized rooms included a lounge, living room area with Murphy bed, sofa and it's own bathroom. The incredible bedroom had quite a stately bathroom, flat screen TV with amazing Bang & Olufsen sound system and views of the city to rival any that I've seen.
In fact there were views of the city from the bathroom. Yes, you could in theory, sit on the toilet and look at the amazing SF skyline. Wow.
Now THAT's what I call a 5-star experience!
Even though we were only in the room for a total of 10 hours - most of it sleeping in a drunken induced coma, I will definitely find another excuse to drop an exorbitant amount of cash to stay in this hotel again. Worth every single precious cent and then some!
P.S. I've been asked how much we shelled out for this room...we got a mid-week special online, so it was actually only $299 for the night.
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I really am a fan of the "W" hotels. In Honolulu, my girlfriends and I went to the club nights there quite frequently. When I came to this W, I felt very much like a grownup. The drinks are consistently good. It's a good place to people watch, spend time with friends, or go to after a nice dinner. They have an upstairs and well as a downstairs bar. You just can't go wrong with the W.
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I'm glad I have rich friends cuz this bar is expensive. $59 for a margarita, two glasses of wine and a glass of bubbly. The vibe's pretty cool though. Bathroom was messy. Maybe they could spend some of the profits from all those overpriced drinks on a janitor or something. Maybe.
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What's an SF resident doing staying the night at an SF hotel anyway? All I'll say is that this is currently my favorite and I'm a bit of an expert.
Loved the cradle for my iPod/iPhone so that I can play music in the room. Loved the Bay Bridge view. Loved the bathrobe and ultra comfortable bed. Loved the decor. Loved the staff.
Bliss Spa was just ok though. Standard price for a hotel spa but I felt it was overpriced for what you got. Mani/pedi was just ok. Maybe the facials and massages are better.
Didn't love that there wasn't wifi in the rooms. Didn't love that the bar closed at midnight on a Monday--including sending a cocktail up for room service.
I crashed here to help avoid driving back to the north bay after the yelp party. This hotel is the best. It has a couple very good (if expensive) bars. The rooms are just awesome. Plasma TV, internet ready to go, plush robes, equally plush towels, very nice min-bar and fridge (I have a nice bill coming to me :D), quality soaps and shampoos, and very heavenly bed. I fell asleep before I could order room service the bed was so comfy. The service is impeccable. I had a real nice stay here. I especially like the wake up call- Sorry to interrupt your dreams Rob L., but it's 4:30AM - time to wake up! :D
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I used to stay here a lot when I came to SF for business. The rooms are nice but very very very small. Like one foot of walking space around the bed.
The bar is full of gold-digging girls trying to hook up with a successful business guy. Pretty disgusting scene. Nice if you're on a business trip and want a little honey away from home.
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I was reading the October issue of Cosmo the other day -- oh fuck off, I didn't buy it, it was left on the alcove bureau by someone who lives in my building.
And let me tell you: Cosmo is the ONLY magazine that combines hard-hitting advice, everyday know-how, and escapist fantasy. Where else can I find such a combo? Not in fucking Mademoiselle, unless I need to learn about about the most fashionable way to clean my pussy, which is TOTALLY USELESS to me since I have a miniature schnauzer.
Okay, I lied, I don't have either.
So, yeah, I picked up this Cosmo specifically because the cover announced COSMO WANTS TO MAKE YOU RICH, and I figured that since I'm like that bitch Nancy Reagan and make all my life and relationship decisions based on the horoscope in this rag, the $250,000 they were offering was yet ANOTHER way I could continue down the path of self-improvement and self-righteousness while LOOKING HOT in my newly-purchased Alaia tube dress and Bulgari cock ring bling.
While trying to locate the details about the cool quarter mil in the magazine -- how many Almay ads can you squeeze into a mag? Don't ask! -- I stumbled across "How to Stay Safe: 5 PLACES SEXUAL PREDATORS LOOK FOR WOMEN." See, what did I tell you, hard-hitting!
According to the article, the five places are: parking lots, taxis, their car, familiar streets, and their own home. So basically, we need to live in fear OUR ENTIRE FUCKING LIVES! Isn't that AWESOME?!?! I tell ya, you know we're REALLY making progress when magazines marketed to women print articles sure to provoke MASS HYSTERIA!! Josef Breuer would be proud. I mean, fuck, I guess the only safe place for women is a locked attic where they can plotz about while barefoot and pregnant! I guess this is the feminism of today, RIGHT?!?!
Anyway, I realized that the author left BARS off the list. And then I remembered that my first thought while walking to meet friends at the W Hotel Bar was: SEXUAL PREDATOR. For some reason, I had visions of blonde bimbos, popped collars, roofie coladas, and Christian Bale sodomizing a headless torso while wearing his Brioni blazer as I approached the door. Cray-cray, huh?
Well I was TOTALLY WRONG. Maybe I just mixed up my morning prescriptions or something, but I actually enjoyed tossing back a few cocktails with the Beautiful People as the soft candlelight flickered across their faces. Okay, so maybe they weren't all beautiful, but they certainly wanted the rest of us to think they were. The lighting helped -- everyone looked a decade younger and ugly motherfuckers like me actually looked human.
Of course, part of the reason for my pleasure was the company: awesome Jamie M listed the virtues of Livy as if he was talking about the weather and Robert P was a sweet bundle of warmth.
But you know what? I also found the service professional and friendly, my cuba libres strong, the frites fried in duck fat delicious, and the circular bar an excellent perch from which to people-watch.
Oh, and the fact that the Silver Fox sitting next to us was getting sweet-talked by an OLDER blonde woman sporting a quilted Chanel clutch played ABSOLUTELY NO ROLE in my rating.
Okay, that last part was total bullshit. Watching their dance of seduction was deeply entertaining. THAT'S the feminism I'M talking about, bitches! Love is a battlefield.
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I stayed here on a recent visit to San Francisco. Our room had a really mod vibe, yet was very comfortable. The "whatever/whenever" staff was great - among other things, I had a birthday present delivered in advance of our stay, and they wrapped it beautifully upon my request.
And now for a little story....
For those of you who were old enough to watch Pulp Fiction when it first came out, do you remember being amazed that a milkshake could cost $5? Well, that feeling of amazement came rushing back to me when I ordered a glass of warm milk from room service (those cookies from French Laundry needed some accompaniment) and it was NINE DOLLARS. Yes, that's $9US for a GLASS OF MILK. Granted, it was all foamy and creamy and the perfect temperature, but still...it was NINE DOLLARS.
Someday that price will be normal, but it's currently 2007, so color me sticker-shocked!
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What better way to spend a weekend of debauchery then at the plush W in San Francisco!
The bed - Amazing! (And it's squeak proof!!)
The flat panel TV that has the super tweaky visualizer - totally awesome for times of altered states!
Huge room, huge bathroom, super uber cool decor, awesome window seat with a view of downtown SF. Perfect weekend escape. Service was exceptional.
I booked the "Feel the Wuv" package, which included a bottle of chilled champagne and a set of wonderful massage lotions with a mixing palate. Good times...
Thank you W for a weekend I won't forget (at least the parts I remember!)
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celebrities you MIGHT see here: clients #1-8, Ashley Alexandra Dupre
enough said.
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Warning! This is completely about the bar not the hotel.
Ive been to several events here and gone to the bar after other parties and each time I am severely disappointed. Somehow we always end up here after my company holiday party and ever year we swear we are never going there again. Its like that booty call that you keep calling drunkenly for sex at 3am but then realize 20 minutes in that it was a horrible horrible mistake.
The bar staff is incompetent and rude....Im sorry but I don't want a snooty attitude with my $15 martini. They are definitely hired for their looks and not their talent/personality. I figure if Im paying that much to drink there, they can at least respect me and not treat me like scum.
Also the clientle at this place is HORRIBLE. Its usually about 90% rich out of town sleazy businessmen who only want to hook up with chicks. Almost every time Ive been there I've had to run away from some sleaze ball who wont leave me alone and thinks talking about his car and penthouse will get him in my pants.
Theres way more chic and hip bars in the area that you can go to for a good stiff drink without the attitude.
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Hanging out at the post- modernist dark bar, our heels hanging over the side of the stools and sipping my $9 chocolate martini while switching my gaze between suited men left and right.
My very first experience at the W hotel with the boys and it has yet to change. I was here last night for a trunkshow and was a bit disappointed in the venue in that it lacked the smooth association since the clothing was display on one end and one had to walk to the other side for bar service. Otherwise, I was impressed with the number of hors d'oeuvres that swept through every 5 minutes. And the waitstaff were encouraging, take more take more.
Oo la la. Mushroom tartlets. Salmon puff pastry.
The downstairs lounge is perfect for small get togethers after work and the sleek modern vibe is echoed throughout. The rooms are neutral and accomodating, especially since I am from the "less is more" enthusiast and do not care at all for frilly accoutrements or lacey adornments. Reminded me a bit of the Intercontinental, one of my favorate places to rest my weary head whilst traveling for work.
Staff are somewhat friendly, although I've been spoiled by the best in Boston, and the black outfits the staff wear here is what I'm talking about. There is something quite stoic and efficient when anyone wears black......hmmm.
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My second favourite hotel in San Francisco. W is just so cool, no matter where you go in the world there is that much given with this place. I love the atmosphere and the funky 'vibe'. The bar and restaurants are lovely, the products in the bathrooms, the beds are comfortable, the service over the top. Perfect for a luxurious stay in any city and in SF it is conveniently located. If I could complain I would say the views aren't that hot but its a city-styled hotel.
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"I'm kinda like Noah's Ark...my b***ches come in pairs"
Ok so maybe not, but this place makes a fella feel all money and shit. From uber-cool vibe to uber-comfy pillows, this place pretty much has the 'uber' thing sowed up...$30 for an room-service omelette? Holy uber-shit!
Now I'm the last cat in the world to play the pretentious card, but when I come to SF on biz, I stay at the Dub because, well, I have an image to uphold, alright?...Oh you're staying at the 4 Seasons? That's SOOooo '06. Now back to work...I have to pay off my bar tab...
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Disclaimer: The following is purely based on experience with an event held here and not hotel stay.
We have hosted several events over the years at the W and up until this last occasion - we had not been disappointed. We held an event here recently that was set up in a work room upstairs. We met with the coordinator ahead of time and had agreed on all of the details from the amt. of chairs - to the tables in an outside area for demos - to the food preparation, drinks etc. Mind you this event was to have about 50 people.
The night of: We get there a little early to just make sure things are in order and arrive before everyone else. We find there are not enough chairs in the room, there are no demo tables set up outside the room yet and there is furniture in the way outside where the tables should be and where our cocktail mixer was to be held.
At this point we are frantically trying to reach the coordinator to no avail. Now people are starting to arrive, the event is to begin in about 15 minutes and nothing is set up and the coordinator is MIA. I go downstairs to talk to the manager who is trying to reach someone in banquet and after 5 min. or so - is not reaching anyone. By this time, some of the guests that had arrived were helping to move furniture - which is not cool at all. And with the event beginning now in about 10 mins - the coordinator finally shows.
We get the extra chairs, we get the tables but yet have to ask again for help in setting them up properly to accomodate everything for the demos. The coordinator did wave our set up fee but she didn't seem to be extra accomodating or apologetic.
All in all - we were very disappointed with how things went down and were handled. The good thing is that once the event began, everything went off great and everyone had a good time (that is the only reason this post is even getting two stars).
Update: I forgot to mention that right when our event began they started vacuuming right outside the room - what!?
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The universe collapsed briefly while I was at the W for an art show featuring Greg Lamarche.
I ran into a former student on the way in, and while we were looking at the art, I asked how his classes were going. He told me about the wonderful coincidence that his printmaking instructor is from Ohio, as is he, and she went to college in his home town.
I glanced to my left, swallowed hard and asked him, "You see the blonde in the blue dress?" She was only five feet away so he found her quickly and said, "Yeah, she's hot." I told him, as I had realized only seconds before, "She was in MY printmaking class SIX YEARS AGO IN VERMONT!" I don't think believed me, but she looked over, so I said, "Ashley?" and she nodded. "You were in my silkscreen class at UVM, right?" and her eyes brightened as she nodded again and we struck up a brief conversation. Small world for printmakers in San Francisco I guess.
I've only been to the upstairs bar/lounge area for this particular show, so this is in no way a critique of the rooms, restaurant, room service, et al.
There were only a dozen pieces of art in a tiny alcove off to the side, while the bars, ergo the people, were packed into an entirely separate space. It was such as scene that I am not sure if most of them ever saw the work, which was good and worthy of being the center of its own event. The lines for free scotch snaked along the walls and between the tables, but the bartenders were generous and good natured, and I am not one to complain about the length of a line when it's an open bar. The space was laid out well, but they had the strangest colored LED lights on the floor that made a simple room look ugly and people who walked too close were constantly being blinded.
The W seems like a lovely hotel, and I am not opposed to going back but I am not sure they know how to manage the logistics of throwing a party.
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For the unseasoned business traveler, the W will seem like luxury. And it's by no means shabby. But while you're relaxing in your generous tub, snuggling into a comfy bed, or enjoying the mood lighting and general quiet from neighboring rooms, you start to notice they're nickel and diming you out of every last drop... oh apart from the nice freebie Bliss goodies in the bathrooms.
Yeah, everything'll cost ya. Get your coffee at Starbucks round the corner, and grab some bottled water from Whole Foods or any convenience store nearby.
The 'whenever, whatever' feature is always good and the staff really do seem like they're there to serve you, which makes a whopping difference when you're exhausted and can't find your hairdryer or need an extra blanket.
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I'm an Ian Schrager guy but I will take a W if necessary. On that note I would have to say that the W-SF is a home run. Funky, cool, good food, convenient. Well done.
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