Beyond the Holidays -- The Pros and Cons of Staying at the Fairmont San Francisco

The Fairmont San Francisco is a great hotel, whether or not you go there during the holidays.  But that isn't to say it is perfect.  


1 - The Fairmont sometimes has good rates.  It is sometimes a bit less expensive than other classic San Francisco hotels, like the Ritz, St. Francis, and Mark Hopkins (right across the street from the Fairmont).  


2 - The Fairmont likes to distinguish between the old part of the hotel and "The Tower."  Rooms in "The Tower" are more expensive than in the older part of the hotel.  The rooms in both parts of the hotel are very similar.  Yes, "The Tower" is a bit newer.  But the rooms just don't look too different.  It isn't like they've upgraded the "Tower" rooms to make them like rooms at a modernistic hotel like the W in San Diego.


3 - I don't doubt that some rooms in "The Tower" have better views than rooms in the older part of the hotel.  BUT THAT FREQUENTLY ISN'T TRUE!  Here's what to watch for:
(a)  A room in "The Tower" that faces to the north probably has a better view.


(b)  A room in "The Tower" that faces south will have substantially the same view as that found in pretty much all of the eastern-facing rooms in the older part of the hotel.  


(c)  A room in "The Tower" that faces south and is below the fifth floor (more or less) will have what I think is a WORSE view than in the eastern-facing rooms in the older part of the hotel.


4 - The restaurant has a good buffet set-up.  But it is really expensive.  For example:
(a) The "continental" buffet basically lets you get toast, bagels and cream cheese, cereal and milk, and muffins, for somewhere around $18.  If you're going to do that, just go down to a Starbucks and buy yourself coffee and a muffin or bagel (or five).  


(b) The "full" buffet includes warm stuff like waffles, sausages/bacon, etc.  When we visited, they also had eggs benedict.  It does cost even more than the "continental" buffet.  But if you're going to eat in a hotel restaurant and over-pay, then best to just spring for the "full" buffet.  After all, you just will not find all-you-can-eat eggs benedict most anywhere else.  That's just not a typical item on anyone's buffet.  

5 - The Fairmont staff is pretty friendly, and based on our recent visit they have good service.  Knowledgeable front desk staff (though they'll try to sell you up to a "Tower" room).  Nice bell-folks.  Valet is fine, and faster than I would've expected given the volume of traffic going in and out of the place.


6 - The Fairmont is a really busy place.  Lots of people in and out of the lobby.  Only some are staying at the hotel -- they host lots of dances, parties, etc.  And, especially during the holiday season, lots of folks come in just to see the gingerbread house and tree.  This doesn't bother us.  In fact, we think that's part of what makes this a great hotel to visit.  But if you don't like lots of people and would prefer that your hotel have more of an attitude about scaring folks so they won't come into the lobby if they don't have a reservation, then stay at the Ritz.  


That's not to slam the Ritz too much -- it is a great hotel in its way.  And its restaurant -- The Dining Room -- is among the best (if not THE best) in San Francisco.  But you gotta admit they have a bit of an attitude.  More on the Ritz in a later post.


Enjoy!

COTC