I visited here while on a business trip. The Fairmont is located in the Nob Hill area. It's very classy. The lobby is gorgeous, with burgundy velvet and Oriental rugs. Our hotel room was extremely large, with a separate dressing area. The bathroom had a scale and an electric shoe polisher.
Now for the bad stuff: The wooden window was old and rattling. I had to call to change rooms because I never would have been able to go to sleep. The second room faced the street, and I could hear the cable car clanging its bell whenever it passed by. One of the bathroom fixtures was coming off the wall. The hotel provides two terrycloth bathrobes, but one day there was only one bathrobe. I didn't want to be
...Read More
Now for the bad stuff: The wooden window was old and rattling. I had to call to change rooms because I never would have been able to go to sleep. The second room faced the street, and I could hear the cable car clanging its bell whenever it passed by. One of the bathroom fixtures was coming off the wall. The hotel provides two terrycloth bathrobes, but one day there was only one bathrobe. I didn't want to be accused of taking a robe, so I notified housekeeping. Housekeeping and I were becoming fast friends.
In most of the hotels I've stayed at, an iron and ironing board are provided. On my first night, I called to ask where the iron was. I was informed that it had to be ordered, so I ordered one. When I returned from dinner 2 hours later, there was no iron. I called housekeeping again, and was told that I had to reserve one! I informed her that I'd reserved it at 6:30 and it was now 8:30. She said that she would get me one. I called again at 9:30. She said that she had to rent one! Finally, at 10pm, an iron was brought to me. This was my first day in San Francisco, so my body was telling me it was 1am. I was tired, but I began ironing so that I would be prepared for my business meeting the next morning. When I returned to my room the second day, the iron had been removed! I needed it to iron my suit for the following day. I was really aggravated.
On the last day, we decided to eat breakfast in the hotel before catching the plane. I asked for a menu in the beautiful restaurant, but I was informed by the waiter that the breakfast buffet was included in our stay! In other hotels, I was always informed by the desk clerk if there was anything complimentary.
This is one of the most expensive hotels in San Francisco, but it is definitely not worth it. A friend of mine stayed here in 2001 and said that she was treated horribly. On my next visit to San Francisco, I stayed at the Embassy Suites by the airport and was treated so much better. The Fairmont is relying on its reputation, and it doesn't deserve it.
Read Less