The most expensive suite at the St. Francis goes for $3000/night. I really didn''t know what to expect of this hotel, having been at many different Westin locations. The St. Francis personifies the city: it is centrally located on Powell Street, which is surrounded by upscale shops, eateries, more hotels which are smaller and boutiquey. This is also the street where you can catch the trolley and go down to the wharf, the piers and Ghirardelli Square.

We received an upgrade upon check-in which resulted in a king size bed that turned into the room magnet. The down comforters, down pillows, down mattress cajole you into jumping into them. We had a sofa with a side table and a floor length reading lamp; across the room was the large desk with armchair, phone (there are 3 phones in all, including the bathroom). An armoire with imitation chinese motifs opens to reveal the television and on the lower spaces, are 3 drawers for storing clothing. In the hallway is a marble counter with 2 lower cabinets, one of which holds champagne glasses. On the top, we had ice bucket which our bell person filled promptly. Two Evian bottles are ready for consumption, if you can get yourself to pay $4.50 for $1.50 bottle. The closet is very generous but short. The bathroom has every amenity possible except a magnifying mirror. Above the bathtub is a lamp which lights the immediate area if you don''t want the entire bathroom flooded with light.

You''ll get the newspaper every day, and if you order room service, as in tea, you are not charged. That was a really nice touch. They have spa facilities, but we did not avail ourselves of them.

There are two entrances to the hotel, each opening to a major artery in the city. Nearer to the exit for Powell Street is the Compass Rose with lavish decor, marbled columns, the works. They feature certain artists on different evenings, and at 4:00pm serve high tea with clotted cream and strawberries with English scones. I found that extremely tempting, but neither I nor Chuck were excited about $40/person for tea and crumpets. This does not even happen in London.

There are many shops which line 2 of the corridors featuring jewelry, a ticket booth where you can get theater and game seating, a Victoria''s Secret shop which is not yet open, a gift shop and other services.

The original building of the St. Francis was built at the turn of the 20th century. In 1972, they added a tower, and this is where we stayed. By the way, you will be happily surprised when your elevator makes its way to the 16th floor, and after the 5th floor, you find yourself racing up on the outside of the building. I got used to it by the time we left.

The St. Francis is offering special rates at this time which are worth checking out. They are way below their standard pricing.