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.

A vintage photo in the lobby reveals the St. Francis’ landmark status. In the tintype peek into the hotel’s turn-of-the-century origins, ladies in street-length skirts and gentlemen in dapper chapeaus congregate on Union Square benches across from the new hotel; there is no street traffic.

Designed to be a "Paris of the West," the hotel was so popular following its inaugural season in 1906, that plans to expand began a mere six months after opening. White-gloved service and attention to detail are a revered standard established during the elegant era and still permeate at St. Francis today. What other hotel offers to clean your silver coins, for instance? In the days when ladies wore white gloves, St. Francis made the effort to keep their money clean, and the service has carried over as a tradition.

We checked in late at the beautiful Westin St. Francis on a recent visit. In spite of the hour, the desk staff greeted us as chipper as sunrise over Golden Gate Bridge and acknowledged our Starwood membership by upgrading us to a top floor with an impressive view of the city’s skyline. We strolled through the Vegas-sized marble halls marveling at the classic architecture, surely a model of elegance even for this sophisticated city.

A glass elevator whisked us within moments to our towering hideout on the 31st floor where we were welcomed further by Westin’s signature "heavenly bed." The superior mattress, a duvet swaddled in luxurious but simple Egyptian linens, proved to be the most meaningful amenity of the well-appointed hotel.

Our large room had a substantial desk with internet connection, armoire, chaise lounge and marble bath. The fixtures and sink were designed by the renowned Sherle Wagner, an impressive feature adding to the room’s overall sophistication. But the view was the winning feature, especially since the Blue Angels were practicing their maneuvers right over our heads the next morning.

The Westin St. Francis is a gorgeous, old, well-dressed, hotel. There are few lobbies more magnificent than the St. Francis’ with its marble, columns, fixtures and carvings and the staircase leading to the venerable Compass Rose. Extensive facilities, including 24-hour room service, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and glorious newly installed spa, satisfy guests’ more modern requirements. With its central location across from Union Square, there’s hardly a more convenient or lively location in San Francisco. Add to that the Macy’s discount card included in check-in, and a stay at St. Francis may have you asking yourself, "What did I do to deserve all this?"

On small caveat; at $39/night, valet parking fees can add substantially to the total tariff. However, with so many fascinations within walking distance from St. Francis and the cable cars just outside the door, arriving without a car is a reasonable alternative. Or better yet, have your driver drop you off at the door…

When you walk in you know you must be in one of the top hotels in SF. Located in Union Square, it is a grand hotel. The elevators are outside and are lit up. The beds are called heavenly beds, and they are just that. We slept like babies on them. We stayed there for three or four nights and found its location was good but would rather stay closer to the wharf next time. We realy liked this hotel and would still stay there again even thou it is not within walking distance to the wharf.

The hotel itself is beautiful and has every amenity you can imagine. Very busy - tons of people always hanging around and walking throough. Great location right in Union Square and the cable car stops right outside. One block to the BART and Market Street buses and streetcars.

The Westin St. Francis is luxury with no rival. It is incredibly appointed, with beautiful oak wood walls and exquisite chandeliers. The service all around is incredible and white-gloved, what you should come to expect from Westin and the Starwood properties. It's location in Union Square is in the heart of picturesque San Francisco, with all the best of this city at your doorstep. Even if you never leave, you'll enjoy delicately apointed guest rooms and a plethora of public lounges and meeting spaces that reflect truly classic California luxury.