• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

• Unit Type: Studio
• Activities: Fair
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

Before booking, we were told by the RCI agent that the hotel had been refurbished recently, and in our case, this was certainly true. Our room was light, airy, and modern, with plenty of storage space. The bathroom was very small, though, and the rooms could benefit from a table and chairs for in-room dining. The coffee table and tiny desk really didn't cut it.

If you're on a romantic getaway, this is a fine, classy joint, complete with an elegant, although somewhat pricey, restaurant downstairs. (Try to get a table away from the windows, though - the Donatello is only a few blocks away from a downtrodden area, and we felt guilty and distressed to see hungry homeless people peering in on a cold winter's night.)

Back in your room, you'll enjoy a complimentary turndown service (complete with chocolates) and a comfortable king-size bed. Best of all, the hotel is relatively quiet - but we suggest asking for an upper floor when you check in, just to be sure.

If romance is not on your mind and you've packed the kids instead of a negligee, you'll also love the size of the rooms. While our room could not be partitioned off, there is plenty of room to have a rollaway bed without skinning a shin. That said, the Donatello seems more suitable for couples than families. There are no kid-friendly amenities, and the owner’s lounge is small and as quiet as a library. And don't even think of sending them outside to play - this hotel is right in the heart of San Francisco, only a credit-card's throw from the glamorous shops in Union Square.

• Unit Type: Studio
• Activities: Not Available
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Fair
• Service: Good

We stayed here as part of Shell Vacations Club, but rooms are available for let from the hotel portion and from other timeshare programs. The location is ideal for shopping in Union Square or going to nearby theatres. Union Square is two short blocks away and the area is dotted with restaurants.

We were on the ninth floor and had a beautiful view of Post Street down below. Large picture windows filled nearly the entire far wall of the suite. These are not typical timeshares with a separate kitchen, but there is a credenza with a microwave, small refrigerator, and wet bar. This suited our needs perfectly as we just needed a place to keep leftovers. In addition to the King sized bed, there was a large couch with a chaise lounge portion. The bathroom was comfortably sized as well.

These rooms are quite spacious by hotel room standards with much open space and homier looking furniture than normally found in hotels.

The top floor of the hotel houses the club area for timesharers. This includes a reasonably sized Jacuzzi, a library with video rentals, and a small exercise room.

Valet parking at about $30 per day is available. There is full bell service, a restaurant with room service, and a helpful concierge desk.

Additional information can be found at the Shell Vacations Club website.

• Unit Type: Other
• Activities: Not Available
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Fair
• Service: Good

• Unit Type: Studio
• Activities: Not Available
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Good
• Service: Excellent

This hotel is not a view hotel. All the rooms are the same and are roomy accommodations for two. A jazz lounge is located on the second floor. A valet parking garage is available for hotel patrons, but it is pricy at $28/day. There is a Owner’s lounge on the top floor, complete with massage rooms, exercise equipment room, lockers, and Jacuzzi. If you request, a USA Today will be at your door weekday mornings. Thick robes are provided. Concierge is available for making recommendations and reservations. The owner’s lounge has a quick breakfast of two danishes or muffins and a drink for $4. If you want a more substantial breakfast to start the day, head to the numerous diners on the next corner. There is a drug store a block away to get those items that you forgot to bring. Or stock up the kitchenette with snacks and quick breakfasts or lunches for the week.

After a dinner or a night out, you will come back and find turn down service.

I do not know what the checklist is to determine a four-star rating but this should be right up there with the best.

No resort activities to mention. There are no group discounts or San Francisco packages to sign up. They provide a list of happenings for the week and will make reservations for you. I would not consider this a family hotel, because it will only sleep two and I did not see any children while I was staying there. All of the staff was friendly and accommodating to requests.

Check out the website.

• Unit Type: Studio
• Activities: Fair
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Fair
• Service: Excellent