We arrived at noon on a Friday and knew we were early but hoped our room might be available. We had reserved a King Suite (I'm an early riser so it gives me a place to hang out without bothering my wife) and I asked for a view. The lady at the front desk said our room wasn't available and what was going to be available was on the 7th floor and the views start on the 9th. She told us she would make a note and maybe something higher would be available when we could check in. She checked our bags for us and we were off to explore The City. When we came back a couple of hours later we were given a room on the 16th floor. Because it was a suite we had a corner room. The view out one of the bedroom windows was up 2nd St towards Market... beautiful. The other bedroom window and the living room window both looked out on a very close apartment building with balconies. The residents all seemed to have their blinds opened so you felt kind of conspicious when looking out that side of the building. I don't know if they really cared, but it was kind of close with the big windows we had. If you are a people watcher or a peeping tom it could be a good thing. There was some view out the living room window on the side of the apartments. The rooms were quite spacious and very separate from the other rooms. The way the suites were set up the bedroom didn't share a wall with another room and the living room was between the bedroom and the door to the hallway. Also you have a door to close between the living room and the bedroom. I wish that door just was for the bedroom, but it also shut off the vanity area (which was outside the bathroom with toilet and bath/shower). The living room had a wet bar, small refrigerator, small coffee pot, and small microwave. There was also bottled water for $3.25. I think the hotel could afford a bottle of complimentary water when you are paying these prices. Little annoyance. There were plenty of outlets in the room to charge all electronics and/or to use the TV as a computer monitor. There is a bar and restaurant downstairs on each side of the very large lobby sitting area. We did not patronize either. The bar was very loud and active as we passed it on the way to our room after a Giants game on Saturday night. There is a Starbucks in the hotel, but they sell out of their pastries and other things very quickly. Luckily they still had some breakfast sandwiches AND coffee when I finally made it to the front of the line. We used this Starbucks on Sunday but had walked to the Starbucks near Market St on Saturday morning. The workers there did not know how to smile but they were quick. There is also a liquor store right across the street from the hotel that had booze but they also had fruit, pre-made sandwhiches, and other munchies. The hotel itself is within walking distance of everything but when you make your way back the last couple of blocks to the hotel can seem like Mt Everest. While there we walked to the Ferry Building, Union Square, and AT&T park. You can take buses, streetcars, or BART on Market St. We also caught a bus to Wayfare Tavern on Sacramento St. There was a no frills bar, Steff's, down the street that we hung out on Friday night after a play at the Orpheum. Lot's of big TVs for sporting events and decent drink prices.
We flew into Oakland and took the BART shuttle from the airport, took BART to the City, and walked from the Montgomery St station to the hotel. It worked out well. Just research BART a little before you go so you know what you are doing because there are people at the Coliseum station (where the shuttle takes you) that are trying to "help" but can be intimidating. For us it all ran smoothly. Overall our weekend in San Francisco couldn't have been any better and the location and room at the Courtyard helped. The biggest annoyance is that I could not check out on the TV. I had to wait in line to check out at the front desk. I don't know if that was temporary or common. That is the reason for the 4 and not 5.
hotel reviews