Im thinking about writing an opinion on condoms as I struggle to get ones big enough to fit......nuf...
Im thinking about writing an opinion on condoms as I struggle to get ones big enough to fit......nuff said.
Member since:02.08.2000
Reviews:849
Members who trust:183
If you have heard the expression "Meet me by the clock" spoken by an American, it derives from the famous St Francis hotel in San Francisco with the huge Magenta grandfather clock in the foyer. It was built in 1904 and opened to much fan fare. It originally had just 2 tower blocks, providing luxorious accomodation to the rich and famous. It has since been extended with an extra front tower that matches the building as well as an ugly high rise tower block to the rear that does not fit in.
Several famous guests have stayed there over the years and led to some controversy.
During the 1920's Fatty Arbuckle stayed there. Friends with Charlie Chaplin and other Silent film performers, the larger than life man was accused of killing a young woman in his suite during a drunken party.
It has also been the resting place of Robert Kennedy (JFK's brother) shortly before his death.
Our own queen has also stayed there as have many dignitaries.
I stayed there for 4 days on honeymoon recently and I was impressed on the whole. Here is my opinion of it.
The lobby is overpowering when you first walk in. I may have been on honeymoon but boy, did it make me feel insignificant. It was decorated in early 20th century grandure with furniture, ornate walls and marble floors. There was a piano bar as we entered the hotel. Always busy, it was a popular meeting place. It looked like you needed money just to go in there! Around the corridors of the perimeter of the hotel there are many grand shops. Cartier and other fine jewellers adorned the area. Facing onto Union Square, it has a very high standing part in the local community anyway.
The lifts are out of this world. They are made of glass and were used for the filming of "Towering Inferno". When I say express lift, I mean just that. We were on the 7th floor and that made me leave my stomach in the basement. I braved it up to floor 31 one night and It frightened the life out of me!
The rooms are very very posh! A huge double bed was the focus of our room. A large antique floor to ceiling cupboard housed the TV and video. A sofa, 2 arm chairs, a table and 4 dining chairs occupied another corner of the room.
The Bathroom had a shower AND a bath seperately. Usual high quality throughout. Around the corner (yes it was huge!) was a walk in wardrobe with enough room for my entire bedrom at home! A drinks cabinet and mini bar made up the rest.
The one bad point in the hotel were the attitudes of the staff.
The Bell desk were most charming. Thats cos they want a tip! Fine with me but the Receptionists were very unfriendly. The Concierge desk was manned (and womanned)by 3 of the most patronising and ridiculing people I have ever met. When asking for some local advice on where to eat, one looked at me and said " would I be looking for somewhere cheaper?" (i was wearing short as it was hot). I could not believe it. I told him to stick his help and told him that I probably earned 3 times what he did before he mocked my appearance. He tried to apologise but I told him to shove it. The next day I asked for advice from another concierge about a tour pick up point. He could not be bothered to speak and just pointed at a map.
Talk about bad customer service.
If you want a nice place to stay and can afford it(ha ha), then try the St Francis. Just dont expect a level of customer service to match the decor.
I had difficulties rating this opinion as it is on one hotel, not the city in general. However, it is a good opinion so I awarded it it's rightful VH. You should ask ciao to make a new category for this opinion as it is good.
From_The_Continent 12.07.2001 15:21
This is an excellent opinion - informative, detailed and well written. However I would recommend that you email Ciao to create a new subcategory for this hotel under "City Guide >> Accommodation >> Hotels by City" as many interested readers may find it difficult to find this op when it's categorised under San Fran in general. Cheers, Hans
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Advantages: USA's most culturally diverse area, excellent nature Disadvantages: none
From_The_Continent 23.02.2001 (24.02.2001)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of San Francisco (California)
Advantages: A very tourist-friendly metropolitan area Disadvantages: None, except that you really have to stay longer
digitalenvironmentalist 01.04.2007 (01.04.2007)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of San Francisco (California)
Jul 12th, 2001
very helpful by (100%):
