WHAT’S IT LIKE? The W is the hippest place to stay in town, and when I arrived at 1700 –through the entrance to XYZ bar, rather than the main reception – it was bustling with business people and tourists. The bar leads to the lobby area, or W Living Room, which is home to a sharp-suited concierge and is decked in sleek dark wood with contemporary velvet sofas and a striking monochrome striped carpet.
Although no one was reading the books provided to guests or playing the board games, it made a novel idea for a lobby. The reception area was just beyond it, where a cool jug of orange and lemon-infused water awaited guests and there were countless objets d’art. I was swiftly checked in and taken to my room by another immaculately dressed member of staff who showed me how to use the facilities.
WHERE IS IT? Next to the Museum of Modern Art. Five minutes’ walk to the Montgomery Street BART station from where trains depart for the airport.
HOW MANY ROOMS? 410, divided into different superlative categories, in escalating order: Wonderful, Spectacular, Groovy Corner, Focus corner, Marvellous Suites and Extreme Suites.
ROOM FACILITIES: Rooms have a TV with internet access,DVD and CD player (guests can use the hotel’s CD and DVD library), clock radio, minibar, coffee maker, cordless phone, feather beds, goose-down duvet and pillows, 250-thread count cotton bed sheets, and a snack tray including cookies and sweets plus a t-shirt and novel of short stories. Broadband internet access costs US$14.95 plus tax for 24 hours (noon until noon) and came with straightforward instructions to connect. My Groovy Corner room had simplemodern decor in neutral tones, punctuated by a bright bed cover, framed black and white photos of San Francisco and eye-catching modern art.
The Bliss bath products included an excellent face wash with rose hip, chamomile and passion flower with exfoliating beads.
BUSINESS CENTRE: On the third level, it has internet access, fax, printer, copier and shipping service. There are seven meeting rooms and a boardroom, all with flat-screen TVs, audio-visual facilities,Wi-Fi and eleconferencing capabilities. There is also a sundeck that can be hired for events.
RESTAURANT AND BAR: XYZ is the bar and restaurant offering breakfast and lunch Monday to Friday, dinner all week and brunch at the weekend. The bar is open until 0200 Tuesday-Saturday with DJs on most nights.
FITNESS CENTRE: The 24-hour fitness centre has cardiovascular machines and weights. The indoor pool has an atrium roof and there’s free pool-side yoga. Bliss spa has eight treatment rooms offering massages, facials, body treatments and packages, as well as outdoor relaxation space, a boutique selling Bliss merchandise, and the infamous Bliss wine and brownie buffet.
VERDICT: The W manages to strike a balance between being slick and cool, while offering a relaxed atmosphere.
PRICE: Internet special offers from US$199.
CONTACT: 181 3rd Street, San Francisco, California 94103, tel 1 415 777 5300, www.whotels.com.
Ginny McGrath
