What's it like? The W is the hippest place to stay in town, and when I arrived at 5pm – 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. Seated round a table was what looked like a convention of Apple computer fanatics, each of whom had a glowing white laptop on their laps and were hooked up to the W's free wireless internet access.
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 and five blocks from Union Square, home to San Francisco's biggest retailers, including Macy's. Also 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 $14.95 plus tax for 24 hours (noon until noon) and came with straightforward instructions to connect. My Groovy Corner room had simple modern decor in neutral tones, punctuated by a bright bed cover, framed black and white photos of San Francisco and eye-catching modern art. There were also comfortable leather-padded window seats from which to enjoy the San Francisco skyline. The windows had white-washed wooden blinds, which were attractive but not completely effective at blocking out light.
The Bliss bath products included an excellent face wash with rose hip, chamomile and passion flower with exfoliating beads, and a trial tooth-whitening kit.
Business and Meeting facilities The business centre on the third level has internet access, fax, printer, copier and shipping service. There are seven meeting rooms and a boardroom, all with flat-screen TVs, audiovisual facilities, wireless internet access and teleconferencing capabilities. There is also a sundeck that can be hired for events, and the W offers mood music and aromatherapy scents, intended to inspire delegates.
Restaurant and bar XYZ is the bar and restaurant offering breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday, dinner all week and brunch at the weekend. The menu is modern Californian with Mediterranean influences. Dishes include lobster and white corn soup ($8.50), spicy ahi tuna tartare ($14) and grilled rib-eye with caramelised red onion ($34).
The bar is open until 2am Tuesday-Saturday with DJs on most nights, so the volume of chatter and music means it's not an ideal place for meeting less familiar colleagues. These would be better organised at the W Café (open 6.30am-12am), which serves lighter dishes, drinks and cocktails in quieter surroundings.
Leisure The fitness centre has cardiovascular machines and weights, and is open 24 hours. The indoor pool has an atrium roof and there's free pool-side yoga. When I stayed the Bliss spa was not yet completed, but it opened on July 11 and 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, plus some nice extras like the Bliss toiletries and free yoga.
Price For a midweek stay in November internet rates ranged from $386 to $455 depending on room category and flexibility.
Contact 181 3rd Street, San Francisco, California 94103, tel +1 415 777 5300, whotels.com.
Ginny McGrath
