Review: San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront | Marriott Bonvoy

Located right next to the San Francisco airport, the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront hotel is perfect for a nearby room.

I had stayed there a few years ago, on a stopover at this hotel, and as I loved it, I came back.

The San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront costs between $150 and $500 USD per night, depending on the time of year. Otherwise, it’s available with points, for around 37,000 to 65,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

A few days before my arrival, I received an email from the hotel, including all the details and their available amenities. There were even steps and photos to guide me easily to the location of the hotel’s free shuttle from the airport. Another page led to a real-time map of where this free mini-bus was located.

The shuttle runs every 15 minutes between 4:00 and 00:30, then every 30 minutes between 00:30 and 04:00.

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at over 8,000 hotels worldwide is to have the Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card (and/or the Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Card).

In addition to the exceptional welcome bonus of each of these two cards, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all your purchases and 5 points per dollar at any of the Marriott establishments. On top of that, every year, you’ll receive a free hotel night certificate (worth 35,000 points) and 15 Elite Night Credits toward your Marriott Bonvoy status.

The San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront is located on the edge of San Francisco Bay. A long footpath allows you to walk and breathe the salty air, as well as sit on a bench and watch the planes take off and land.

After an evening arrival from Montreal, I followed the directions given to wait for the bus in the name of the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront. After that, it’s just a 10-minute walk.

Then, even though it was very busy for a Wednesday evening, the check-in was effective. I was able to get up to my room on the 9th floor fairly quickly.

The room was on the bay side, with a view directly over the San Francisco airport runways.

An airplane enthusiast could have spent hours looking at the aircraft. There was a rustle in the distance that could be heard on takeoff, but nothing that would greatly disturb sleep.

There were 2 double beds, a desk and a TV. The wardrobe was open-plan.

A spray of lavender, wild chamomile and vetiver was offered on the bedside table to promote sleep.

The bathroom was standard with a glass door to separate it from the bedroom, with no frills.

There are two options to eat and drink:

• Starbucks: next to the MClub lounge and reception, open from 4:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Flights View Lounge: the kitchen is open for breakfast between 06:30 and 10:30, for lunch between 11:00 and 16:00 and for dinner between 16:00 and 23:00. Its high windows bring in plenty of light and offer a breathtaking view of the aircraft.

To keep the party going, the Flights View Lounge bar is open until 11pm Sunday to Thursday, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Meals are expensive, but there aren’t really any other options around.

A “convenience store” section is also available for a snack or essential items.

There is no swimming pool at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront hotel.

The MClub Lounge at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront is located on the first floor, right next to Starbucks. Open all week, including weekends.

Only Elite Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador members have access.

Opening hours are as follows:

Breakfast :

• Monday to Friday: 6.30 a.m. to 9.00 a.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Hors d’oeuvre: 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Dessert: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Outside these opening hours, there are always hot and cold beverages, snacks (nuts, pretzels), fruit, yoghurt and bags of potato chips.

The fitness room spans over 2 medium-sized rooms. There are weights, yoga balls and several machines.

A path runs alongside the bay and leads quite a way, both north and south. It makes an excellent waterside promenade. The area is safe and home to many birds, plants and flowers.

There’s nothing else worth visiting. The neighborhood looks like any other around an airport.

The San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront is a hotel for business and leisure travelers. The airport is easily accessible, customer service is impeccable and the view is magnificent. What’s more, noise from the airport is very low.

Without traffic, it takes about 25 minutes to drive from the hotel to downtown San Francisco.

I stayed there a few years ago and recently went back, because I knew I was going to be very satisfied once again.