Review: The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco
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After staying 2 nights at the Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf – San Francisco, and one night at a friend’s house, we decided to finish our world tour in style by staying at the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco. Detailed report in pictures.
Booking at The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco with Marriott Bonvoy points
For this stay, I chose to use points from the Marriott Bonvoy program: 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for 1 night.
Sure, those are a lot of points, but the cash rate was astronomical: 680 CA$ / night! Taxes included, we go up to almost 770 CA$. A rate we would never pay of course, but that’s to give you an idea of the value of the points in this case.
Not bad when one credit card, the American Express Marriott Bonvoy, can already earn you 50,000 points!
Benefits of Marriott Bonvoy GOLD status
With Marriott Bonvoy Gold status, obtained through the equivalence of Marriott Bonvoy Gold status, itself obtained with my American Express Platinum card, I had various benefits such as:
- Free high speed WiFi
- Late departure / early arrival
Since we are in a Ritz-Carlton, the Gold status does not entitle us to breakfasts or access to the lounge. We did not get an upgrade 🙁
The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco
The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco is located in the heart of the Californian city… on top of a hill. If you’re traveling on foot, be prepared to climb steep streets to get to the hotel!
The lobby of the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco
The hotel lobby is made of marble from floor to ceiling.
With a relaxation area.
As we proceed with the check-in, Alexandra is having fun on the small area dedicated to kids: “Welcome Ritz Kids!”
We arrived at 12:00 noon, well before the normal check-in time. The recording will be fast, maybe too fast, you will understand later.
We head for the elevator. In passing, we notice self-service coffee.
San Francisco obliges, the lobby is on the 4th floor, we will have to go down a level to reach our room!
The room
We arrive at our – first – room on the 3rd floor.
I start my usual turn to take the pictures while Audrey and our kids wait outside! Our room is a room with two queen size beds, which we had requested at the time of booking.
The sofa along the window invites you to relax.
Another view of the room from the sofa:
The blue and silver tones are a perfect combination. At the head of the bed, a radio alarm clock, bottles of water (free) and 2 small squares of chocolate:
In front of the bed, the dresser and all the usual accessories.
In particular a Nespresso coffee machine:
As well as sweet and salty foods.
The television is connected, convenient for Netflix!
The office is simple and efficient.
Now let’s head to the bathroom.
The bathroom
In front of the bathroom is a closet where you will find bathrobes, slippers and ironing board/iron.
The bathroom is composed of two basins…
…of a bathtub/shower all in marble…
and a separate toilet.
Classic products are offered:
Once my turn is done and the children “released in the room”, we discover little by little that the cleaning was not done properly. Arthur, who wanders on all fours on the carpet of the room, discovers a cinema ticket, then Alexandra picks up a spoon under the sofa… as for us we discover that the glasses were not correctly cleaned.
Considering the cost (in points/money) and the level of standing this hotel is supposed to represent, I make a phone call to the front desk to request a room service inspection. The reception prefered to give me another room immediately (which will be identical in every way… except for a good cleaning this time!).
No upgrade (the hotel being full for a wedding), but a 100 US$ credit on our bill. This will finally pay for our breakfasts… and a bottle of wine in the mini bar!
Back in our room after a walk in the city, we will find accessories for our children. Nice attention!
The different areas of the hotel
The bar
The bar is located in front of the reception. Being jetlagged (still on Vietnam time), I had a good time on milesopedia – quietly – between 4 and 7 am!
The spa
The spa affiliated with L’Occitane en Provence offers a relaxing place….
…but the rates are on par with the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco. More than 10 times the price of the Vietnamese rates 🙂
The gym
Right next to the spa is the gym with brand new machines.
The locker room is nice.
The business center
The business center is just… two computers in a hallway.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the hotel’s restaurant, Parallel 37. Count 40 US$ + taxes + tips per person.
On this Sunday morning, it was a buffet / brunch formula. Contrary to our past experiences in Asia, we can’t say that there was “quantity”. On the other hand, the quality was there for all the dishes, whether they were salty or sweet.
We all had a great time! However, without the US$100 credit, we might not have paid that price. It’s just that you quickly get used to the free breakfasts via the Marriott Gold status offered by the American Express Platinum card (via Marriott Bonvoy Gold).
Bottom Line
To be totally honest with you: I am a little disappointed by this stay at the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco. It may be ranked in the top 10 hotels in San Francisco on Tripadvisor, but it appears to be perfectible… proof of this is in the allocation of a room that had not been properly cleaned. Moreover, the bathroom looks “old-fashioned”: at this price level, other hotels do much better.
At 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, it’s an expensive price to pay (and what about those who pay more than CA$700 to stay there). In short, a word of advice: skip it if you plan to visit San Francisco!
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600Plus $100 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
- Annual fee
- $799
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,190Total$1,190Plus $510 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,190
- Welcome offerAfter $10,000 in 3 months
- Up to 100,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Go further with Marriott Bonvoy
To maximize your stays and points earning, check our complete Marriott Bonvoy program guide and our best Marriott Bonvoy credit cards ranking. For personal use, see the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. For business expenses, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card earns points on every business purchase. And if a points purchase promotion is running, take advantage via our Marriott Bonvoy points purchase guide.