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San Francisco Westin Hotel open windows?

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Old May 29th, 2007, 11:10 AM
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San Francisco Westin Hotel open windows?

We are wondering if the room windows that open in the Westin have light and views. I called the hotel and they said the front facing street rooms don't have opening windows, but others do.

We have had so many bad experiences being "vac-packed" in US hotels with recycled air that we need opening windows.

Anyone know what we should request here or should we try another hotel?
Thanks...Loretta
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Old May 29th, 2007, 11:47 AM
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I'm assuming the only San Francisco Westin is the Westin St Francis. I stayed there in February in the historic building (compared to the towers building) and not only did I have a window that could open, I had to call maintenance to close it for me as it was stuck and I couldn't close it. I was in the room of a colleague of mine in the historic building and her room had windows that opened also. It is a nonsmoking hotel, so even without opening windows, I don't think it would seem too closed in and airless.
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Old May 30th, 2007, 05:27 AM
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Swaymock,
What was your room like? Would you recommend the hotel? Was there light and views from the older section. The reviews tend to be extremely mixed. Thanks
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Old May 30th, 2007, 06:24 AM
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Loretta, I have mixed feelings about the hotel. In some ways it is really old, beautiful, and elegant --- some ways it is just old. My colleague had a room overlooking Union Square which was a nice view. I had a room overlooking the building across the street which was crappy. Her room was roomy, I had a room at the other end of the hallway that seemed to be crammed into a space that wasn't planned as a room. I had a shower and no tub (and as I was there to attend a trade show, God knows I needed to soak my sore tootsies at night - which I was unable to do without a tub).

My company chose the hotel as it was the primary convention hotel for the trade show I was attending. If I were to return to SF, I wouldn't stay there again if I were paying what we paid for the room.

HOWEVER, if you are getting what you think is a great rate ---- for the most part it is a very attractive hotel. The rooms were spotlessly clean and bedding was very comfortable. The location is really nice.

Again, I have somewhat mixed feelings. I don't know what your other choices and prices are. Bottom line, I guess, I'd stay there again only if I thought I was getting a good price. It's not worth a premium (by SF standards) to me to stay there.

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Old May 30th, 2007, 03:31 PM
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The tower roms are very nice and modern, but they won't have windows that open.

The rooms in the historic section, as noted above, are mixed. I stayed there once and had a teensy room with one window, on a light well.

If you could talk to the reservations clerk and be guaranteed the kind of room you want, I would do that.

I can suggest the Donatello, one block over and one block up. The rooms are large (450 or 500 sq. ft), They have wet bars, small refrigerators, microwave, toaster. A sitting area with a chaise, and all of the usual electronic equipment, TV, DVD, etc. There is a very nice lounge on the top floor with two terraces and a fireplace. They serve a continental breakfast there at a minimal price, but free if you get a "breakfast package".

And there is a large window covering one side of the room, and two smaller windows which open. Ask for a corner room for the best circulation.
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Old May 30th, 2007, 07:10 PM
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Thanks so much! My boyfriend is there for business for 3 days on a corporate tab. I am meeting him and we are extending the stay for 4 more days.

I personally don't like large chain hotels but this does look like a beautiful old structure.

If we can stay on w/ the corporate group rate it may be worth it. If not, the rack rates seem high to me and we may move on the something more intimate and less corporate.

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Old May 31st, 2007, 06:14 AM
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Loretta - if you stay at the Westin, take a walk up the street to Williams Sonoma - I think it's 5 stories high and I believe, their largest store. I don't even cook, and it was fun to window shop there.

Also, some interesting restaurants we tried and liked were A16 (it's Italian; have to take a taxi), and Asia de Cuba (in the Clift Hotel, right around the corner from the Westin). The concierge at the Westin was fabulous for recommending and booking restaurants for us.
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Old May 31st, 2007, 10:51 AM
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It depends which tower you're in. The rooms in the "old" tower DO have windows that open, the rooms in the "new" tower do not.
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Old May 31st, 2007, 03:42 PM
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Well, OK, but we call the "tower" the new addition, which is really a "tower". We don't call the original building a "tower". FWIW.
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Old Jun 1st, 2007, 05:45 AM
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sorry, I dont know the "lingo".
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