W San Francisco

I visit the Bay Area 3-4 times a year. The W SF used to be a great place to stay but their "whatever whenever" has stopped working. I visited in Dec 2008 and had a fantastic experience. However, their urban chic has worn off and they don't seem able to muster their pleasant and agreeable service. The front desk staff acted disheartened to see me, or maybe anyone, when I arrived to check in. I went downstairs to the lobby on my first morning and a different front desk staff seemed annoyed and diffident when I asked where I could get a cup of coffee since they don't have any in-room coffee maker and none is made available for guests until at least 7am, i.e., he couldn't care less than coffee was important to me -- it wasn't important to him or to the W. Things are beginning to look a bit worn. The goose down comforter had absorbed too many odors to even have on the bed, let alone keep in the room. Otherwise the room was clean and tidy, but on the small side. I've learned that not all "cool corner rooms" are equal in size. Maybe their new motto should be "everything for a price" from the parking at $45/night and charges for in-room wi-fi (seems odd to charge when marketing yourself as chic and hip). I used the Cafe and room service. Service was spotty in the Cafe. Room service food was inconsistent from night to night. If you fell in love with a dish or meal one night; don't expect to get the same quality the next. Probably the worst of the stay is the smell of vomit in the lounge area on Sunday morning. Not my idea of uber cool. It was a pricey disappointment. I was glad I was relieved to check out.