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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

sorry, I dont know the "lingo".