Westin St. Francis

The Hotel's History

The St. Francis Hotel was built to be the "finest hotel on the Pacific coast". The mission was for it to rival such palaces as Claridge's in London and the Ritz in Paris. From the day it opened, with a line of carriages around the block waiting to get in, the hotel has been popular. Little damaged during the earthquake of 1906, the St. Francis was a refuge for the city's citizens during that difficult time. In fact, the St. Francis was one of the first hotels to resume operation after the disaster.

Over the years, the hotel has expanded to add a third tower, a spa, and more meeting and banquet space, but the original elegance remains. Today, a part of the Westin hotel chain, the St. Francis welcomes guests looking for luxury accommodations in an excellent location.

Accommodations

The St. Francis has 1130 guest room and 65 suites, divided between the historic building and the tower building. All accommodations include air conditioning, a clock radio, cable TV with pay-per-view movies, an in-room safe, a mini-bar, hair dryers, and an iron and ironing board. All rooms receive a complimentary copy of USA Today each morning. High-speed Internet access is available in all rooms for a fee.

Suites vary from the VIP "Windsor Suite", which played host to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip during their stay in San Francisco in 1988, to more modest junior suites, which feature a separate living/dining area as well as the bedroom. Many of the suites offer sweeping views of Nob Hill, Union Square, and the Bay beyond.

Facilities at the Westin St. Francis

Facilities at the hotel include a full spa, a shopping arcade, an Internet room, a work-out room, a steam room, a large convention center, and a car rental desk.

The hotel also offers laundry and dry-cleaning services, a variety of business services, babysitting, and limited room service. The San Francisco cable car Powell Street line runs right in front of the hotel.

Dining at the Westin St. Francis

The St. Francis Hotel has always been noted for its fine meals and stylish table. The hotel's original chef, Victor Hirtzler, a former food taster for Czar Nicholas II, is credited with creating the original "California Cuisine".

• The Oak Room in the hotel's lobby is known for its stylish luncheons and afternoon tea, accompanied by piano music. The restaurant also serves breakfast and dinner daily and features an extensive wine list of California vintages. The room's warm wood paneling is inviting any time of the day.
• Caruso's, named for the famous tenor that frequented the hotel, is the St. Francis' casual restaurant. Located in the Tower lobby, it features a wide array of coffee drinks, homemade pastries, Italian sandwiches, salads, and chilled wines throughout the day.
• Michael Mina is the hotel's fine dining restaurant. The small classic dining room, in the historic section of the hotel, features bold, sophisticated cuisine and a wine list with 2200 selection representing all parts of the world.

Contact Information

Westin St. Francis Hotel
335 Powell St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
415 397-7000