THE WESTIN ST FRANCIS

A last survivor of turn of the century San Francisco, The Westin St. Francis sits on Union Square with cable cars creaking to stops right outside the front door. Guests can ride to Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach and Chinatown, or simply shop until they drop in Union Square's high end boutiques and department stores. In a building dating back to 1904, the Westin St. Francis was recently named to Conde Naste Travelers' Gold List. The magnificent lobby, with marble columns, gilded ceilings and crystal chandeliers, leads to an arcade of exclusive shops as well as the famed Compass Rose lounge, where theatergoers and bon vivants began meeting 100 years ago under the clock for drinks. Even today, locals, vacationers, theatergoers and bon vivants still meet there before journeying out to the city. In addition, theatergoers take advantage of the hotel's pre theater, prix fixe menu served in the clubby Oak Room. Guest rooms include Westin's patented Heavenly Beds of foot thick pillowtop mattresses, down comforters, fancy duvets and enough pillows for a real good pillow fight. Rooms in the tower come complete with the Heavenly Baths, consisting of dual showerheads with multiple spray options, velour bathrobes, oversized Brazilian combed cotton bath sheets and spa bath products. All rooms include safes, chandeliers, ornate woodwork, period style furniture and elaborate drapes. For vacationers traveling to San Francisco for shopping, business or taking in the attractions, the Westin St. Francis offers luxurious accommodations in a prime location. Hotels.com travelers, wanna have some real fun? Ride to the top of the hotel in one of the glass elevators. Like rockets, they shoot up 32 floors, offering a bird's eye view of the City by the Bay and one of the last great free thrill rides in town.