My husband and I stayed at the Hyatt for 4 nights around the beginning of May. Location wise it is a block or so from the waterfront and a good 15 minute walk down to Fisherman's Wharf. However, the plus side is that it is out of the noisy yahooing crowds and we were never disturbed at night. The cable car stop (Powell-Mason line) was a block away and the nearest supermarkets were a couple of blocks away (go out of the hotel and turn right, take the 1st left onto Taylor and then left onto Bay. At the end of the block is a grocery store and then a Safeway and Walgreens about half a block along again).

The room itself was really nice, large and had obviously been refurbished not long ago. Colours are blues, browns and greys so very contemporary. We had a huge bed with lovely linen and loads of pillows. There was also a couch in the room and a very large flat screen tv. We asked for a fridge to be in the room and there was a small one sitting on the floor - not sure why this has to be asked for I thought they were standard but obviously not anymore. There was heaps of storage room in drawers and cupboards. Only issue you might have if you were there on business is that the desk also doubles as the tv stand which didn't seem to leave a lot of room. There was a coffee maker thingie in the room with takeway cups which seemed to be handy (I don't drink much coffee so didn't try)

The bathroom was large and the only complaint I would have is that the shower had a long glass screen but no door so water tended to get out onto the floor.

The room was serviced well everyday.

We had a drink one night in the bar which was fine although a little on the pricey side but then this is San Francisco. We didn't eat there but the food that was being delivered to the tables looked great.

We ate breakfast across the road at both of the little cafes. Both served excellent food however, the one on the left seemed to do a variety of coffees rather than the standard filtered coffee but the one on the right had an additional fruit side that was wonderful so depends on what you want. Both had really good service and were clean and tidy.

I liked this place. Despite being chic, upscale and expensive, it was very comfortable inside. We were on the pool level, right outside the jacuzzi area. I am a light sleeper and was concerned about this. Not a problem. The hotel is centrally located near fisherman's wharf and there's a Cost Plus across the street to stock up on provisions. The bed was awesome. Super soft with great linens. Very plush. The room is the 'modern' style of hotel room. Lots of neutral colors and small furniture. Not like an older hotel that might have wood chairs, etc. The bathroom had a shower with the head in the ceiling. I'm kinda tall, so I appreciated that, a lot. I usually have to lean over to wash my hair. We got the 'larger' room, which offered more space, but was still not huge by any means. The staff were totally friendly and helpful with any questions we had. They always greeted us and asked if there was anything they could do for us. They even provided a small fridge upon request, at no charge. The attached restaurant left something to desire, but I wasn't there to eat at a place like that. SF has a lot more to offer, within walking distance. Highly recommended. Would stay here the next time I visit as well.

First the pros: Comfy pillows. Nice flat screen TV. Friendly staff, especially the valet who served us courteously and with a smile every day.

Great location, two blocks to touristy places and views on the wharf, one of those high tech public restrooms people flock to see as well as the Powell & Mason trolley turnaround that will connect you to the two other trolley lines. There's a Starbucks on the same corner.

As the desk clerk said "There aren't a lot of views in a 5 story hotel. We are built on landfill so you can't get much higher without being in danger of earthquake damage". That being said, we took a room with a street view on the 4th floor and watched tourists and locals bustle, heard the dinging of the trolley which could be seen from our window, and had a decent view of Coit Tower to the left, and hillside homes to the right.

Now the cons: Only a so-so lunch at the hotel restaurant Knuckles (we had a $25 credit there, otherwise we would have hit the wharf for fresh seafood - good sweet potato fries but the tortilla soup was lacking and the crab cake sandwich was fishy and dry. Our waitress was very nice.)

Parking is $45 per night. Ouch, but that rate is pretty standard. Tip - some hotels will throw in the parking as a special offer.

This place could use some updating. Single pane windows made for a noisy evening with emergency vehicles passing by but things quieted down enough to sleep before it got too late. We always knew when our neighbors were coming and going and watching television. The hallways are poorly lit and painted in some back in the day shade of green. The decor is in blue-grey tones with chocolate accents. It might have been modern in the early 90s, but now it just feels cold and dreary. It wasn't very clean and the lighting was poor. The clock was broken. The a/c intake cover was falling off.

All in all, San Francisco is such an incredible city that the hotel stay was secondary. I wish we would have tried the Hilton next door because I know we could have done better. Give Sabella and LaTorre a try for a casual historical dining experience on the wharf. Ask for a window seat so you can watch the passersby at the open air seafood market outside.

I arrived around 8:30 pm local time and was greeted by a very polite valet person. He was friendly and directed my inside. The lobby is a bit odd and is set-up in the new fashion without a counter, just a table at check in. The guy working check in was even better than the valet, was incredibly friendly, let me know my room was indeed quite and was in fact upgraded to a suite.

Please see my blog at http://talesfromtheroad-mwalno.blogspot.com/

The room is awesome, and the thing that surprises me is how quite it really is......

I walked into the restaurant/bar and there were quite a few people there, it look nice with several big screens, and a lively atmosphere. It is located 3 blocks from the warf and I recommend Scomas for dinner there.

I can't stand the Grand Hyatt here, and this really is a great property, I will stay here every time I come to town!!!!