I did a quick stay at the Intercontinental San Francisco last week, just before New Year’s Eve.

The hotel is relatively new and is located two blocks south of Market Street, in central San Francisco.

I arrived on the BART from SFO ($8.10 on way, and operates every 20 minutes). A short walk South from Powell Street lead to the hotel. The entrance is located on Howard Street and once through the front doors I was able to join the queue for Reception. It was abut 2pm and people were checking In and Out at the same time.

The Agent, who was manning the ‘Ambassador Check-in’ desk, greeted me and asked me for my ID. She then found the registration card and informed me that I had been upgraded to the Intercontinental Club. This was fine, except that I had reserved for the the Club already. She then replied ‘If you will let me finish, I have given you an Executive Room’. I am not sure whether I had really interrupted her, or whether she was trying to undertake a save. Anyway, I know that other Ambassador Guests have received Suite Upgrades but accepted that with New Year’s Eve around the corner there might not be any available.

I went up to the room, which I have to say was pretty nice.

The room has two full height windows which offered spectacular views of the City Hall and South of Market Areas. The bathroom was large, with its own full height window, slightly oddly positioned next to the toilet! (There is a blind for privacy).

At around 4pm I went down to the Club for ‘Afternoon Tea’.

My key did not work in the door and so I returned to Reception. The gentleman who helped me, again after a wait in line, refused to recode the key unless I produced ID. I explained that it was in my room, and he insisted that I be escorted by a Security Guard to my room, prove that it was my room and then show him (the Guard), my ID before I could have a new key. Talk about make me feel like a criminal.

The Club space is pretty small, although there is a very large outside area which would be nice on a warmer day. There was no food left out although the service should have continued for about another 90 minutes. Empty plates remained in the serving areas and there were no china cups, just paper. The staff were friendly enough, but the room was full of kids, some attended and some unattended who had clearly been parked by their parents. Food did appear after about another 30 minutes and was finished in about 10 minutes. There was free WiFi in the Club and the password is available from the very friendly staff.

I did not try to attend for hors d’oeuvre as I was concerned about seating space.

The bedroom was quiet, and the bed comfortable.

I did go for Breakfast the next morning and there was a real lack of space as it was too cold to sit outside. There were scrambled eggs and bacon as well as good selection of pastries, croissant, ham/cheese etc.

Everything was OK at check-out with the internet provided free as an Ambassador.

(Flyertalk Master Thread.) (Video Review from MilePoint)

Generally an OK stay, but didn’t find the staff very pleasant (except the Club staff). Would I stay again? No.