A great city, shame about Vitale
Stayed here May 2012. In a good location at the Bay Front with views of the Bay Bridge at the foot of the financial district overlooking the Embarcadero. We had requested a Superior Room with a Water View and were pleased to have been told that we were upgraded at check-in. Thank heavens we were, the room whilst large and clean was definitely in need of refurbishment, especially the bathroom where there was no separate shower cubicle, just a shower over the bath and a shower curtain. If this was an upgrade, what are the rest like? The view on the other hand was excellent.
The hotel appears to be geared up for conferences as there were at least 3 during our 4 day stay. The hotel bar at night was uncomfortably loud and full as a result and was not somewhere you would return to relax in after a long day. Interestingly, it was quiet one afternoon and we tried to sit down and have a soft drink while catching up with the English papers only to be told that they were shut and wouldn't serve us and we were asked to order through room service. Speaking of which, room service whilst efficient failed to fill the fridge every day we were there which was annoying given that I had to call down for drinks as we were avoiding the hotel bar!
Note also that concierge is not 24 hours so if you you want to book a meal or excursion or general advice make sure you do so during office hours!
This hotel is not cheap, nearly $450 a night to stay plus taxes. It is definitely overpriced for what you get. A small Holiday Inn springs to mind which if you are happy with a Holiday Inn fine, it is not what I thought I had booked and not what I wanted. I would not return.