i love this hotel
we arrived at a time when the Giants were doing well in their quest to make the playoffs - did i sound american??? we didnt know this but coupled with 2 large conferences in san francisco the hotels were bursting. this is a huge hotel with a bustling busy lobby connecting two hotel towers. but everything is run like a well oiled machine. there are no harrassed travellers standing frustrated in queues. the front desk to the concierge to the porters all run smoothly. i booked a room in the new tower for my family with two small kids and my sister in the historic tower. 
i am a really fussy hotel patron and i am glad i had the newer tower. i dont like old - sorry but even if it is renovated and historic it still felt and smelt old. my sister however was happy with her room in the historic building. so take that as you will.
our tower room was on the 20th floor. apparently i was told that two of the best views of san francisco especially by night are in the glass lifts of the westin st francis and the grand hyatt. our view was spectacular
the rooms are a good size - we paid for a premium room purposely as there are 4 of us. they are modern and clean with a good sized bathroom. the hotel is right in the thick of things ie only a short stagger with your shopping bags from macy's. i felt i could park the husband and kids in the hotel at 7.30pm after dinner and i was ok to go to sephora or macy's by myself even tho i was in the centre of an american city with a considerable homeless issue and it was night. as this hotel was so close and san francisco seemed to be still full of people at 9 at night. cant say the same for melbourne australia. 
i would try to get the AAA deals (if you are from australia your RACV or RACQ cards also have AAA status - turn the card over and there is an AAA code on the back) or join starwood for free and you can also get starwood deals.
i also stayed at the orchard garden as the hotels were full we had to change over half way thru our stay. this is a lovely hotel but the rooms are small if there are more than 2 of you. 
i loved san francisco it is my favourite city on our 2 week tour and i would highly recommend this hotel we paid $271 per night + tax - i wouldnt want to spend a week at the $450 price tag it was when the conferences booked and filled up all the hotels - but if you can get a deal it's well worth it. 
if you are not from USA check out Burlington Coat Factory for clothing and casual shoe bargains. we spent 3 hours in here and had to buy and extra samsonite suitcase for $69 to carry all our shopping home (samsonite for $69 bargain!!). and also macy's when they have sales which seems to be all the time. i love sephora for makeup which is on the same street as the westin st francis. if you are from australia lancome an dior etc is 1/2 price