InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco

One of the iconic hotels of SFO, it is situated at best area of the city. Quite convenient for all touristy places as well as Moscone center. Cable car stop is right outside the hotel. Overall quick check-in, clean & big rooms, good in-house restaurant, famous Top of the Mark bar & top notch service. Request a room at higher floor for better views.

I was looking forward to my stay at the Mark Hopkins because of its history and the luxury brand. Unfortunately, my experience was not up to the standards I expected from a premium hotel. Upon arrival, I attempted to check in around noon but were informed that I would need to pay an early check-in fee of $50, even though rooms were available. As members without status, I was told I could check in at 2 PM, one hour before the official check-in time without a fee. This experience was quite shocking and disappointing, as other hotels (not even premium brands) typically allow early check-in without an additional fee. The attitude and communication skills of the check-in staff were poor and need improvement to actually make the mark. The entire experience just didn't sit right with me, and on principle, I chose not to spend more money at this hotel. I waited until 2pm to check in. There was also confusion regarding the Top of the Mark F&B vouchers. The check-in staff did not explain how the vouchers worked, and I later discovered at checkout that they could not be used for gratuities, only for F&B and taxes. I was also charged taxes on the F&B vouchers, which seemed odd as I had to pay taxes again when using them. Furthermore, not all credits were processed correctly, and I had to request adjustments for charges on our second visit. The experience at the Top of the Mark was nice. Service was good. However, I recommend to those who wish to purchase the vouchers be aware of what is covered, keep track, and check their hotel bill at checkout. After checking out of the Mark Hopkins Hotel, I stayed at another premium hotel nearby where the experience was completely opposite. They did not charge for early check-in and made me feel valued and welcomed. The poor experience at Mark Hopkins did not leave a good memory, and I have no incentive to establish status with them, especially after reading other reviews from people with status who also experienced similar treatment. Overall, just beware of fees! As the saying goes, "You will always remember how people made you feel." Unfortunately, the way Mark Hopkins made me feel ensures that I will not be returning, as there are other hotels that appreciate my business.

The hotel carries a rich history, so don’t anticipate the sleekness of modern accommodations. Nevertheless, my four-night stay was delightful. The service was impeccable, and the breathtaking view from the “Top of The Mark” was truly worth the visit. Each moment spent there felt like a step back in time, adding to the charm of the experience. Food at room service has a small menu but its delicious.

The exterior has lots of art deco vibes and the foyer is grand, swish and attractive. We checked in easily, and found ourselves in a well sized corner room. It was a classic take on the slightly older hotel - looks great initially but then one or two scrapes and so forth that really could and should be fixed. No-one minds a small scuff on a wall and so on, but there was a good sized lump of paintwork out of the room ceiling and the bathroom sink had a huge crack in it. We had breakfast a couple of times, an a la carte affair that was not a bit too style over substance, with some unnecessary noodling of otherwise regular dishes. The area it is in is a bit odd really - it feels like it's on the edge of somewhere else that you might want to be! Hope that's not to the south as the hill back up to the hotel is monstrous. Overall it was a pleasant stay but it was a big disappointment to find that the high level bar was closed, on our last night, for a private function. It had been one of the reasons for picking the hotel over others and it's a personal bugbear when hotels book out their feature areas.

My favorite San Francisco hotel. The lobby is beautiful, and the rooms are comfortable, clean, everything you would want in a hotel. We stayed for my birthday weekend, and our room had the most magnificent view (see photo) that we could see when lying in bed. We did have to move the enormous TV, but that was all it took to have this gorgeous panorama spread out in front of us, breathtaking at night. Breakfast is excellent too.