Stayed for 4 nights in San Francisco at the beginning of a 2-week west coast trip and thoroughly enjoyed the Fairmont. Having booked through a travel agent, we were anxious after reading other's reviews but thankfully we found these completely unfounded. Infact every local that discovered that we were staying in the Fairmont called it "the top hotel in San Francisco".

Stayed in a great double room, with a view overlooking the bay, including Coit Tower and Alcatraz Island. The room was light and airy, very comfortable and quite luxurious. The hotel is in a great location, just a few blocks from Chinatown and Union Square (the main shopping area) and a 25 minute walk downhill to Pier 39. You also have the option of taking the tram, with two lines (heading to all 4 main destinations) quite literally passing the hotel.

There were a few negatives - obviously its quite pricey in parts, but you should expect this given the initial price, etc. The Tonga-related bar was also a bit bizarre, with no real atmosphere and strange water and light effects every 10 minutes but we missed the live band which apparently makes it all worthwhile.

Very friendly staff and a very nice stay. Would definitely recommend others to stay at the Fairmont!!!!!

Fantastic hotel with that grand and beautiful lobby on entry , very friendly check-in staff who kindly offered us a rollaway bed so the three children didn't have to share two double beds. The concierge were always friendly offering great restaurant advice for dinner. room was fairly large which was very clean and well maintained. The breakfast buffet Laurel Court is terrific!

We stayed at the Fairmont as part of a wedding party otherwise we probably wouldn't have picked it. Try and get a room high up - preferably in a corner - we were in 614 and had three huge windows with the most incredible views south over the city. We didn't draw the curtains at night so we could wake up and see the view.

Everyone else talks about service and the lobby so I'll keep my review to this - don't stay here if you can't manage walking up hills. The Fairmont website claims to be close to the BART station, which isn't exactly a lie, but the map doesn't show hills. The Fairmont is at the top of one. A steep one.

Luckily, we braved the streets and traffic and drove our bags to the hotel before dropping the car off at the airport after having been to Napa. Frankly we wouldn't have made the hills, up or down, with our luggage. Even without heavy bags, the hills do put you off coming and going more than once a day, unless you are either driving or are prepared to pay for taxis everywhere.

If nothing else, to say you stayed at the Fairmont San Francisco is a real buzz so you forgive the hills and the fraying decor (as did John McCain who stayed there 2 days before us), and you're guaranteed to always find you hotel in SF/USA guide books - it's a city landmark.

My wife and I stayed at the Fairmont for two nights, 7/26 and 7/27 and we were quite impressed with the grand lobby. In addition, having gotten a super rate with Expedia for 60% off, we upgraded to a Tower Room with a scenic view of Union Square and the rooftop gardens.

The room was very spacious, with a comfortable king-size bed, separate desk and dresser. The bathroom was very luxurious, with a glass-enclosed shower and marble sinks and counter.

As for the location, we LOVED being on top of Nob Hill. I got two 3-day MUNI passes, so we walked DOWN the hills for breakfast and took the cable cars UP the hills afterwards.

For the folks that bad-mouthed the hotel as being dated, I much prefer these turn-of-the-century grand dames to the cookie cutter Marriotts and Hiltons that look the same in every city. A good suggestion is to join their Presidents Club for free and then you get free internet access and free gym usages.