My review of InterContinental San Francisco

Having been a software engineer for almost ten years, it’s weird that I’ve never been to San Francisco or the bay area. Now that I got laid off I finally have time to go on a pilgrimage 😛

Compared to LA, hotels in San Francisco are much more friendly priced, and you can find a pretty decent hotel for around $200. I decided to redeem my IHG BOGO voucher here, and there are two InterContinentals in the city – one in downtown for which I’m going, and the Mark Hopkins hotel at a less convenient location for tourists.

The hotel is about eight-minute walk from the Powell Street metro station, which takes you directly to the airport.

At 33 floors high, the hotel stands out in the immediate neighbourhood.

The entrance is small but elegant. The ground floor is a big open space with reception, bar and restaurant.

Like many other InterContinental hotels, or hotels in general in the States, the hotel has so many different rooms types that I lost count. I ended up booking Premium West Side View as it’s price difference from the entry-level room isn’t much. I was upgraded one-level to the corner room.

The receptionist greeted me warmly, and I didn’t have to ask about the Diamond breakfast benefit or 4pm late check-out.

Before I was let go, he went to the back office and returned with a bag of welcome gift. To my slight disappoint it’s only two bottles of water 😛 They also sent me a bottle of Evian the next day.

The corner room is quite impressive at first glance. The hues and finishes are soothing.

The highlight of course, is the 180-degree floor-to-ceiling windows and the views that come from it.

You don’t normally get a chance to be so up high in Europe. It’s a shame that San Francisco doesn’t have so much of a skyline, and the hotel isn’t close enough to the coast.

The curtains are electric and you only need to give it a pull for it to open or close by itself.

There is also a view from the bathroom. But beware of the construction workers on the crane!

One motivation for me to pick this hotel was its swimming pool and jacuzzi.

They are fine. But the hall is quite old and so small that no loungers can fit in. It’s weird that there’s not even any place to sit in!

The gym:

The club lounge:

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I was given a voucher which entitles me to the breakfast buffet.

The whole buffet well, is spread across one single table.

There aren’t many choices as you can imagine, but they do offer congee which is a nice touch.

There is an a-la-carte menu but payable. According to the voucher taxes are not included, but I didn’t have to pay anything when I checked out.

InterContinental San Francisco isn’t the best hotel you can find in town, but I love the corner room and don’t miss out if you admire a view.

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