fairmont san francisco

Fairmont San Francisco, Room 1905: The View Is Doing Heavy Lifting

The Bed: Faultless, as It Should Be

Linens, mattress and pillows all at five out of five — a straight 100%. At a hotel of this vintage and this price, the bed is the one thing that cannot be allowed to slip, and it did not. Our reviewer slept the sleep of someone who did not have to call down about anything.

The Room: A Spectacular View, Attached to a Tired Room

74%, and the arithmetic is instructive. Cleanliness was perfect, the view a full 100% — this is Nob Hill, and the room made proper use of it. After that the enthusiasm cooled. Workspace, room service, minibar, outlets and room style all landed at 60%, a remarkably consistent band of mediocrity. The layout, HVAC and noise fared better at 80%.

The impression is of a room trading on its address. The window earns its keep. The furniture is coasting.

The Bathroom: The Best Thing About the Room

96%, and the highest-scoring part of the stay after the bed. Cleanliness, water pressure, water temperature and towels were each perfect, with only the amenities trailing at 80%. Whatever budget the room was denied appears to have been quietly spent in here, and it was money well allocated.

The Hotel: Magnificent Downstairs, Ordinary Upstairs

The property took 78%. The lobby scored a perfect 100% and deserves it — it is a genuine piece of architecture, not a reception area with ambitions. Wi-Fi, restaurants, location, business facilities and service all held at 80%.

The fitness centre and overall property style both came in at 60%, which is the sort of result that suggests a hotel confident enough in its history not to worry much about the gym. For most guests that trade is probably acceptable. For anyone who came to use the treadmill, less so.