Highlights: Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

•Location, location, location. Just a one-minute walk from Union Square, San Francisco’s premier shopping and dining destination, the Four Seasons is also a quick two-minute walk to the Financial District.

•Legendary Four Seasons service exceeds expectations and ensures a pleasant, seamless stay

•High style reigns here, from the sophisticated, art-filled public spaces to the serene guestrooms with terrific city views

•State-of-the-art Sony Style Tech business center is one of the best facilities available, offering guests supreme comfort and the latest technology

•Complimentary access to the adjacent Sports Club/LA, one of San Francisco’s top fitness facilities

Amenities: Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

• 277 rooms, 10 story. Pets accepted, some restrictions. Check-in 3 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access. Restaurant, bar. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Indoor pool, whirlpool. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

Located in the heart of Union Square and just a two-minute walk from the Financial District, the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is an ideal destination for both leisure and business travelers. The Moscone Convention Center is just a few blocks away, making it a sure bet for business travelers seeking a spot of luxury. Union Square offers plentiful shopping and dining choices, while the nearby Museum of Modern Art and Yerba Buena Gardens satisfy culture vultures. Other San Francisco attractions -- Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge -- are just a cab ride away. The hotel is also a convenient base for exploring other Bay Area attractions, including Sausalito and the wine country of Napa and Sonoma.

While I found the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco and its sleek city feel to be a better choice for business travelers, couples seeking a romantic retreat, or travelers needing an injection of urban chic, the hotel also welcomes families with young children. Turndown milk and cookies, child-sized bathrobes, and children’s menus offered for in-room dining and at the restaurants, are several examples of how this hotel handles pint-sized guests.

The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco marries style and substance. While the bustling street is just outside, once you step inside this serene, art-filled space, you’ll quickly forget that you’re in one of the largest cities in the U.S. Modern with Asian undertones, the public spaces are gloriously designed, while the guestrooms and suites are elegant retreats. Pale yellows, greens and taupes are set against sophisticated furnishings and gleaming polished woods. Top quality bed linens, oversized, plush towels, and cozy bathrobes are among the creature comforts guests are treated to here.

I stayed in a deluxe room, and the hotel offers rooms in the moderate, deluxe, deluxe view, and premium categories, with the major difference being the floor level and the views. One-bedroom suites are pricier, but roomier, and offer separate spaces for living, working, and entertaining. The two Presidential Suites are larger than many private apartments and can accommodate up to 9 adults.

In keeping with the service expected of a Four Seasons, San Francisco makes sure its business travelers have appropriate offices “on the road” with in-room business amenities like spacious workspaces complete with two-line phones and high-speed Internet, while the professionally staffed business center is better than many “regular” offices. Guests are also granted complimentary admission to the Sports Club/LA fitness center, which shares space with the hotel.

(+) Great location, fine-tuned service, and refined style

Guest Services: Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

Four Seasons properties are known for outstanding service, and the San Francisco hotel is no exception. From the gracious bellman to the helpful front desk agent, I received a warm welcome and impeccable service throughout my stay. Friendly smiles accompanied accomplished service here, where upon arrival my bags were whisked away to my room within minutes, the concierge booked and then confirmed my spa appointment, pressed laundry was delivered promptly, and the bellman radioed for a car service which was waiting for me just moments later. Across the board, the staff here managed to make me feel entirely at home without seeming docile. The only small glitch in service during my stay was in room service, when I needed to call twice to have my tray picked up. However, upon the second call, they were at my door within minutes, with apologies.

(+) Intuitive, professional service ensures that every detail of the stay is perfect
(-) Room service required a second call for tray pickup.

Guest Rooms: Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco has 231 guestrooms, 44 one-bedroom suites, and two Presidential suites, all equipped with two-line telephones, high-speed Internet service, large in-room safes, and offering 24-hour room service, express laundry and dry cleaning, and nightly turndown. Spacious marble bathrooms feature deep-soaking bathtubs, glass-enclosed showers, and separate toilet areas

The design and décor of my room made it feel like an elegant apartment or private residence, with a serene palette of pale yellows, greens, and taupes with soft gold accents. The clean, simple lines of the furnishings also reflected the hotel’s urbane style, while the bed linens and duvet were exceedingly luxurious. All details are considered -- I was delighted to discover thoughtful touches throughout the room, including an oversized closet and plentiful drawers, as well as numerous towels placed in logical areas throughout the bathroom. From arrival to departure, my room was immaculately serviced -- the bathroom sparkled throughout my stay. Special touches made this feel more like a private home than an impersonal hotel room. A separate lounge area and workspace also added to the private residence ambience, and the lack of any noise from other guests added to the privacy and serenity found throughout the hotel. Moderate rooms (located on the lower floors) only have partial city views, but rooms in the deluxe category and above have stunning views (cityscape and Yerba Buena Gardens) showcased by floor-to-ceiling windows.

(+) Guestrooms easily reflect their five-star status in both design and service levels
(-) The entry-level guestrooms only have partial views, so expect to pay higher prices for better views.

Facilities & Activities: Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

One of the highlights of a stay at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is the complimentary access to the Sports Club/LA, a 100,000-square-foot temple of fitness and well-being. Upon arrival, I spoke with the hotel concierge about treatments and he quickly secured a massage appointment for me. While the facility is not owned or managed by the hotel, it is extremely upscale and maintains similar standards in appearance and service. The tranquil treatment room and a superb massage by a professional and precise therapist made for a transforming experience.

The hotel’s location is a stone’s throw from Union Square -- a perfect place to indulge in some retail therapy. Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Gump’s, and Macy’s anchor the square, while high-end fashion boutiques (Armani, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent) dot the streets in and around the square. The shopping is endless, and if you’re looking for something other than couture, you’ll find home design stores and bookstores among other selections. Union Square is a veritable goldmine of restaurants too, offering everything from high-end bistros to casual corner spots with French, Italian, American, Asian and other cuisines.

Art lovers will want to visit the galleries along Geary and Post Streets near Union Square. The Museum of Modern Art is also just a few blocks from the hotel and features an impressive number and range of significant art pieces. Boundless opportunities also exist for nightlife in this booming neighborhood.

(+) Leisure time can be enjoyed both within the hotel and while enjoying the area

Dining & Lounge: Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

In addition to 24-hour room service, the hotel offers one restaurant, Seasons, and one lounge, Seasons Bar. The restaurant setting is stunning, complete with an exhibition kitchen and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking bustling Mission Street. Seasons Bar has a separate, extensive menu of appetizer and entrée selections, and live music is performed there most nights.

Offering fresh California cuisine throughout the day, Seasons attracts a sophisticated crowd of hotel guests and area residents, and is a favorite spot for “power breakfasts.” The staff is extremely professional and my waiter graciously handled my request to send back an item not cooked to my preference.

My room service experience was a treat. My special order was taken without any question and it was efficiently delivered before it was promised. I received excellent quality food, elegantly served on Bernardaud china with perfectly pressed linens. While my tray was not removed upon my initial call, a second call ensured speedy service.

(+) The restaurant and lounge offered excellent food in gorgeous settings. Room service food and presentation exceeded expectations

Business Services: Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

Style and substance prevail at the Four Seasons state-of-the-art business center. While my room offered a spacious workspace, I preferred using the facilities at the business center, both for a change of pace and to take advantage of the striking setting which offered the most up-to-date computers and other office equipment. The staff was professional and helpful, and when I was unable to print a document, one staff member went out of his way to assist me. The flat screen computers were a nice touch, and the ergonomic Herman Miller chairs and desks provided a comfortable working environment.

(+) Business travelers are well accommodated at this hotel, whether they choose to remain in their rooms or use the services of the business center.