Highlights: St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco

•St. Regis San Francisco is in a fantastic location adjacent to the historic Williams Building, the Museum of Modern Art, the Yerba Buena Gardens, and near Union Square

•Legendary St. Regis service, complete with personal butlers

•Elegant, contemporary style throughout the hotel’s public and private spaces

•Two distinctive restaurants, Ame and Vitrine, featuring cutting-edge cuisine in inspired settings

•9,000-square-foot Remède Spa, indoor infinity lap pool, and full-service fitness center

Amenities: St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco

• 260 rooms, 40 story. Pets accepted, under 20 lbs; $25 Fee. Check-in 3 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access. 3 restaurants, bar. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Indoor pool, whirlpool. Business center.

General Impressions: St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco

Superior levels of service and exquisite style are the hallmarks of the St. Regis chain of hotels and resorts. The San Francisco property is one of the latest and most impressive additions to the St. Regis family.

Located in the San Francisco’s Yerba Buena arts district, the St. Regis is connected to the historic, century-old Williams Building and the innovative and provocative Museum of the African Diaspora. And, just steps from the hotel, you will find the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the picturesque Yerba Buena Gardens, and the renowned shops and restaurants of Union Square. As is the case with many St. Regis properties, this hotel is also home to a 9,000-square-foot Remede spa that features a wide variety of relaxing and pampering treatments and therapies.

Guest rooms and suites are styled with a chic, contemporary design complete with soothing earth tones, sexy sleek lines, and dramatic, modern artwork. The hotel’s sophistication extends to its two restaurants, Ame and Vitrine, where guests may enjoy New American cuisine in two tastefully elegant settings.

The hotel’s location in the heart of one of San Francisco’s thriving neighborhoods makes it a natural choice for leisure travelers, but -- with the Financial District within walking distance of the St. Regis San Francisco -- it is also a terrific choice for business travelers. White-glove butler service and sleek sophistication tends to attract a discerning adult clientele of single travelers, couples on romantic escapes, and small groups, but its adult-focused amenities do make this hotel a more popular choice for those traveling without young children. However, the St. Regis San Francisco does offer a babysitting service for those guests that do travel with children.

(+) Sophisticated hotel with prime location and superb guest service

Guest Services: St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco

The St. Regis San Francisco delivers flawless service to its guests. While the hotel’s reputation for fine service is world-renowned, this hotel never rests on its laurels. I was delighted with the service from my initial call to the reservations department. The operator’s warmth came across even over the telephone, and she was able to provide me with useful information, such as the cost of a taxi from the airport to the hotel. I felt confident that she reviewed the choices with me, rather than just selecting a room for me, and I knew that I would be satisfied with my accommodations based on the information she shared.

Once I arrived at the hotel, I was immediately greeted by name by several staff members. Check-in was prompt and efficient, yet it never felt robotic, and I was pleased to be escorted to my room by a private butler who provided me with a comprehensive orientation to the hotel and my room, as well as to the services and amenities offered at the St. Regis San Francisco. No matter where I went throughout my stay, I encountered a smartly dressed, well-groomed, and extremely well -spoken staff member. From the concierge to the housekeepers, the St. Regis maintains a polite and professional staff that seems to take great pride in their work and their workplace. I felt genuinely welcomed and well taken care of while staying at this hotel, and was delighted to find that the service was exceptional across the board. The St. Regis hotels are known for its Signature Butler Service, which makes each guest feel as if they have their own private concierge, focused exclusively on their needs.

(+) Superior service from a well-trained staff, featuring the Signature St. Regis Butler Service

Guest Rooms: St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco

The St. Regis San Francisco invites guests to retire to a world of contemporary luxury in its guest rooms and suites. These sumptuous accommodations are the final word in modern comfort, featuring clean lines, spare decoration, and offering such high-end creature comforts as LCD televisions and Pratesi linens. The rooms and suites feature a striking décor defined by Bella Crema marble, Mozambique wood doors, leather-stitched walls, and soothing color schemes. Styled with soft browns, grays, and creams, the rooms and suites feature sexy, curvaceous furnishings. Unique artwork and decorative objects lend a museum-like quality to the guest quarters, while the state-of-the-art bathrooms feature stone showers with rain showerheads, as well as deep soaking tubs.

There are many different levels of guest rooms, ranging from the luxurious Superior Guest Room to the spacious, 3,200 square-foot Presidential Suite. All of the guestrooms feature signature St. Regis amenities such as turndown service, Remede spa products, and an oversized workspace with wireless, high-speed Internet access.

I was completely at home in my plush surroundings. The bed, topped with four large down pillows and a duvet, was particularly inviting. I found the design to be sophisticated yet never intimidating, and many of the modern design features, such as the closet, cubby, and drawers built into the wall, were innovative. A bedside switch controlled the room’s temperature and the electronic blinds, adding to the convenience and comfort. My room was also very well maintained, which made the experience feel even more pleasant.

(+) Beautiful modern room with stylish décor, practical features, and plush amenities

Facilities & Activities: St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco

San Francisco is a perfect vacation destination. The St. Regis’s location adjacent to the Museum of Modern Art makes it a sure bet for fans of contemporary art, and several other museums, including the Museum of the African Diaspora, located right within the St. Regis building, are easily explored while staying at this hotel.

Union Square, bustling with boutiques, department stores, and galleries, is just steps from the hotel and is a must-see for anyone visiting San Francisco. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to keep their fresh-air-seeking selves happy in this city, where parks are plentiful and hikes are rewarding.

Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, Chinatown, and Alcatraz are among the city’s most-visited tourist sites and are easily reachable from the St. Regis, and sports fans can catch a baseball or football game at the city’s two stadiums. Guests staying for longer durations may want to make an excursion to Napa Valley or Yosemite National Park, both doable in a day trip.

However, one need not even leave the hotel to indulge in relaxing escapes. The St. Regis San Francisco features a luxurious Remede Spa that cultivates a soothing and sophisticated atmosphere. The spa features several steam rooms, whirlpools, and saunas, as well as a host of signature treatments from pedicures to full-body pampering. The hotel also offers a 50-foot indoor infinity lap pool and a full-service fitness center.

(+) Central location in a city well known for its attractions; exquisite Remede Spa

Dining & Lounge: St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco

The St. Regis San Francisco invites guests to dine in two distinct settings. Both restaurants reflect the St. Regis’ commitment to elegance and unparalleled quality.

Ame, located in the lobby, showcases the talents of Hiro Sone and Lissa Doumani -- who are well-loved for their other collaboration, Terra Restaurant, in the Napa Valley. Ame’s menu highlights New American cuisine with Japanese influences. A custom-made sashimi bar is a highlight of the restaurant’s interior, as well as its menu, which features many other fresh delicacies such as carpaccio and tartare. The restaurant’s modern interior makes a fashionable setting for lunch or dinner.

Located on the fourth level, Vitrine serves breakfast in a mood-elevating and light-filled space. The restaurant also features alfresco dining on its Yerba Buena Terrace. Breakfast selections run the gamut from health-conscious choices to decadent delights.

I enjoyed breakfast at Vitrine and was pleased by the wait staff’s personal attention, professionalism, and knowledge of the menu. Breakfast was elegantly served on a beautiful white china plate accented with a gold border, and the coffee was presented in a silver pitcher. The quality of the food was excellent, and the portions were generous yet artfully presented. The room in general featured bright white linens and window treatments and fresh-cut flowers, making it a perfect spot to start my day.

I was also delighted by my in-room dining experience at the St. Regis San Francisco. The order taker was well-informed and polite, and the delivery was particularly well executed by a server dressed in a white tuxedo jacket. He seamlessly set up the table and chair for my comfort and managed to make me feel pampered in my own room. My three-course meal was delicious, and the presentation was colorful and exceptional. I especially appreciated the halibut tasting sent by the chef. It added a special touch to what can often be a mundane experience.

(+) Quality food and service at the hotel’s two restaurants and room service

Business Services: St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco

The St. Regis San Francisco is a wonderful choice for busy executives staying in San Francisco. The rooms and suites are fitted with wireless Internet service and fax/copier/printer/scanner machines, as well as spacious work areas for those guests conducting business from their rooms.

All guests are provided with complimentary access to the hotel’s lobby-level business center, which is open 24 hours a day. The St. Regis is also a good choice for corporate events and meetings, offering a wide array of function spaces, with everything from boardrooms and meeting rooms to ballrooms.

(+) Hotel is an ideal choice for both single business travelers and corporate groups