Hotel: Ritz Carlton Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA
RITZ CARLTON PHILADELPHIA

10 AVENUE OF THE ARTS
PHILADELPHIA PA

Phone Number:
Fax Number:

Number Of Rooms: 1

Check Out: Jun 15, 2004


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No flight with this one. Drove up to Philadelphia, about 2 and half hours from DC. I-95, Patterson Street, up Broad. First time I've seen this area without Vetrans' Stadium. Very strange experience. The new baseball field looked great (there was a night game going on).

This hotel is right next to City Hall in the old Girard Bank building. The rotunda is a fantasic lobby area, and entire building is posh and tasteful, and about the nicest and most helpful hotel staff you can find anywhere. Of course, much nicer than I'm used to for business travel and not here enough to really enjoy it.

Flight: United #186 SFO-IAD

Departing From: San Francisco California (SFO)
Traveling To: Washington Dulles (IAD)
ETD: 8:40 AM PST
ETA: 5:15 PM EST
Est. Duration: 5 h 29 m
Act. Duration:
Departure Gate: 70
Arrival Gate: C8
Seat: 9F (Economy Plus, Window)
Equipment: Airbus 320
Miles: 2419
Other: Breakfast

Hotel: The Fairmont San Francisco

City: San Francisco, CA
Chain: FAIRMONT HOTELS
Property: THE FAIRMONT SAN FRANCISCO
Address: 950 MASON STREET, SAN FRANCISCO CA 94108
Phone Number: 415 772-5000
Fax Number: 415 391-4833
Rate: 215.00 USD Per Night
Check Out: Jun 09, 2004


The hotel sits at the top of "Nob Hill", pretty much at the very high point of San Francisco. While not necessarily the most interesting place in town (not much nightlife nearby, tall buildings blocking most of the views), it is quite a bit quieter here than down along Market Street and a very relaxing place to stay. The California Street cable car runs right by, which makes it easy to get to Market street or over to the Fisherman's Wharf area ($3 a ride, pay driver cash).

This is a very historic and posh hotel, well beyond what a business traveler normally expects (at least this business traveler). Extremely high service level from the minute you get out of the car. The lobby and lounge areas make you feel like you're well-to-do, and you get the enjoyment of feeling like you're not out of place for acting like a gentleman. Hotel's claim-to-fame: Tony Bennett supposedly sang "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" for the first time here, and the hotel was the model for the television drama "Hotel" from 20 years ago or so (don't remember it).

Room was relatively spacious, with a walk-in closet, and a large, nice bathroom. My room was facing the interior of the hotel, which overlooked equipment and a roof. Killed the experience.

Flight: United #201 IAD-SFO

Departing From: Washington Dulles (IAD)
Traveling To: San Francisco California (SFO)
ETD: 2:40 PM EST
ETA: 5:30 PM PST
Est. Duration: 5 h 50 m
Departure Gate: C4
Arrival Gate: Terminal 3
Seat: 21B (Economy Plus, Aisle)
Equipment: Boeing 767
Miles: 2419
Other: