Hyatt At Fisherman's Wharf Rating: 3.0 Pearls

Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California

The lobby

From the sleek lobby (think marble floors and walls padded in white leather) to the ample amenities (including a heated pool and Jacuzzi), the Hyatt feels quite a bit more fashionable than the other chain hotels around Fisherman's Wharf. Take the bar, for example: Housed in an adjacent 1868 brick building that was once home to a marble works and stone-cutting company, Knuckles on the Wharf is a mashup of original brick walls and weathered beams, slick HDTVs, a menu with everything from tortilla soup to Dungeness crab cakes, and a fun and sometimes large crowd, especially on game days. It's not exactly what you picture when you think of a chain-hotel bar in a major tourist destination. But then, you could say the same about the hotel overall.

The 300-square-foot Standard King Rooms aren't quite as stylish as the lobby, but are fine for a night's rest after tooling around San Francisco. The pillow-top Hyatt Grand Bed is comfortable, and guests can choose between standard down or foam pillows. Street sounds are prevalent, but not too distracting. They trump some of the views, which can feature chain stores. For better views, request a North Beach city view room.

There are some flaws in the rooms, from some maintenance problems to oddly placed TVs. Bathrooms were renovated in 2006, but the modern rain shower can feel out of place with the bland tile and countertop. (If you prefer a shower-tub combo, request a room with double beds.)

Unlike the Hilton, next door, the Hyatt also has a heated pool and a Jacuzzi -- nice features for parents looking to relax with the kids between sightseeing excursions.

View on a Larger Map

Just two blocks from Fisherman's Wharf, the Hyatt is conveniently located near the docks where ferries leave for Alcatraz, Sausalito, and Tiburon. The hotel is also a block away from the terminus of the Powell-Mason cable car line, which connects to the farther reaches of the city, like Union Square and Nob Hill.

• A 30-minute stroll on the boardwalk will get you to the fancy waterside restaurants at the Embarcadero, or you can take the F-line streetcar, which also stops a block away from the hotel.
• North Beach (San Francisco's Little Italy) is a 10-minute walk up the hill.
• Roughly 3.5 miles to Golden Gate Bridge (for public transportation, the 28 and 29 buses are the best bet).
• Golden Gate Park is over five miles away
• 25 minutes to San Francisco International Airport