Marriott San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Rating: 3.5 Pearls

Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California

The Marriott San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf

This five-floor Marriott finished a renovation of its 285 rooms in December 2009, making it one of the freshest of the many chain properties in the touristy Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood. Due to its up-to-date (if corporate) decor and competitive rates, it attracts a mixed crowd -- families; couples; international business travelers; anyone looking to cash in on their Marriott Rewards points.

Given its clean, modern guest rooms and friendly, if not outstanding, service, it's a good pick compared to most other big-chain properties, like the Holiday Inn. However, when compared to the more stylish and service-oriented Argonaut Hotel, it's not particularly impressive (though the Argonaut is often a bit more expensive).

While luxury-level service shouldn't be expected at this price point, the staff, in general, is helpful and friendly. Unlike at other Marriott hotels in San Francisco, however, porters did not assist me with my bags as soon as I arrived at the hotel. Like most hotels in Fisherman's Wharf, the bellmen tend to wait inside the lobby and the valets only park the cars.

• Room service for breakfast (6 to 11 a.m.) and dinner (5:30 to 11 p.m.); no lunch or late-night in-room dining
• The concierge (available 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) can help with directions, reservations, and info on San Francisco attractions; I found him to be well informed about the neighborhood.
• The hotel doesn't provide free extra toiletries like toothpaste (unlike at the Courtyard by Marriott) but the on-site gift shop will deliver items to your room with no extra delivery fee.
• Valet and self-parking, with in-and-out privileges, is very expensive.

View on a Larger Map

The hotel sits three blocks southwest of the touristy shops and attractions on the Fisherman's Wharf waterfront. While that puts it a few minutes further from the action than other hotels, such as the Argonaut and Radisson, it's also out of the way of the area's thickest crowds.

• Three blocks from the Fisherman's Wharf outdoor shopping and dining complex
• Three blocks from Ghirardelli Square, a restored chocolate factory now full of high-end restaurants, shopping, and wine tasting
• Two blocks from the end of the Powell-Mason cable car line, which connects to the farther reaches of the city, like the bustling shopper's paradise of Union Square and swanky, photogenic Nob Hill
• Pier 41, with docks where ferries leave for Alcatraz, Sausalito, and Tiburon, is four blocks away
• 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 the Golden Gate Bridge (for public transportation, the 28 and 29 buses are your best bet).
• Golden Gate Park is over five miles away (the opposite direction of the Golden Gate Bridge), about a $10 cab ride.
• 25 minutes to San Francisco International Airport, about a $40 cab fare.

A standard guest room

Standard rooms at the Marriott are larger than average for the neighborhood and, thanks to the recent renovation, all of the guest rooms have up-to-date electronics and fresh, comfortable bedding -- they are a bit nicer than the rooms at the Radisson or Holiday Inn, even though they lack Wi-Fi access (hard-wired Internet costs $13 per day). While the decor at the Marriott is modern, it isn't quite as stylish as it is at the Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf or the funky Argonaut hotel.

• Standard rooms -- with either a king bed or two doubles -- are larger than average for the neighborhood at 320 square feet; junior Suites measure 430 square feet and have a king bed, sleeper sofa, and a spacious sitting area.
• Very comfortable bed: Sealy Posturpedic mattress; 100-percent cotton sheets; six pillows (both down and poly-fil); down comforter with a duvet
• 32-inch LG flat-panel TV with a sparse collection of only 14 channels, including HBO; neat Marriott multimedia center linked into TV for computer or audiovisual hookup
• Six power plugs built into the work desk
• No in-room Wi-Fi; hard-wired costs $13 a day
• Shallow safe; large enough for a laptop but not much else
• Coffeemaker with free coffee and tea and an empty mini-fridge
• Waffle-comb bathrobe
• iHome iPod-docking alarm clock
• Dimly lit bathroom
• Bath & Body Works shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and two types of bar soap

The gym

• Spacious fitness center: three treadmills, three ellipticals, and two excercise bikes (each cardio machine has its own TV screen); free weights and weight machines
• Small business center: two computers, a laser printer, and a workspace for guests toting their own laptops
• Two washer-dryer combos that are free for guests to use; detergent can be purchased at the front desk
• No pool, unlike at the Radisson, Hilton, and Hyatt

The nearby family-friendly attractions in Fisherman's Wharf are big pluses, but all hotels in the neighborhood offer comparable access to the fun. For a bit more cash, it's also worth considering the Argonaut, which has a well-executed nautical theme (including a "treasure chest" full of toys), and the Radisson, which has an impressive pool.

• Standard rooms have either one king-size or two double-size beds (to sleep four); rollaway beds fit in king rooms ($20 a night); cribs are free.
• No pool, something the Radisson, the Hilton, and the Hyatt all offer
• No kids' menu at the Lobby Lounge, though staff can prepare things like grilled cheese and mini hamburgers
• Three blocks from the family attractions along the waterfront; a shade farther than other hotels in the neighborhood

While all the rooms were renovated in 2009, the windows in my room were in need of a scrub and there were a few spots on the bed skirt. Everything else in my room and in the bathroom, as well as the rest of the property, was well maintained.

Breakfast at Spada

The hotel has two options for dining, the Spada restaurant and the Lobby Lounge. The Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood, however, abounds with good -- if a bit touristy and overpriced -- seafood restaurants.

• Spada hosts the hotel's breakfast buffet ($21) and also offers a la carte breakfast from 6:30 to 11 a.m. Dinner is only offered during the December holiday season, meaning the Lobby Lounge is the only on-site lunch and dinner choice for most of the year.
• The dimly lit Lobby Lounge serves light lunch and dinner; it also doubles as the hotel's bar, with happy hour deals (half-price drafts and $2 tacos) in the evening and drinks until 11 p.m.