Articles Mentioning Upscale

Hilton San Francisco Union Square

With 1,907 rooms and meeting space galore, this is the largest hotel in town. Business features are impressive, the restaurant is surprisingly nice, and the gym is well equipped. But rooms, which are undergoing renovations in waves through 2017, vary from impressive to so-so. Crowds of conventioneers and business travelers make it difficult to find peace and quiet (the lobby noise level is usually that of a dull roar), or to get help without waiting in a long line. Travelers in want of free Wi-Fi could check out the neighboring Grand Hyatt San Francisco, another business-friendly hotel in Union Square.

Stanford Court San Francisco

A historic property renovated in 2008, the Renaissance Stanford Court has several of the less endearing quirks of an older building but few of its vestigial charms. Still, it’s a relative bargain for the posh Nob Hill address.

Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

Expect staff to greet you with “bonjour” at the French-owned Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, a luxury hotel with 295 elegant rooms and suites. It’s located on the border of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, directly across the street from the massive Beverly Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The hotel is home to a trendy bar, all-day restaurant with garden seating, luxury spa, large fitness center, and expansive function space. Too bad the small pool is plagued by street noise and has an unsightly view of the mall next door. Some of the rooms have views of the Hollywood sign and furnished balconies. Note that there’s a daily resident fee. For something more modern and closer to nightlife, check rates at The Jeremy West Hollywood. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey

With a waterfront location on a harbor, not the beach, there’s little reason to stay here unless you’re boating or have a business meeting at the hotel. Rooms have luxurious features but little style. Guests who want to hit the beach, or just be in a lively area with restaurants and shops, are better off staying in Santa Monica or Venice.

The Ritz-Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton is St. Thomas’ classiest resort, located only five minutes from Red Hook’s fun dining and yacht scene. Its private sailboat, fitness center, spa, and soft-sand beach — a marine-life sanctuary — are all among the best in St. Thomas. But the food and service don’t compare to swankier Ritzs elsewhere.

The Bowery Hotel

With a super-hip lobby bar, 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi, and free bike rentals, the Bowery Hotel redefines class in a gentrified downtown neighborhood where punk rock and squalor once ruled. The 135 loft-like rooms — drenched in natural light from the large factory-style windows, which provide superb city views — are flawlessly appointed, with antique Turkish rugs, wool blankets, high-definition plasma flat-screen TVs, and marble bathrooms. Cool-seekers who prefer a modern vibe and a pool could take Sixty LES into consideration.

Kimpton Angler’s Hotel

Separated from busy South Beach by lush gardens, this 46-room art deco hotel is a low-key oasis. There’s a top-notch restaurant, free off-site gym passes, and a small, but serene pool. For the price, other hotels offer more features or direct beach access, but the massive, Wallace Tutt-designed rooms are hard to beat.