Regal on the Waterfront

The Storied Atrium Lobby

An entire review could be written about the massive, 17-story, atrium lobby of the Hyatt Regency San Francisco—its history, architectural extravagance and cachet. It co-starred in the "Towering Inferno," and its elevators stole a scene in Mel Brooks' "High Anxiety," a send-up of Hitchcock's "Vertigo." In fact, the gorgeous, glass, pendant-like elevators (which have also hosted an inter-collegiate Monopoly competition) are virtually works of art in and of themselves.

Angular Exterior

The lobby's tiered, stair-step design reflects the angular exterior of the building, which serves as an anchor for the Embarcadero Center in the Financial District. Needless to say, the hotel draws its fair share of non-guests, who come to enjoy microbrews at 13 Views Bar, overlooking the waterfront, or eat at A Cut Above Steakhouse or Equinox, the revolving rooftop restaurant—à la the Space Needle—that provides diners with a 360 degree view every 45 minutes. If you show up for the Good Vibrations Sunday Brunch, hosted by oldies radio station KFRC, you get a complimentary pass for a one-hour bay cruise on the Red & White Fleet.

The Hyatt Regency San Francisco has 805 guestrooms, 25 Regency Suites and 20 specialty suites. The décor is pleasant, offering a contemporary, residential take on the traditional, with warm woods and quiet, neutral colors. Some accommodations have sliding doors that open onto balcony views of the city or Bay, and business amenities include spacious desks and wireless, high-speed Internet access.

Dining with a View

Extras in the suites range from hospitality parlors and additional half baths to an impressive, 30-foot balcony. While the balconies are a bonus, the Embarcadero can get noisy, particularly in the summer when it hosts concerts. Some may not appreciate this, but we say: if you can't beat 'em, hang out on your balcony with a glass of wine and join 'em.

You'll find all the necessities here, and then some, such as a complimentary shuttle to Spa Nordstrom and a physician and dentist on 24 hour call. As well, business needs are taken care of. The hotel takes full advantage of its Financial District location, offering 67,000-square-feet of event space spread out over four floors. It includes a Grand Ballroom and Pacific Concourse for conventions. All of the meeting rooms have Internet access, and meeting coordinators are available.

Comfortable Accommodations

There is an on-site fitness room, and guests can also use the nearby Club One Fitness Club and Embarcadero YMCA, which has an Olympic-size swimming pool. But the hotel's coolest offering, exercise-wise, is its proximity to the Waterfront Bay Trail, which winds from the Bay Bridge to Fisherman's Wharf. It's great for an early morning jog, as well as a leisurely stroll before or after dinner. The cable car runs along the trail, making it feel as if Fisherman's Wharf and many other beloved destinations are simply an extension of the amenities on offer at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco.