Embassy Suites by Hilton San Francisco Airport Waterfront

Sleeping with the balcony door open was lovely, and it was much quieter than I expected. The bed was comfortable, the room larger than I’d thought, and the waterfront view was surprisingly beautiful. Some parts of the property are worn, with chipped paint and sections missing from the shower floor, but I still enjoyed the stay. My partner even thought some of the wear added charm.

The evening reception with drinks and snacks is a nice extra, and breakfast has a good range of choices, including made-to-order omelets. Service was friendly and professional, and the airport shuttle was convenient. The waterfront setting is peaceful, and a walk along the bay in the morning or evening was a relaxing break from travel. It’s close enough to SFO for easy trips but far enough away that airplane noise wasn’t constant. The rooms felt clean and well kept, with comfortable beds and more space than many airport hotels. The separate living area is handy for work trips or longer stays. It’s a comfortable, dependable option for business or leisure, and I’d consider staying here again when flying through SFO.

The suite was spacious, clean, and comfortable, with a lovely bay view. I enjoyed the path along the bay during the day, and the hotel’s Christmas decorations made the lobby beautiful at Christmastime. It’s close to SFO, with an airport shuttle every half hour. The hotel brunch was delicious and plentiful, offering made-to-order omelettes, fruit, yogurt, pastries, hot and cold cereal, eggs, and pancakes. I was also able to attend a Christmas church service held conveniently at the hotel. When my flight was delayed, the staff were very helpful and accommodating. They let me stay at the hotel and check out late for a very reasonable fee while I waited for my flight.

The neighbors came through as if the soundproofing had been installed with thoughts and prayers. I learned far too much about their lives, especially the family upstairs, whose kids seemed to be training for a 4 a.m. Olympic sprint in their suite. The AC unit had an ancient compressor and played one buzzing note all night, so I opted for silence over climate control. Bottled water at the front desk was a crisp $10, apparently from some Alpine spring watched over by expensive goats. For a mere $350, practically a steal in these inflationary times, I got a room that was aggressively vintage. The bathroom looked ready for a budget horror film, with metal trim rings dangling like sad Christmas ornaments and a toilet seat that moonlighted as a carnival ride. The stains told stories I’d rather not have read. A quick look at year-old reviews showed I’m no pioneer in this circle of hospitality hell, just the latest disappointed customer in Hilton’s apparent long game of asset depreciation. Super Bowl demand had made my beloved SFO Hyatts unavailable, so I had this brief dalliance with the competition. Lesson learned. I survived the layover, and my Hyatt loyalty is even firmer.