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With its convenient central location minutes from the best shopping and cultural activities in the city, it’s no surprise a stay at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco doesn’t come cheap. Guest room rates range from $395 for a moderate room to $595 for a larger premier room. Suites start at $850 for the executive — which features a French door separating the living room from the bedroom to allow for meetings — and run up to $9,000 for the Presidential Suite. Travelers who want space to spread out will find it here, as even the most affordable rooms are a spacious 460 square feet and can accommodate up to three adults.

The hotel makes it worth your while — we were impressed by excellent service from a standout concierge, full access to the Sports Club/LA gym and striking views of the bay (for the best views, request a room on the 14th floor or higher). Among the many amenities offered, one our favorites is rarely mentioned: The rooms are practically soundproof, a welcome touch that makes it easy to forget the hustle and bustle at street level.

There’s no resort fee when you stay at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, but if you must cancel your room, be sure to give enough notice to avoid a one night’s stay plus tax cancellation fee. The hotel’s cancellation policy varies depending on which room you reserve, so be sure to ask about how the policy applies to your room when you book. Regular guest room cancellations and changes must be received by 6 p.m. the day before your planned arrival, while some suites need 72 hours’ to a week’s notice. Families will be happy to know that cribs and rollaway beds are available at no extra charge.

If you need to cancel your stay at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, call by 6 p.m. the day before your planned arrival. Otherwise, you’ll face a charge of one night’s stay plus tax — a hefty fee when rooms start at $395.

When making your reservation, ask about the cancellation policy, particularly when booking a suite. Some suites require 72 hours’ notice prior to arrival for cancellation, while others require a week’s notice. If you do wind up keeping your reservation, note that check-in time is at 3 p.m., and checkout time is at noon.

Getting to the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco from San Francisco International Airport is a snap. A taxi ride costs about $45 and can take 40 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic. Public transportation is a cheaper and quicker option. Hop on a Bay Area Rapid Transit train from the airport (trains arrive every 15 minutes) to the Powell Street stop, which is a three-minute walk from the Five-Star hotel. The train takes about 30 minutes to get downtown, and costs a little more than $8.

If you are coming from Oakland International Airport, it’s a simple trip across the bay. A taxi ride up the Nimitz Freeway and over the San Francisco Bay Bridge should run about $60. But we recommend taking the rapid transit train — it’s cheaper and usually faster. From the airport you can take a $3 AirBART bus to the Coliseum/Oakland Airport BART stop. The bus, which picks up between Terminals 1 and 2, runs daily about every 10 minutes from 5 a.m. to midnight from Monday to Saturday, and 8 a.m. to midnight on Sundays and holidays. Ride the BART train to the Powell Street stop. The BART train costs just $4 and takes about 30 minutes.

The Powell Street station is a three-minute walk from the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, making public transportation an ideal way to get around town during your stay.

San Francisco’s two transit systems, the commuter rail BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) and the bus-and-rail system Muni, both serve the Powell Street station (grab a BART and Muni guide from the concierge). If you are interested in a streetcar ride, take one on the F Market line and stop at Market and Fourth Street. There’s also the famous cable car at Powell and Market streets. Though high on charm, it moves at a snail’s pace and doesn’t have much luggage space; use it for an only-in-San Francisco joyride, but choose another method if arriving on time is important.

The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is the place to stay if you’re looking for a central, convenient location, great service and beautiful bay views. There are innumerable things we love about this Five-Star gem, but here are our five favorites:

1. The location. At the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, you’re steps from public transit, cable cars and some of the city’s best cultural attractions. Union Square is one block away, boasting shops like Barneys, Saks Fifth Avenue and Tiffany & Co. Head to Chinatown for some great dim sum and souvenir shopping, or drive 15 short minutes to Fisherman’s Wharf, where you can watch hundreds of sea lions basking in the sun on the docks beside Pier 39. The hotel is also a simple five-minute drive to the gourmet food at the Ferry Building and a host of museums — our favorite is the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

2. The view. We love the view at the San Francisco hotel. For the best vistas in the hotel, ask for a corner room on the 14th floor or higher. Gaze out at the city’s grand buildings and the glistening blue bay while you sit on the padded window seat — a perfect spot to enjoy your breakfast or some wine at sunset.

3.The gym. It’s rare to find a full-fledged fitness center at a hotel, but guests at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco enjoy complimentary access to the 127,000-square-foot Sports Club/LA, a facility offering everything you’d want for a great workout. The gym is replete with treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, a whole floor dedicated to strength training and more than 100 fitness classes, including yoga, kickboxing and spinning. There’s also a lap pool, locker rooms, a sauna and steam room, and free bottled water and earphones.

4. The spa. The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco also includes access to a full-service spa at the Sports Club/LA. Enter from the hotel’s fourth floor and choose from a range of massages — Swedish, deep-tissue, hot stone or Thai — as well as facials, body wraps and scrubs. If you’re feeling especially sore, get an in-room massage. Just ask the concierge for help making an appointment.

5. The food. San Francisco is a culinary destination, but we love that you don’t have to leave the Five-Star hotel to enjoy excellent cuisine. Seasons, the hotel restaurant, is open on the fifth floor for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving simple yet elegant California-inspired fare with fresh, local ingredients. The innovative menu changes often, but we love the stalwart San Francisco seafood chowder with clams, crab and bay shrimp. The restaurant’s steak list is always on point with aged rib-eyes and grass-fed filets. We also love to wind down at Seasons with an evening dessert. Choose from decadent options like dark chocolate mousse cake with raspberry sorbet or vanilla crème brûlée with apricots and a polenta cookie.

With breathtaking bay views and a central downtown location, booking a stay at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is a worthwhile splurge. Before you make your reservation, here are five things you need to know about the Five-Star hotel:

1. If you have to cancel your stay at the hotel, usually you’ll be charged a fee of one night’s stay (plus tax) if you do so without enough notice. Guest rooms start at $395 a night, while suites range from $850 to $9,000 a night. To cancel your stay in a regular room without being charged, you’ll need to give notice by 6 p.m. the day before. Some suites require between 72 hours’ and a week’s notice, so be sure to ask about your room’s cancellation policy when booking.

2. You have complimentary access to the Sports Club/LA gym and pool, a big perk considering the complex’s size and range of offerings. There’s cardio and weight-lifting equipment and more than 100 fitness classes, in addition to a full-service spa, sauna, steam room and free bottled water.

3. The elegant décor at the San Francisco hotel feels as luxurious as it looks. You’ll find rooms with beautiful wood trim, rich wood furnishings, tons of natural light and a soft, fabric wall covering behind your bed that picks up the soothing bay tones outside your window. Bathrooms feature high-end bath products and marble floors — you may not want to leave.

4. Room service is extensive, and ideal whether enjoyed in your room or take it to go to nibble on while sightseeing. Not everything is available 24 hours, but there are plenty of options available after 10 p.m. Breakfast is a high point: There are combination platters with eggs, potatoes, breakfast pastries and coffee, or treats like cinnamon raisin French toast with banana-rum compote and candied pecans, and fresh-squeezed orange, grapefruit and carrot juices. There are salads, soups, sandwiches and standout entrées like a catch of the day or organic salmon filet in a lemon and caper beurre blanc. Take the flavors and convenience of room service with you: Order a picnic lunch for the Golden Gate Bridge filled with veggie antipasti, charcuterie, artisanal cheeses, bread and wine.

5. The hotel is very kid-friendly, with a milk-and-cookie welcome at check-in, just-for-kids toiletries, child-sized bathrobes and DVDs for little ones in the hotel’s library. There’s also a ton of activities nearby that kiddies will enjoy — from a trip to Alcatraz to watching sea lions — and a separate kids’ room service menu with classics like silver dollar pancakes, PB&J and a make-your-own sundae.

When you stay at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, all you have to do is ask the concierge for help and he’ll make it happen. The staff members speak several languages — including English, Spanish, French, German and Italian — and have access to other translation services, so they can assist you whether you’re traveling from abroad or you’re a local celebrating a special occasion at the Five-Star hotel.

The concierge is especially good at planning activities — whether that’s a trip to Alcatraz (the infamous federal penitentiary long off-limits to the public), hiking in the hills or touring nearby Wine Country. Plus, the concierge can provide maps of where to hit the trail for a refreshing jog or help set up sightseeing tours of San Francisco, a reservation at a hot restaurant, a visit to the spa or salon. If you’re in town on business, the concierge can assist with meeting planning and catering specifics. Families can rely on the concierges to arrange babysitting with a trusted company or highlight the city’s kid-friendly hot spots — just leave it to them and they’ll take care of you.

San Francisco is a multicultural city that attracts a bevy of international visitors — a reality you can see reflected in the many languages spoken at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. The concierge speaks English, Spanish, French, German and Italian, and the hotel staff is fluent in French, German, Japanese and some Chinese. If you need help in any other language, the concierge can quickly arrange translation services.

An important note: Though affiliated with the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, the gym and spa at Sports Club/LA are not staffed by the hotel. You’ll be able to get by at the two facilities with Spanish and English, but those who speak other languages may want to ask the concierge for assistance.

When you stay at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, there’s little the concierge can’t find for you, but to get the most out of your stay, there are a few must-have items we suggest you pack. Here’s a list of the top five things to bring to the San Francisco hotel:

1. Comfortable, supportive shoes. Downtown San Francisco is notoriously hilly and full of concrete paths, so shoes that will last you all day (sans blisters) are a must. The city is quite walkable and there are several sights close to the hotel, including Chinatown, Union Square, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the legendary cable cars.

2. A warm, durable jacket. There’s a reason behind the quote, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” The weather can be unpredictable and depending on when you visit, the city can be cool, foggy and rainy. We suggest you bring a jacket that’s on the heavy side, just in case. The hotel provides complimentary umbrellas during inclement weather, so you’ll be covered as you explore.

3. A good camera. There are so many iconic sights and views — the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Bay, the Ferry Building, Alcatraz, the Japanese Tea Garden, cable cars and Chinatown — and you’ll want to remember them forever.

4. Sunglasses. Despite its rainy reputation, San Francisco averages more than 300 days of sunshine per year. You might want to stop for some food or drinks outside, and sunglasses will come in handy on a patio or long stroll.

5. Your appetite. San Francisco is known as one of the best American food cities, and you’re sure to find fresh gourmet bites and California wines at every turn. Head to the Ferry Building marketplace for delicious bread, cheese, meat and fish, or Chinatown for some tasty dim sum. There are even great eats within the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco: Seasons, the hotel restaurant, serves some exquisite fish, steak and chowder.

The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco doesn’t have a guest loyalty program, but it does offer hand-tailored vacation packages through the concierge and occasional deals on its website. We recommend the breakfast-in-bed package, as well as day trips to Alcatraz and picnics at the Golden Gate Bridge.

The concierge can help you plan wine tours to Napa Valley, visit kid-friendly sights like Muir Woods (we recommend the Redwood Discovery, a rhyming riddle that leads the whole family through Muir Woods in search of clues to locate treasure) or snag a reservation at a trendy restaurant — there are a ton in the foodie town of San Francisco. The theater district is not far from the Five-Star hotel, and you can rely on the concierge to recommend the best shows. Be sure to bring your camera and good walking shoes. The concierge can do the rest.

Even though the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is fairly new — the building was finished in 2001 — the Five-Star hotel has already been refurbished once, in April 2009. Plus, the lobby got a facelift in summer 2011.

Nothing has radically changed with room décor, but there have been subtle tweaks to furniture and textiles to add a more contemporary feel. It’s certainly not a slick overhaul of the traditional Four Seasons décor — the changes freshen up the environment without abandoning the classic take on luxury that makes the hotel a household name. The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco generally feels more traditional than modern, with rooms in warm neutral hues and geometric-patterned carpets.

There is no best time to visit the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, but there’s a reason behind the quote, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” The weather can be unpredictable and depending on when you visit, the city can be cool, foggy and rainy. It is typically sunny in San Francisco, but layering is smart with unpredictable fog and lower temperatures.

June is the start of summer elsewhere, but you may well need a wool coat that month to stay warm during San Francisco’s windy, foggy nights. Then again, you could have to peel off a sweater in January, too. Weather-wise, September and October are the most consistently warm and sunny months. Another perk of visiting in the fall? You’ll miss the swell of vacationing families who come to town in summer.

The winter is another time to consider if you’re staying at the San Francisco hotel, when the city is cheaper, less crowded and decked out for the holidays. Fewer hordes — outside of the shopping areas, at least — mean you’ll experience the city more like locals and the hotel’s festive décor is something to see. There’s always a large, lavishly decorated Christmas tree and a menorah at the hotel, as well as special food and beverages, such as the tasty adult hot chocolate, spiked with peppermint or vanilla liqueur. And if you want to hit the shops for a present or two, there are countless options within a five-minute walk.

When it comes to staying at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, you’re absolutely spoiled with the array of possible activities. Be sure to bring good walking shoes and a camera — there are loads of photo opportunities and sights a short distance from the Five-Star hotel.

It’s a good thing the guest room closets at the hotel are so spacious — perfect for all your new purchases at the hundreds of stores nearby the hotel. Union Square is one block away and has some of the best shops, including Barneys, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co., and the city’s landmark department store, Gump’s.

If sampling gourmet goodies is your taste, head down Market Street to the Ferry Building, where you can sip a syrah or nibble on an organic French macaron. There’s plenty of fresh produce, locally fed beef, fresh fish, pastries and gelato, so be sure to take your appetite with you.

San Francisco is home to dozens of museums, many downtown, just a short distance from the hotel. The Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Museum of the African Diaspora are visible from the hotel itself, and the Museum of Craft and Folk Art, the Cartoon Art Museum, SF Camerawork and a hands-on children’s museum called Zeum are all within two blocks.

You’ll definitely have a chance to soak up some San Francisco history when you head to Chinatown and Little Italy, the adjacent North Beach neighborhood. This Chinatown is the largest outside Asia and features beautiful architecture, churches and plentiful restaurants and bakeries. Stick to Stockton Street to avoid tourist traps and get real-deal dim sum and Vietnamese sandwiches. We love strolling among the beautiful monuments, bridges, native Japanese plants and ponds of the Japanese Tea Garden, located in Golden Gate Park. In North Beach, you’ll find endless charming Italian restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Don’t leave town without seeing the San Francisco Bay itself. Take the cable car or the vintage streetcar to the water or head to Golden Gate Bridge Park for a picnic and some memorable photo ops. Tour Alcatraz, then follow the smell of baking sourdough bread to Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 (the sea lion hangout), just two blocks west of the wharf.

To visit all of the museums close to the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, you’re going to need more than a day or two — or even three. From the Five-Star hotel alone, you can see the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Contemporary Jewish Museum, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and Museum of African Diaspora. Within a few years, the Mexican Museum will call the area home, too; ground broke in 2010.

Within a two-block radius, there’s also the Museum of Craft and Folk Art, the Cartoon Art Museum, SF Camerawork and the children’s hands-on Zeum. Venture a little farther to see the Asian Art Museum, Museum of Performance and Design, Beat Museum, Walt Disney Family Museum and San Francisco History Museum. See? We told you three days wouldn’t be enough.

Getting a little fresh air is easy if you’re staying at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco — in fact, all you have to do is take a few steps outside. The Yerba Buena Gardens (also known as the front yard of San Francisco) sit across the street, offering outdoor attractions, including green space, a waterfall memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and a restored carousel. There’s also a bowling alley, a year-round ice skating rink and an art center in case the weather isn’t cooperating.

Union Square, a hub of downtown shops and restaurants, is one of the city’s most popular places. Head there to sit back and watch shoppers shuttle back and forth from one posh boutique to another. If you’re looking for a wide-open park with lots of green space, you won’t find many downtown; your best compromise is South Park, a pleasantly secluded park with just enough room to let kids or pets run away from the crowds. Willing to travel a bit more? Golden Gate Park is a must-see, and on sunny days, Dolores Park swarms with cool-kid types soaking up the rays, and the Japanese Tea Garden attracts a more tranquil crowd. If you have access to a car, Muir Woods, home of the 1,000-year-old redwoods, is a 40-minute drive, and Napa Valley is a 90-minute drive.

If you’re heading to the park around lunchtime, consider bringing one of the three delicious picnics available through the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco’s room service. Our favorite is the California Classic — it comes with tomato, mozzarella, basil, pesto-marinated chicken with a Cobb salad, avocado, smoked bacon, sliced melon, berries, water or soft drinks and an oatmeal cookie.

If shopping is your bag, be sure to book a big room at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. The Five-Star hotel is within walking distance of hundreds of stores and your guest room closets are spacious and stocked with plenty of hangers — which you’ll need for all your new purchases.

At the hotel’s ground level, Hickey Freeman and St. John provide tasteful, conservative clothing. From there, you can head to Westfield San Francisco Centre, a multi-level mall anchored by Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s. (The food court is surprisingly good.) Nearby Union Square has big names like Barneys, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks and the city’s landmark department store, Gump’s.

The usual chain-store suspects are nearby — this is, after all, home of Levi’s, Gap Inc., and Bebe — along with some chic boutiques on Maiden Lane. Other shopping districts like Pacific Heights and Hayes Valley aren’t within walking distance, but they’re worth seeking out if you prefer independent boutiques.

The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is in the heart of downtown, which means you can find just about anything you’d like to eat in mere minutes — haute cuisine, fast food, locavore lunch, and so on. Within a one-block walk of the hotel, you’ll find upscale Indian at Amber, tasty margaritas at Tropisueno, Japanese cream puffs at Beard Papa, wonderful wine at Press Club, Japanese-American dishes at Ame and dozens of teas at Samovar.

For a quick bite, head down Market Street to the Westfield Shopping Centre’s food court. The lower-level space is surprising and the Asian fusion at Out The Door always draws a crowd. (It’s also easier to get a table here than at its popular big-sister restaurant, The Slanted Door.) Take a trip to Chinatown and stop in Utopa Cafe for shrimp-filled wontons, visit Delfina for a wood-oven-roasted calamari salad, or grab a burger and a milkshake at Mo’s Yerba Buena Gardens. Note that the majority of San Francisco restaurants close earlier than those of, say, Los Angeles or New York. Plan accordingly, and you’ll inevitably wind up well-fed.

When you stay at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, you will have plenty to do with your free time. There’s no shortage of San Francisco sights and highlights, most of which are a short walk from the Five-Star hotel.

We recommend heading to Union Square to experience some of the city’s best shopping and, since you’ll be close, stop by Chinatown to check out the impressive architecture. There’s great dim sum, bakeries and Vietnamese sandwich shops here, but avoid Grant Avenue — it’s filled with tourist traps — and head to Stockton Street, where the residents eat and shop. If you’re still hungry, trek to North Beach, the neighborhood adjacent to Chinatown, where you’ll find Italian restaurants, nightlife options and legendary storefronts that were once icons of the city’s beatnik subculture.

It’s fun, if pricey, to take the cable car up and down the city’s legendary hills — including Nob Hill, whose stately buildings are second only to the views of the bay. Make time to head to the Ferry Building or you’ll miss out on beautiful waterfront views and some of the best gourmet food in town. Catch a flick at the Metreon or Westfield multiplexes, or while away a few hours looking at art in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. If you’re willing to head a bit farther, we recommend Golden Gate Bridge Park or a walk around The Japanese Tea Garden. With the impressive red structure in the background, you’re sure to snap some of the most memorable photos on your trip here.

Though nearby Union Square is rife with tourist traps, the area around the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco has a few watering holes worth seeking out. The adjacent Tropisueno has great margaritas; it’s across from Press Club, a sophisticated wine-and-small-bites stop.

A few blocks from the Five-Star hotel, you’ll find Rickhouse, where mixologists create innovative seasonal cocktails. (Avoid it around 5 p.m., when the post-work crowd swarms the place.) For dancing, head to SoMa (South of Market), where party people find a variety of gay, straight and mixed clubs. Be aware that the area has a few sketchy pockets, particularly along Sixth Street.

If you want to take public transit, the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is very convenient. San Francisco has two main systems for in-city travel: Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is a heavy rail system that serves the general Bay Area and is the fastest way to get to restaurants and shops in the hip Mission District. For other areas, take Muni (not exactly known for its punctuality), which has a system of streetcars, light rail and buses.

The Powell Street station, directly in front of the Five-Star hotel, is served by all light rail stops and most bus lines. For a unique and fun experience, hop a ride on Muni’s F-Market line. The route, which goes from Market Street to Fisherman’s Wharf, uses vintage streetcars. The city’s famous cable cars are more of a tourist attraction than a viable way to zip around town quickly, but if you’ve never been on one, pay the $6 to get on board.

Picture 18 pristine holes and a beautiful landscape within 15 minutes of downtown San Francisco, and you’ve envisioned the Presidio Golf Course, a short drive from the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. The national historic landmark allows players to inhale the scents of fresh eucalyptus and redwood while teeing off. High rollers and golf aficionados come here for the best round in the city. The clubhouse has a lounge that serves upscale comfort food along with beer and cocktails (so work up an appetite), and the natural setting within the Presidio makes it easy to forget that the bustling downtown area is just a few miles away.

If you’re up for a longer drive, the Harding Park Golf Course is about a 35-minute drive from the Five-Star hotel. It’s surrounded by beautiful Lake Merced and played host to the prestigious President’s Cup in 2009.

The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is the only luxury hotel in the heart of downtown San Francisco, a short walk or drive from many of the city’s best cultural sights and activities — a convenience that truly sets the Five-Star hotel apart. You’re a few minutes’ walk from shopping at Union Square, dealings in the financial district, art at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the park at Yerba Buena Gardens, dining in Chinatown or a ride on the legendary cable cars through Nob Hill. The hotel is a quick drive to the Golden Gate Bridge, the Ferry Building or Alcatraz (which also requires a short boat ride). Ask for a room on the 14th floor or higher and be treated to sweeping views of downtown and the bay. Each room features a sitting bench under the window, perfect for gazing while sipping morning coffee or while winding down after a long day.

Complimentary access to a full-service gym also makes the San Francisco hotel different from the rest. The 127,000-square-foot Sports Club/LA (the largest gym in San Francisco) has a partnership with the hotel that allows guests to take advantage of a junior Olympic-sized lap pool, workout studios, more than 120 weekly group fitness classes — including yoga, kickboxing and spinning — and every piece of cardio and strength-training equipment imaginable. Personal training is also available, as are spacious men’s and women’s locker rooms with showers, grooming areas, saunas and steam rooms. A bonus: Free bottled water and earphones are on offer.

San Francisco is a culinary destination, attracting some of the best chefs in the world. At the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco Seasons Restaurant and Bar and Lounge, you’ll experience some of the most innovative menus in the city. With local produce and Napa Valley close by, Seasons’ California/American-style meals are always fresh and flavorful.

Your stay at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is filled with complimentary amenities and perks that make the Five-Star hotel stand out among its peers. To make sure you take full advantage of all the amenities, check out this list of our five favorites:

1. Unbeatable concierge service. In a happening and foodie-friendly city, it helps to have an extremely knowledgeable concierge who can do everything from plan a day trip to Alcatraz to recommend the best local spots to eat. The multilingual concierge can find you a trusted babysitter, book a massage at the spa or arrange meetings for business travelers — just ask, and the staff will be at your service.

2. Extensive room service options. Though not everything on the room service menu is available 24 hours, you can order something delicious at any time of day. We love the breakfast selections, from eggs and fresh-squeezed juices to chocolate-buttermilk pancakes with Vermont maple syrup. Kids are in for a treat, too: There’s a great junior gourmet menu with a make-your-own sundae, for those angels who eat their creamy mac and cheese or seared salmon filet.

3. Full-service spa. If after a long day walking San Francisco’s famous hills you’re feeling a little sore, have a massage right in your room or in the dimly-lit calming spa on the fifth floor. The spa at the Sports Club/LA gym offers a range of massages, including an energizing deep-tissue, a soothing hot stone and a peaceful Thai massage that are sure to leave you feeling relaxed and ready for another day of sightseeing. Make your appointment through the concierge or spa.

4. Complimentary full-service gym. When you stay at the San Francisco hotel, you will enjoy free access to fitness classes, weight-lifting equipment, cardio machines and lap pool at the Sports Club/LA gym. The hotel will also give you free bottled water and earphones before you enter the gym and there’s a sauna, steam room and showers to cool off when you’re done.

5. Complimentary umbrellas. San Francisco’s weather is notoriously unpredictable, but don’t worry about stepping out in the rain without cover — the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco provides complimentary umbrellas in case of inclement weather.

The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco offers complimentary house car services to all guests. Your driver will shuttle you anywhere you want to go within a three-mile radius of the Five-Star hotel — far enough to attend a meeting in the Financial District, dinner in Chinatown or a show in the Theater District. Many of San Francisco’s neighborhoods have limited parking, particularly downtown, so taking the house car service or a taxi is generally a better bet than your own wheels. If the car isn’t immediately available, you’re in the heart of downtown, so you should have an easy time catching a cab — naturally, the hotel staff will hail one for you.

There’s also several public transit options a few steps from the hotel’s entrance, including light rail, rapid transit and buses. If you’ve brought your own car, the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco valet can help.

If you want to rent a limo, talk to the concierge; the hotel partners with Bali Limousine Inc. to give guests a luxurious lift. A one-way drop off in San Francisco costs $100, or you can rent a variety of limos from $99 to $130 an hour, with a two-hour minimum — perfect for special occasions, weddings and romantic tours of the city.

Any hotel with the Four Seasons name is the standard bearer for class and luxury, and the Five-Star Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco shows it in its design style. The hotel’s interior is classic and refined, decked out with marble and dark woods, combined with elegant light fixtures and traditional yet modern décor and artwork.

The lobby entrance is filled with natural light that shines on the marble floor and rich woods lining the ceiling and hallways. You’ll find comfy couches and chairs in the waiting area and lots of interesting abstract sculptures throughout the hotel. In fact, the San Francisco hotel has such a great art collection that it offers complimentary podcast tours narrated by the artists. The guestrooms also are filled with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows and decorated with soft, bay-inspired color schemes like light blue, brown and yellow. In the bedrooms, there’s beautiful fabric wall coverings and window benches for in-room sightseeing, Bathrooms are adorned in marble. It is the perfect setup for a luxury vacation.

If you’d like to swim to keep trim, you’re in luck. Guests of the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco have access to the sprawling Sports Club/LA gym, which includes a junior Olympic lap pool. Because the Sports Club/LA is a high-end gym that’s open to members as well as Four Seasons guests, the pool is often busy during mornings. Don’t be surprised if you wind up waiting for one of its eight slightly narrow lanes during peak hours.

The heated salt-water pool is more geared to fitness than recreation — in fact, the gym offers several aquatic group exercise classes specifically designed for the pool. The pool is open Monday to Friday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and weekends from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Parents, keep in mind that the gym only allows guests 16 and older into the facility — but that doesn’t mean children have to leave their water wings at home. Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco guests traveling with kids are allowed to use the Marriott Marquis’ pool, which is right around the corner on Fourth Street.

The pool at the Sports Club/LA gym at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is the perfect place to get in a morning workout before a day of sightseeing or business meetings. The pool is open daily to gym members as well as hotel guests, so get there early to secure one of the eight lanes for lap swimming — or wait until after the pool’s morning rush. The heated salt-water pool is a maximum 4.5 feet deep and is illuminated by floor-to-ceiling windows. The gym offers aquatic group exercise classes, so check the schedule if you’d like to attend. Bottled water and towels are provided free to hotel guests.

Parents, keep in mind the gym asks guests at the pool be 16 years or older. If you’re traveling with kids, you can use the Marriott Marquis’ pool, located right around the corner from the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco.

The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco offers same-day laundry services, four-hour express laundry, as well as overnight services, one-hour pressing and a complimentary shoeshine.

At turndown service, the hotel staff will leave out your laundry kit so you can make requests for the next day. If you want to do a quick press yourself, head to the spacious closet, where you will find multiple types of hangers, a lint brush, an iron and an ironing board.

The luxurious Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco offers custom-made vacation packages through the concierge. Call or check online for offerings, as there’s no set roster of package experiences.

It’s likely there will be a bed-and-breakfast package available, which includes a daily full American breakfast for two in Seasons restaurant. Such deals are popular among Europeans, as it can save a few dollars compared to ordering breakfast à la carte. For a more uniquely San Franciscan stay, the concierge can tailor city tours — from Nob Hill and Chinatown to Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge — or other experiences to your liking.

If you want planned activities, visit the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco concierge. The exceptionally knowledgeable and friendly concierge can help you plan any activity, including shopping excursions, fine dining and scenic day trips. The staff also can offer some pointers on hiking and biking routes, book tours of Alcatraz and snag you a reservation at a hot new restaurant. Art lovers can take a complimentary podcast tour of the hotel’s private art collection, narrated by the featured artists.

If you’re looking for a relaxing activity, book a spa treatment at the Sports Club/LA or in your room through the concierge. The spa offers a variety of massages — Thai, Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone and pre-natal — as well as body wraps, scrubs, aromatherapy, anti-aging treatments and facials. The salon at the gym offers manicures, pedicures, waxing and hair appointments, so you can opt for a whole day of beauty. If none of these sounds appealing, the concierge can tailor a vacation package to include whatever experience you want during your stay at the Five-Star hotel.

If you’re taking your own wheels to the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, you can opt for valet parking at the Five-Star hotel or a nearby garage parking. The valet parking costs $50 per night plus tax, while garage parking a few blocks away on O’Farrell Street costs $21 to $32, depending on the time you enter. Unfortunately, most of San Francisco’s neighborhoods have limited street parking, especially downtown, so it’s generally better to use a garage.

Another option is to leave your ride at home and take advantage of the house car. The complimentary house car service will shuttle you anywhere within a three-mile radius of the hotel. You’ll also have an easy time catching a cab outside the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco — and the staff will be more than happy to hail you one — or you can take one of a handful of public transit options within easy walking distance.

If you do bring your car, be sure to squeeze in a day trip or two. We love the Japanese Tea Garden (just a 15-minute drive from the hotel); Muir Woods, home of the 1,000-year-old redwoods (a 40-minute drive); and Napa Valley (a 90-minute drive).

The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco offers wireless and wired Internet access in the guestrooms, but there’s a $14.95 charge per device for 24 hours of Wi-Fi. If you’ve got more than one gadget to hook up, you’re better off getting the package deal, which costs $18.95 for 24 hours.

You can connect to the wireless Internet throughout the Five-Star hotel, but if you just want to quickly check your email, head to the business center to use the computer terminals and printer there. Guests are allotted one hour of free computer use, but watch your time — it’s $40 an hour after you use that up. If you’ve forgotten your computer — or aren’t traveling with it and need to get some work done — ask to borrow a laptop at the concierge.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, honor Hanukkah or just like to get in the holiday spirit, you’ll find a festive welcome at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. There’s always a large, lavishly festooned Christmas tree, a menorah and special events to coincide with the season. In the hotel bar, for instance, you can indulge in adult hot chocolate — thick, rich cocoa spiked with peppermint or vanilla liqueurs and served with a housemade marshmallow. If you can manage to get through the shopping crowds, head up the street to Union Square to see a 50-foot, sparkling Christmas tree that overlooks an ice skating rink. Whether you stay in the Five-Star hotel or venture out, you’d have to be Scrooge not to smile at the scenes.

If you’re trying to decide when to visit the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, consider the end of the year, when the Five-Star hotel puts on extra events to get in the holiday spirit.

Seasons restaurant on the fifth floor hosts a Christmas lunch and dinner on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 every year, featuring a special tasting menu prepared by the hotel’s executive chef Mark Richardson, a champagne toast and decadent desserts from the in-house pastry chef, Jeffrey Wurtz. He’s often hard at work crafting sweets for the many weddings held each year at the Five-Star hotel and is known for making everything from sorbet bites to mini tarts, cupcakes, chilled milk shots, cream puffs and soufflé.

Seasons bar and lounge also offers holiday-themed cocktails crafted by bar manager Oliver Lee. The Wassail — which translates to “good health” in Middle English — is made with rum, organic apple cider, orange and lemon juices, clove-stuffed lemon and orange peels, whole allspice, cinnamon sticks and nutmeg. If you’re looking for something more sweet than spicy, try the adult hot chocolate. It’s made with thick, rich cocoa and spiked with peppermint or vanilla liqueur, then topped with a housemade marshmallow. The fireplace will be roaring at the lounge and there’s always a large, lavishly decorated Christmas tree and menorah on display at the hotel — sure signs of the season.

If you’re in the mood for some outside holiday activities, head up the street to Union Square to ice skate at the rink and take in the glow of the 50-foot Christmas tree, adorned with sparkling lights and red bows.

Whether you need to make a copy or send off a few emails, head to the business center at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, and you’ll be able to get your work done. The business center isn’t staffed and it’s pretty basic, but it includes computer stations where you can print, fax, scan and make copies. There’s also a bottled water station to quench your thirst. It’s free to use a computer for the first hour, but after that, it’s a hefty $40 an hour (seems as crooked as Lombard Street, if you ask us). You’re better off using a laptop in your room if you need to get some serious work done. Ask for a laptop on loan from the concierge, and connect to wireless Internet in your room for $14.95 per device for 24 hours. If you have more than one computer, get the $18.95 daily package.

The business center is open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. After-hours assistance is always available through the concierge. Of course, you can also get to work in your guestroom, where there’s a spacious wood desk facing a window, a two-line phone with voicemail, notepads and pens.

If you’re planning an event of any size, the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco has the ideal space for you, with more than 15,000 square feet of lobby-level floor. The Veranda Ballroom is the largest (accommodating up to 1,000 guests), perfect for an elaborate wedding or large board meeting. The 16-foot-high floor-to-ceiling windows let in plenty of natural light and breathtaking views that overlook Yerba Buena Gardens. It can be rented with a private, pre-function room and a 4,000-foot terrace that overlooks the gardens. When set up to accommodate a conference or board room meeting, the terrace holds up to 109 people.

At 2,530 square feet, the Yerba Buena Room is less than half the size of the Veranda Ballroom, and it also has an optional pre-function space. It’s ideal for a meeting of 64 or less. Just need a business suite? The Five-Star has three: the Muir, Stinson and Presidio suites, which measure 700, 600 and 560 square feet, respectively. These rooms are a good option if you’re looking to meet with about 20 people.

In a city as tech-savvy as San Francisco, locating a laptop and Wi-Fi won’t be a problem, even at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. If you’re traveling sans computer, borrow a laptop PC from the concierge. You can connect to wireless internet in your room for $14.95 per day per device. For those traveling with the whole plugged-in family and multiple laptops, you’re better off getting the $18.95 daily package. You can also head to the business center to use the computer terminals and printer there. If you do, pay attention to the time; you are allotted one free hour of computer use, but after that, it’s a hefty $40 per hour.

The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco doesn’t loan out e-readers, but you can get complimentary newspapers delivered daily to your guestroom, and there’s a DVD library at your disposal. There are also plenty of stores in the area if you want to splurge and buy your own e-reader.

The San Francisco hotel offers wireless and wired Internet access in the guestrooms, but it will cost you. There’s a $14.95 charge per device for 24 hours of wireless Internet in your room. If you’ve got more than one device to hook up, you’re better off getting the package, which costs $18.95 for 24 hours.

You can hook up to the wireless throughout the Five-Star hotel but if you just want to quickly check your email, your best bet would be to head to the business center to use the computer terminals and printer. Guests are allotted one hour of free computer use, but watch your time — it’s $40 an hour after you use that up. If you’ve forgotten your computer or aren’t traveling with it and need to get some work done, you can also ask to borrow a laptop at the concierge desk.

In addition to being steps from San Francisco’s Financial District, the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco offers a host of amenities to business travelers. The business center is open during the week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though you can always get assistance after hours at the concierge desk. The business center isn’t staffed and is basic, but it has everything you need to print, copy, scan and fax, as well as computer terminals with up to one hour of free usage.

In the guestrooms, there’s a spacious work desk facing a window that comes equipped with a two-line phone with voicemail, notepads and pens. If you’re traveling without a computer, ask the concierge about borrowing a laptop. Keep in mind, there’s a $14.95-per-device daily charge to hook up to the Internet. If you’re traveling with another person, opt for the $18.95 daily Internet package for multiple devices.

There are five different conference rooms, ranging in size, so it’s simple to hold a meeting, and the hotel has audio-visual equipment you can use if you need to deliver a presentation. If you need to look fresh for an early morning meeting, that’s no problem. The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco offers same-day and overnight laundry services, one-hour pressing and a complimentary shoeshine. The guestroom closets are spacious and stocked with plenty of hangers so you won’t have to worry about your suits and shirts getting wrinkled.

At the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, kids are treated like royalty. Here are our five favorite amenities just for kids:

1. The special room service menu. The children’s room service menu offers plenty of options for even the pickiest of palates. For breakfast, there’s silver dollar pancakes, French toast, eggs and cereal. Kiddie staples like PB&J, hot dogs, mac and cheese, and chicken tenders make up lunch and dinner. The junior gourmet selection offers entrées like mini seared salmon and beef tenderloin. For the sweet tooth, there are cookies, pudding and a make-your-own sundae. Seasons restaurant on the fifth floor also has a great kids’ menu, so if you want to venture downstairs with the family for breakfast, lunch or dinner, children have plenty of choices.

2. Sweet welcome. Kids will really feel welcome at the hotel with a special milk-and-cookie greeting upon arrival. If you booked your kids their own room, they’ll be delighted to find the standard refrigerated bar has been replaced with a snack bar designed just for them.

3. Children’s amenities. Before you get to the Four Seasons, be sure to tell the concierge that you’re traveling with kids so she can have your room pre-stocked with children’s amenities and toiletries. Our favorite is the comfy, child-sized bathrobe.

Perks for babies. 4. If you’re traveling with baby or tot in tow, the hotel will provide a complimentary crib or rollaway bed, nightlight, high chair and childproofing equipment so you can make your room as safe and comfortable as possible for the whole family.

Games and other fun. 5. Your children will never be bored considering all the kid-centric activities within a short distance from the hotel — parks, museums, movies, ice skating and chocolate-making. While at the Five-Star hotel, the concierge can provide you with coloring books, board games and DVDs for kids from the hotel library. There’s a TV and DVD player in every room, and you can borrow a laptop at the concierge if your child want to play games online.

With parks, museums, sea lions and cable cars all nearby, children will have no shortage of things to do when they stay at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco.

The Five-Star hotel offers coloring books, games and DVDs from the hotel library — you can even arrange for a family movie night, complete with popcorn. The Sports Club/LA pool is off-limits to guests under 16, but kids can head to the pool at the Marriott Marquis, just around the corner from the Four Seasons.

Overall, the best way to keep a child happy in San Francisco is to let the concierge direct you to one of the city’s family-friendly sights. If you’re looking for something free and fun with the family, head to the Huntington Park playground on top of Nob Hill, walk across the Golden Gate Bridge or watch the sea lions at Pier 39. Pack a picnic lunch (which you can order through room service) and head to Golden Gate Park, where kids can ride the merry-go-round, hop on a paddle boat or play ball. Or ask the concierge for help planning a trip to Alcatraz, the San Francisco Zoo or a museum with hands-on activities for kids — the Exploratorium Museum and Zeum are good bets. You’re in a city, so of course there’s movies, IMAX shows, ice skating and bowling, but for a distinctly San Francisco experience, ride on the cable cars, hit Chinatown for lunch, ride the carousel at Yerba Buena Gardens or watch the chocolate makers at work in Ghirardelli Square.

If you’re traveling with your family, the amenities at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco fall into two categories: those for the kids and those for Mom and Dad. As long as you mention children at the time of booking, your kids will be welcomed with milk and cookies at check-in. They’ll also find just-for-kids toiletries, child-sized bathrobes, coloring books, board games and children’s selections in the hotel’s DVD library. The pool at the hotel is only for guests 16 and older, but those who don’t make the cutoff can head to the pool at the Marriott Marquis around the corner, which welcomes youngsters.

There’s a children’s room service menu and a kids menu at Seasons, the hotel’s restaurant, that features classics like PB&J, mac and cheese, chicken tenders and hot dogs. You’ll also find yummy kid-friendly desserts, such as chocolate chip cookies, pudding and a make-your-own sundae. If your kids are early risers, they’ll love the breakfast-in-bed options: silver dollar pancakes, Belgian waffles and French toast. For families who want a little privacy, children can stay in an adjoining room — the hotel can turn a one-bedroom suite into a two- or three-bedroom setup. In the kids’ separate room, the standard refrigerated private bar will be stocked with snacks and drinks for the short set.

For guests with very young children, the hotel will provide parents with childproofing items, nightlights, high chairs, cribs and rollaway beds at no extra charge. Child care can be requested through the concierge, but to guarantee a babysitter — the hotel uses highly recommended sitters who are bonded and insured — be sure to book 24 hours in advance. The concierge will also be happy to arrange family activities in San Francisco, like sea-lion-watching on Pier 39, walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, ice skating, riding on a cable car, visiting a hands-on children’s museum or watching chocolate makers at work in Ghirardelli Square.

Whether you want to head to a museum, see a film or enjoy a romantic dinner for two, you won’t have to worry about leaving the kids alone for a few hours when you stay at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. With 24 hours’ notice, the concierge can arrange secure, bonded and insured babysitting services, so your little ones will be in the best of care. With less notice, the hotel can’t guarantee availability, but it’s the Four Seasons — it’ll do everything it can to make it happen. There is an hourly rate for the service, which you can inquire about with the concierge.

Whether you want an elaborate or intimate affair, you’ll find plenty of wedding planning assistance at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. The staff has experience coordinating a wide range of events — in fact, for a recent Indian wedding, a white horse led a promenade around the hotel. Your planner with be with you every step of the way, from the initial consultation to your wedding rehearsal to onsite assistance on your special day.

All-inclusive wedding packages include planning services, a suite for the bride and groom on the wedding night and a three-course dinner menu. If you plan to spend $25,000 to $40,000 on food and beverages, the perks increase. You can design your own menu or opt for one of three pre-designed packages, all of which include a one-hour cocktail reception. Rates, which include wine at dinner, range from $169 to $229 per head. Choose from a variety of California wines to go with dinner from nearby Napa Valley or Sonoma County, or let the hotel bartender concoct a signature cocktail to match your wedding’s color scheme and taste.

One of the best reasons to wed at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is because the in-house pastry chef can create a beautiful, customized wedding cake. You can design your own cake, bring in a photo for inspiration or peruse the chef’s designs.

The Five-Star hotel offers several venues on the fifth floor, including a ballroom with a terrace overlooking Yerba Buena Gardens that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests, and a smaller, more intimate room with rich fabrics and aquamarine glass light fixtures that can fit up to 275 revelers. If you’d like a small, personal wedding, a few suites can be set up for functions. Whatever details you have in mind, the staff can help you make it happen.

If you’re thinking of holding a wedding in the City by the Bay, the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco provides some of the most luxurious locations in town. All of the Five-Star hotel’s event spaces are on the fifth-floor lobby level, where soaring 16-foot-high ceilings provide a dramatic environment for a ceremony or reception.

The Veranda Ballroom is the premier choice for large-scale events with its floor-to-ceiling windows, rich fabrics, Art Deco Venetian sconces and contemporary décor. The ballroom can accommodate up to 1,000 guests for a reception. There’s also a terrace off the ballroom — which can be added on when you book the room — where guests can see the lush Yerba Buena Gardens.

For more intimate events, the smaller Yerba Buena Room can accommodate up to 275 people at a reception and has décor similar to the Veranda Ballroom. It’s contemporary in design, with decorative polished wood and brass pieces throughout the room, white and aquamarine glass light fixtures and soft lighting. Both spaces have separate holding areas for pre-reception cocktails or any other event you choose. A bonus: Any couple who books a wedding of 100 guests or more gets a complimentary night’s stay in the honeymoon suite.

If you’re holding a wedding reception at the Five-Star Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, you can design your own menu or go with one of three pre-designed packages. All include a one-hour cocktail reception; two are accompanied by a three-course meal, while another has a four-course meal. Those rates, which include wine at dinner, range from $169 to $229 per guest.

If you’d like to shave a bit off the price, consider holding your event on a weekday, or opt for a luncheon instead of dinner. You can save some cash going this route, but there are no bargain-basement prices to be had at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco — a highly sought-after destination for weddings.

Four-legged family members are welcome at the pet-friendly Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco without a deposit — a rarity in San Francisco.

Once in your room, pooches will be pampered with bowls, a mat, Evian water, a stuffed toy and biscuits. There’s also a special room service menu for doggies: Your dog’s dish, delivered beneath a gleaming silver dome, could include meals like beef tenderloin over rice. Canines are not allowed in the restaurant, gym or spa for obvious sanitary reasons.

Upon arrival at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, you may be jealous of the welcome setup for your dog. Pooches have everything they’d crave, including a mat, bowls, a bottle of Evian, a stuffed doggie toy and biscuits. There’s even special room service just for dogs that includes dishes like beef tenderloin over rice delivered under a silver dome.

If you want to spoil your pup even more, head to Cheeko B, a hip nearby pet boutique that stocks canine couture, gourmet treats and plenty of toys. You can also let your buddy explore the grounds of Yerba Buena Gardens, a park across the street from the Five-Star hotel. Just be sure to bring a leash: San Francisco law states that dogs can’t roam free.

If you’re looking to spend a memorable night with your loved one at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, there’s no spot more romantic than the bar and lounge at Seasons on the fifth floor. It’s the perfect place for an after-dinner cocktail or glass of wine, with soft lighting, rich wood floors and downtown views.

When night falls, and the moon shines on the bay, cozy up with your mate next to the glowing fireplace in comfortable, plush seating. For even more privacy, head to the quiet living room portion of the lounge. You’ll feel like you’re in a warm English pub, with locals and tourists alike enjoying each other’s company. To cap if off, order two specialty martinis or try a local red wine from Napa Valley.

The thoughtful turndown service at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco goes above and beyond — the staff makes sure you feel pampered and prepared for the next day. The hotel staff will straighten up your room, fold any clothes left out, pair your shoes, organize toiletries in the bathroom and leave out your laundry kit.

Of course, your blankets will be turned down, your ice will be freshened and bottled water will be left with a glass on your nightstand. You’ll definitely feel ready for bed with the drawn blackout shades, low lights and soft music playing. The staff even angles the TV toward your bed so you can watch a show or catch up on the news before drifting off into a deep sleep on the ultra-comfortable pillow-top mattress.

The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco has 277 rooms, 47 of which are suites. Since opening in the fall of 2001, the Five-Star luxury hotel has earned our praise for its excellent service and spacious rooming accommodations — some of the largest in the city. In fact, the hotel’s sophisticated, elegant décor and convenient downtown location make it a sought-after destination for residencies, too, and there are 146 of them in the hotel.

If you’re looking for a great view, we suggest you book a room on the south side of the tower on the 14th floor or higher — the hotel is 42 stories and, from this side, offers vistas of the city’s ballpark and San Francisco Bay. But even on a lower floors, you’ll see the grassy Yerba Buena Gardens. Rooms that overlook Market Street lack the razzle-dazzle of city lights, but there’s something charming about seeing a vintage streetcar make its way toward the Ferry Building. And don’t worry about room noise; the San Francisco hotel has double-walled windows for soundproofing, so you won’t be bothered by honking cabbies and the ding-ding of the nearby cable car.

After a long day of sightseeing in San Francisco’s hills and streets, you’ll appreciate the soft pillow-top mattress and TVs in every guestroom at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. The Five-Star hotel offers LG flat-panel TVs and DVD players in every room, as well as a DVD collection, including kids’ titles, available for checkout at the front desk.

The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco does not offer video game systems or games, but you will find a television and DVD player in every guestroom. The Five-Star hotel offers LG flat-panel TVs and has a DVD library you can peruse upon request, including titles for children. There is wireless or wired Internet available in the guestrooms and laptops on loan through the business center, so you do have the option to play games online. You will have to pay a daily fee of $14.95 per device to hook up to Wi-Fi, but guests receive one hour per day of free computer time in the hotel’s business center, so you can play a game or two there.

The guestrooms at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco aren’t loaded with high-tech gadgets, but the Five-Star hotel does provide all the necessary amenities to make you feel comfortable after a long day of sightseeing or business meetings.

Rooms come equipped with an LG flat-panel TV and DVD player, as well as a two-line cordless telephone with voicemail, a CD player and an iHome alarm clock where you can dock and listen to your iPod. There’s a DVD collection available on request, which includes titles for kids, as well as a fax connection and high-speed wireless and wired Internet in every room. There is a $14.95 charge per device for 24 hours of Wi-Fi.

Laptops are available on loan through the business center, where you can also print, fax, scan and copy documents or work for an hour for free at a computer station (keep an eye on time though; each additional hour will cost you $40). If you’ve forgotten your cell phone charger, ask the concierge desk for an extra one — chances are it’ll have one to suit your needs. The in-room safe is also large enough to stow your laptop while you’re out shopping, eating or exploring the city.

The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco has 277 guestrooms, all of which are decorated in soft, neutral tones with traditional yet modern furnishings. We love the beautiful fabric wall covering behind the bed and the color palettes — our room was light blue and yellow with red and brown accents. The room includes a spacious working desk with all the supplies necessary to get some work done, as well as a large closet stocked with hangers, an iron and ironing board and a laundry kit. It’s a spacious place to hang your clothes, or store new ones after a shopping trip to nearby Union Square.

Depending on which floor you’re on — the Five-Star hotel has 42 stories — you’ll have a great view of the Yerba Buena Gardens, bustling Market Street or the San Francisco Bay. We stayed on the 14th floor, which was high enough to afford sweeping bay views. There’s a padded bench under your window, the perfect spot to enjoy a morning coffee or late-night glass of wine.

The beds at the San Francisco hotel are ultra-comfy with prestige linens, a pillow-top mattress and fluffy down pillows (hypoallergenic bedding and pillows are available upon request). There’s a flat-panel TV and DVD player in every room, as well as a two-line cordless phone, CD player and iHome alarm clock with docking space for your iPod. Each bathroom is large with a vanity, deep-soaking tub, separate glass-enclosed shower, marble tiles and separate water closet, so two people can easily prepare for the day at the same time.

When you stay at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, every room is luxurious — but the 47 suites are the height of sophistication, space and comfort. Obviously, suites cost more: They start at $850 per night, but can be priced as high as $9,000 for the Presidential.

Suites come in eight variations: one bedroom, specialty one bedroom, premier one bedroom, deluxe one bedroom, superior one bedroom, presidential, executive and superior executive. Each features additional spaces and furnishings not found in regular guestrooms.

The one-bedroom suite — which can turn into a two- or three-bedroom, if you’d like connecting rooms — has lavish furnishings, like glass-topped, gold-leaf coffee tables, ebony sitting chairs, eucalyptus lounge chairs and matching ottomans. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide sweeping views of downtown and the white-glass light fixtures cast a warm, soft glow on the room. The suite has two flat-screen televisions, plus a fax machine, two CD players, a DVD player and an iHome alarm clock. The spacious bedroom is separated from the living room by a set of doors, and there’s a large dressing area complete with walk-in closet — perfect for storing all your new purchases from the inevitable shopping trip to Union Square.

The specialty one-bedroom suites, located on the 16th and 17th floors, have many of the same amenities, but also offer a formal entry hall with a closet, a separate guest powder room and a dining area with its own pantry. From these floors, you will enjoy panoramic views of the Yerba Buena Gardens and the San Francisco Bay to the south. The bathroom is especially large in this suite, with a double marble vanity, deep-soaking tub for two and soundproof windows that have sliding privacy screen panels.

Business travelers might want to opt for one of the lavish superior executive suites, located on floors 12 to 17. These have a living room with a double sofa bed, a formal entry hall with closet and a separate working area with a large desk, brown leather desk chairs and Artemide Italian desk lamps. You’ll also get a great glimpse of the San Francisco skyline and Yerba Buena Gardens.

Regardless of which suite you choose, the beds are all dressed in prestige linens and pillow-top mattresses with oversized down pillows sitting on top.

After a long day walking San Francisco’s hills or touring nearby Alcatraz and Wine Country, you’re going to need a good night’s rest — you’ll find it at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. The Five-Star hotel offers a thick pillow-top mattress with comfy down pillows (hypoallergenic pillows are available upon request), prestige home textiles and linens and decorative throw pillows that match the soothing tones of the room’s décor. The headboard is made of dark wood and behind the bed, there’s a beautiful fabric wall covering in soft hues that complement the bay views. It’s the perfect place to sleep in or order room service’s tasty eggs, French toast or pancakes for breakfast in bed.

If you need some peace and quiet to get work done, seek respite at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. The guestrooms at the Five-Star hotel have a work space next to a window that looks out on downtown buildings, the nearby Yerba Buena Gardens or the San Francisco Bay. There’s a long wooden desk and comfortable rolling leather chair, as well as a bright lamp, multi-line phone, pens and notepads. Each room is equipped with a fax connection and wired Internet connection, in addition to wireless access for $14.95 daily per device. Grab a complimentary newspaper or flip on an all-news cable network to keep up with the day’s events.

For additional services, head to the hotel’s business center, where you can print, fax, scan, make copies and use computers. When you need to gather with some colleagues, book a meeting room or meeting suite, which come with wireless Internet and audio-visual equipment. It is a good spot for a meeting; the hotel is steps from San Francisco’s Financial District. When you leave, use the in-room safe — it’s perfect for a laptop computer.

Feel free to shop with abandon or bring a large wardrobe on your vacation at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco &mdash ;the closet is spacious and comes stocked with plenty of hangers for your brand-new wardrobe. You’ll find a lint brush and laundry kit in the closet, as well as an iron and ironing board to keep those duds crisp. The Five-Star hotel offers a range of laundry services, including same-day and overnight laundry and pressing as well as a complimentary shoeshine, so you’ll always look and feel your best.

You’ll have plenty of room to get ready in the morning in the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco bathroom. Guestroom bathrooms are large, with a deep-soaking tub and separate glass-enclosed shower. There’s a light-up vanity mirror and marble tiles that give the bathroom a luxurious look. A separate water closet with phone makes it easy for two people to prepare for the day at the same time.

You’ll be provided with high-end L’Occitane toiletries — high-quality, natural products inspired by the scents of Provence — including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, bar soap and lotion. Other toiletries are available upon request, and there’s a hair dryer in the bathroom, so leave yours at home. After a refreshing shower or a calming dip in the tub, wrap yourself in one of the hotel’s thick terry bathrobes.

You’ll smell like lavender fields during your stay at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, which stocks its bathrooms with complimentary L’Occitane toiletries. This organic line is developed and produced in France. There’s shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, lotion and bar soap, as well as some other essentials like cotton swabs and washcloths, which will be neatly arranged during turndown service. A separate shower and tub in your marble-tiled bathroom may encourage you to soak and lavish yourself with those sweet-scented lavender products.

While it’s hard to go wrong with a room at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, a Five-Star hotel conveniently located in the heart of downtown San Francisco, we love those on the 14th floor and up. These higher floors offer the best views of downtown and the San Francisco Bay. We’d also recommend a corner room, as you’ll enjoy tons of natural light and panoramic floor-to-ceiling views, which you can admire from the sitting bench nestled near the window in your room.

If you get a room overlooking Market Street, you won’t see as many city lights, but you’ll witness the charm of the vintage streetcars as they make their way to the Ferry Building. Even the lower floors overlook the nearby Yerba Buena Gardens, so you certainly won’t be without a view, regardless of where you stay. The people-watching may even be better from lower floors. Another perk at the Four Seasons are the soundproof walls and windows — whether you’re 17 stories up in the Presidential Suite or on the ground floor, you won’t be bothered by the hustle and bustle of the city streets.

When you stay at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, you’re guaranteed to get a restful night’s sleep and feel pampered by the amenities waiting for you in your room. In the Five-Star hotel, your bed will be a soft, pillow-top mattress lined with prestige textiles and linens, and topped with fluffy down pillows and decorative throws. Every night at turndown, you’ll be given ice and water, and your lights will be dimmed with soft music playing. There’s a CD player, DVD player and flat-panel television in each room, as well as an iHome alarm clock where you can dock your iPod.

If you need to work in your room, a spacious desk faces the window, overlooking downtown, the bay or Yerba Buena Gardens. A padded bench is nestled below the window, a perfect spot for sipping morning coffee.

In the marble-tiled bathroom, you’ll find complimentary L’Occitane bath products, including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and lotion. A newspaper will be delivered to your room each morning. For more door-to-door deliveries, request room service; we love breakfast options like Belgian waffles and eggs Benedict. Or order up some relaxation; you will can get a hot-stone, Thai, Swedish or deep-tissue massage from the comfort from your own room.

When you book a room at the 42-story Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, the higher your floor, the better the sweeping bay view. We recommend a room on floor 14 or higher on the south side of the hotel: From here, you should be able to see the water, as well as city skyscrapers. A corner room will afford the best vistas as you’ll have a floor-to-ceiling panoramic look at downtown San Francisco. There’s a little sitting bench near the window where you can relax and admire the sights.

Even if you’re not high up, you will have some picturesque views. On a lower floor, you’ll be able to see the nearby Yerba Buena Gardens and Market Street, where the cable cars chug toward the Ferry Building. Don’t worry about ambient noise: The rooms are practically soundproof, so you can people-watch and relax in peace and quiet.

None of the rooms have fireplaces at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, but there are plenty of other cozy nooks at the Five-Star hotel.

Guestrooms feature a padded sitting bench under the large windows that overlook the bay, Yerba Buena Gardens or Market Street, depending which side of the hotel you’re on. It’s a great spot to sip your morning coffee or enjoy your breakfast from room service. The lobby offers comfy couches and chairs and there’s extra seating in the guestrooms as well. The marble-tiled bathrooms feature deep-soaking tubs, and you can sit in the steam room and sauna at the Sports Club/LA gym. For the ultimate relaxation, check out the spa treatments — we love the hot-stone rubdown or the revitalizing Thai massage.

But if you really want a roaring fire, enjoy a glass of wine with company or a good book by the fireplace in Seasons, the hotel’s fifth-floor restaurant. The bar has an extensive list of red and white wines from all over the West Coast and California’s most famous regions — including Sonoma County, Napa Valley and Carneros — so you’ll have plenty of options for fireside drinks and crackling background noise.

None of the rooms at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco have terraces, but many rooms have amazing views of the bay, nearby gardens and charming cable cars, so you’ll have no shortage of sights to see from your window.

The windows in the guestrooms are large — especially if you book a corner room — and if you’re staying on floor 14 or higher, you’ll be able to look out toward the water. Each window has a cushioned bench nestled below it, a perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee, breakfast from room service or a glass of wine in the evening while gazing outside. The Five-Star hotel is 42 stories tall, and its picturesque views are inviting enough to want to call the place home. In fact, some do — there are 146 residencies in the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco.

Looking for a breath of fresh air? Step outside and wander the city streets — the Four Seasons is the only luxury hotel in the middle of downtown San Francisco.

You can have both privacy and proximity when traveling with a group at the Five-Star Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. Its connecting rooms are adjacent to one-bedroom suites, allowing easy access while maintaining boundaries for those parents who desperately need them. The one-bedroom suites can transform into two- or three-bedroom suites. (Note that the single suite’s maximum occupancy is four adults, or two adults with two children.) If you’re thinking of opting for a connected room, let the hotel know when booking your reservation and it’ll set you up with more space.

Staying in one of the 47 suites at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is the definition of luxury — right down to the oversized, marble-tiled bathrooms. Each suite bathroom varies slightly, but all include a beautiful, deep-soaking tub (some with room for two) and a separate, glass-enclosed shower. All of the suite bathrooms have either a water closet in a separate alcove or a guest powder room located off the living area, so it’s easy for more than one person to get up and go in the morning.

The bathrooms also feature a large vanity, some of which are made with Swedish granite, and the specialty one-bedroom suite includes windows with sliding privacy-screen panels. You’ll leave the bathroom smelling sweet and feeling refreshed in the plush terry bathrobes and complimentary bath products from L’Occitane — the Four Seasons’ signature brand — including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, bar soap and lotion.

One of the best things about staying at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is there’s no shortage of great meals to be had right in the Five-Star hotel. On the fifth floor, there’s Seasons restaurant, as well as the adjacent bar and lounge for small plates and drinks. We’ve rounded up a list of the five best things to eat and drink, since you might have a hard time choosing:

1. The steak. Seasons describes its menu as California cuisine, but the real star is the steak. Take a look at the “California cuts” portion of the menu — it’s full of delicious, farm-fresh meat like an all-natural 28-day dry-aged rib-eye, a grass-fed filet and an Angus porterhouse, all from in-state ranches and farms.

2. The seafood. There are tons of options on the menu that will give you a taste of local farms and fresh, seasonal ingredients. Try the San Francisco seafood chowder with clams, crab and bay shrimp, the California halibut with a Marcona almond crust, and a side of California-grown asparagus with lemon and brown butter. Top off your West Coast taste tour off with a wine from Napa Valley or Sonoma County.

3. Breakfast. The room service menu selections are plentiful, especially for breakfast in bed. Served from 5:30 to 11 a.m., your morning meal can consist of freshly squeezed juice, farm-fresh eggs any style, seasonal fruit plates and fresh market berries. Or take the griddle route with lemon-ricotta pancakes, cinnamon raisin toast with banana-rum compote and candied pecans, or Belgian waffles.

4. The burger deal. On Sunday and Monday night, head to Seasons Bar and Lounge for a great deal: one of five specialty burgers paired with beer, wine or a cocktail for just $20. We love the classic sirloin with aged cheddar on a brioche bun, or the duck fat burger served with pickled onion and housemade pickles. Each burger has its own corresponding drink, like the BLT burger paired with a “Canadian bacon” cocktail — that’s Grey Goose, maple syrup and cranberry juice.

5. The sweets. Save room for dessert. Seasons serves up some great traditional favorites made fancy and fresh with fruit pairings. We love the strawberry rhubarb compote with almond crumble and fromage blanc ice cream, the cherry pistachio génoise with white chocolate mousse, and the chilled blueberry soup with brioche tuile and vanilla ice cream.

The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco has just one restaurant, Seasons, on the fifth floor of the Five-Star hotel. But Seasons is more like three distinct places within one.

The main area, a bright space with windows overlooking busy Market Street, is the perfect place for a power lunch or afternoon coffee. To the left, the main dining room is slightly more formal. The lounge, to the right of the entrance, has a few tables and seats along the bar. All three spaces offer the same steakhouse-meets-Californian approach to cuisine, so it’s up to you to decide how formal — or casual — you like your meals.

The lounge has its own list of appetizers (we like the duck confit spring rolls with chili garlic sauce and the San Francisco crab and bay shrimp chowder) and a special on burgers on Sunday and Monday night — one of five specialty patties, like the duck fat or BLT burger, paired with a staff-selected wine, beer or cocktail that complements the meal.

If you don’t want to leave the confines of your pillow-top bed or give up your spectacular view of the bay, room service is available 24 hours, though the menu changes throughout the day. Order Belgian waffles or farm-fresh eggs for breakfast, and soups, salads, sandwiches, steak and fish for lunch or dinner. You can even get a picnic to go if you’re heading for a bike tour or trip to the Golden Gate Bridge. There’s a good-sized kids’ menu too, including a gourmet section with treats like a small salmon filet or prime beef tenderloin.

Few bars in San Francisco directly overlook Market Street, so Seasons Bar and Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is a rare find. Situated on the fifth floor of the Five-Star hotel, the bar serves small plates, specialty cocktails and a range of reds and whites both from California’s famous Wine Country, as well as international varietals.

For a pub-style experience, pull a chair up to the bar and order a beer. Or sink into a plush chair in the nearby lounge area and sip on a specialty cocktail. We recommend the Trust Fund, a blend of Plymouth gin, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, orange marmalade, mint and champagne or an Asian Ice Pik, made with wasabi sake vodka, iced tea and lemon simple syrup.

If you’ve got an appetite to go with your cocktail, there’s a special $20 burger-and-drink combo served on Sunday and Monday nights in the lounge. Another reason to drink here: A pianist tickles the ivories nightly from Tuesday to Friday. If you’re not up for singing along to U2, Metallica or show tunes, retreat to the cozy seating in your room, and have drinks delivered right to your door.

When you stay at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, why not start your morning with breakfast and watching the city wake up with you? With a beautiful view of bustling Market Street below, Seasons, the restaurant on the fifth floor, serves breakfast daily from 6:30 to 11:30 a.m. You’ll find coffee, freshly squeezed juices and smoothies, along with baked goods and heartier fare. Enjoy traditional eggs Benedict with Canadian bacon and grilled tomato or keep an eye on your calorie intake with items like fresh fruit, yogurt, muesli, steel-cut oatmeal and an egg white frittata with garden veggies and black bean corn salsa.

There are plenty of indulgences on the menu, including specialties like the lemon-ricotta griddle cakes, or a toasted bagel with cream cheese, smoked salmon, red onion, capers and tomato. Sweet treats like the crispy Belgian waffle or cinnamon raisin French toast with a banana-rum compote and candied pecans are also speckled throughout the menu.

Weekend brunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., adding stick-to-your-ribs options such as brioche French toast with fresh strawberries and bourbon anglaise or shrimp and grits made with jumbo prawns, smoked cheddar, bacon and a slow-poached farm egg. There’s also hearty fare like a grilled sirloin burger with sharp cheddar on a brioche roll, and the croque monsieur made with a fried egg, applewood-smoked ham, aged Gruyère, Dijon mustard and sliced country bread.

If you’re not up for a trip downstairs, order breakfast through room service from 5:30 to 11 a.m. Just need caffeine? Coffee and tea are served in the lobby from 5:30 to 8 a.m. daily.

The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco knows how to start off the day right — with a variety of specialty breakfasts sure to leave you energized for sightseeing or a day of meetings.

Seasons, the Five-Star hotel’s restaurant located on the fifth floor, serves breakfast daily from 6:30 to 11:30 a.m. There are a few combination platters, but our favorite is the Market Street: two country farm eggs your way, breakfast potatoes, toasted breads and your choice of meat, plus juice, coffee or tea.

There are five specialty dishes for breakfast, featuring both sweet and savory options. Try the highly recommended lemon-ricotta griddle cakes, or the egg white frittata with garden vegetables and black bean corn salsa. We also recommend Seasons’ corned beef hash and caramelized onions and peppers on a crisp potato, topped with two eggs any style. Finally, there’s the classic toasted bagel with cream cheese, smoked salmon, red onion, capers and tomato.

Be sure to try the juice at Seasons — it’s freshly squeezed and you can choose from orange, grapefruit, carrot or a seasonal juice of the day.

When you head to Seasons, the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco’s fifth-floor restaurant, you really cannot go wrong with what you order. Each dish is locally raised or grown, and the chef uses San Francisco as inspiration for each meal he creates. Our Seasons recommendations include the California cuts, fresh seafood and local wine.

For an appetizer, go for the San Francisco seafood chowder for a taste of the local bay’s treasures — it’s filled with clams, crab and bay shrimp. Then peruse the “California cuts” portion of the menu, which features delicious steaks from local farms and ranches. We love the 28-day dry-aged rib-eye from Brandt Farms and the grass-fed filet from Hearst Ranch. If you’ve still got a hankering for fresh seafood, try the California halibut encrusted with Marcona almonds and accompanied by cucumber, heirloom tomato, avocado and a gazpacho consommé.

Top off your meal with a great California red or white from the restaurant’s extensive wine list. Like the food menu, the wine list changes seasonally. We suggest going with the sommelier’s pick of the month, or trying one of the bottles from Sonoma County or Napa Valley. There’s also a selection of international wines and others from California and along the West Coast — with so many great options, you might have to ask your server to help you decide.

Whether you’re in the mood for a signature drink or a classic wine, Seasons bar at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco has you covered. The cocktail list changes frequently based on fresh ingredients, but you’re sure to find a range of artfully composed drinks featuring unique flavor combinations at the softly lit bar.

We’re especially fond of the cocktails paired with specialty burgers — a steal on Sunday and Monday nights at $20 for the combo. You’ll see signature blends like the Adult Float, a mixture of Skyy Vanilla, Galliano, cream and Coke, or the Asian Ice Pik, made with wasabi sake vodka, iced tea and lemon simple syrup. Be sure to take note of the hand-blown glassware that accompanies the specialty martinis.

If you’d rather enjoy your view of downtown San Francisco with cabernet sauvignon or pinot grigio, check out the extensive list that features local wines from Sonoma County, Napa Valley and other regions along the West Coast, as well as international varietals. The sommelier makes a monthly selection that comes highly recommended, and there are also several vintage champagnes. If you’re in the mood for something on the stronger side, take a look at the selection of cognacs, like the Courvoisier priced at $350 a glass.

The wine list is extensive at the bar at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, and features the flavors of California. Located on the fifth floor of the Five-Star hotel, adjacent to Seasons restaurant, the bar is adorned soft lighting, rich warm wood and views of downtown San Francisco — it’s a spot frequented by locals and tourists alike.

The wine list changes frequently, but you can always expect to find dozens of local wines, treasures from the cellar and vintage bottles of champagne. A recent summer list featured five champagnes and sparkling wines by the glass, as well as 11 whites, 11 reds, a rosé and four dessert wines by the glass. That list included plenty of classics like a Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label champagne, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc from Napa Valley and pinot noir from Carneros.

There are a handful of wine flights — grouped into categories such as “French Connoisseurs,” “Interpretations of Chardonnay,” and “Sparkling & Glittery” — and vintage champagne, white wine and red wine available in limited supply.

The white wine list is divided by type and region, and includes chardonnay from Napa Valley, Sonoma County and a few other areas as well as local sauvignon blancs, viognier, riesling, pinot gris, pinot grigio, pinot blanc and a selection of other whites from France, Italy, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.

The red wine list is also divided by type and region. You’ll find a ton of pinot noir from Sonoma County, Carneros, Central Coast and Oregon, as well as cabernet sauvignon and bordeaux blends from Napa Valley and Sonoma County. There are a few cult cabernet first-growths and boutique wineries featured, as well as Rhone blends, zinfandel, merlot, Shiraz, Syrah, cabernet franc and a selection of other reds from France, Italy, Spain, Chile, Argentina and Australia.

There’s a wine for every wallet size and palate, so come curious and thirsty.

If you’re looking for some entertainment to accompany your nightly cocktail at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, head to the bar and lounge at Seasons, where you’ll find live piano music most nights of the week. Located on the fifth floor, Seasons hosts pianist Michael Udelson, who plays jazz, Broadway show tunes, classical numbers and the blues. His play list also extends to popular favorites from the likes of Coldplay, Pink Floyd, Metallica, the Grateful Dead and Green Day. You can catch him Tuesday to Thursday from 5:30 to 10 p.m. and Friday from 5:30 to 11 p.m.

If you’re at the lounge on Sunday or Monday, ask for the $20 burger-and-a-drink special. You can choose from among five specialty meats — like a duck fat, an ahi tuna steak or a BLT burger — each of which is specially paired with a wine, beer or cocktail. We love the BLT burger paired with the Canadian Bacon cocktail, Grey Goose vodka, maple syrup and cranberry juice.

Whether you want a midnight snack, breakfast in bed or a sundae for your sweet tooth, just call the 24-hour room service at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco and you’ll get appropriately fed. Availability on the menu changes throughout the day, but certain dishes are available 24 hours.

Breakfast is served from 5:30 to 11 a.m. daily and includes filling combination platters, eggs, pancakes, and lighter fare like cereal, fruit and yogurt. Lunch and dinner are served on the all-day menu from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. There you’ll find soups, sandwiches, burgers and salads as well as hearty entrées like a catch of the day, New York strip steak and organic salmon. Party snacks such as caviar, charcuterie and artisanal cheese can be delivered right to your door, as well as three different gourmet picnic baskets that are perfect for an afternoon of exploring the city’s hills and parks.

You’ll definitely want to check out the desserts on the all-day menu. There’s classic apple pie with ice cream, cheesecake, a make-your-own sundae and decadent chocolate cake. The late-night menu, an abbreviated version of the all-day menu, is served from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and includes mostly soups, salads, sandwiches and a few entrées.

Whether you want fresh fish from the bay, New York strip steak, breakfast in bed, a late-night snack or a personalized sundae, the 24-hour room service menu at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco will fill you up. Not every item is available 24 hours, but you can order a decent portion of the menu at any time.

Breakfast, served daily from 5:30 to 11 a.m., includes light options, like fresh fruit, yogurt, cereal and berry smoothies. There are several combination platters; our favorite is the traditional Market Street Breakfast with two eggs your way, potatoes, meat, pastries, plus coffee or tea and your choice of freshly squeezed juice — there’s orange, carrot or grapefruit. If you’re counting calories, opt for the Healthy Start combo, featuring an egg white omelet with spinach, mushrooms and tomatoes, turkey bacon and whole wheat toast. And if you aren’t watching your waistline, indulge in specialty breakfasts like eggs Benedict, corned beef hash with poached eggs and smoked salmon on a bagel. There are also a few tasty treats off the griddle, including chocolate-buttermilk pancakes, cinnamon raisin French toast with banana-rum compote, Belgian waffles and lemon-ricotta pancakes.

Lunch and dinner portions are served on the all-day menu from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and include soups (the San Francisco crab and bay shrimp chowder is highly recommended), sandwiches, burgers, salads with farmer’s market veggies and several entrées. Heartier fare like beef tenderloin, New York strip steak, organic salmon filet with lemon and caper beurre blanc, and a fresh catch of the day are on offer. For your sweet tooth, try a classic like double-chocolate cake, Granny Smith apple pie with vanilla bean ice cream, crème brûlée, or make your own sundae. If you’re having guests in your room, order up party snacks, like an artisanal cheese platter, chips and guacamole, and caviar.

Those planning on exploring the hills of San Francisco, heading to Wine Country or laying out a blanket in front of the Golden Gate Bridge should take one of the menu’s three picnic lunches. The California Classic is a delicious bet — it’s filled with tomato, mozzarella, basil, pesto-marinated chicken with a Cobb salad, avocado, smoked bacon, sliced melon, berries and an oatmeal cookie.

The late-night menu is available from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily, and is an abbreviated version of the all-day menu, with a handful of soups, salads, sandwiches, steak, fish and pasta from which to choose.

When you travel to the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco with your kids, head to the Five-Star hotel’s restaurant, Seasons, for an extensive children’s menu that will satisfy even the pickiest of palates.

Seasons is the hotel’s only restaurant, so it’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the kids’ menu has fun, nutritious dishes for each meal. For breakfast there’s hot and cold cereals, sliced fruit and cinnamon toast, or treats from the griddle like French toast strips, silver dollar pancakes, waffles and scrambled eggs with bacon or sausage. Your kids can sip milk or chocolate milk, orange or apple juice, or indulge in hot cocoa studded with mini marshmallows.

For lunch and dinner, there are healthy options like a veggie sticks combo with ranch dip, or a chopped green salad with honey dressing as well as staples such as PB&J, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken tenders, fish sticks and grilled cheese. If the kids take after their parents and have a refined palate, they can try the junior gourmet menu, with entrées like mini seared salmon filet over basmati rice and veggies, or a small beef tenderloin with whipped potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

For a sweet treat, there are chocolate chip cookies, chocolate pudding with whipped cream, milk shakes and chocolate fudge brownies. Or let your kids get creative and make their own sundaes. If you don’t feel like trekking downstairs for a meal, you can also order almost all of the Seasons kids’ menu through room service.

Kids have it made at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, including their very own room service menu with junior gourmet items and a ton of tasty, kid-sized desserts. For breakfast, your rascals will love the griddle items: There are silver dollar pancakes, French toast and Belgian waffles, as well as several cereals and eggs.

For lunch and dinner there are classics like PB&J with sliced bananas, hot dogs, chicken tenders, shrimp cocktail and veggie sticks with dip. For children with a refined palate, order one of the junior gourmet items, including grilled chicken breast, seared salmon, beef tenderloin, penne, or mac and cheese. There’s OJ and hot chocolate on the beverage list, as well as sweet treats like milk shakes. For a big sweet tooth, go for the chocolate pudding, chocolate chip cookies or let him build his own sundae.

Weekend brunch is one of the great pleasures of San Francisco, and the same holds true at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. If you don’t want to battle crowds waiting in line at neighborhood joints, you’ll find an easy and delicious option at the fifth-floor Seasons restaurant. Served on weekends from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the Five-Star hotel’s brunch leans slightly more toward lunch than breakfast.

Savory options from the ever-changing menu might include duck confit hash or a grilled sirloin burger. Sweet choices include a fruit plate with housemade banana bread and brioche French toast with fresh berries. You’ll also find some breakfast dishes with a twist, like the shrimp and grits, made with jumbo prawns, smoked cheddar, bacon and a slow-poached farm fresh egg, or the croque monsieur made with a fried egg, applewood-smoked ham, aged Gruyère, sliced country bread and Dijon mustard. If you’re especially hungry, opt for two or three courses plus bottomless Bloody Marys for a prix fixe.

Early risers who want a bigger selection of pancakes, waffles, eggs and pastries can head to breakfast starting at 6:30 a.m. — it’s available both at Seasons restaurant or can be delivered straight to your room for breakfast in bed.

If hiking the hills of San Francisco isn’t enough of a workout for you, don’t worry — the gym at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is large and stocked with every conceivable piece of equipment you’d need to get sweaty. Affiliated with the Four Seasons, Sports Club/LA is open to both hotel guests and outside members. It’s not staffed by the hotel, but you can access it through the San Francisco hotel, which will provide you with complimentary bottled water and earphones at the entrance. The gym is open Monday to Friday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., and on weekends from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

At 127,000 square feet with multiple floors, the sprawling facilities make it easy to get lost amid the equipment. For cardio, there’s treadmills, elliptical machines, bikes and StairMasters, each with a personal TV. There are also more than 120 fitness classes weekly and several workout studios for every exercise you can imagine, including yoga, kickboxing, spinning and cardio-aerobic instruction. If you prefer one-on-one attention, you can also arrange time with a personal trainer.

An entire floor is dedicated to weight training. There are weight machines in addition to free weights. If you prefer group activities, you can shoot hoops on the full-sized basketball court, or take an aquatic class in the junior Olympic-sized pool; there are eight lanes dedicated to lap training.

After you’re done, hit the locker rooms for an equally accommodating experience. The neat and organized locker rooms for men and women feature a grooming and showering area, as well as a sauna and steam room. Parents take note: Guests under 16 can’t use the gym or pool, so if you’re traveling with little ones who want to swim, head to the Marriot Marquis’ pool around the corner on Fourth Street.

If cardio is your workout of choice, the gym at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco will be your playground. The Five-Star hotel is affiliated with the adjoining Sports Club/LA gym, which is open daily to both hotel guests and members.

You’ll find every piece of cardio equipment you could imagine, including treadmills, ellipticals, rowing machines, cross conditioners and recumbent bikes. There’s tons of equipment made by well-known brands such as Cybex, StairMaster and Precor, as well as personal TVs on most of the machines. If you prefer your cardio with a group, take one of more than 120 intensive fitness classes, like spinning, kickboxing or aerobics. And of course, if you’d like some one-on-one attention, there are certified personal trainers available.

After you’re done sweating it out, hit the locker room for a few minutes in the steam room before taking a refreshing shower.

If you can’t leave home without your personal trainer, you can find a sub at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. There is a full gym, stocked with certified trainers, adjoining the Five-Star hotel.

The Sports Club/LA isn’t staffed by the hotel, but you can enter the gym through the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco — you’ll be greeted with complimentary bottled water and earphones. Trainers are available to help you with all of your fitness needs, whether that’s cardio, strength training, flexibility or a combination of skills. To schedule or purchase a session, you can visit or call the gym.

You also have the option of taking one of more than 120 weekly fitness classes, including yoga, spinning, kickboxing and cardio-aerobic workouts. The gym is open Monday to Friday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., and on weekends from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Whether you’re looking for a leg press or a pair of dumbbells, there are plenty of weight-training options at Sports Club/LA, the full-fledged gym at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. The facility is spacious, with a 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art weight-training area that occupies an entire floor. You’ll find a range of free weights and machines by well-known brands such as Cybex, Hammer Strength, FreeMotion, Nautilus, Techno Gym and TRX Suspension Training.

If group exercise is your thing, there are more than 120 weekly fitness classes, some of which are designed to sculpt your body with weight lifting and cardio conditioning.

After you’re done lifting, hit the showers in the nicely organized locker rooms, which feature grooming areas, a steam room and sauna — the perfect way to end your workout and to keep sore muscles at bay.

The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is affiliated with the Sports Club/LA, an expansive gym you can enter through the Five-Star hotel. It’s open to both hotel guests and members Monda to Friday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on weekends from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Take note: You must be at least 16 to enter the facility, which has 127,000 square feet of cardio equipment, a weight-training floor, exercise studios and a junior Olympic-sized lap pool with eight lanes for swimming.

If you’re traveling with children, you can head to the Marriott Marquis’ indoor pool for a splash and swim, located just around the corner from the Four Seasons. It’s open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Like the rest of the facilities, the locker rooms at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco’s gym — called the Sports Club/LA — are spacious and filled with all the amenities you could want.

There are several showers, steam and sauna rooms, lockers to hold all your personal belongings and a separate grooming area so you can freshen up after your workout. Forgot your shampoo? Not a problem — locker rooms come equipped with shampoo, conditioner, soap, towels and hair dryers. There are separate locker room areas for men and women and they’re open during gym hours: Monday to Friday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., and on weekends from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

When you stay at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco you gain access to great gym, and all of the amenities that come along with it. Though the Sports Club/LA is open to members and Four Seasons guests, you can enter the facility through the hotel. Before you get to the gym, you’ll receive complimentary bottled water and earphones for your workout. The cardio machines are each equipped with a TV so you can watch your favorite show or catch up with the news while you sweat it out. Take one of 120 weekly fitness classes, including kickboxing, yoga, Pilates and spinning.

There’s also an onsite spa where you can get facials, massages or body wraps, along with a full salon that does haircuts, color and treatments, manicures and pedicures. The locker room has showers, a personal grooming area with complimentary products to help you freshen up — you’ll find everything you need from shampoo and conditioner to towels and hair dryers. There’s also sauna and steam rooms, so there’s plenty of places to relax your aching muscles.

Joggers new to San Francisco often see the city’s hills as a welcome challenge, but we recommend you follow the locals’ lead and take a flat running path — you’ll find a ton outlined in the jogging route map provided to each guestroom by the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco.

Your best bet is to hit the Embarcadero, the eastern waterfront that takes you past attractions such as AT&T Park, the Ferry Building, Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 (where you can hear the sea lions bark as you bolt past). It’s a pretty trek, and if you feel particularly motivated, it leads you toward the Golden Gate Bridge. A few words to the wise: Wearing layers is a good idea, especially when the morning fog rolls in. If you choose to run in the city, steer clear of Sixth Street, especially near Mission Street. It’s only a few blocks from the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, but worlds away in terms of safety.