The Last Push! The Final 700 Tier Points to BA Gold!
The Intercontinental Mark Hopkins, Nob Hill, San Francisco.
Contents!
- Why do I do this to myself? (The introduction)
- Off to Birmingham Airport, Air France AF1656 to Paris CDG
- Ibis Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport
- A Rushed Check in, AA Lounge
- AA45 Paris CDG to New York JFK
- A Delayed Transit, AA85 New York JFK to San Francisco International
- Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport
- Intercontinental Mark Hopkins
- One Time Special – Around the Bay and Under the bridge
- Two Time Special – 3 and a half miles. Across the Golden Gate Bridge and back
- Escaping San Francisco to the Crowne Plaza
- Early Morning San Francisco Airport, AA24 San Francisco to New York JFK
- A Dash Across Manhattan and NJ, Newark Airport
- BA Galleries Lounge, EC8004 OpenSkies Newark Airport to Paris Orly West
- Paris. City of Dreams, Romance and Pickpockets?
- Eurostar 9013 Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras, Chiltern Railways London Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill
- 700TP: Job Done
After a ride back into San Francisco Airport, I hopped on the Air Train, and circled around the airport until I was dropped off at a stop which connected with the BART. $18 in the machine, and it unhappily spat out a ticket at me for rides to and from downtown San Francisco.
There wasn’t much of a wait, and soon a 10 car BART train (one with the futuristic slanted front) turned up for the trip.
Whilst I remember the journey wasn’t quick, it took the best part of 20-25 minutes to get from the airport and towards Powell station
Exiting the BART, I emerged at Powell station. There were two tasks to do: get a Muni Transit pass for three days, and get to the IC on top of the Nob Hill. The transit pass was easy, as at Powell is where the San Francisco Visitors centre is. Which is nice.
$23 handed over, and a three-day Muni pass in hand, I headed for the cable car on the Powell – Manson line… to encounter a legendary queue for the cable car.
Scrapping that idea off for a game of soldiers, I flagged a cab down for a ride up the Nob Hill instead. 5 minutes later (and a bit of traffic dodging and dicing), I was at my digs for the next two nights – the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco.
Intercontinental Matt Hopkins
Rate Paid: $202++ (IC Ambassador Voucher)
Ok. Hotel at night. Everyone happy now?
I arrived and headed to reception, where I was warmly greeted. The room was upgraded to a higher level room, and my Ambassador Free Weekend Voucher was accepted as payment for the 2nd night – reducing the cost of the hotel to $202+tax ($255). Which – is cheap for any hotel.
Lobby
I was explained my benefits, the Internet would be complimentary, and keys for both my room and the minibar were issued.
With that – I headed up to my room through the ornate elevators
A quick exit from the 9th floor, and I headed to 920 for the next two nights…
Lift
So lets look at the room – Not modern, but not bad in any sense of the word. The radio had been pre-set to a classical music programme adding a welcoming touch to the room
Custom Pillow
TV Welcome screen
Alarm clock
Work Area
Directory
Water, coffee machine
Whilst some might call the room “a bit old world”, I feel it suited the hotel rather well. The bed was comfortable and relaxing (and after what I did on one day – it needed to be) whilst everything was within easy access.
Looking into the bathroom, again, it’s reasonably appointed with all the things you need – including a bath tub, and the usual array of amenities you have in an Intercontinental Hotel.
Bathroom
Slightly disappointingly, there was no welcome amenity initially, but there was everything I needed for a stay.
Internet was of a reasonable speed – enough to make a Skype call without it dropping, but not fast enough to shove a load of videos onto Youtube. Still, it was usable and didn’t feel like dropping – always helps.
With me settled in, I headed out and down to Market Street… walking. That was tough 😉
Back of the hotel
When I came back later, a turn down service had been dropped off, as well as a welcome amenity had arrived. How nice!
Turn down chocolates by Tcho. I had to investigate this company in the end as this company made chocolate that tasted of chocolate. Rather than of wax like some American brands.
Welcome amenity – Fruit and Water, along with more Tcho chocolate.
My eyes casted outside. Being on the 9th floor, there were some gorgeous views.
Daytime
Dusk
Night
Dawn
Dawn (Yes, The California Street cable car goes here. Useful for avoiding climbing the Nob hill).
Everything was pretty much on the button. Whilst I didn’t use the dining services or breakfast, when I went out, the room was tidied during the day, and at evenings when I was out – the turn-down service was completed.
Room temperature was pretty good, not being too hot or cold, and easily controllable.
Check out on the Sunday was offered with a late check out of 4pm (which was welcome as I had stuff to do during the morning and afternoon), with an offer of onward transportation (which was a good idea as the 49ers vs Seahawks were playing – I opted for a cab to the BART station where there would be fewer people.
Overall: It’s a very timeless property, looked after and offers a very luxurious stay. Whilst it may not cater to everyone modern touches, its nice to step back and try a nice property with staff that look after you and want you to enjoy your stay. The Intercontinental Mark Hopkins did that in spades. Those who like workouts and love climbing hills will like this hotel too…
Next: Boating on the Bay
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Fantastic property. Mrs. Weekly Flyer and I had dinner there on our engagement night. Top of the Mark!