A friend and I arrived at the Bay Landing San Francisco Airport Hotel on the shore of The Bay a few hours after a dinner with friends in San Francisco. Just minutes from San Francisco International Airport, this hotel is perfect for anyone needing a close-to-the-airport overnight. Our early morning departure was less than 12 hours later which put us in this category. The hotel’s ambiance and promise of a timely airport shuttle to catch our homeward bound flights helped us settle into relaxing, a short night sleep.
Bay Landing is an Airport Hotel Stand Out
Whenever I’ve stayed at an airport hotel, they’ve tended to be part of a larger corporate chain. The Bay Landing San Francisco Airport Hotel caught my attention because it is not. There are 6 sister properties in the San Francisco area, but each has its own unique style. Bay Landing is designed to give off an Old-World vibe.
Polished marble floors, classic American furniture of couches, armchairs, drapery window dressings, and rich woodwork create comfortable places for people to visit. The feel is more like a living room than a lobby for people just passing through.
Printed Shuttle Schedules
Our check in was a fast process with a receptionist who warmly greeted us. I was pleased to see the airport shuttle schedule clearly posted, and even more pleased with the receptionist gave me a small copy of it. The printed shuttle schedule is a thoughtful touch that reduces stress for people like me who want to double check times.
I noticed that each late-night guest, a mix of business and leisure travelers who came in after us received the same warm welcome. One woman who was off to a wedding weekend needed help sorting out a business transaction due to a problem with her bank card. The staff patiently stuck with the process until the solution was found. When she and I shared an elevator, heading to the same floor, we chatted awhile in the hall as if we weren’t strangers who just met.
Guest Rooms Feel Like a Home
When my friend and I stepped in our spacious two-queen bed guest room, my friend commented that the room reminded her of staying at an aunt’s house. Furniture did feel more like staying in a house than a hotel. The classic two poster beds with the bed side table between each and table lamp gave a cozy feel. I plugged in my laptop making use of the writing desk, and both of us found well placed outlets we needed to charge our phones. A microwave, small refrigerator, coffee maker, ironing board, iron and hair dryer are part of the amenities. Wi-Fi is high speed and free.
The bathroom with its marble vanity sink and wall mirror fit the ambiance of American classic but updated. Both of us slept well and the wakeup call came right on time.
If you want a room with a view, ask for a Bay view terrace room. Head to the terrace with your buffet breakfast and coffee in the morning to enjoy the view of the San Francisco Bay from this angle. Even though it was before 6:30 am the dining room was busy. There’s plenty of seating to accommodate everyone. We barely sat down.
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Our breakfast was more of the grab and go version since our shuttle was not long after the included buffet breakfast started. I hastily grabbed fruit, yoghurt, a muffin and a cup of coffee before our shuttle arrived. I would have loved to have had time to hang out on the terrace. The view is quite nice.
Other Amenities
Although I didn’t have time to use the fitness center, I did check it out. The equipment is extensive, the room is large and inviting. The treadmills, stationary bike and complete circuit of weight equipment are in good shape.
An advantage of staying at the Bay Landing is that it’s the first stop of the hotel’s shuttle. This ensures one will get a seat.
Accessible Amenities are an Impressive Detail of Bay Landing
For people with issues with sight or hearing, Bay Landing has an impressive array of accommodations from teletypewriters to bed shaker alarms. The website describes rooms and gives room numbers for those with accommodations.
Rates and Other Details
Our room was $178 through Hotels.com. Check out the Bay Landing website for the Park, Sleep N Fly Package. It includes one-night accommodation and complimentary parking for one car up to 7 days. Extra days are $10 a day. Parking is free at the hotel.
If we had longer to stay here, I would have explored the area a bit. There are many places to eat around the hotel. Plus, the view of the Bay is lovely. I would have liked to walk along the shore.
Post and photos by Jamie Rhein
