Hilton San Francisco Airport Bayfront

Interiors at this large Hilton hotel are predictable and typical of the chain, but the spaces are bright and pleasant. Beige tile floors and sunny-hued walls are the backdrop to clusters of contemporary seating in the expansive lobby that's awash in an orange and butterscotch color palette. Leather armchairs are illuminated by banks of two-story windows. Striking chandeliers in long, cylindrical shapes reinforce the decidedly modern style, as does the boldly colored modern artwork. It's all attractive, but nothing breaks the mold from the typical Hilton outpost. Flight crews and others passing through the nearby SFO airport frequent this hotel -- airport arrival/departure display screens in the lobby are a thoughtful touch -- so it can get quite busy at the front desk at peak arrival times and when major meetings are being hosted. 

The Hilton is located in Burlingame, about a five-minute drive to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Downtown San Francisco and its attractions can be reached in about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic, or about 50 minutes via public transportation. The South San Francisco Conference Center is under a 10-minute drive. Several businesses and other hotels surround the property, and there are a couple of restaurants within walking distance, but the hotel is otherwise isolated from outside restaurants and shops. The scenic San Francisco Bay Trail along the waterfront that's adjacent to the hotel leads walkers and joggers to the nearby Coyote Point Recreation Area in about 20 minutes, where there is a lagoon, beach, marina, and golf course. 

Rooms at this airport Hilton are clean, quiet, and pleasantly decorated in matching, honey-colored wood furniture, but there's nothing memorable about their chain-hotel look, aside from the fact that some furnishings are showing wear. Bedskirts and upholstery also feel a bit outdated, but bright white duvets and soft gold wallpaper give the rooms a warm glow. Above the beds, a panoramic-style print of the San Francisco skyline adorns the walls. Many rooms offer at least partial views of the bay. 

Standard amenities include 24/7 room service, 42-inch flat screen TVs, coffeemakers, safes, and free weekday newspapers, but Wi-Fi is free only for Hilton HHonors members. Deluxe Rooms offer ample space for comfort, and they include armchairs, while Executive Rooms are located on the top three floors and offer additional amenities like robes and free bottled water. They also include access to the Executive Lounge that has a free breakfast buffet and free afternoon snacks. Junior Suites and One-Bedroom Suites have living room areas with sleeper sofas and wet bars. The bathrooms can vary somewhat in style, but most of the ones we saw had roomy wooden vanities with white ceramic tops and white tiling, as well as shower/tub combos. Like the bedroom areas, the bathrooms look a bit dated (especially the tiling). 

This large airport hotel offers a fairly comprehensive set of amenities aimed at both leisure and business travelers. The Windows on the Bay restaurant offers a buffet and a la carte menu for breakfast each day, while the Fire/Vine Grill & Bar serves lunch and dinner with a focus on California cuisine. Between meals, the on-site Market Express convenience store offers snacks, including sandwiches and ice cream, plus souvenirs and sundries. 

The hotel has a small heated indoor pool and hot tub, which are surrounded by a handful of loungers. The on-site fitness center is spacious and well equipped with several cardio machines and weight-training equipment. But a more pleasant option for exercise could be the walking path behind the hotel that winds along San Francisco Bay, offering lovely views.

Business travelers are well catered to with 11,000 square feet of meeting space and a 24/7 business center with multiple PCs and printers. Wi-Fi is available, but it’s only free for Hilton’s HHonors members (a loyalty program that's free to join). The hotel operates a free airport shuttle that runs 24/7. Both valet and self-parking are available in the hotel’s underground garage, but it’s rather expensive for a non-downtown property. Concierge services include valet dry cleaning and laundry. An ATM is located in the lobby, and the front desk has a safe deposit box and offers currency exchange services. Pets are welcome with a surcharge.