Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco

Fully renovated in 2015, the Hyatt Centric has all the perks expected of a business chain hotel: plenty of 24-hour amenities, free Wi-Fi, and on-site dining and parking. Its pool and location right by Fisherman’s Wharf, though, draw many vacationing families and couples as well, and the vibe is busy but not especially loud. Decor is contemporary and at times slightly generic in common spaces, with dark wood furniture with clean lines, a few wicker accents, and basic white tile floors in the lobby. However, there is a subdued nautical theme throughout, with cute black-and-white photos of boating rope knots, and colorful maritime signal flags on accent pillows. In fact, even from the outside the property blends easily with the waterfront neighborhood. It is housed in two adjacent buildings that resemble the old pier warehouses, with large steel-and-glass windows and an exposed brick facade. While many of the original architectural details of the main building have been lost to renovations, the restaurant retains most of its historic charm. The aptly named Brick & Beam is housed in the adjacent 1868 brick building that was once home to a marble works and stone-cutting company, and features a smart industrial feel, with concrete pillars, exposed brick walls, large glass lamps hanging from pulleys, and wood and leather touches. 

Just two blocks from famous Fisherman's Wharf, the Hyatt Centric is conveniently located near the docks where ferries leave for Alcatraz, Sausalito, and Tiburon. Bustling Pier 39 and North Beach (San Francisco’s Little Italy) are each a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and the fancy waterside restaurants at the Embarcadero can be reached in about 25 minutes on foot. The F-line street car, which stops a block from the hotel, also goes in that direction. The hotel is also a block from the terminus of the Powell-Mason cable car line, which connects to Union Square and Nob Hill, each less than a 20-minute ride away. Golden Gate Bridge is about a 20-minute drive from the property. San Francisco International Airport is less than a half-hour drive away.

The hotel’s 316 rooms have stylish contemporary decor with clean lines and dark wood furniture, and Hyatt’s quality signature beds. White duvets and pillows stand out against the navy carpets and the dark leather chairs, while neutral hues in headboards, curtains and walls add some warmth. The hotel’s subtle nautical theme carries over to the rooms, which feature the same throw pillows with maritime signal flags found in the lobby, large photos of sails, and accent walls painted different shades of blue resembling the waves of the ocean. Amenities are on par with other upscale hotels in town, and include free Wi-Fi, large flat-screen TVs, electronic safes large enough for a laptop, and coffeemakers. Rooms have empty mini-fridges instead of stocked minibars, and some have double beds instead of queen- or king-size mattresses. Bathrooms are clean and appealing, with sand-colored tiles, large walk-in showers or shower/tub combos with rain showerheads, high-end hairdryers, and BeeKind toiletries. Up to two dogs weighing a maximum of 75 pounds combined are allowed in some rooms for a one-time cleaning fee. Accessible rooms have closed caption TVs, wider doors, grab bars in the bathroom, and emergency strobe lights. 

One of the best features at the Hyatt Centric is the outdoor heated pool, located on the third-floor deck, complete with padded loungers and a whirlpool. There is no bar service here, but guests can bring drinks and snacks from the bar downstairs as long as they are not in glass containers. Brick & Beam is the hotel’s casual restaurant, known for serving excellent seasonal cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. The bar has a cozy fireplace and a popular daily happy hour, and features large screens showing sports. As a business hotel, the Hyatt Centric offers a number of convenient 24-hour amenities, including a well-equipped gym, a small business center, a mini market with snacks and souvenirs, and room service. The hotel also features over 19,000 square feet of flexible meeting space complete with audiovisual equipment and catering services. On-site parking is available for a steep fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout.