San Francisco Marriott Airport Waterfront Review

Booking & Stay Details

My stays at this property were booked through the Marriott Bonvoy App. I made reservations for stays with a length of 1 to 1.5 weeks. 

Location

The San Francisco Marriott Airport Waterfront is located close to the San Francisco Airport. It sits right on the shoreline of the bay and offers great views of the airport and runway. A favorite plane spotting location is right along the public shoreline in front of the hotel. 

Parking

The hotel has a large parking lot which is pretty expensive with $48/night. Make sure you book a AAA Parking Package or a hotel package rate which includes parking. But make sure you compare prices. 

The parking lot has a horrible layout. It has gates at the entrance and exits but if you want to park close to the hotel, you have to back up or turn around if there is no parking available close to the hotel. You can’t drive in a circle to look for parking spots. You will see once you get there. It is not the end of the world but could have been designed better.

Shuttle Service

There is a 24/7 shuttle service between the hotel and the airport. The complimentary service runs from the airport and stops first at the Hyatt Regency and then at the San Francisco Marriott Airport Waterfront. On the other side, you are only one stop away from the airport.

A shuttle tracker is available online.

Check-In

Check-in was quick and easy. A quick check of my ID and inserting my credit card got me my room keys. I got a quick overview of the property and its amenities and I was off to the elevator.

Check-In: 3 p.m.
Check-Out: 11 a.m.

Guest room, 1 King, Bay view (Room 9026)

This room faces north and overlooks the airport terminals and you can see most of all the runways. The only part you can’t see is the landing on runways 28.

The room’s King bed is set up on one side of the room with a wall-mounted TV across from it. Nightstands are mounted to the headboard and provide lighting and power outlets. Next to the bed and by the window is a corner chaise-lounger.

Underneath the TV is a small work desk. It is not very deep and offers just enough space to set up your laptop. The extension of the desk has storage drawers and a small safe. On the other side of the TV is a small refrigerator. A coffee machine is sitting on top of it.

The bathroom is right at the beginning of the room as you enter it. The bathroom is spacious and offers a large countertop with a single wash basin and a large wall-mounted mirror. Opposite the vanity is the walk-in shower with glass sliding doors. Right by the room door is a small open closet to hang your coats and bigger items.

Executive Studio Suite, 1 King, Sofa bed (Room 1134)

This is one of the biggest rooms at the hotel. It has a large living room area and a separate bedroom with attached bathroom. 

The entrance way of the suite houses a mini fridge and a counter top with the ice bucket. This part as well as the bathroom have a tiled floor. The rest of the suite has a carpeted floor. 

The living space comes with an L-shaped sofa bed. A large and deeper work desk than regular rooms as well as a separate small table with chairs. A TV sits on the extension of the work desk.

A small opening in the wall provides access to the bedroom. There is no door to separate both rooms. 

The bedroom comes with a King-sized bed and a comfy chair. The open wall closet gives some extra storage space. The bedroom otherwise just has a tiny dresser which holds the in-room safe and a wall-mounted TV.

The bathroom is accessed through the bedroom and is separated with a frosted glass door. Inside is a vanity with a single sink and large mirror as well as a walk-in shower with shower head and wand. 

This room faces west towards the freeway and doesn’t give you any views of the bay or the airport. 

Public Areas & Amenities

Lobby

The lobby is mainly comprised of the Flight View Lounge, the hotel’s on-site restaurant. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Besides that you find the front desk in the lobby, with a small market next to it and a Starbucks. At the far end is the M Club Lounge. 

On the second floor the hotel has tons of meeting and ballrooms.

Business Center

The business center is very simple. It is a desk with two workstations in the main hallway on the ground floor. Located near the elevators. One printer is shared between the two computers and use is complimentary. Another workstation is in the M Club Lounge.

Fitness Center

The fitness center is located just past the elevator lobby on the ground floor. You need your room key to get in. It is a pretty well equipped fitness center for a good workout. Restrooms are located outside of the fitness center.

Pool

The San Francisco Marriott Airport Waterfront has no hotel pool.

Guest Laundry

There is no guest laundry facility on site. However, the hotel has a dry-cleaning service set up. They pick up six days a week, except Sundays or major holidays. Drop off your clothes and pick them back up at the concierge desk next to the front desk.

Housekeeping

Housekeeping is offered daily. However, if you skip housekeeping, you get 500 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points each night you decline housekeeping. Normally you get asked during check-in, if not let them know right at check-in. It is not enough to just hang the Do Not Disturb sign on your door to get the points. Speaking from experience.

Dining

M Club Lounge

The M Club Lounge is open for eligible guests. This includes Platinum and higher Marriott Bonvoy Rewards members and guests who purchased a rate with lounge access. 

Good scrambled eggs and some rotating hot items are served for breakfast. Besides the usual items like cereal, yogurt, toast and fruits. 

Besides that the lounge serves an evening appetizer from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. and dessert from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Between breakfast and the evening service you can find snacks like peanuts, granola bars and more in the lounge and you can make use of the coffee machine and get a soda or water.

When I first stayed at the hotel evening service was offered seven days a week. On a follow up stay about a week later, the opening hours were changed. The lounge is still open for breakfast every day but closes after breakfast on Friday and Saturday. 

That is a big blow. I could see them stopping the evening service, but no, they completely close the lounge. I love to come here for a small snack, a soda or some coffee throughout the day. Not possible anymore on Friday and Saturday.

The M Club Lounge is very spacious and has plenty of seating options. It is a great spot also to get work done during your stay, if you are traveling with family. Or just come down with the whole family and play a game with the kids while you have snacks available.

Flight View Lounge

This is the only restaurant on the property and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. From the restaurant you have an amazing view of the bay and the runway to watch planes land and taking off. The restaurant also has a bar area during the evening hours to hang out and mingle. 

A Starbucks is also located in the lobby but closes already at 4:30 p.m.

Alternatively there are a few restaurants in walking distance or you can order from your favorite food delivery service like Uber Eats, DoorDash or GrubHub.

Conclusion

Overall, my stay was very positive here. I am not a big fan that the M Club Lounge is now closed after breakfast on Fridays and Saturdays. Just suspend evening service but give us still access to the lounge.

Other than that the hotel was great, the location is amazing, especially for an aviation geek. The prices can be outrageous, especially during the week. Weekends are  usually affordable but from Tuesday to Thursday it is the most expensive. If there is an event going on somewhere in the area, prices are insane and going up to $500/night for a regular room.