Several years ago we took a trip to San Francisco where we met up with good friends from Florida for a few days playing tourist in one of my all-time favorite cities. On this occasion, it was easy to turn in Delta Sky Miles for roundtrip tickets in First Class. We were booked on a mid-morning departure from the Raleigh-Durham Airport and breezed through security thanks to TSA PreCheck which provides expedited security screening for approved, low-risk passengers in the US. After applicants receive a Known Traveler Number from TSA, they have the privilege of wearing their shoes, belts and light outerwear in a number of screening lanes. Approved travelers can also keep their laptops in cases and may keep their tablets, liquids and gels in carry-on bags. Having TSA PreCheck makes the entire screening process easier.
Once through security, we opted to visit the Sky Club at RDU, located in Terminal 2 on the upper level across from Delta’s Gate C3. This expanded 5,600-square-foot lounge can seat more than 140 guests (although capacity has been reduced during the pandemic) and offers members and their guests beverages and snacks, personalized flight assistance and satellite TV. Contemporary furnishings from U.K.-based furniture manufacturer Boss Design, along with natural slate and granite tile finishes, can be seen throughout the lounge. Power outlets and charging stations are available near every seat and Wi-Fi speeds are excellent. There‘s also an expanded business center and plenty of private seating areas. THE BAR at this Delta Sky Club, offers a variety of complimentary beverage options, including locally-brewed craft beer from Carolina Brewing Company, premium wines recommended by Delta’s Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson and suggested seasonal cocktails. Starbucks coffee and self-serve Starbucks espresso machines are also available. It was a pleasure to visit this club while waiting for our first flight of the day.
We traveled through Detroit and the airline was flying a B717-200 from RDU on that morning. We took our seats in Row 2, Seats A and B on the port side of the aircraft. There were twelve seats in the cabin in three rows in a 2 x 2 configuration. The seats were nearly 20” wide with a 37” pitch between rows and were equipped with USB in-seat power and 110 power outlets. A beverage and snack service was made available on this flight and we landed a bit early after about one hour and 45 minutes in the air. The Detroit Metropolitan Airport is Delta’s second-largest hub city after Atlanta and serves as its primary gateway to Asia. It was busy when we arrived and, with only an hour to make our connection, we were lucky our next flight was departing nearby and within walking distance in Concourse A of the McNamara Terminal. This is the world’s second-longest airport concourse and features an automated ExpressTram. It actually whizzes by above your head near the terminal ceiling as it takes travelers along the mile-long concourse stopping at three stations along the way. The system is capable of moving almost 4,300 people per hour in each direction. After watching the trams zip by overhead, I was sorry we only had to walk a short distance!
The flight to San Francisco boarded on time and I noticed we were flying on a B737-900ER which has a range of just over 2,800 miles. There are 20 seats in the premium cabin laid out in a 2x2 configuration with five rows of four seats each. We settled into our favorite seats in Row 2 and appreciated Delta’s giving a small bottle of water to each premium passenger as well as the flight attendant’s offer of a pre-departure beverage. Shortly after take off, the lunch service began (remember, this was all pre-COVID) and we were given a choice between a hot sandwich or a cold lemongrass chicken salad with Pad Thai rice noodles. We chose the sandwiches which were just OK. I would point out here that, while I’m now missing the meal services formerly offered in domestic First on all US carriers, Delta never earned many accolades for its in-flight catering. Having said that, our flight attendant was friendly and the five-hour journey in the air passed by quickly and very comfortably. We landed on time in the late afternoon but had to deal with rush-hour traffic before arriving at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis.
Situated downtown at the intersection of Fourth and Mission Streets, this 39-story skyscraper in what’s known as the “South of Market“ neighborhood lies across from the Metreon Shopping Center and the Moscone Convention Center. The building is recognizable by the distinctive postmodern appearance of its high-rise tower and, with 1,362 rooms and 137 suites, this full-service hotel is the second-largest in the city, after the San Francisco Hilton. We chose the hotel because of its excellent location, ample restaurants and lounges and standards of good service. At check-in, we were pleased to learn we’d been upgraded to a king-bedded junior suite and had also been granted Club access.
The suite measured 650 square-feet. It included a small sitting area with writing desk and ergonomic chair and plenty of electrical outlets. Believe it or not, the soundproof windows actually opened! The bathroom featured double sinks and Thann amenities. The M Club Lounge was located on the second floor and made available to Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador Marriott Bonvoy members and was open 24 hours per day. Continental breakfast was served daily from 6:30 in the morning until 9:30 and hors d’oeuvres were available from 5:30 in the evening until 7:30, followed by desserts which were presented until 10:00 at night. Beer and wine were also made available each evening for a fee.
Once we settled in, we hurried up to the View Lounge to rendezvous with our friends. Located on the top floor of the Marriott Marquis, this Art Deco-inspired rooftop restaurant and bar is popular with tourists and locals alike. It features huge windows providing the most extraordinary views of San Francisco of any bar in the city. They were spectacular! While the lounge offered a full-dinner menu, we only enjoyed cocktails and delicious, sharable snacks while catching up with our good friends in what proved to be a really great setting.
Shortly thereafter, we walked a short distance to John’s Grill on Ellis Street. Established in 1908, this historic eatery is famous, in part, thanks to the novel The Maltese Falcon. (It’s where Sam Spade dined after coming into possession of the falcon.) Once called one of the top ten restaurants in San Francisco by Esquire magazine, John’s Grill has also drawn favorable mention from well known media outlets and been frequented by big named celebrities, including Sophia Loren, Jerry Lewis, Alfred Hitchcock and Keanu Reeves, among others. Specialties include steaks and seafood and the four of us enjoyed both as we made detailed plans for the next two days together in the city. I’ll tell you all about the rest of our trip in a future post.
Until next time…stay safe.
Okay, you've drawn us in, with the first chapter, and now we will await the next one with bated breath...