Hotel Homeroom: A Break with the Kids

The Intercontinental San Francisco opened downtown in 2008 with much fanfare. The gleaming multi-story premiere property with stellar views was meant to serve as a cornerstone convention hotel that mostly meets the needs of conference attendees.  The city had expanded the Moscone Convention Center just steps from the hotel in the past three years and the hotel had recently completed a remodel of all its rooms and public spaces.  The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Then COVID-19 hit, and everything screeched to a halt.

Hotel Homeroom: A Meaningful Pivot

Since March the hotel has continually pivoted and taken on a new customer base. It housed essential workers when the pandemic was at its worst and dropped nightly rates to attract leisure guests since business travel was non-existent. In keeping with the times, it is now offering a clever program called Hotel Homeroom where families can experience remote schooling /work in the comfort of a premier hotel near Union Square and the Westfield Mall.

I recently test drove the new program with my sister and her three children.  The program itself costs $150 which includes hotel parking for one car and supports up to eight students per day. Additional vehicles pay $25 for the day, a great bargain in San Francisco.  The program provides complimentary Wi-Fi and all-day access to a conference room with a desk and stationery items such as pens, pencils, scissors, etc. For an additional $40 per student, parents can forego packing lunches and let the hotel provide breakfast, lunch and snacks.  While the pool is not open due to current regulations, kids can still enjoy the sixth-floor terrace with warmed seats, outdoor heaters and fire pit.

Students at least 14 years or older can be left alone to step outside for a walk or a break. And parents can go out for a few hours and leave their 16-year old at his desk but kids under 14 must have a parent or guardian nearby.

Rooms are not included with the package but as of this writing, rates are excellent, with an exceptional room on offer for under $150 per night.  Our connecting suites were quoted at $550 each even though the usual price is $1500 per night.  Imagine the savings you have right now to enjoy a luxury hotel with your family.

We opted for two nights, Thursday and Friday, and made the most of Hotel Homeroom for an official school day, from 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Here’s what my sister, Sally, had to say from a parent’s perspective.

A Parent’s Perspective

Travel Squire: What was your favorite aspect of the Hotel Homeroom service?

Sally:  The private work/study space was the best part: well-thought-out spaces with office supplies on each large desk which were comfortably spaced apart; we had “classrooms” with large windows, city views and high ceilings. I felt that we were in a safe and clean space where I could get a break from juggling a million things at home with the kids, and the service was excellent. At home I’m always busy cooking, or preparing the next meal or snacks, cleaning and helping the kids. As a mom, it’s definitely a treat to get a break and relax from the busy schedule.  We were all taken care of, and it was nice to walk around the city together.

Travel Squire: What was your expectation when you came?

Sally:  I wasn’t sure how they would make a study space both inviting and safe, but they did – from the well-stocked cubbies, to the healthy and tasty breakfast, lunch and snacks.  I also thought it would be hard to focus and there would be distractions.  It turned out to be quiet and really conducive to getting personal and class work done.  For anything we needed, all we had to do was call the staff and they attended to it. For a little break, it was nice to go one floor up and sit out on the balcony for fresh air.

Travel Squire: What was your favorite aspect of the program with regard to the kids?

Sally: My ten-year-old boy loved the little LEGO box and bag of treats on his desk.  My fifteen-year-old daughter loved the desk supplies with colorful paperclips, highlighters, sticky notes and paper pads. My seventeen-year-old son liked the ambiance- the large private room with city views.  He had worried that he wouldn’t be able to focus on his exams in a hotel but it was great with actually fewer distractions than at home.

The Details on Pricing, Food and Accommodations

Travel Squire: What about the pricing of the homeroom program? ($150 per day for up to eight kids).

Sally:  It isn’t cheap especially after you factor in the $40 supplement per child for food. But you can split it with a couple of other families, which makes it more reasonable.

Travel Squire: What did you think of the Hotel Homeroom food?

Sally: There was plenty of it and it was healthy and safely packaged in individual baggies in plastic containers.  Lunch was a turkey wrap, salad, potato wedges, and a cookie.  Breakfast included individually packaged croissant-wiches, parfaits, fresh fruit cups, and bottled water.  Snacks were granola squares, trail mix, and fresh fruit.  No worrying about your kids eating junk food; it was all pretty healthy except for the little bag of mini-chocolates and candies at their desks.

Travel Squire: What was the room like?

Sally: Our room was beautiful with large windows overlooking the city and the adjoining suite included a beautiful sitting room which was great for hanging out together.

Travel Squire:  What about the room pricing of the hotel rooms, many at under $150 a night?

Sally: Considering the hotel is new and has an excellent location, the pricing was far less than we expected.

Location and Amenities that Work for Families

Travel Squire:  How is the location?

Sally:  The SF Intercontinental is within walking distance to the Museum of Modern Art, the Ice Cream Museum, Yerba Buena Gardens, Chinatown, Union Square, and the Westfield Mall, so plenty of city stuff to enjoy.  It was great having both a Target and Walgreens close by, too, for convenience. And there are numerous restaurants nearby for ordering in, which is what we did.  Gyu Kaku is delicious and right across the street.

Market St. can be dicey at that end after dark for walking around with little children, but teens will be fine as long as they pay attention; let’s face it, they definitely will get an education on life in a city that looks totally different from the suburbs where they’ve grown up.

Travel Squire: What did you think of the amenities such as the outdoor terrace?

Sally:  It would have been nice to have the outdoor firepit working, since it was quite chilly at night. The heated seating on the terrace was AWESOME though, especially for hanging out together.

Travel Squire:  Would you recommend it to friends?  And how would you imagine bringing other families here?

Sally:  I have already sent photos of my kids experiencing it to my friends!  Coming here with a couple of friends with their kids could be a nice vacation/study alternative.  It’s social, yet safe, and a welcome break from your routine at home.