Hotel recommendation for San Francisco

Old Apr 15th, 2014, 09:52 PM
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Hotel recommendation for San Francisco

Although we live near Sacramento, we are hoping to go to the City for a 2- or 3-day brief vacation in the next few months. We plan to take the train and get around by foot, bus, or taxi, the latter to the De Young, science museum, and Legion of Honor.

So: I would appreciate recommendations for hotels, as it's years since we stayed overnight in San Francisco. I'm looking for a boutique or smallish hotel that hasn't succumbed to the ultra-contemporary look, ideally rooms with some color to them. Our price range is around $350/$400 per night, and something near good restaurants would be a plus. Larger hotels that fit the bill would also be okay.

Any ideas? Thanks.
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Old Apr 15th, 2014, 11:02 PM
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Two smallish hotels to consider are Hotel Vitale (part of the Joie de Vivre chain), on Mission St by the waterfront near the ferry building. And Hotel Griffon on Steuart St. Both of these hotels would be very convenient (a short walk) to where the Amtrak bus drops you off after arriving in Emeryville. There are several good restaurants in that area (e.g. Chaya, Boulevard (make reservations way in advance, One Market, Waterbar and Kokkari, a favorite of mine that takes 15 minutes to walk to (or use light rail along the Embarcadero) From these hotels you can also walk up market street to the union square area and and take a fairly short cab ride to Columbus Ave/North Beach neighborhood. (And from there you can take the 30 bus to the Marina, Presidio and Crissy Field by the GG bridge.) The museums that you mentioned are on the other side of the city and require a cab ride, but well worth it. If you want to see the planetarium show at the Academy of Sciences, be sure to go there first, when they open and secure your tickets. During weekends and summer, the days viewings can get all booked by 11a or noon. The Legion of Honor is also a treat.
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 02:22 AM
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Also check out the Kimpton Hotels.
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 04:41 AM
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The Kimpton hotel chain is top notch. Free coffee/tea service every morning. Free Wine hour every evening. Join their free "In Touch"loyalty program for free wi-fi and other great perks. Their on site restaurants have proven to be quite good ( we have stayed at close to a dozen of them in different locations.) they even have some great last minute get away prices that you can book a week out.

There are several locations in San Francisco and are consider "boutique" style, smaller hotels.

https://www.kimptonhotels.com/hotels...francisco.aspx
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 07:27 AM
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You can easily get to the GG Park museum area on tbe Muni N-Judah train. Pick it up at any of the underground metro stops between Embarcadero and Van Ness along Market, and take it to 9th Avenue and Irving. It's a short walk into the park from there to the museums.
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 07:59 AM
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The Kimpton properties are outstanding. Service is impeccable. They add the little touches that create a wonderful stay.

We were recently at the Monaco in SF and loved it. As Deb said, join their loyalty program and you'll get an immediate discount on your room, and other benefits.

I didn't realize the Sir Francis Drake is now a Kimpton. Nice.

The Joie de Vivre group is also good. We liked their Hotel Rex, many years ago. Cute little hotel with wonderful service.
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 09:54 AM
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IMO any of the Kimpton or Joie de Vivre properties would be terrific -- I'd just search for any special offers.

(Joie de Vivre is the group that did such a good job creating the Citizen Hotel / Grange restaurant in Sacramento)
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 09:58 AM
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Has the Monaco been remodeled recently? I ask because our rooms were very, very tired the last time we stayed there, but it's been 3 years.
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 12:20 PM
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We stayed at a Joie de Vivre hotel out in the avenues and weren't impressed; our room had a bed so hard that I ended up on the floor on top of pillows in order to sleep. The halls smelled musty, too.

The Sir Francis Drake seems a good possibility, and we've stayed there back before it was renovated.
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 01:57 PM
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NewbE, I think our room was new-ish at the Monaco.
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 02:23 PM
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My favorite is the Washington Street Inn in the North Beach/ Telegraph Hill area. www.wsisf.com The rooms are small, yet very comfortable and the service was wonderful. Great location for walking all over and many, many nice restaurants nearby.
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 02:42 PM
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I second lynni's recommendation for The Washington Square Inn. I love being in North Beach.
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 03:30 PM
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We were at the Monaco for 4 nights, and I'd rather not stay in union Square again. It got old real quick. Lots of people 24/7 and noise. Of course, we were there on Halloween might, so you can imagine there was revelry!
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 05:07 PM
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We stayed at The Serrano in early October and it is around the corner from The Monaco. It isn't my favorite area and the hotel is no longer part of Kimpton group.

The Palomar, Sir Francis Drake, even Harbour Court would work for me.
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 08:20 PM
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The Four Seasons, hands down as far as I'm concerned. I love staying there. I fly up from L.A., just to stay there.

Happy Travels!
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 09:09 PM
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The Washington Square Inn looks just like what I'm after--European flavor, nice area, and all those good restaurants. But I'll also look at The Four Seasons. Many thanks for all the recommendations.
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 11:04 PM
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Harbour Court, Park 55, are my favorites. Park 55 often has very good specials.....Park 55 is across the street from a fun little Italian place Pinetti & Puccini or Puccini and Penetti. Nice rooms and just off market and powell....
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 11:20 PM
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Underwood: Plus, with the Four Seasons, the BART stops about a 5-minute walk from the hotel, right there on Market Street. Very convenient. Since I flew, I took the BART from San Francisco Airport area to the Market Street stop.

Also, since the Four Seasons is on Market Street, I was able to walk to the Pier building and then take a boat over to Sausalito for lunch and it was also the day of the annual art festival as it was the last weekend in August. On the way back, to the Four Seasons, I took the bus from the Pier building area, as it goes along Market Street.

I was in S.F. for 3 days to rest and it was perfect. I've stayed at that Four Seasons before as well as Four Seasons hotels overseas. I'm a big fan.

Happy Travels!
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Old Apr 17th, 2014, 04:44 AM
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"I took the bus from the Pier building area, as it goes along Market Street. "

Oh, take the F Streetcat instead of the bus; so much more fun! I love riding it all the away to The Castro. Sometimes just get off and just head back but usually we spend time in The Castro - such a vibrant, fun part of the city.
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Old Apr 17th, 2014, 05:37 AM
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Since when do rooms at the Four Seasons go for $350 - $400 a night, the OP's stated budget? The last time I checked even with the stay three discounts, the room was $500 a night.
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