A recent poster gave a terrific review for the Hotel Vitale. It does look great.

The Hotel Vitale is in a great location - right on the Embarcadero, very close to the Ferry Bldg., the end of the California Street cable car line, walking distance to plenty (within a 20-min. walk of Union Square, Chinatown, North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf, Telegraph Hill). It's a "working" neighborhood (it's a block from my office), as opposed to a residential neighborhood or a "retail" neighborhood.

If you prefer an even more urban environment, consider staying near Union Square, perhaps the Monaco.

(As people on here know, I personally wouldn't stay on Nob Hill or even at the Ritz-Carlton ---- when I walk out the front door of my hotel, I want to be "somewhere", as opposed to having to walk or take a taxi to get there.)

thanks, guys. will check out hotel vitale. we've stayed at kimptons before, and i had already looked at hotel monaco.
with our limited time, i just want to be somewhere with close access.

Uma, close access to what? How do you plan to spend your time? (For example, no hotels are close to the main DeYoung Museum, so it wouldn't matter where you stay)

sorry, sf7307. i basically meant close to cable car line or walking distance to places like chinatown, the wharf, ferries to sausalito. we really only have 2 full days to spend there.
we've both been to san francisco, but last time was several years ago. was finally able to reach a friend who lives there,
and he also suggested hotel vitale, the omni or a couple of the hyatt hotels.

The Omni is nice, but it's in the middle of the financial district, so the location is a little bit "deader" at night and on weekends than where the Vitale and the Hyatt Regency are located. The other big Hyatt is in Union Square. If you zoom in on googlemaps, all of these hotels are identified.

I second (or third or fourth) the Hotel Vitale. We live in Marin and, whenever we do a little city getaway, our go-to is the Hotel Vitale. Great hotel and great location. Flat part of the city, walkable, and the Saturday farmer's market is right across the street at the Ferry building. Hard to go wrong.

I LOVE the Monaco!

thanks, guys!

...when I walk out the front door of my hotel, I want to be "somewhere"

Good point. Well, said.

Just booked Hotel Vitale for our last two nights; still exploring hotels for the first two. Thanks for everyone's input.

Wanted to thank everyone who suggested Hotel Vitale. We loved this place. Fantastic location. Our room was modern and sleek but very comfortable and inviting. Terrific view from our windows of the water, Bay Bridge, Ferry Building. Delicious breakfasts in their restaurant, Americano. There are a couple of cozy terraces and a spa. Staff was welcoming and helpful.
Lots of great restaurants within minutes of the hotel, and
streetcar stops around the corner. We would definitely return here.