There are no full-service hotels (with great service or otherwise) in the Marina District. There are however many motels. I've read people on here recommending the Drisco,, which is in Pacific Heights (two neighborhoods over from the Marina -- Marina, Cow Hollow, Pacific Heights). The closest area that would have real full-service hotels would be Nob Hill.

"The closest area that would have real full-service hotels would be Nob Hill."

Or at Fisherman's Wharf, or possibly the Presidio. http://www.innatthepresidio.com/

Fooey. Lost another post getting a webpage.

Anyhow - all the motels in the Marina/Cow Hollow area are close to coffee shops/restaurants/delis/small markets - and the Marina Safeway - and the two main Streets for that are Chestnut and Union.

My favorite is the Chelsea Motor Inn - http://www.chelseamotorinn.com/ or one of it's sister motels - and for the others, many are fine/adequate - but some of those along busy Lombard St can be a bit noisy - and not up to the standards of some of the others, so do ask when you check around about that.

And enjoy walking along the Marina Green and also seeing the Palace of Fine Arts. http://www.palaceoffinearts.org/Welcome.html

You're going to my favorite area of SF and we lived there for years and trust your son will love it as we did.

And at the end of the day if you are beat and don't want to go out - it's also easy to order food from various restaurants and have it delivered. see: http://san-francisco.eat24hours.com/marina and http://www.grubhub.com/sf/marina/

Maybe you should check out Cow Hollow Suites (owned by but separate from Cow Hollow Motor Inn). You could even get a two bedroom suite with enough beds for everyone that comes with a kitchen and full, large living room, which would be so much more comfortable for everyone. And I think they still give a discount for over 5 nights. This place is a real bargain for what it is. It also comes with free parking in the garage below -- so your son can come over and park his car there. It could be a great place for everyone to get together in the evening for bring in food or just relaxing in comfort.

http://www.cowhollowsuites.com/

NeoPatrick, that Cows Hollow Suites sounded perfect, but when I called just now, they had only one 2-BR suite available (! King and ! Queen bed) and they won't or can't put a rollaway in there. I was hoping for 4 beds, but this was the last suite available, and the price was great for it... 285/night.f I liked the idea of us all being able to come together for dinner, lunch, etc. Maybe somehow it could still work out, because the setting sounds perfect. Thank you!

Dear Tomsd, you've offered a lot of advice, which I will be sure to check out! Thank you for the tips on ordering food, and checking stuff out in our downtime! I appreciate it! My son is very excited about living in that area, and I can't wait to see it! I'm so glad his brother is able to come with us so he can see it too, and I am really hoping all three of the boys love it so much that they make things happen so that they may be able to get jobs and relocate to SF too. Thanks again for your time and assistance!

I would take the 2BR suite and work on them a bit. Hey - young guys like that - somebody can sleep on the couch. Did it many times in my own youth.

And here is some more info on Union St and Chestnut Sts. I lived on Union St - at three different places - for about 10 years in the happening 70's - and loved it. Just remembered - also lived on Filbert St. for about a year. Over the years - had many friends live in the Marina up to/including Pacific Heights - and the area in between - which is called Cow Hollow - as many years ago - dairy cattle actually grazed there.

Chestnut St is also very cute - and both have many places that you and the boys might like. There is even a chocolate shop on Union.

And it's easy to get from there to downtown - on several bus lines.

http://www.unionstreetshop.com/ http://www.chestnutshop.com/

Tomsd, the problem with Cows Hollow Suites was they didn't have a bed for ME! (or one of the boys!) It would have been fine if it were just the three boys, but it's them and me... so that 2-BR suite would not have worked.
I am staying at the $$$ Argonaut Hotel! The price makes me un easy, but I'm just going to grin and bear it! I asked for an Alcatraz view for them and a Golden Gate for me - wowee, right? But they'll love it, and hey, I'm making memories. A friend booked it for me, which was nice. Again, I'll be sure to enjoy your suggestions, and thanks so much for being so kind.

so did the Cow Hollow Suites not have one suite and one room available in the Motor Inn? I don't see why you'd have to stay in the same room as the boys - unless they are much younger?

And tomsd last lived here many years ago.

Guess I am not sure why in a 2 BR suite you could not have a room, put two or three lads in the other and if need be - put one out on the couch.

Hey - if you are popping for the Argonaut - good for ye, and hope you enjoy it. It's fun to be down in the Ghiradelli/Wharf area. You can walk over and get a jump on the Cable Car - when it's not to busy?

Also - maybe have an Irish Coffee and enjoy the great view - where it all started: The Buena Vista: http://www.thebuenavista.com/home/home.html

And while I/we haven't dined there for years - used to be able to slide into Scoma's - where they didn't normally take reservations. Helps to know the staff.

The Fairmont at Ghirardelli Square is probably the closest major hotel to the Marina. It is the nicest hotel (IMHO) in San Francisco and has 1-2-3 bedroom suites with kitchen. Also has a limo for transport to/from the area. It is however not inexpensive.

Sorry to hijack this thread but does anyone know the e-mail address for the Coventry Motor Inn, I have searched the web and can't find one.

I think you have to try and make a rres, or just call them. It should be worth it.

I found it: http://www.coventrymotorinn.com

HTtY

nelsonian is looking for their email address. I couldn't find any when I logged onto that site (earlier this morning)

nelsonian, I called them for you:

reservations@coventrymotorinn.com