scdvr219

I booked Union Square east thru priceline and came up with this hotel.
After reading the tripadvisor reviews, I'm a little nervous. Has anyone had any experience with this hotel?

LoveItaly

Yes, but not for sometime. It is not my favorite hotel scdvr although I love the location. But it is a historical hotel that many people enjoy and return to when back in SF. I haven't read the reviews on TripAdvisor. What were the "horror" stories?

scdvr219

Nothing horrible just small rooms, could be a little cleaner and out dated decor. The priceline rate is only about 1/3 of the online price so it might be just fine...I'm just a little concerned. I didn't expect a Westin Hotel to have marginal reviews.

LoveItaly

Well yes, we had small rooms, rooms in the original building. Rooms in the tower are larger and nicer if memory serves me right. But with 2/3's of the online price..that sounds like a good deal. And again imo the location is perfect scdvr. If you get there and find the room was not cleaned properly I would immediately speak up. And keep in mind older hotels generally have smaller rooms. But you certainly should expect a clean room! Best regards.

scdvr219

I really don't mind a small room. We don't spend much time there anyway. Location is the most important thing so it sounds like it will be fine. Thanks for easing my mind Loveitaly!

adventureseeker

Location, Location, Location. Union Square is my fave area to stay. Our fave hotel is Sir Francis Drake, but we did stay at the Westin St. Francis w/ DH's company last July.

I was REALLY looking forward to it since it's truly quintessential Old San Francisco. But....I was disappointed in the very corporate atmosphere (caters to big companies and business travel). Drinks in the lobby were pricey.

We stayed in the newer tower and it was nice, spacious and modern. But, I preferred the charm of Sir Francis Drake.

With that said, however....if you can get a great rate on Priceline, you will not be disappointed.

Ackislander

I have stayed in the older part of the hotel and had a vast room with an acre of pillows on the bed.

It was a business conference, so most people aren't paying their own way and prices are thus likely to be higher than in a purely tourist hotel.

But what a location!

scdvr219

The priceline rate is $122.00 and we wanted to be close to BART. We are using BART for a Raiders game. Also, sounds like other public transportation is close too. It's always scary to not actually pick the hotel yourself. But, we have used priceline several times before and never had a problem. All in all, I'm thinking it's a good deal so no worries! Or I should say...I've talked myself out of my initial worries.

adventureseeker

At $122, you will have no worries. You will be VERY happy. The corporate rate last year was a whopping $425 a night. Although we didn't pay a dime of that, still I look at what the value would be.

Union Square is a fab location with trolley stops, great shopping and a mecca of good dining options. Plus you're truly in the heart of the city with a quick hop, skip or jump to the Embarcadero, Piers, etc.

We always have at least one meal at Scala's (excellent bistro fare/ambiance) and have sunset drinks at Harry Denton's Starlight at the top of the Sir Francis.

If you're there on Saturday, be sure to go to the Ferry Building for the bountiful Farmer's Market and the delish cuisine offered by the varying food vendors. We NEVER miss it and plan all our SF trips to be there on a Saturday.

Have fun!

lisettemac

We stayed there in March and liked it very much. I'd agree that it tends to cater to conventioneers. It is a great location with a grand lobby. It has a newer, modern looking restaurant and bar on the other side from the check-in. We found the service to be good, our room was large, bathroom spacious. Bathroom a touch dated, but nothing awful. At 122 I think you'll be very pleased. It's a great location and close to BART.

Mary2Go

Great Deal! This used to be my favorite hotel but it's been several years since I have visited. We had a great room in the old building afew times. I think it was a corner room...very large with high ceilings. The bath was tiny but still charming. I have also stayed in the new buildng and it was very nice and you still got the ambiance of the old building in the common areas.

TTess

I can't even believe they're on Priceline! Grab it! If you don't want a room in the original building, upon check-in ask if you can upgrade. It's a wonderful hotel!

Colette

scdvr....we're planning to do priceline for UnSq in August.....just wondering......do you have a car? and if so, what are you being charged for parking at the Westin?

LoveItaly

Scala's Bistro is right across the street and up a half a block from the St. Francis, a favorite and sentimental place for me. And Harry's Starlight is on the top floor (all part of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel). And just a few blocks away is some wonderful restaurants in Belden Place. I and a lot of people that love mussels especially love Plouf's.

http://www.belden-place.com/

You will have a wonderful time in SF scdvr219!

casey_reed84

I stayed there in December and it was great. The rooms are very nice but not amazing. The hotel overall is very impressive and the hotel staff was first class all the way. We were there for a college football game so I thought maybe we'd get bad service and funny looks walking around with our football shirts on but that wasn't the case. We had a great room with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge and Coit Tower. The restaurant is crazy expensive for breakfast. I think the bill was $50 for two. That's with not really anything special either. But location is awesome. You can't go wrong here.

scdvr219

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the comments. And thanks for all the restaurant suggestions...can't wait to try them out!
And just to clarify, this was the "bid on a room" option on priceline. So, you can't actually choose the hotel. It's just the luck of the draw. I chose Union Square East and 4 star plus. I didn't expect to get anything at that rate, I was just playing around. I was pretty shocked and immediatly went to tripadvisor for reviews.
Colette....we aren't getting a car. Except maybe one day for a road trip south to Monterey. So, I haven't checked parking rates yet.

MP07950

Definitely a great rate so go for it, just for the Union Square location alone! I stayed there two years ago for a conference and, for the price, didn't think much of it, but the location is great. My recollection is that there's a great place for breakfast (specializing in pancakes, just 1-2 blocks away, called Sears Fine Foods.

dmlove

I like Sears - I guess lots of people don't think it's so special anymore. but it's only a block away, and it definitely won't cost you $50 for breakfast!!

FainaAgain

You are so lucky to stay at this location! Restaurants, shopping, buses at your doorsteps. BART is close. What else can you ask for?