Where do you like to stay in San Francisco?

We stayed at The Tuscan Inn last year. It was a really nice spot. Convenient in location, clean, and nicely decorated. We had a room overlooking the courtyard which made it a little larger. Nice afternoon reception.

We stayed at the Washington Square Inn in North Beach for 3 nights & at the Hotel Drisco in Pacific Heights for 3 nights; really liked both.

We have in the past stayed at a number of places near Union Square, but on my last two visits we stayed at the Galleria Park and Le Meridien in the Financial District. I much prefer this location to the noisier Union Square area. It is close to a BART station, and to the Ferry Building (can't miss the Farmer's Market) and the Embarcadero walk. And a few short blocks to Union Square for shopping, and a slightly longer walk to North Beath for restaurants.

These two hotels are quite different---Galleria Park is a smaller "boutique" hotel, very well-run and nicely decorated, but with small rooms and no views. They have complimentary wine in the afternoon, and guests gather and mingle.

Le Meridien is more upscale (and more expensive), but still very charming. Our room had floor-to- ceiling corner windows with a view of the Bay Bridge. The lobby bar is a pleasant place for an after-dinner drink.

I recommend the Fairmont Hotel. Located in Nob Hill, the walk uphill can be difficult for some people but the views are stunning. I stayed on the 21st floor of the newer "Tower " building and was treated to views of The Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, Alcatraz, and Chinatown from my room.

Excellent service, clean comfortable rooms, a great location with easy access to cable cars or taxis, makes it one of my favorites in San Fransisco.

We stayed at the Marina Motel on Lombard, near the Presidio. www.marinamotel.com

Their family room was perfect for the four of us - one queen bed in the main room, and a second queen bed in a slightly smaller adjoining room. The family rooms face Lombard, so if you are a light sleeper, you might want to pack a pair of earplugs.

With free parking and a two-for-one coupon for breakfast at nearby Judy's Cafe, the Marina Motel was a fabulous, inexpensive, and convenient choice for us.

Lee Ann

What's wrong with a B&B in one of the interesting neighborhoods? There was an article that appeared in the "Noe Valley Voice" a few year back about B&Bs in the Noe Valley.

http://www.noevalleyvoice.com/2006/June/Gues.html

I don't have an association with any B&B.

Stu Dudley

Erica_D:

We stayed at The Hyatt Regency, 5 Embarcadero Center during our visit over July 4th weekend.

Hotel often has great rates for senior's. Very nice room. We took BART from the airport and it stops directly across from the hotel. Close to MUNI and the Cable Car Station. Short walk to the Ferry Building. Easy checkin and out.

Hate the mini-bar in the room. Way over priced but that is probably the same everywhere.

Would stay there again.

Sandy

In the vicinity of Union Square.

We stayed at the Hotel Argonaut at Fishermans Wharf. Location was wonderful, close to bus and trolley and easy to get everywhere. The price was great, the rooms were lovely and spacious and every day at 5 to 6, they have wine time. Free wine for all guests, a great touch. Loved being at Fishermans Wharf, always activity, even late, always felt comfortable. Lots of good food in this area. Will definately stay here again and have recommended it to many.

Well you did mention apartments so I'll give this a shot.
We found the best selection on HomeAway and VRBO, each portals for owner rented apartments.
On VRBO we found a special place in the very special Telegraph Hill neighborhood in a famous landmark building at 1360 Montgomery Street. http://www.vrbo.com/186005
Built at the top of the Filbert Steps in 1939 as the Malloch Apartments this wonderful example of Streamline Moderne styling served as the setting for a Bogart/Bacall movie called 'Dark Passage'.
The large one bedroom apartment has all of the charm of the original building along with upgrades and amenities that make for a memorable and very comfortable experience. Highlights include the large covered balcony with a cosy outdoor sleeping porch which surveys the Bay to the Bay Bridge with the parrots of Telegraph Hill providing the soundtrack. The large grand piano in the heart of the space could add more melodic music.
The Coit Tower, up another couple of sets of stairs looms over on the other side affording a sweeping panorama of the City and Bay. Below spread the historic and atmospheric North Beach, Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf. Along the water the Embarcadero runs to the Ferry Building and Financial District. And Russian Hill rises not far away.
So great location (with an authentic last block SF climb up the hill from Grant Avenue) and a very richly decorated nest yielding an appropriate boho feeling that represents the life of the musician/artist owner. Pictures on website don't do this place justice but owner sent more.
Four nights minimum, we stayed eight in October 2008. Felt more like visitor/residents than tourists.

Mandarin Oriental

Parc 55 - can't think of a negative (as long as someone else pays, which is what brought me there...)

We stayed at Campton Place this past October. The service is personal and excellent. We had a great deal including breakfast through Leading Hotels and received an upgrade. The rooms, while not large, are immaculate with heavenly bed linens. We faced the back which was nice since the front rooms face the huge hotel across the street. An extremely nice touch was being driven to dinner a couple of nights in the hotel's Jaguar. We also loved the bustle of Union Square and returning to the hotel after a day of sightseeing felt like entering a peaceful oasis.

Our new S.F. hotel of choice is the Kensington Park Hotel, 450 Post St. It was well-kept and clean, though not luxurious, and in a medium price range for us. The lobby is interesting and welcoming, and the morning coffee was nice to have. The location is great - just off Union Square, near the cablecar and bus lines, and closer to Chinatown as well.

We loved Hotel Vitale in Embarcadero. The bay window looking out on the water, bridge and on Saturday morning, the farmer's market abuzz right outside your window was fun to people watch and fun to join in as well.

The room was spacious and the shower and bath even bigger. I loved the Fresh products and the marshmallow towels.

Taking a bottle of wine and cheese bought across the street in the Farmer's Market Building to the quiet, and almost empty terrace made the perfect evening even better. The view to the bay was stunning. And having it to yourself was even better.

We love the vibe and location of Hotel Vitale. It provides everything we look for in SF.

I stayed at Club Quarters which is right by the Pyramid. Great location and a reasonable price--by SF standards anyway.

My favorite hotels were converted into condos (Juliana and Nob Hill Lambourne) so I have been struggling for a few years. I have enjoyed the Galleria Park, Beresford Arms and booked the Chancellor again for this coming weekend. I enjoyed the Chancellor a few years ago and am anxious to see their renovated rooms. Anyone with moderately priced favorites?

Intercontinental

I live in the Bay Area and stayed one evening at the Intercontinental Hotel to enjoy the City during the holiday season. When we arrived, service was superb -- greeted warmly by the doorman, check in person, bartender and everyone else we came into contact with -- all very professional and welcoming.

We requested a corner room at check-in which was great with floor to ceiling windows. The room was well appointed (reasonable size for city standards) and had a plasma TV. The feel of the hotel is modern and clean.

We recently returned from a trip to San Francisco, where we stayed for a second time at the Westin St. Francis. We love the spacious rooms with their high ceilings and old-fashioned charm. At Christmas time the views over Union Square with it's lighted tree and ice skating rink are wonderful. We also love the central location for shopping and dining. From there we were able to walk everywhere we wanted to go, so we could do without a car. The service and hospitality were impeccable from the time we set foot on the property until the moment we left. All in all, a highly recommended hotel!

Erica, I stayed at the Hotel Abri this past October. It was previously the Monticello, but is now owned by the same group that owns Villa Florence. It is totally renovated and is quite nice. The rooms are smallish, but to be expected in San Francisco. Beds were wonderful, the shower was relaxing....The service was absolutely outstanding.

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses -- it's so instructive to hear your feedback. I'm pleased to note that we cover most of the properties that were recommended here:

Best Western Tuscan Inn
Washington Square Inn
Hotel Drisco
Galleria Park
Marina Inn
Hyatt Regency
Hotel Vitale
Beresford Arms
Chancellor
Intercontinental
Campton Place

For the others (Parc 55, Hotel Albri, and Club Quarters) I'll work on getting those properties reviewed. And keep adding suggestions!

To help us better meet your needs, please rate your stays at these and any hotels you stay at on your travels (you'll find the feature on the property review pages of fodors.com). We use your feedback to help determine which properties should be cut or have their reviews revised.

Whenever you have a comment or concern, you can also send an email to editors@fodors.com

Many thanks for taking the time to respond!

Best,
Erica

Hi Erica,

The Marina Motel, which I recommended, and the Marina Inn are two different properties.

Lee Ann

We LOVE the Clift. Good location and access to the best shopping, and toss in the Redwood Room and Asia De Cuba...how can you go wrong?

If I get stuck and need a bargain, the Van Drake. Just don't stay too close to the night club or your bed will shake all night from the music.

Just came back from a weekend at the Chancellor Hotel and enjoyed the renovated rooms, in room free wi-fi and the "food credit" in the restaurant. Overall, a great stay!

mark, the "Van Drake"? Just trying to place it.

Agree with P_M on the Club Quarters. Located in the financial district, right across from the Embarcadero, short walk to the ferry terminal, which is great for the Sat. a.m. farmer's market, shopping & a couple of restaurants & takeouts. Also convenient to Chinatown & North Beach. We payed $110 per night through Priceline in October, which I think was a pretty good deal. Parking is $30 at Embarcadero. It's rated 3.5* from Priceline, which I think is about right. The rooms are very comfortable, and the public spaces are small but nice. There is no restaurant in the hotel, but there are an Irish pub and a Starbucks adjacent.

Near Union Square two smaller comfy places are the Hotel Rex and the Golden Gate Hotel. Each is about a half block from Powell Street cable car.

Parking is $30 at Embarcadero

Parking at the Embarcadero has gone up to $32.

We always stay at The Royal Pacific Motor Inn in Chinatown. The location suits us perfectly. All the exotic pleasures of Chinatown's foodstores and eateries, plus the Italian restaurants of Northbeach are a few minutes walk.
No concierge or other amenities but the suites on the upper floors offer large balconies and wonderful views of Coit Tower and North Beach. All at very reasonable prices.
We usually drive to San Francisco from SoCal and the hotel offers free parking.

"Parking at the Embarcadero has gone up to $32."

Damn!

I agree smetz. Even though it's only $2.00, considering that Level C of Four Embarcadero is pretty much empty, you'd think they'd be giving it away!!

We stayed for a week last year [in March] at The Mosser and we had a queen room with a private bath for $75 a night.

It is a great location, minutes from BART, Moscone Convention Center, Union Sqare etc.

The room was small, but was clean and comfortable. There is free coffee and muffins in the lobby each morning. There was a daily charge for internet, the only real downside.

They also have rooms that share a hall bath. They are less money and I looked in the hall bath and they were VERY nice and clean. This provides a very cost efficient alternative for those needing less expensive accomodations in a very good location.

The hotel has a hostel/trendy/boutique feel to it, if you can imagine that combo!

Deb

The Four Seasons. They even packed a box of food, at no cost, for me to take to another hotel that I was transferring over to, in case the food at the other hotel was not up to par. Their "care" packet really came in handy as the food at the other, nearby hotel, was NOT up to par. Smiles. Happy Travels!

The above should have read, "care" package.

After having checked into, hotel #2, I even went back to the Four Seasons each morning for breakfast. It was only a 10 minute walk away. Happy Travels!

My hotel preferences for San Francisco:

1: Ritz Carlton: Good location a few blocks up from Union sq. Short walk to Chinatown for dim sum etc. Good size rooms. Good restaurant. Usual good RC service.
2: Four Seasons: Usual great service. Not crazy about the location but close to the convention center. Nice rooms but not as nice as the Ritz. Usual Occitane bath room stuff.
3: JW Marriott: Good location a block off Union Sq.
Decent size room and bathroom.
4. Sheraton Palace: Decent rooms with cold ? marble floors.
5: Westin, Marriott, Grand Hyatt, Nikko, Hyatt are all typical 4 star hotels. Nikko might be the best of this bunch unless you like the location of the Hyatt near the Embarcadaro.
Have never stayed at the Mandarin, St. Regis, Meridien, Vitale or Omni. Do not care for the Mark Hopkins, or Villa Florence. Bad location for the MH.
Old dated rooms for both the MH and VF. Also do not care for the W. Dark, trendy want to be. Great location if you are at the Convention center.
Jackson Ct in Pacific hgts is pleasant if you like B&Bs.
Motels such as the Buena Vista, Chelsea are all decent best buys on Lombard st.

Actually the Villa Florence has been renovated since the Kimpton Hotels sold it to the Larkspur Group. Fantastic location but I haven't stayed there since their renovation.

Hi Lee Ann,

Just to double-check that I've got the right property this time, is this the one you were recommending?

http://www.marinamotel.com/

Let me know, thanks!

The Monaco!

I love the location of the Four Seasons...directly across the street from my bank...ATM, in the heart of shopping, and near the mueseum (MOCA?). Happy Travels!

We stayed at the Fairmont in November. A classic, old world european charm, exemplary service, perfect in every way from check in to check out - walked down to wharf area easily, took a taxi for the steeper climb up ! Enjoyed drinks and magnificent views across the street at Top of the Mark -

The Marina Motel is correct, Erica_D. Thanks for checking.

Lee Ann

We really enjoyed the Argonaut at Fisherman's Wharf. It's a lovely property with big rooms that were well insulated from street noise, cozy lobby with fireplace and complimentary evening wine, next to cable cars and the waterfront.

The Columbus Motor Inn. This is a nice affordable hotel, about 5 minutes walk from Fisherman's Wharf, close to North Beach, the Coit Tower, Lombard Street. There is a bus stop right outside the hotel and tram stop only a block or so away. There is also free parking. I believe it has been refurbished since we stayed there is April 2007. I believe Neopatrick and Lee stayed there at the last GTG.

We've stayed at Hotel Rex five (I believe) times in the past three years - love it. Great location, staff wonderful, just steps away from cable car, etc. We arrived one time on my husband's birthday, left a goodie basket and card in room, another time had an emergency and Jeff (Front desk) took over making some calls for us for cancellations, changing our flight, etc. We love it there - service is tops.

I have to second Columbus Motor Inn ... not a fancy hotel, but a very clean, well-located, great value motor inn!

sf7307...sorry my mistake...I meant the "Sir Francis Drake".

Also while I am on here again, I would caution people on the W hotel off of Mission. Probably about the worst W I have ever stayed at on the Mainland U.S. unless they have cleaned up their staff issues the last year.

We loved the Hotel Adagio... large room, new decor, free internet, staff was very cool, amazing restaurant downstairs (Cortez) with a beautiful bar. Location was convenient to transportation. Very reasonable rate too.

These forums have been so helpful in planning our trip in late July / early August. We've got 2 boys (10 & 13) and would love a convenient hotel to cable car lines, etc. We'd booked a room at the SF Marriott Union Square, which I believe is now called the 480 (the street address?!), but hadn't seen any comments on it. Would love input!

I believe is now called the 480 (the street address?!)

Actually, it was the 480 and is NOW the SF Marriott Union Square. If you go to the website, it sends you to the Marriott website. Its on the Powell Street cable car line. You can get on at any corner as long as there's room. It's a great location.