Where to stay in SF - is Union Square dead on weekends?
May 13th, 2007, 07:40 AM
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Where to stay in SF - is Union Square dead on weekends?
Spending 4 nights in SF (Friday-Monday). Looks like there are a lot of reasonably priced and nice hotels in the Union Square area, like the Orchard, but it seems like a silly area to stay for vacation. We're coming from NYC so we don't care about access to shopping or theatre. All the hotels that are recommended in the Marina district (Hotel del Sol, etc) seem like overpriced motels. Are there any nice, boutique-type places for under 200 in a non-business area?
May 13th, 2007, 08:44 AM
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Have a look at the Argonaut. We love the location by the cable car turnaround. Convenient to buses, trolleys, streetcars, and especially the motorized cable car tours - which I high recommend for the trip over and back on the Golden Gate Bridge. Or, have a look at Embarcadero hotels.
May 13th, 2007, 07:54 PM
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I agree completely with the first three answers. I don't disagree with the last, just have never stayed there.
I am astounded that somebody told you Union Square was "dead".....
Quite the opposite. Unless, of course you are looking for...ummm... never mind.
The Marina District IS dead, meaning you need to take public transportation to get to the action.
There are a lot of boutique hotels in the Union Square area, and it is not a "business area", at all, unless you wander into the nearby financial district.
From Union Square you have excellent public transport to any part of the city. Nearby is Nob Hill, Chinatown, the Embarcadero, many of them walkable if you are into that.
In addition to the hotels mentioned, look at the Chancellor, which is right on Union Square.
I am astounded that somebody told you Union Square was "dead".....
Quite the opposite. Unless, of course you are looking for...ummm... never mind.
The Marina District IS dead, meaning you need to take public transportation to get to the action.
There are a lot of boutique hotels in the Union Square area, and it is not a "business area", at all, unless you wander into the nearby financial district.
From Union Square you have excellent public transport to any part of the city. Nearby is Nob Hill, Chinatown, the Embarcadero, many of them walkable if you are into that.
In addition to the hotels mentioned, look at the Chancellor, which is right on Union Square.
May 14th, 2007, 07:00 AM
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It was probably me that stated that it was dead on weekends. IMO, it is not as lively as other areas of the City (North Beach, Union St, Marina, Fisherman's Wharf) - on Sundays when some shops and many restaurants are closed. "Dead" is perhaps too extreme of a term - I should have used "not as lively".
I don't agree with jtrandolf about the Marina being dead. The area is packed with "yuppies" on Saturdays & Sundays. Except for North Beach, it's probably the most lively place in the City on Saturday nights - along with Union St & sections of the Mission.
Stu Dudley
I don't agree with jtrandolf about the Marina being dead. The area is packed with "yuppies" on Saturdays & Sundays. Except for North Beach, it's probably the most lively place in the City on Saturday nights - along with Union St & sections of the Mission.
Stu Dudley
May 14th, 2007, 01:01 PM
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Hi--I was going to do a trip report, but in advance of that, here is an excerpt relevant to your query--
"We checked in to the Hotel Rex at
562 Sutter St., just a short distance from Union Square. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone who enjoys a European feel to a hotel. It is intimate w/o being overly small. Lovely lounge/lobby where there is complimentary coffee in the morning and complimentary wine from 5:00-6::00 pm 7 days/week. IMO, the whole place has a French feel. The chandeliers in the halls and the room colors and upholstery are reminiscent of Provence. The front desk staff was delightful and made us feel like company as opposed to customers.
After checking in and feeling the effects of a 6 hour flight and the jet lag, we needed caffeine, if we were going to make the adjustment. Just a block from our hotel was an espresso house/bar that was connected to the Sir Francis Drake Hotel. Outside there were 3 outdoor tables, one of which was open and we sat for about an hour in beautiful sunshine and watched cable cars and the rest of the both human and vehicular traffic go by. It was delightful!"
So as you can see, my vote is for the Rex. It was recommended to us by UCLA staff members who stay there whenever they need to go to SF.
One last point, the Union Square was extremely lively with lots of foot traffic and lots of restaurants.
"We checked in to the Hotel Rex at
562 Sutter St., just a short distance from Union Square. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone who enjoys a European feel to a hotel. It is intimate w/o being overly small. Lovely lounge/lobby where there is complimentary coffee in the morning and complimentary wine from 5:00-6::00 pm 7 days/week. IMO, the whole place has a French feel. The chandeliers in the halls and the room colors and upholstery are reminiscent of Provence. The front desk staff was delightful and made us feel like company as opposed to customers.
After checking in and feeling the effects of a 6 hour flight and the jet lag, we needed caffeine, if we were going to make the adjustment. Just a block from our hotel was an espresso house/bar that was connected to the Sir Francis Drake Hotel. Outside there were 3 outdoor tables, one of which was open and we sat for about an hour in beautiful sunshine and watched cable cars and the rest of the both human and vehicular traffic go by. It was delightful!"
So as you can see, my vote is for the Rex. It was recommended to us by UCLA staff members who stay there whenever they need to go to SF.
One last point, the Union Square was extremely lively with lots of foot traffic and lots of restaurants.
May 14th, 2007, 01:05 PM
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I love staying in Union Square..I have gotten incredible deals at the St. Francis..last deal was on Expedia $75..upgraded to a suite.
Love that hotel.
Friends really like the Beresford Arms down the block or two.
Make sure you have some cocktails at Lefty O'Douls..the best!
www.beresford.com
Love that hotel.
Friends really like the Beresford Arms down the block or two.
Make sure you have some cocktails at Lefty O'Douls..the best!
www.beresford.com
May 14th, 2007, 01:47 PM
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In response to your inquiry about staying in a non-business area, Union Square is not the financial district, like Wall Street, if that is your concern. Union Square is a downtown area, near the financial district (which is dead on the weekends, especially Sundays), but it is lively. Are you are actually looking for a place in non downtown area?
May 14th, 2007, 04:43 PM
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SF really does not have any areas that would equate to Midtown. We are nowhere near as dense in population or buildings. SF is only 49 square miles and the typically urban part, i.e. office buildings, etc. of the City constitutes a fairly small corner in the NW. There is a somewhat seedy area adjacent to the Union Square area, called the tenderloin but to a New Yorker it would probably not seem like much.
As a New Yorker, one area that you might find interesting and different is the Embarcadero, which is on the waterfront and is less touristy. It has great access to transportation and there are many very good dining options nearby. Check out the Hotel Vitale that has rooms with views across the Bay.
As a New Yorker, one area that you might find interesting and different is the Embarcadero, which is on the waterfront and is less touristy. It has great access to transportation and there are many very good dining options nearby. Check out the Hotel Vitale that has rooms with views across the Bay.
May 14th, 2007, 06:21 PM
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I know what he means, and Union Square is not the Midtown of SF--as others have explained, only a small area nearby that's the Financial District would be dead on weekends. But it sounds as though you'd be happier at the Hotel Vitale or the Washington Square Inn--I second those recommendations for you.
May 15th, 2007, 01:26 PM
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Unfortunately the Vitale is a bit too expensive (the cheapest rooms will be 300 after fees) and the washington square b&b is sold out. Found a great price on expedia on the galleria park hotel, which looks nice, although it looks like it is further into the financial district - is that right? Seems to be many other decent options a bit further west. Thanks for your advice, and if you have any other ideas/favorites, pls post! Thanks.
May 15th, 2007, 02:30 PM
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The Galleria Park is right on the edge of the Financial District, unlike the Mandarin Oriental and the Omni, which are in the heart of the business area. Sutter and Kearny is not as deserted at night as, say, Sacramento and Sansome. So I agree with Faina, the location is good, and handy for walking to neighboring areas like Chinatown, North Beach and the Embarcadero. Lots of public transportation options within a block of the Galleria Park. I believe there's a Walgreen's (big drugstore/sundries & toiletries place) within a block of the hotel and several ATM's as well.
