dwsjas89

Hi:

Planning a visit to SF next month for 4 days. Have our hotel narrowed to the following:

1. Best Western Tuscan Inn Fisherman's Wharf
2. Chancellor Hotel on Union Square
3. Castle Inn (Broadway??)
4. Marina Inn (Octavia St)

I'm a little leary of FW because everyone says it's SO touristy. Would like to "experience" SF - is the Tuscan in a "decent" area of FW where we don't have to be bombarded with honky tonk stuff? Not huge shoppers, thus don't have to have Union Square but will visit. Ideally want a decent location for safe walking/sightseeing (2 women), and for grabbing a cable car or bus to see the city. Some inexpensive restaurants within walking distance are a bonus.

Do any of these fit the bill? (Also, don't want to break the bank, don't need a lot of frills).

I liked the sound of Cow Hollow Motor Inn but can't seem to land that with a package thru Expedia or Orbitz. When I price out direct flights separately, it becomes too expensive.

Comments???

crefloors

Well, personally for me, I would stay on Union Square. The stores, close to China Town, can get the cable car, easy to get a cab if needed so that's what I'd do. I was raised in Marin County but left about 29 years ago and have made trips back into the City several times. We did NOT stay downtown but had a car and just took a cab to Union Square and Wharf so we didn't have to mess with parking. Like any fabulous city in the world, SF has lots of tourists because it's a place people from all over the world want to visit. Most of them want to see and do many of the same things you do. so I wouldn't really worry about tourists. Like I say, I would stay on Union Square, but I like to go to the Wharf. My husband and I would often go into the City on a Sunday and either spend the day wandering around the Wharf or out to Golden Gate Park. It was fun. Oh, the thing about restaurants. I have found a couple of inexpensive restaurants at the Wharf. Most post the menues..can't recall names etc. but wander around and you will find them. Hope you enjoy the City.

LoveItaly

Hi dwsjas, I have never stayed at the Tuscun Inn but have always heard good things about it.

I am like crefloors, I always like to stay at Union Square for all the reasons that she mentioned, plus Market is right down the street (BART station, the F line). Easy IMHO to walk to almost everything. But then I love to walk. I am not a fan of Fishermens Wharf. Only go there when my grandson drags me, as I grumble and frown, LOL.

LoveItaly

I just checked the Chancellor Hotel on Powell St (Union Sq) and it looks fine. Even a lobby bar. That is where I would stay. Whatever you two decide, have a fun visit!

Chico

I agree with the above posters and would stay in the Union Square are. I have stayed at the Chancellor Hotel and have enjoyed it immensely. The location is very convenient to restaurants, etc. If you stay there request an upper corner room.

LoveItaly

Chico, that is good to know. I usually stay at the Villa Florence or if they do not have a room at the Grand Hyatt. I will have to reserve at the Chancellor Hotel next trip.

It is always fun to try something different.

moneygirl

We stayed at the Chancellor last year and it was just fine. It is an older historic hotel with teeny tiny bathrooms and narrow hallways! It was very clean and quiet and it suited our needs perfectly! The location truly can't be beat and I would stay there again anytime. Hope this helps.

moneygirl

I wanted to add that we have also stayed at the Cow Hollow Motor Suites... very nice and a good value. The difference to me would be that while Cow Hollow is a great locationfor walking and shopping, it isnt Union Square and there is just something about that area that is classic San Francisco to me! Union Square is also more of a central location. You wont go wrong with either choice!

Grasshopper

Anything near Union Square or the Hyatt Embarcadero. Check out Priceline.

Hofstra

The St. Francis on Union Square would be my choice.

ssachida

ttt

Lorrieishere

ttt

MaureenB

We enjoyed our stay at The Hotel Rex, near Union Square. A nice boutique hotel, good service, charming rooms. Rooms are not too small-- we fit two adults with our two kids into one room with two double beds and it was fine for four nights. If you have a car, one of the best-priced indoor parking structures is less than a block away. And public transit lines are right there, too, so you won't need to drive in the city.
Years ago, we liked the Stanford Court, which was also a boutique hotel, over by Golden Gate Park. I think it still gets good reviews.
I'd stay away from FW, especially in a run-of-the-mill Best Western hotel. Look for San Francisco charm away from tourist traps in that lovely city.

dwsjas89

I feel a little bit confined by Expedia/Orbitz as they aren't offering packages for any of the Marina/Cow Hollow Motels. I've priced doing this separately and the flights just get too expensive, thus I'll probably end up going the expedia route.

I was ready to book The Chancellor Hotel on Union Square and then I read all these elevator problems and how tiny tiny tiny the rooms are. My 80+ year old Mom will be travelling w/us and I keep wondering about the elevator situation.

I find myself heading back into the FW area even though I'm a little turned off by the touristy stuff. However, it seems like that it's an easy area to walk around and grab cable cars from or tours to Alcatraz or Sausalito. Therefore, which one folks...the Argonaut or the Best Western Tuscan Inn? I know both are at FW but is one in a "better" area of the Wharf??

moneygirl

I've never heard anything negative about the Argonaut. Comments here on Fodor's and comments from people I work with who have stayed their have all been positive. If you do a search with their name you will get more specific comments.

Pete1222

We stayed at the Tuscan last year and it was fine. (You will not even know that you are in a Best Western)
The smallish "European" flavor rooms are stylish but not elegant.
There is a grocery store right across the street---which is hidden behind a wall of ivy---should you yearn for fresh fruit or other sundries.You are 2 blocks from FW; and we got FREE parking.

I also stayed at the Castle Inn in November for 4 nights on business.This is a clean motel with larger then average rooms and FREE parking. (It actually felt a bit like a Best Western!!!) This is a real neighborhood complete with lots of little coffee shops and eclectic stores. It is a 15 min. walk to FW.

And finally, my wife and I stayed at the Niko once; which was Very nice.
FYI: Take the glass elevators to the top of the St. Francis Hotel for the view. A glass of wine from that location watching twilight descend is a real gift....
I hope this helps.
pete