DG

Hi, I've researched the board and these two hotels look like what we need. We need to rooms and can get a good rate at either hotel - the Cow Hollow being about $25 a night more. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge if one is better than the other? I would appreciate any comments and guidance.

Shannon

I believe they are jointly owned with one other property. We have stayed a number of times at the Cow Hollow and like it very much. In my view, it is better oriented in that it is closer to Chestnut Street (okay, across the street!). Neither have a restaurant on the premises, but Cow Hollow has an IHOP directly across the street, and a really great donut and coffee shop at the corner of Chestnut Street. There is also a Starbucks very close by. On Chestnut Street, you can take the number 30 streetcar to the Wharf area, so it is very convenient.

Faina

Bus 30 connects you not only with the Wharf - pier 39, but also with Exploratorium, Fort Mason exhibitions/museums, Chinatown, Union Square, and it runs fairly often.

Chris

We stayed in Cow Hollow last January (saw wkend performance of Nutcracker) and it was great. Haven't stayed at the sister hotel, but CH was very nicely situated for our needs, and the accomodations were perfect.
=) enjoy!

Pat

Stayed at the Lombard Motor Inn in July 2000. It was fine and the bus was just a block away. We took the bus everywhere. Although we also walked to the Wharf on one occasion and if you don't mind a long walk it was very doable. There aren't many restaurants around though. The only places I saw were a sandwich shop where we picked up really good sandwiches one day and a little convenience type store.

beachbum

We were there in summer 2001. It works nicely for a family, and is w/in reasonable walking distance of the Wharf and public transit. Contrary to Pat, we found a number of nice restaurants within a few blocks southwest of the Inn.

Shannon

There are a number of great little restaurants on Chestnut Street. One in particular we liked, can't remember the name, but it was a northern Mexican restaurant with good margaritas and very interesting artwork.

DG

Thank you all for the replies. Looks like either place would fit our needs fine. With paying for two rooms and taking 3 teenagers we need all the help we can get!! Any other comments on the hotels or restaurants in the area would be greatly appreciated. We are especially looking for good "budget" food for breakfast and dinner, with our "splurge" meal being at lunch.

Patrick

Now that you mention 2 rooms, have you checked Cow Hollow Suites? It backs up to Cow Hollow Motor Inn, but is 12 full sized beautiful apartments, one bedroom or even two bedroom with two full baths. With the full kitchen you could save money on breakfast and lunch if you wanted, making it a real deal. There is no minimum on nights, but you get a discount if you stay 5 or more nights. Maybe no more than two rooms in the motor inn -- or at least not a lot more. It shares common underground garage parking with the Motor Inn, but has a separate keyed elevator to the apartments. Just a thought.

And I agree about the restaurants. There are a ton of good ones along Chestnut and the side streets in the immediate area of Cow Hollow Motor Inn. And a few blocks away on Union Street are a ton more, including my favorite, Beeltenut!

Keith

If you chose these because of cost, I would suggest using Hotwire or Priceline. You'll get much better deals (eg, I reserved the Marriott near Union Square for $66 a night -- they usually get over $200 a night). If you'd like, I can do a little research for you-- just tell me what days you're going and what area is really the best for you...

xxx

I'm not sure but I really doubt that these places can be gotten for any less on Priceline, Hotwire, or anywhere else. Maybe you can sub a hotel like Marriott, but that has nothing to do with what DG is looking for. Many of us prefer the Cow Hollow or Marina area to Union Square or Fisherman's Wharf -- so much nicer.

Bill

Off topic, but the Marina really freaks me out. I live in the City and can't help but think of the effects of Loma Prieta in '89. The whole Marina area is built on ground-fill and turns to soup during large earthquakes.

Stupid, I know - but it's always in the back of my mind.

DG

Thanks Patrick for the suggestion of the Cow Hollow Suites. I did check into those, but since we have a party of five they could not accommodate us. They stated their maximum occupancy for the suites was 4...... But I appreciate the Suggestion..... Keith I appreciate the suggestion of Hot Wire or Priceline. The only thing I was concerned about was the number of beds per room (which I understand they cannot guarantee). Due to sleeping arrangements, we must have 2 double beds... I appreciate the help..... I'll continue to check back to see if anyone else has anymore helpful comments..... Thank so much!

Patrick

That's weird about Cow Hollow Suites. Four of us once rented one of the big two bedroom, two bath units. There were two Queen four poster beds in the big master bedroom, one queen in the guest bedroom, and a queen sleeper in the living room. It stated occupancy as 8. Maybe they meant those units aren't available at that time -- they do remain full and often book up to year ahead.

I'd still opt for the Cow Hollow Motor Inn with two rooms (can't beat the idea of two baths anyway). I just love that neighborhood.

DG

Thank guys for all the helpful comments!! I appreciate it.... Patrick, I shall call back the Cow Hollow Suites again and ask about occupancy for 5. Perhaps I had a reservationist who was "not in the know"..... Thank again!!