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-   -   hotel rex or hotel monaco?? (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/hotel-rex-or-hotel-monaco-596033/)

nikimemphis Mar 3rd, 2006 10:07 AM

hotel rex or hotel monaco??
 
both are in union square

rex $136 (or king with sitting area $176)
http://www.jdvhospitality.com/hotels/images/13

monaco $189
http://www.monaco-sf.com/monmon_photo.html

flip a coin or consult your crystal ball
but help me please
i cannot decide
which hotel to stay in

personal stories of either hotel welcome too

thanks in advance



nikimemphis Mar 3rd, 2006 10:13 AM

oops make that 166 instead of 176 for the rex
i just upgraded my reservation
soooo 166 rex large room with king bed and sitting area overlooking quiet courtyard

or

189 monaco with the gorgeous canopy bed

Chico Mar 3rd, 2006 10:42 AM

I have stayed at The Hotel Rex and was not impressed . Have not stayed at Hotel Monaco, but have friends that have and they loved it. If I had to make the choice, I would definitely choose Hotel Monaco.

nikimemphis Mar 3rd, 2006 11:00 AM

why was the rex was so unimpressive to you chico?

Iregeo Mar 3rd, 2006 11:31 AM

I agree with chico. I stayed at the Rex. It was ok, but nothing special. In my opinion, the Monaco is a higher quality hotel, with better service and nicer amenities.

FainaAgain Mar 3rd, 2006 11:33 AM

Sutter st @ Powell is a little better then Geary @ Taylor, safety- and location-wise.

Ani Mar 3rd, 2006 11:53 AM

I've not personally stayed at the Monaco but have heard great things about it from those who have.

nikimemphis Mar 3rd, 2006 12:03 PM

3 monacos to 1 rex

hmmmm

FainaAgain Mar 3rd, 2006 12:46 PM

Flip 2 coins to narrow your choices :)

Iregeo Mar 3rd, 2006 12:50 PM

btw, once I called the Rex last minute and they agreed to give me a room for $99/nt. Now, it ended up that I was unable to make the trip, but I assure you the Rex IS worth $99/nt.

Don't know if this is helpful at all, but thought I'd mention it.

nikimemphis Mar 3rd, 2006 01:31 PM

so the rex is a bit closer to union square
and closer to the trolley line
and
the monaco is in the theatre district

and this means?

*off to find two pennies to flip*

je Mar 3rd, 2006 01:41 PM

We didn't have a very good experience at the Rex a few years ago. But, that was a few years ago. I wouldn't particularly care for a room facing Sutter as it can be noisy well into the night. A back room on the courtyard would be preferable.

nikimemphis Mar 3rd, 2006 02:06 PM

i called the local police department and the person i spoke with did say the crossroads for the rex were on the safer side- not that youre safe anywhere - but that i might have less of an eyefull of druggiecriminaltypes- she said north beach would be better yet- sigh- thanks for your input folks

jtrandolph Mar 3rd, 2006 02:15 PM

There is only a one block difference between the Rex and the Monaco in terms of distance from Powell Street, (cable cars and Union Square) but the Monaco and Rex are each two blocks away, since the Rex is on Sutter Street, one block up from Union Square, while Geary Street, which the Monaco is on, is a straight two block shot.

The "theatre district" simply means that the Monaco is on Geary Street, near the theatres.

Don't listen to nonsense about "safe". The Monaco is in a perfectly safe neighborhood.

The Rex is a fairly recently remodeled older, small hotel. Bought by the Joie d'Vivre group, which makes it a "boutique hotel" but I understand the rooms are pretty small.

The Monaco is also a remodeled hotel, but they actually gutted it and started over. It took at least two years. There is no comparison, in my opinion. Yes, it is a larger hotel, but my daughter has stayed there and loves it.

It has a beautiful restaurant, The Grand Cafe, and if you don't want that fancy, the bar menu is great and the bar has booths, etc. We eat there all the time when we have theatre tickets.

4 Monaco, one Rex. No kidding.

FainaAgain Mar 3rd, 2006 02:18 PM

"so the rex is a bit closer to union square and closer to the trolley line" - what trolley line you mean? Cable car? It starts on Market street @ Powell where you have to stay in a long line to get on, so don't count on getting on on Sutter.

Another trolley line is F - historical, but it runs far from both hotels. This may be fun to ride too!

BART... Monaco to Powell station, Rex to Montgomery station, should be about the same.

mulifat Mar 3rd, 2006 02:48 PM

Not even close....the Monaco

Iregeo Mar 3rd, 2006 03:01 PM

Next trip I'm going to try The Orcchard.

Iregeo Mar 3rd, 2006 03:02 PM

uh, that should read "Orchard."

nikimemphis Mar 3rd, 2006 03:29 PM

monaco seems to be the winner here
and i appreciate all of your input

unfortunately the fairmont was too expensive for me
and the nob hill lambourne was booked for the 11th
petite auberge didnt have a tub- only shower

any other suggestions
say if i didnt limit myself to the rex or monaco

?

FainaAgain Mar 3rd, 2006 03:41 PM

Faina's house :))

Iregeo Mar 3rd, 2006 03:52 PM

Faina, I'd like to make a reservation for 2 people for 2 nights. I'd like a large room with a view. Is breakfast included?

LoveItaly Mar 3rd, 2006 04:01 PM

Hi niki, I generally stay at the Villa Florence Hotel (part of the Kimpton Group) which is on Powell St., one half block south of Union Square and Geary (walking toward Market).

nikimemphis Mar 3rd, 2006 04:37 PM

thank you loveitaly
it looks lovely
the monaco is part of the kimpton line as well
the decor looks somewhat similar
though the monaco is far brighterandbolder
so you do like kimpton then
as you say you always stay there
they do seem very polite and prompt and helpful
where the rex people seem more laidback
im really having a time with this
if i flip one more coin i think ill go mad

faina wont you just make up my mind for me


trippinkpj Mar 3rd, 2006 05:19 PM

I think that's a great price for Hotel Monaco. I've not stayed there, but I have friends who really liked it. Also check out, Hotel Adiagio, Maxwell Hotel and Hotel Diva in the same theatre district/ Geary street area.

starrsville Mar 3rd, 2006 05:54 PM

I LOVE the Monaco.

nikimemphis Mar 3rd, 2006 06:05 PM

adagio is too modern for my taste
maxwell is cute though

thanks

ps i love the way the monaco looks too

nikimemphis Mar 3rd, 2006 06:19 PM

the maxwell
http://www.jdvhospitality.com/hotels/images/9

cute
hmmmm
703 for 5 nights
not bad


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