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

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

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.

why was the rex was so unimpressive to you chico?

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.

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

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

3 monacos to 1 rex

hmmmm

Flip 2 coins to narrow your choices

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.

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*

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.

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

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.

"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.

Not even close....the Monaco

Next trip I'm going to try The Orcchard.

uh, that should read "Orchard."

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

?

Faina's house