I am going to San Francisco with my husband and two sons, ages 13 and 15. I want to stay somewhere in the heart of things, classy and very nice--but I don't need mints on my pillow or someone jumping every time I snap my fingers. Any suggestions?

Try the Hotel Monaco- it is very funky yet upscale......right off Union Sq....

I loved the Omni on California in the Embarcadero area. It's quiet and roomy. The service is excellent but not aggressive. Just a great hotel...
I paid 89.00 on Hotwire (4 star - Embarcadero)

Sir Francis Drake! On Sutter & Powell and the cable car stops directly in front. A block up from Union Square, 2 blocks from china town, w/ Scalas attached=a FANTASTIC restaurant. The doorman dresses like a beefeater..and that is fun for the kids. The staff is fun, warm, helpful and knowledgable!! I ALWAYS stay here..have for years.....and my mom and dad did too in the 1940s!!!

Assuming that price is not an issue, stay at the W. This hotel is VERY trendy. That being said, it is a little pricey. Your teenagers will love it! It is 1/2 a block from SFMOMA (on 3rd Street) and walking distance to ALL public transit as well as Union Sqaure & the Embarcadero center. It is also down the street from the Metreon (movie theatres, IMAX, etc) so if your kids want to ditch you for the night they have "cool" teenage place to go. (By the way, all the other hotels people sugested are great as well--you'd be happy with any of them).

I just got back from San Fran. I loved the Park Hyatt in the Embarcadero district. It is in a great location, and very upscale but not snobby at all.
I also visited and loved the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins in Nob Hill. Probably the most impressive hotel from the outside, except for maybe the Fairmont.

Cali, I wouldn't classify Marina/FW or the the Colombus or Cow Hollow Inns as "classy".
How funny! A difference of opinion on SF! Somebody alert Ripley's
>- &

annie jay--

If you are into terrific restaurants,Chinatown,GREAT shopping- then Union Sq is definitely a must stay area....

Fisherman's Wharf is filled with little souvenier shops and a few good restuarants...definitely NOT classsy in my opinion

I would recommend not staying at Fisherman's wharf. touristy stores, bums, not much else.

Nice article. Maybe SF can ship some of the homeless to LA for rehab?

I liked this article mo bettah: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...2/BU285503.DTL

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair on a warm San Francisco night!
>-

Depends on what you mean by "the heart of things"...just stay at the Fairmont and then you can look DOWN on all the other hotels in the city!!!

In the spring of 2002, we stayed at the Hotel Vintage Court which offers free wine every nite from 5 to 6 in front of a fire place. It's in the Union Square area which we really liked. Rooms are pretty small, it that's a concern. No swimming pool or other amenities for kids though. It fashions itself a boutique which it is. Check out their web site. Prior to going, I read up on SF via this cite and, with all the negative posts, I was worried I'd picked the wrong destination. However, we had a great time. The homeless problem and all the others mentioned were way overblown. All big cities have problems to some degree but few have what SF has to offer for the tourist. Enjoy your trip.

Going back to your original question, about where to stay, Fisherman's Wharf is touristy, but you are tourists,with two teenagers. We enjoyed the Tuscan Inn, which has more charm than most chain hotels or motels.
The inn is only a few blocks from a cable car line, so you can have fun going downtown. Also, the bus service is good, or cabs are relatively inexpensive because the city is pretty compact.
If you plan of visiting Alcatraz, which is worth it, make your reservations in advance or as soon as you arrive.
Mark

I have stayed several times at the Galleria Park Hotel in the financial district. It is at the corner of Sutter and Kearney and is just blocks from the cable car on California street, Union Square, the Sony Metreon (billed as the ultimate mall/entertainment location-lots of video games and stores that would appeal to the teenagers) the F line trolly to Fisherman's Warf (that is about a 10 minute walk) and China Town. Also not far from Pac Bell park if you want to take in a Giants game.

I'm not sure when it was built but the Galleria Park is at least 60 years old and is very charming. I have stayed 4 times and each room had a completly different floor plan. The one constant was an adorable radiatior for heating. I'm from southern California and had never seen one of these. It hissed a little but was warm and quite a character.

You barely notice this hotel from the street but once you step inside from the busy street it is suddenly quiet and I was ALWAYS greeted on my return my a member of the staff. They knew my name and made me feel welcome as if I were comming home. They don't have a pool but they do have wine in the afternoons and the resturaunt downstairs provides the excellent room service.

Have a good trip.

When there last summer, I stayed in the Embarcadaro - Financial District - the Hyatt, if I remember correctly. I went on priceline and got our room for $70/night - but then had to pay $40/day to park our car in their hotel garage. It wasn't right in the heart of things but was right next to public transportation (a quick and easy express bus and the famous trolley car) that took you where you wanted to go with no problem.

DCD--I think the hotel you are referring to is the Villa Florence not the Vintage Court. We stayed there as well and it is nice and a great location.

There is a wine reception from 5-6pm nightly and a full service restaurant, Kuletos in the hotel. It si a samll boutique hotel. Great service, not many ammentiites. Just a small quaint hotel.