Hotels in San Francisco
 

We are planning to go to San Francisco first week in August. We are trying to decide between the following hotels:

1. Westin St. Francis ($136/night)
2. Prescott Hotel ($141)
3. Pan Pacific Hotel ($141-180 depending on deal)
4. Hotel Monaco ($147)
5. Hotel Nikko ($113)

Which would you choose? We are planning to stay six nights and take day trips to Napa and Monterey. Is Monterey too far to do for the day? Thanks for any input.

If you will have a car, find out how much it will cost to park at each of these places. On our last stay it was nearly $50 a day, including tax.

We figured parking would be very expensive so only plan to rent a car for a day or two.

In that case, I think you will be delighted with the Prescott at $141. It has great service and an unbeatable location.

I recently stayed at the Hotel Monaco and loved it. The rooms were rather small, but very nicely decorated. The hilight was the afternoon wine tasting in one of the rooms off the lobby. Good wines and they even had a Taro Card reader and masseuse (sp?), both of which my wife patronized.
Right off Union Square.

Anyone else have input?

Westin St Francis!!! Great Location and great historical hotel! And that price is great!

No, Monterey is fine for the day. I use to live in Monterey and it was a normal thing to go to SF for the day. It's only about 1 1/2 - 2 hours drive depending on traffic.

Monterey is definitely an overnight trip from SF. With normal traffic it will take about 3 hrs.s to get to Monterey From SF. It usually takes about 1.5 hrs. to just get to San Jose. In the Monterey area there ae quite a few nice inns in nearby Pacific Grove.

www.pacificgrove.org

If I were you I'd plan 2 nights each in SF, Napa, and Monterey so that you can have a more enjoyable trip, rather than spending so much time driving.

Tkay,

Do you live in the Monterey/SF area? Since when does it take 3 hrs to drive 120 miles or so? Even Mapquest says it takes 2 hours. And that's from downtown Monterey to downtown SF. I use to make that trip all the town from Monterey to SF just for the day, yes, it will be a long day when you include sightseeing, but some people don't mind a long day when on vacation. I would leave SF around 8am, get to Monterey around 10:30am (considering a few stops) spend the day there and then leave Monterey around 9pm and be back in SF at the hotel by 12midnight.

I would just spend four nights in SF and check out to drive down to the Monterey Pennisula. That way you can spend some time around Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel, which is a charming town. You could even drive to Point Lobos south of Carmel.

If you're flying out of SF or Oakland spend your last night near the airport.

By the way, if you can get the St. Francis for $136 I'd go for it. It's a fabulous hotel.

It would be nice to spend the night on the Monterey Peninsula, but not necessary--I agree that it's a doable daytrip. In my experience--and I, too, did this drive often--it takes 2 hours to get from downtown SF to Monterey, maybe add 15 minutes for extra city traffic, which you won't run into if you leave before 8 am on a weekend. Even on a weekday, you'll be heading in the opposite direction of SF commuters, and by the time you hit San Jose, rush hour will be mostly over.
Btw, I'm assuming you'll take 101 south; if you take the much more scenic Hwy 1, then indeed, it will take you about 3 hours to get there.
So here's my idea of a good day: take Hwy 1 south to Monterey, arrive in time for lunch, take a walk around Asilomar Beach after lunch, then drive to Point Lobos, walk a trail or two, maybe stroll the shops in Carmel afterward, have dinner, stroll the beach in Carmel after dinner, preferably at sunset, head back to SF via 101. Whaddaya think?! Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

Stayed at the Prescott for 4 nights in May. Personnel were very helpful, particularly the concierge, location was good, room was quiet and nice but small. Bed was comfy, bathroom was nice with cultured marble vanity. I have no experience with the other hotels, but your prices seem very good---I paid about the same for my room in May.

Hey Cerlaurie!
We JUST got back from a week stay in San Francisco..I dont know about the hotels you mentioned, but we stayed right by the Westin and it looked nice..As for driving..you DO NOT need a car in the city..We rented a car for one day and drove along Highway 1 to Monterey and Carmel. It took us over 2 hours to Monteray, but we stopped ALOT along the way for the scenery..We had lunch in Monterey and then off to Carmel for an afternoon stroll and gelato..we were back in San Francisco by 9:00..I highly suggest this route if you want to see/drive the coast...Let me know if you need any more help..San Francisco was AWSOME..

St Francis for $136? Grab that deal! Great location in the heart of Union Square with trolley available right out front---historic hotel--beautiful. This is one of the premier hotels in SF.

Have a great trip, and remember a sweater for when it's chilly.

Personally I would not choose Hotel Nikko. It's over at Japan Town and not an easy walk to the main tourist areas such as Union Square, SF Centre. It's close to St. Mary's Cathedral though.

No, you are mixing up the Nikko with the Miyako. The Miyakos are in Japantown, the Nikko is right across from the Hilton.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I think we are going to plan one or two nights in Monterey - maybe stay in a B&B, if anyone has suggestions. Now, I can't decide between the Westin St. Francis and the Prescott. Anyone who has been to both? Is there a reason why you like one more than the other? They are pretty different properties.

The St. Francis is considered as one of the best luxury hotels in San Francisco along with the Nob Hill Hotels. It's been around for years, has a lot of history and is right across the street from Union Square. So you step out the front door and hear the cable cars clanging and the hustle and bustle of the city. To me it's just the perfect San Francisco experience.

FYI Japan Town is not what most people would call within walking distance to Union Square and SF Centre unless you are a hiker! You certainly can take the street car but I wouldn't say it is within walking distance. Have stayed at the Hotel Nikko and it is very Japanese with a wonderful "soaking" tub in the bathroom. I opt for small boutigue hotels rather than large hotels like St. Francis. If you like large then stay there at that price. Try the Vintage COurt if you prefer boutique style. We recently stayed overnight for $125.00 and that included Parking. Check the websites of the hotel for specials.

In my experience Kay's drive time to Monteey from SF of 3 hours seems about right. Just today I drove from San Jose to Monterey and it took 2 hours! From San Francisco to San Jose is another 1.5 hrs with normal traffic so 3 hours to Monterey from SF would be making good time.

I would stay @ the Westin, especially @ that rate! Beware, the parking fee is high (> $30/day w/ in/out priviledge). We got a room w/ the bay view; it was very nice. The lobby is nice; the location is great for getting around (shopping, eating) and the bed is wonderful.

I believe the building survived the great earthquake in the early 1900.

Pan Pacific in nearby area; has a great restaurant (good food and excellent service), and beautiful interior as well.

Hot Stanford Court and their wonderful Lemon Souffle pancakes with raspberry sauce and fresh raspberries for B'fast!
Great location @ CA and Powell.
M

Cerlaurie:

If you want a big, bustling, glamorous hotel, stay at the St Francis. If you are looking for a boutique, very comfy hotel with a world-class restaurant in the lobby (Postrio), stay at the Prescott. Both are great, and unique in their own ways. ALSO SAVE ON PARKING by parking in the Union Square garage. It is city-owned (hence much cheaper than the hotel garages) and located within 1 1/2 block of both hotels.

I have stayed at the Westin St Francis, the Prescott ( on Concierge level) anf the Monaco...

Of all 3 , I LOVED the Monaco--the rooms are designed quite unusually- and the restaurant connected to it is wonderful--Wine served in the lobby daily...

If you choose the Prescott, ask for Concierge level- the room rate includes Continental Bkfst ( granola,croissants etc), afternoon hors doevres and wine and they will make priority reservations for you in Postrio ( their fancy restaurant)...
Be aware that the rooms are incredibly small....

Forget the St Francis unless you are in a tower room...hotel is not fancy for the price you pay...rooms are small but have high ceiling to feel larger...did not impress me at all........

Do not rent a car unless it is you last 2 days to do Napa--as Parking at all 3 is exhorbitant...

Hi C-
I've stayed at all 5 of your hotel choices. The Westin is lovely. A very grand (and very expensive) piano bar. Aside from the bar, very cookie cutter. Nothing special about the rooms or lobby. Hotel Nikko is very relaxing, and unfortunately out of the way. Though, if you're up for a sedate stay, perfectly right. Hotel Monaco would be my choice. A few cozy lobbies, complete with fireplace (it does get quiet chilly in August) and winetastings. Warm chocolate chip cookies and a goldfish to keep you company in your room. the Monaco wins hands down for personality, location. It is about 40 feet from the Westin. Have fun!

lola

Stayed at the Prescott last night. Dump of a room, but the concierge level (which I had to go through to get to the gym - which lacked a treadmill but was otherwise very nice) seemed great! The meal at Postrio was excellent, with some of the best service I've had in a while. So go with previous advice found above, if you choose the Prescott, request the best possible room in the Concierge level. Good luck and have a wonderful trip!