Hi Fodorites, I have a reservation that I am content with. However, in looking at the rants and raves section of Fodors nobody was all that happy about the Hyatt at this location. Some of my their concerns included neighborhood, ordinary rooms at extraordinary prices, being accosted by bums, small rooms, etc. Any more opinions? I am considering staying at the Nob Hill Inn instead. It is a better deal, but it is certainly less convenient and I don't know what most people think of this hotel. Please help!
Thanks
Ken

The area around the Hyatt Embarcadero is fine. I worked at a coffee shop in the Embarcadero Center for two years in high school and never had a problem. There are probably some homeless there--I am surprised that people found it a problem though. I would not hesitate to stay in this area. It does get VERY quiet at night since it is in the financial district.

As far as the actual hotel--I cannot comment much. The lobby is an atrium style with a fountain. I have always thought of it as a corporate hotel so I am not surprised that people felt the rooms were basic. I do not know what rate you are paying--I know people have been getting it for $50-$60 on priceline.com (I figure this is not an option for you as you probably need guaranteed adjoining rooms).

Nob Hill is gorgeous! As you have probably figured out, the biggest problem is getting to and from. Since it is on a hill, driving or taking the cable car/bus are your only options (or a heckuva steep walk). Some of the nicest hotels are here (and the prices to match). The Stanford Court may have better prices then the others (Fairmont, Mark Hopkins, Ritz Carlton, Huntington, etc).

Areas to look into (if you decide to switch) are: Union Square (Westin St Francis, Drake, Park Hyatt, etc), SOMA (Marriott 4th St, W Hotel, Argent, etc), or Fisherman's Wharf (Tuscan Inn, Marriott FW, Hyatt FW, Sheraton FW). If you are really concerned with the area go to Fisherman's Wharf. I personally do not care for the area (too commercial for my tastes-i.e., Rainforst Cafe, Hooters) there are a lot less homeless. Since it is a tourist area the police do regular sweeps. The hotels are more basic here but it could be very good for a family.

Have a great trip!!! (Did I help you at all or am I just confusing you?)

Never stayed at the Hyatt Embarcadero - but their conference rooms are great. The lobby was so cutting edge in the '70s. It's been in so many movies:

High Anxiety
Somewhere in time

OK, I can only think of two. ;-)

kendu, you'll be fine at the hyatt. I've stayed there many times for business and it is just kind of a standard business hotel, probably quiet on the weekneds. Restaurants and shops are an easy walk and if you don't mind walking a mile or so, you can hike over to Pac Bell Park if the Giants are in town. On the 14th floor they have a restaurant with one-of -a kind views of the Golden Gate Bridge... and the floor rotates so you see the bridge and the city! it's breathtaking, no matter what time of day or night and no matter what the weather. Have a great time!

I skimmed through the rants & raves for this hotel and saw no mention of concerns about the "neighborhood" or "being accosted by bums". Where did that come from? Your're not one of those promulgators, are you? Working in the immediate vicinity, I have never had a problem. Seems like a great place to stay to me - maybe a little dated, but at a prime location downtown. Easy transportation options and walk to Union Square and SOMA areas. I think moneygirl meant to say Bay Bridge, not Golden Gate. Also, I've heard the Equinox restaurant at the rotating top has a fantastic new chef and is very good now, although I have not personally been recently.

Yes, it's the Bay Bridge! My bad...thanks sunnybrook... I didn't think I had THAT many cocktails tonight! When I was at Equinox, we had drinks and appetizers... no dinner, glad to hear the food is worth trying. I'll be there the first weekend in October and again in November.

sunnybrook becky, Hi, I went to a lot of rant and raves sites and don't remember which it was, I am not the kind of person that looks for problems but some people were very unhappy with the hotel and said they were actually bothered by the homeless and there were many bums on the streets at night. What they said was even worse than what I said.Take care

Kikahead, what you wrote was really helpful. To be exact I could get Nob Hill Inn for $139 big suite or Hyatt Embracadero for about $185 for two rooms. I could rent a car and park it for free at Nob Hill. By the way, any opinions, anyone, on Nob Hill Inn? Or, I could pick up a car rental at the end of my SF stay to drive to LA and stay at Embracadero Hyatt and use public or cabs all the time. I am concerned that there will be no safe night life (early evening that is) by Embracadero Hyatt.
Take care
Ken

"23" k'du, We stayed at the Hyatt Embarc on 7-5 and really enjoyed it.
Large room, view of the Ferry Building.

The line for the Equinox was too long so we sat in the lobby bar which overlooks the newly remodeled SF Ferry Building and the Embaradero. Good view of the Bay and the East Bay.

the only thing I'd do different if we stay there again is if you have a car, park a block or so away at one of the Embarcadero Center's public parking. I think Embarc #1 has parking for around $25 a day vs either $33 or $38 plus tip right at the Hyatt.
Plus you avoid the major traffic jam in the valet parking area.
Kal

Kendu, there are plenty of panicked urbanophobes on these threads who freak out at the sight of a homeless person. You should read the Union Square threads.
The Embarcadero area is quite fine - it's just kind of deserted on weekends. (It's in the financial district). But San Fran is small (in area) and you can take streetcars and buses to get wherever you want to in seconds, the California cable car line ends near the Embarcadero, and there's a BART station there for a quick hop over to Berkeley or someplace else in the East Bay.

Thanks, Marty. Deserted on weekends could be ok, but I don't know if that is what I want from an area. Do you think it is still good or am I better off with a less extravagant hotel on Nob Hill(disadvantage locations and big hills) or maybe even Marina district? What do you think?
Thanks again
Ken

Hi Kendu. It is pretty quiet around there on weekends, but you really need to understand how small San Francisco is. The Embarcadero is only two stops on the muni light rail or BART from Union Square. If I'm wearing heels, or in a hurry, I take public transit up to Union Square, but it's a walk I've done more times than I can count. You're also well positioned to catch the F Train to Pier 39/Fisherman's Wharf.

Immediately in your area, there is a pocket of upscale restaurants on Stuart St. I advised another poster of these on a recent thread (try searching on "Harbor Court"). You're also right across the street from the ferry terminal, which offers the ferry to Sausalito, as well as an excellent Farmer's Market on Saturday morning.

You'll have to decide if that will work for you. About the Hyatt in particular, I can only say that plenty of my colleagues from out of town have stayed there and I haven't heard any specific complaints.

You might reconsider the Nob Hill Inn, but I think given how central the Hyatt is, it is a better choice. I like the Marina area, but it pretty inconvenient to get anywhere but Fisherman's Wharf from there, so I wouldn't recommend it.

Kendu,
I always stay near Union Square 'cause it's so central and it seems to be the transportation hub area.
I get vertigo when on Nob Hill so it's definitely not for me!
Like Mel said, central SF is so small and dense with attractions, restaurants and buildings that nothing's too far from anything. Embarcadero is a very easy walk from Union Square, Chinatown and SoMa. Other areas such as North Beach and the Wharf (if you're in a tacky touristy mood) are an easy streetcar or cable car ride away.

The rates you mentioned seem pretty good--I would keep my eye on them in the upcoming months as February is usually pretty quiet here. On the weekends, the Embarcadero Center (the shopping centers right next to the Hyatt) allows for free parking with a $10 purchase--check if that is still going on. Just an FYI, the Park Hyatt is a couple of blocks from the Hyatt Regency--they are usually more $$ but you never know.

If I was in your position, I would hold on to the reservation at the Hyatt and keep my eyes on the prices in the Union Square area. I would be surprised if prices didn't come down a bit. In addition the Convention & Visitors Bureau usually has promotions each season (which can often include free parking, breakfast, etc) that may work for you.

I know nothing about the Nob Hill Inn but looking at the address (Pine & Taylor) the area is nice. Just the matter of the hill....

If you are concerned about the homeless, you could always look into a hotel that is slightly off Union Square (i.e., Omni, Argent, Marriott). There is a notable homeless in San Francisco but the VAST majority will not bother you.

Elsevier and others, someone posted a message that on a weekend, if I didn't want the area to be deserted, maybe I should consider the Park Hyatt rather than the Embarcadero in the Financial district. What do you and other think? Is it really deserted on weekends like some have mentioned in this area.
Thanks
Ken

Kendu, deserted is relative term in this instance. Compared to the hubbub of shoppers on Union Square, or fanny pack-toting tourists on the Wharf, or other busy areas such as Chinatown and Haight Ashbury, the Embarcadero is deserted. But there will be quite a few people walking around, seeing the sights along the water and milling about. I definitely wouldn't be too concerned.

The Hyatt is a very nice hotel, with a great location for public transportation (cablecars, buses and suway all right outside the door. You might see a few homeless across the street, who might ask for change, but that is about the extent of it. Boulevard and One Market are two of the most popular restaurants in SF, and are located within a block, so you can't that the area is completely deserted, though definitely much quiter than some of the more touristy areas. There are also restaurants and bars located throughout the Embarcadero buildings.I think you will be perfectly fine there. There also is a Budget rental car agency right there at the hotel, so if you want to get a car as you leave town, it makes it very convenient as well as saving you $38 a day parking. You really don't need a car in SF.

kendu, We've stayed at the Park a few times as well as a hotel across the street from the Park.
It seemed to me to be a bit "quieter" that the Hyatt Embarc location as the Park is closer to the "Business Distr" than the Hyatt Embarc..

Either one is very nice.
Kal

What about on weekends? Is the same true?
Thanks
Ken

Because of the Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building the Embarcadero area is anything but deserted on Saturdays. What is your concern exactly? Do you equate quiet with dangerous? Because that is not the case.