onthego2

We would to stay at an old historic San Francisco for 2 nights. I have narrowed down to 2 hotels - The Mark Hopkins and The Fairmont. Any advice?

egret

Go to Tripadvisor.com and put these two hotels in under "search".

jtrandolph

Be aware that the Fairmont has a "new" tower, so you should specify that you want a room in the historic section. If you choose that, ask for a room facing Union Square. They put me in a tiny room on a light well once. Ugh.

The Mark, if you have a view room, has better views, being at the top of Nob Hill. The Fairmont has the advantage of being on Union Square, which is a hub for upscale shopping and convenient for all of the form of public transportation.

I wonder if you have considered the Palace? This would be my choice for an historic San Francisco hotel.

Look at this.

http://www.sfpalace.com/

(After the classy introduction find the very small "skip into" in the lower right and click on that to enter the site.)

This is "class". Also near great transportation.

(Historical note: President Harding died here.)

frank_and_beans

The Fairmont is not on Union Square. It is atop Nob Hill directly across the street from the Mark Hopkins.

jt, I think you are thinking of the Westin St Francis.

I think both a bit overated but if I had to choose one it would be the Mark Hopkins. They have a great lounge.

laurenzo

I have stayed at both the Fairmont and the Palace that jtrandolph recommends and both are wonderful!! I loved the history of both but cannot tell you a thing about Mark Hopkins. I got a great package at the Fairmont. We had a beautiful view and loved the bar downstairs.

kleroux

Well the Top of the Mark Hopkins has a great jazz swing band on Wed. nights..well worth hearing.......

StuDudley

frank & beans is correct - the Fairmont is not on Union sq. We've stayed at both (free gifts from business associates), and we've also lived in San Francisco or very close by for the last 32 years. We had the penthouse suite at the Fairmont, so I really can't comment about normal rooms there, but the one we had at the Mark was quite simple - nothing fancy. The big difference in the two, IMO, is the lobby - the Fairmont is much more grand, and you can have breakfast there. There are lots of old photos at the Fairmont.

Be sure to take the San Francisco City Guides free walking tour of Nob Hill - you get into some places that you normally would not find by yourself. See
www.sfcityguides.org

Stu Dudley

MBnancy

We stayed at the Mark Hopkins a few months ago, and at the Palace a few years ago. Our corner room at the MH had a great view, and breakfast buffet was included at Top of the Mark. Great for evening cocktails too. The Palace rooms were too compact, but the lobby area was fantastic and Tea in the afternoon was very special in the Garden Court after a day of shopping.