Its my favorite hotel. Period. Great location. Very safe. I walk to theaters at night solo. I agree with everyone on this thread sans one
The Grand Cafe is fabulous. One of the best breakfasts of my life was there. I later ate at a nearby restaurant to "save money". A few dollars less and half the quality and service. Have fun! You are in for a treat!

Oh, I forgot! You can request a pet goldfish during your stay. I named mine Cybill - after seeing Cybill Shepard's one woman show
No undesirables seen on the walk to or from the theatre :-)

I really wanted to stay there with my stepdaughter in August but got such a great rate with points at the Westin St. Francis... I wanted that gold fish!

I stayed at the JW Marriott over this weekend with two very attractive 15 year olds who received lots of attention, ugh. Just got back last night. JW Marriott is at Post and Mason and I did not feel at all uncomfortable. Also the large Hilton is at Mason and O'Farrell and it seemd fine there as well. I would be fine at the Monaco. You'd probably want to make sure that your forays out of the hotel were easterly rather than further west. SF was so, so, so, crowded the latter part of this past week that I can't imagine having any problems in SF.

There is a great/reasonable diner for breakfast, or a late night bite since it's open 24 hours a day, at Geary and Mason.

Clifbob, I hardly ever eat out in San Francisco (I cook at home) but I can advise you to type in "san francisco" in the search window - this been discussed on Fodor's a lot!

I like Max's, there are several over San Francisco, for 50s nostalgia maybe Lori's diner on Sutter, Grand cafe in your hotel, it all depends on what you call "not too pricey".

I saw a Lori's Diner on Mason near Geary. Is that the same as the one on Sutter?

We ate the PineCone Diner at Mason & Geary for breakfast since we woke up too late for the breakfast at the hotel. They serve breakfast 24 hours a day.

I second - or I guess, third - the Pinecrest Diner.
http://www.pinecrestdiner.com/

We ate there several times - day AND night - and it was exactly what you want a diner to be.

Wow. This is perhaps the most "sanitized" thread I've ever seen!

Good, it needed a good cleaning.

And the leftovers make a dandy turtle soup!

Kimpton does it right - especially at the Monaco.
Have a good time, clifbob :-)

Hello clifbob. Here are current reviews of the Monaco by guests that have recently stayed there that I thought might be of interst to you. I also posted this on your Alcatraz thread. Just scroll down the screen for the Monaco.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g6...ia-Hotels.html

Why do you say the thread is "sanitized"? I haven't noticed any comments going missing.

However, the Pinecrest Diner is more notorious than delicious, in my opinion, although I've eaten there over the years for the fear factor.

From wikipedia: "notorious for murder over an order of eggs"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinecrest_Diner

Suzie, looks like it's the same, and I've checked the website - they now have 4 locations in the city, and 3 at the airport!

http://www.lorisdiner.com/locations.html#mason

Just my opinion -- eat breakfast at Lori's, but not lunch or dinner -- the food isn't very good.

sf...I wasn't impressed with the b'fasts, too.

Kuleto's on the other hand.

The area isn't the most pristine in SF but the most dangerous? No.
The safest. No.
It's still a big city so just be careful.

starrsy...<i>No undesirables seen on the walk to or from the theatre</i>
That's only because Mrs Kal and I didn't know you'd be there. O-)

Another who thinks this area is fine. When I was working frequently in SF, I always wanted to stay at the Monaco but usually could get a better rate somewhere else. Like Suzie, I stayed often at the JW Marriott and once across the street at The Donatello. Have walked all around that area many times and never felt unsafe. No I probably wouldn't venture way far east into the Tenderloin but had no reason to do that as I was usually heading to Union Square. You will have a great time at the Monaco.

West dear Paula, not east, east is toward Union Square.

The Donatello is great, they have such large guest rooms.

And I have always loved Kuleto's for breakfast, Kal. Of course there are some homeless and snarky looking people outside on Powell Street...couldn't resist!

Today's Kimpton's status message on Facebook -

How sweet it is - Happy National Milk Chocolate Day! Are you organic, candy-coated, crispy or nutty?

Ummm...maybe we shouldn't ask that question.

They make a mean white sangria :-)

How sweet it is - Happy National Milk Chocolate Day! Are you organic, candy-coated, crispy or nutty?

I am dark-chocolaty :((