my husband and i and our 17 year old dog are going to spend our first new years in the city. i can't decide between hotel vitale or hotel monaco. is it better to be at union square or the embarcadero? where are the "festivities?"
thanks

I believe that the festivities are near the ferry building.

Hi toncasmo, we just returned from SF and Hotel Vitale. We LOVED the location. It was bustling around the ferry building and lots going on. Being by the water and having a view of the bridge from our room was a huge plus! Also, the hotel has two terraces that you can enjoy the great views with wine and snacks for your four-legged buddy.

How fun!

The big fireworks display will be on the Embarcadero. It is very crowded, so if your hotel is there, you will be set for fun.

So I know this will throw you off given the post above, but I loved the Hotel Monaco in SF. Kimpton properties are always well kept in my opinion. Additionally if in the end you do decide on the Vitale, I would still try to eat in the restaurant in the Monaco. It's not your typical hotel food and we go there every time we're in SF.

thanks so much for telling me about the hotel monaco. i think maybe that will be my "birthday weekend" in february with the dog also! i think for new years we just want to be down by the action. my husband also found harbor house, a kimpton hotel, right at the embarcadero that sounds nice too

The Grand Cafe in Hotel Monaco is also the scene of SF Fodorites GTGs.