Folks,
I will be spending 4 nites in SF on the way to Hawaii in August (wife and 11 year old, too). I'm thinking of staying in Nob Hill where many of the stately hotels seems to be, plus its near a cable car, Chinatown, etc. I got a good rate at the Rennaisance Stanton court. Anyone against it? Anyone have a good rec. at a hotel in the area at $200 or less/nite?
Also got a good deal at the Hotel Monaco in Union Square close by. Any negatives? Thanks.

We have a reservation at the Fairmont can't endorse until after trip. Whatever you find now book ASAP. SF unlike NYC and some other cities experiences its busiest time on August or so I have read.

My colleague stayed at the Stanton Court last year for a convention and can't say enough good things about it. She's a very discerning traveler and I'd take her word on anyplace she reccomends. I've always heard it's an excellent place and would love to stay there myself. Go for it, and please report back.

Mark,

Scratch Union Square off your list. There are way too many panhandlers, prostitutes, and drug dealers in that area. It does not make for a very nice atmosphere to walk out of a nice hotel and have to dodge human waste on the sidewalks. Unfortunately alot of the nicer areas of San Francisco have gotten pretty dirty in recent years. If I were you, I would plan to spend more time enjoying Hawaii instead. I started traveling to SF on a regular basis for business recently and was shocked at how trashy the city has become since the last time I visited about 10 yrs. ago. Don't get me wrong, I am used to big cities and do expect that certain areas will be somewhat grimy, but what I saw in SF was worse than many other cites.

Mark: Stayed at the Mark Hopkins a couple of years back and although it was pleasant, the rooms were nothing special. We found Nob Hill kind of sterile and remote with not much going on, but a good choice when you consider some of the problems associated with other parts of the city. You will be a short walk (downhill) to Union Square and Chinatown, but the walk up can be grueling. The cable cars are convenient and don't miss a drink at the Top of the Mark at the Mark Hopkins and The Tonga Room at the Fairmont.

Do you mean the Stanford Court hotel? Just wanted to check b/c I know the Stanford Court is right next to the Mark Hopkins and across the street from the Fairmont. I've not heard of the Stanton Court.

If that's the area, there are only a few nearby neighborhood restaurants to eat at (other than the ubiquitous hotel restaurants). That being the case, you'll probably want to take a walk, cable car, or #1 California Bus to the other popular areas in the City. As I live in the City, I will say it's a very nice area and depending on how low your floor is (and if your room faces the street), you may occasionally hear the cable cars going by - or the actual cable underground which pulls the cars up and down the hill).

Thanks for the replies thus far. I was in SF a couple weeks ago and stayed at the W. Although I didn't check out Nob Hill, I did walk the financial district and Union a bit. I did indeed see the grime, and bums hit on me about 10x a day. the wear and tear of the city and the dirt and derelicts reminded me more of sections of Brooklyn, NY. Although we are NYers by upbringing, I do like to get away from the slummy stuff. So I thought Nob Hill would do it.
Just got a good deal at the Mark Hopkins Any more thoughts? Thanks.

You will enjoy the Stanford Court...I'd take that over the Mark Hopkins. I've stayed at the Stanford Court maybe 30 times...great service, great restaurant, great lounge area for a cocktail before going out. First class hotel. Do go to the Top of the Mark for a nightcap...it's right next door. Great views.

I think Nob Hill might be just what you are looking for, Mark. But another area of the city to consider is the Embarcadero. There are two hotels with views of the bay, Hotel Griffon and Harbor Court Hotel. From these hotels there are quite a few nice retaurants, including Boulevard and Cosmopolitan Cafe. You can take the streetcars to either Fisherman's Wharf or Union Square, if you desire. It's considered part of the financial district, which gets quiet on the weekends and evenings, but more and more nice restaurants keep opening up in the area and it's not a popular spot for the homeless people (probably because it is less touristy).

Yet another area to consider is the Marina district. Though I don't know of any upscale hotels in that area, it is a nice part of town with many restaurants, shops and near the water as well. Perhaps someone else can recommend an upscale hotel in the Marina area.

Check out Maxwell Hotel www.maxwellhotel.com (yes, it's on Union Square).

And while you are in SF consider going to Teatro ZinZanni (www.teatrozinzanni.org) We went last week and it was FABULOUS!

Yes, i went Saturday night and thought it also was fabulous and so entertaining. It was like Circ du Soliel meets love and chaos. The meal wasn't bad either. We constantly laughed for over 3 hours.

I would vote for the Fairmont if you wanted to stay on Nob Hill. It's not too difficult to get around from there. The two cable car lines meet at California and Powell just where the hotel is. Taxis are abundant also. Fairmont has just been renovated and we stayed a weekend there a year ago and liked it very much (we live in the area, but stayed for a special meeting) Enjoy SF and please understand that there is a lot of SF Bashing on this site, for what reason I don't know. Haven't been to NYC for about 4 years, but SF is certainly cleaner and easier than New Orleans. Enjoy your visit.

You will enjoy the Stanford Court...I'd take that over the Mark Hopkins. I've stayed at the Stanford Court maybe 30 times...great service, great restaurant, great lounge area for a cocktail before going out. First class hotel. Do go to the Top of the Mark for a nightcap...it's right next door. Great views.

Andy, why post the same message twice?

Andy works for the Stanford Court. Ignore his advertising.

Thanks for the info people.
Yeah, why did that guy push the Stanford court twice?
As for the SF bashing, any big city has its negatives filled with grime-NY, DC, MPLS., San Diego, LA and so on. The bashers must come from small towns like
Cabbageville, Nebraska so they can't cope with it. Its also a matter of small-minded people.
Looks like the Renaissance is a good bet when you get a good price.
Mark