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-   -   Nob Hill Motor Inn? (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/nob-hill-motor-inn-355434/)

eriel May 6th, 2008 06:11 AM

Nob Hill Motor Inn?
 
Hello,

My husband and I are planning to spend 2 nights in SF. I've been reading some good reviews on the Nob Hill Motor Inn place, supposedly right in the heart of SF and as per reviews, a very good hotel overall. Could anyone please confirm or tell me more about it, if they had stayed there already. Thank you.

johnthedorf May 6th, 2008 06:59 AM

ereil, I lived at 1450 Broadway which is pretty close to where they built this Motel (long after I left there to 1345 Taylor atop Nob Hill). I read the mileage they gave to various "attractions". SF is very hilly and they didn't mention that! The free parking is great but you are quite aways from everything so using your car to visit areas sounds appealing...but...you won't be able to park your car so plan on taking a taxi or walking up to Sacramento St. to hook up with a Cable Car (get a transfer ticket).

FainaAgain May 6th, 2008 07:58 AM

Location-wise it's fine if you will be using public transportation (Pacific @ Van Ness). Several bus lines within 0-2 blocks from the hotel.

I wouldn't say "in the heart" of everything, but with very good blood vessels to and from :)



dmlove May 6th, 2008 08:52 AM

I think the motel John referred to is the Nob Hill Motel, which is not the same as the Nob Hill Inn. The Nob Hill Motel is in the 1400 block of Broadway, the Nob Hill Inn is at Taylor and Pine. Eriel, which one do you mean?

dmlove May 6th, 2008 08:56 AM

Sorry, the Nob Hill Motor Inn IS the one on Pacific (it's listed under two names). It looks nice, and has free parking. FWIW, it is NOT on Nob Hill (not even close).

FainaAgain May 6th, 2008 09:29 AM

So we have 2 hotels in 2 locations, neither is on the Nob Hill, great :))

dmlove May 6th, 2008 09:32 AM

Talk about false advertising :)

BeachBoi May 6th, 2008 09:43 AM

It's called "marketing" not advertising.There are several hotels in Dallas who have now attached a portion if not all of their names to "the Galleria", an upscale shopping mall there..These hotels have absolutely nothing to do with the Galleria and may not even be close.The Marriott up the way, why you cant even SEE the Galleria from that hotel....:D

dmlove May 6th, 2008 09:54 AM

In this case, it's a downright lie. Look on this map (linked from the Nob Hill Motor Inn website).

http://tinyurl.com/59zgze

You see the star where the motel is. Look down and to the right and find the Fairmont San Francisco. That hotel is at the top of Nob Hill. Now count -- the Nob Hill Motor Inn is 11-1/2 blocks away! It would be one thing if the name was just Nob Hill Motor Inn, but from the same website, and I quote, "The Nob Hill Motor Inn is a wonderful hotel in the trendy and popular Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco". Not even close :)

(FWIW, the Nob Hill Inn actually is much much closer to Nob Hill, just that it's &quot;down the hill&quot; (on the wrong side). It's fine, but it is a block <i>below</i> Nob Hill.)

eriel May 6th, 2008 11:05 AM

Thank you everyone for your replies. In fact, until I read your posts, I didn't even realize myself that there are two Nob Hill Inns. So, I think understood from the comments that the one on Pacific Ave is the better choice? Or, if anyone could recommend a nice hotel in the (at least semi) center of town, that would be great! Last minute book so I can use all the help I can get.

dmlove May 6th, 2008 11:17 AM

eriel, what are your dates and your nightly budget?

dmlove May 6th, 2008 11:18 AM

eriel, what are your dates and your nightly budget? Will you have a car?

eriel May 6th, 2008 11:22 AM

We're only going for 4 days and will only be spending 1 full day in SF. We will have a car, but we'll just leave it at the hotel for the day of SF sightseeing. We'll be staying in SF from 5/9 - 5/11 (I know! Last minute decision). Budget - I would ideally like to fit into around $120 - $150/night.
Thank you all

dmlove May 6th, 2008 12:20 PM

Well, if you want to keep it to that price, then you definitely need someplace with free parking (since most of the downtown hotels charge $40-$50 a night just for parking). Also, be aware that hotel taxes in SF are very high, something like 16%. If you can stay at the Nob Hill Motor Inn on Pacific for your price (free parking), I think it should be a good choice, unless you want to go back and forth to your hotel during the day (which I doubt, since you only have one day). If you're just going to leave your hotel in the morning, and come back late in the day, the location would be fine, and again, FREE PARKING!!

GrammaKel May 7th, 2008 06:03 PM

We stayed at the Nob Hill Motor Inn. Yes, there is a Nob Hill Hotel, but does not get good reviews on TripAdvisor.

We liked it...very reasonable, and we could park our car for FREE! Found it very easy to walk to Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf (Yes, the Wharf, we were tourists after all...)

The managers were very nice and very helpful with safety tips, sights to see, and restaurants.

Try to get a room on the top floor. The one we had was quite large by San Francisco standards, and had a frig &amp; microwave. Clean, too.

It's really a decent place, in an OK location. I would recommend it.

joesorce May 7th, 2008 09:47 PM

sorry, don't know the nob hill inns, but Columbus Motor Inn would be perfect for you if they still have a room.
2nd choice maybe Chelsea Motor Inn or Buena Vista Motor Lodge.

johnthedorf May 8th, 2008 04:29 AM

eriel, I'd adjust the budget and stay at the Hyatt in the Financial district. I think you'd be much happier on your 2 night stay. It's a short walk to the Ferry building and Bay. Yank Sing for a Dim Sum lunch is nearby. The Market Street trolley is close where you could take to the Hyde Street Cable Car (Cash only)to Sacramento and visit Chinatown. Walk downhill to Broadway and Columbus, have a Beer at Vesuvios, peek in at the City Lights bookstore. Have a dinner at an Italian restaurant (there are two good ones in the 300 block with singing waiters). It's San Francisco after all...spurge!


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