San Francisco and Montery hotels
 

Planning a trip for eight nights. Looking for nice hotel in sant Fran and Monterey?DH and myself in early sixties. Looking for some great suggestions to put on our "must do " list also.

When? Price per night? How long in each place? Do you want hotels, motels, B&B's?

Many threads on here about what to do in San Francisco, use search box.

My husband and I stayed at The Sir Frances Drake. Great Location in Union Square, close to transportation, nice hotel but not insanely priced. I would stay there again.

Going in mid-September, maybe four nights in each, looking to spend $200.00 per night

Avoid going to San Francisco September 22 - 26 during the Oracle convention. Prices are insane and availability slim.

Our most recent favorite in San Franciso is the Kensington Park Hotel. But I do think the rates generally are higher in September at most SF hotels.
In Monterey we have been comfortable at the Clement Intercontinental on Cannery Row.

I had trouble finding a hotel in San Francisco in June for under $200 - September would likely be even tougher. We ended up at the Chancellor off Union Square, booked via booking.com. My only complaint would be that the bathroom could use some paint/updating, but that wouldn't stop me from staying there again. Everything else was fine.

Not sure what your budget will allow, but we've stayed in two wonderful places in Monterey and I can highly recommend either. We've stayed at Monterey Plaza either two or three times. The location is perfect, our rooms were right on the water, they've got a fun, outdoor restaurant, and another more formal one inside. I have nothing but good things to say about it. http://www.montereyplazahotel.com/?g...FVEV7AodFg4ARQ

Our new favorite is the Intercontinental Clement. Our favorite room is a suite with a separate bedroom and living room, fireplace facing both of those rooms, two bathrooms - one is absolutely fabulous. It's right on the water, but the balcony is so small it's difficult to sit on.
http://www.ictheclementmonterey.com/

Both of these hotels are splurges, but we do that occasionally. Whatever you do, have fun! I absolutely LOVE Monterey!

If I were to bid on a hotel in San Francisco using Priceline, is the Union Square West or East a better area?

Union Square east, without question.

One more question, pls. Spending eights , want to split my time in San Fran and Monterey.
Should we do 4 nights each ? Is there enough in Monterey / Carmel area for four nights ?
San Fran - hotel in fisherman's wharf area or union sq ?

If you bid Priceline - I'd do Union Sq East (NEVER West) or Embarcadero zones. and if unsuccessful then Fishermans Wharf.

Embarcadero/Fin. District is my favorite - close to the Ferry Bldg, Bay, the Ball park, wonderul dining.

Then USE, then FW.

You can divide up your days any way you want. You could spend 2 days or 2 weeks in Carmel/Monterey. I'd say a minimum of 3 days though since you lose time getting there and back. If you are going to visit Hearst Castle/San Simeon - then I'd add another day.

Ditto everything Janis said.

Thanks so much for all your input and advice!

Bettina,

I just wanted to add that in both SF and the Carmel/Monterey area choosing hotels is dicey. A $200.00 room in either of those places may or may not be what you are expecting. Many times, the hotels are older with extremely small bathrooms and not a lot of space. In San Francisco, parking runs between $40 and $50 per night at most places, so even getting a room on priceline may still end up costing more than you expected. On weekend, usually many of the hotels in CArmel and Monterey have two night minimums at that time of year, so really look at their websites, read reviews and ask a lot of questions before you book the room.

Hope this helps!

Thanks, it does!

We stayed at the Monteray Bay Inn a couple of years ago and liked it very much. While there we hiked in the Jules Pfieffer Burns state park, visited Carmel,drove through Pebble Beach and went on whale watching expedition.

Last fall I stayed at the Sunset Inn Pacific Grove ( adjacent to Monterey)- it is small, quiet, close to beach, parking is included- there is no pool or views but we enjoyed our stay there. It appears to be an old motel that has been completely redone.

http://www.gosunsetinn.com/default-en.html

If you want to stay in a restful, non-touristy area of Carmel, I would recommend the Mission Ranch, which has rooms under $200 per night.