San Francisco-Coventry Inn??
 

My husband and I are planning our 1st trip to San Francisco the 1st week of June, 2015. I am considering the Coventry Inn on Lombard St. It has very good ratings and very reasonably priced. We prefer a little more high end, but we would rather spend our money elsewhere for this trip since we won't be in room a lot.

I worry about public transportation at this location .Will be staying 5 nights. We are late 40s and can walk a lot. Will get muni pass for trip. No car, flying into SFO. The BART doesn't come near Lombard, does it?

Recommendations needed for: best way to get to hotel from SFO, public transportation for various neighborhoods and areas we would want to see (all of them since we have never been). I've looked at the muni maps but it is confusing to me.

Thanks for any input or other suggestions you can give. I'm not sold on the Coventry Inn, but definitely considering it unless transportation is a problem. We went to Italy a few years ago and stayed in an out of the way apt in Rome instead of a central location. I regretted that choice because we had to walk so much more and got lost frequently (I know some will say that is part of the charm-ha ha). Hence, my hesitation. Thank you.

Gina M.

Use the plan a trip feature here- http://www.sfmta.com

If you have a smartphone, http://muniapp.us

It may seem overwhelming at first, but SF is one of the easiest US cities to get around using the Muni system. We walk mostly, but do supplement it as needed.

Coventy Inn is a sister property of Columbus Inn where we stayed recently. Columbus Inn is very conveniently located for walking and public transportation. Buy a day pass for the transit system and buy a map of the transit routes (available at Powell Street Information Center: http://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/...tor-day-passes

HTtY

Check out TheMosser.com a much more convenient location - especially for first time visitors to SF (BART station is an easy, short walk). Rooms are small, but clean and to save $$, you can get a room with a hall shower (which are kept very clean). Or you can opt for a double bed room with private bathroom, for a bit more $.

We stayed at Coventry Inn in Nov 2012. You only need to walk a block to Chestnut St and you are on the bus route. We used them frequently. We walked down to the Marina one morning, and then took the Cable Car to Union Square just to be a typical tourist. We also took the bus to the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park. and to the play Beach Blanket Babylon which we did one evening.

We have also stayed at the Columbus Inn, and a there was a bus stop virtually outside the hotel. It was about a 10 minute walk at the most to Fisherman's Wharf. Buses took you to Chinatown, Union Square etc. I loved the Streetcars.

Just wanted to clarify something nelsonian said - in San Francisco, the "Marina" is a neighborhood (to which you can certainly walk from the Coventry Inn). However, the cable car doesn't go there - the closest one ends at Fisherman's Wharf near Ghirardelli Square (also a "marina", lower case).

sf307 we walked to Fort Mason which I thought was the Marina, maybe I have that wrong. Then we carried on and ended up at Fisherman's Wharf, it was quite a long walk but a great way to see the area.

Deb - Thanks for the trip planner and muni app advice. The Mosser looks nice, but a little more than I'd like to pay.

happy - I am giving some serious thought to the Columbus Inn. Much closer to transportation it seems. No frills, but looks well maintained.

Any recommendations for arriving at Columbus Inn from SFO? Does the BART have a stop nearby?

Also, any other budget hotel recommendations near public transportation recommendations?

Thanks to all!

Gina

Nelsonian - Since you have stayed at both Coventry and Columbus, which did you prefer regarding transportation, quietness, cleanliness, etc?

Gina

Columbus Motor Inn is now a Kal fave thx to Neopatrick. Only prob is it's always booked. "Nobody goes there-it's too crowded".
Our room was big, clean, quiet and pretty inexpensive for a non-Hotwire/P'line which we usually use for SF.
Columbus is right on Columbus and a lot of buses up/down.

Plus short walks to FishWharf (catch a cable car across from the Buena Vista), Pier 39, Alcatraz Tour, Coit Tower (uphill, of course), Lombard...a bit longer walks to Un Sq, Embarcadero, No Hill.

A lot of good restaurants in the area. Much like the ones on Chestnut near the Coventry Inn.

Another vote for the long-time-fodors-fave Columbus Motor Inn.

Oh how I long for those days of the $79 rooms, before fodors.

I think they were fairly similar Gina, the Columbus is probably a bit more convenient for transport, and close to North End for restaurant.

However I liked the fact that with Coventry you could walk a block either direction and you were in a nice area of shops, restaurants etc. I also asked for a room where could see the Golden Gate bridge, the down-side was that it was right on Lombard and was noisy early in the morning.

Nelsonian, Ft Mason is in the Marina, I just thought your post implied you can catch the cable car there, which of course you cannot.

Both are in good locations - The one on Lombard is close to both Chestnut St and Union St, both neighborhood shopping streets with lots of restaurants, a few more chain stores and younger clientele on Chestnut, fewer chain stores and more upscale shops on Union. The one on Columbis is closer to north Beach, Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, Russian and Telegrah Hills (Coit Tower, etc).

Either would be fine.

I would like to thank everyone for your help. I have chosen Columbus Inn mainly for proximity to transportation and closer walking distance to more neighborhoods I would want to visit. Also, their rates are fantastic compared to most other hotels. I know it is a basic hotel, but it looks clean and has very good reviews. Thanks again!!

Gina