San Francisco Hotel Help
 

Hi,

We are a couple in our 40's coming to San Francisco for Christmas and New Year from Australia. We arrive in SFO on 23 Dec and are looking for a hotel for 4 nights, we're then going down the pacific coast highway for 3 nights and coming back to San Francisco on 30 Dec for 3 more nights before flying back to Aus. So we are looking at 2 stays and would probably prefer two different hotels, unless we find one which is too lovely to not stay in twice!

I am getting very confused trying to figure out which are the best choice so any help you could give would be really appreciated.

We are looking to spend around $220 per night (could stretch to a bit more on one of the stays but $300 is probably the absolute limit. We like boutique and funky but not at the expense of amenities and comfort so would be ok with a good quality chain hotel.

Would like 4 or 5 star but location is key. We love to shop, go to restaurants, cafes, sightsee, explore the various neighbourhoods, and would like to try some blues clubs. We want to be really central for shopping and restaurants, and then be able to access the other sights. From my research that appears to be around Union Square?

As I gues most things will be closed on Christmas Day we will prbably spend a bit more time at the hotel, so a nicer hotel with good facilities is probably more important for this visit. We'd really like a gym (an indoor pool would be a big bonus), and somewhere with a nice public area where you can sit and have a drink or some tea and read a book would be great.

The hotels which jump out at me are:

The Omni
Hotel Zetta
JW Marriott Union Square

The Intercontinental Mark Hopkins looks lovely too, but its in Nob Hill - I'm not sure whether that's central enough?

We would love the Fairmont or the Four Seasons but they're way over our budget.

For New Years we considered a Fishermans Wharf hotel but I'm not sure about staying in such a touristy area for 3 days. i did wonder about other areas such as SoMa or South Beach but just getting more confused so decided it was time to ask for some help!

Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions greatly appreciated, as we're running out of time, and availability is limited.

thanks so much :-)

Hotel Monaco is my favorite

Hi Violet,

We've been to San Francisco this year and stayed at Le Meridien, 333 Battery St in the Financial District. Excellent hotel. We paid AU$ 870 for 5 nights through easytobook.com, but you can try other websites as well.

It was closer to the Ferry Building and Embarcadero, very nice area, but a very pleasant walk to other areas as well, depending how much walking you want to do. The BART station is nearby and so is the cable car stop.

You may want to look it up on a map to see its position in relation to where you want to go and what you want to see.

Thanks for the quick replies - Gabriel, that's the dilemma I'm having, there are really nice hotels which seem just a little bit further away. We will do a lot of walking anyway and particularly as a lot of it will be uphill, Id rather not have to walk to get to the centre of things.

I've just come across the Hotel Monaco which looks quite nice - why would you recommend it starrs?

It looks like we'll have to increase our budget a bit for new year as hotels as more expensive, so we're probably going to have to stretch to $300-$350. Also just come across the Nikko and the Parc 55 Wyndham which could be good options.

there's just too much to chose from and it gets more and more confusing!

I've stayed in a dozen or so hotels in SF, mostly for business travel and all (but one) were fine. On every trip I check out of the hotel provided by my company and into the Monaco for my leisure part of the trip. The Monaco is a Kimpton hotel and they are a great boutique hotel chain. I love the location of the Monaco. The staff there is fabulous. Love the rooms and the vibes. Love the free wine in the afternoons. Love the restaurant attached to it. Love everything about it. It's listed on my profile page as my favorite hotel anywhere. It seems to match what you are looking for in your OP. For all of those reasons, I recommended it to you.

There is a Cyber Monday sale going on right now at both Kimpton and Marriott with 30% off rooms.

I would opt for something not in Nob Hill nor Fishermans Wharf. Union Sq area and in the close by area is optimal IMHO.

We have been to San Francisco almost annually for the past 6 years. We just stayed at The Serrano ( a Kimpton, right next to The Monaco) and really were pleased.

iF you end up at a Kimpton, join their Loyalty club, In Touch, which is free with nice perks. Also, the hotels have wine happy hour each night for free.

I'd stay two different places - one near Union square and once on the Embarcadero / edge of the financial district. The Hyatt across from the ferry bldg is a great location with the waterfront/ferry building/a cable car line and BART station all practiaclly on the doorstep. Plus the views are amazing.

The other stay - any kimpton property would be great.

Kimpton has 9 different hotels in SF [it's their home office location].

I agree with janis that one with views of water is nice - Kimpton's Harbor Court has that too.

Another plug for Kimptons -- I love the Monaco and the Serrano. Will be at the Prescott next week.

Whichever hotel you decide on, join their loyalty program before you go. It does make a difference :-)

The Omni Hotels are also offering a sale, but it expires tonight at midnight--join their Select Guest program and book using the promo code FRIDAY for 40% off! Good on stays through 12/30.

We stayed at the Omni this summer for a wedding. Nice location on California Street. Also check out Hotel Vitale on the Embarcadero.

We did not like the JW Marriott at Union Square.

The Monaco is wonderful. Join their 'club' and you get more discounts.

If there's a CyberMonday special for Kimpton, jump on it. ALL their properties are great.

Kimpton = 30% off per by post above.

>>go to restaurants, cafes, sightsee, explore the various neighbourhoods,<<

Then I suggest that you experience a downtown area, and a quite different "neighborhood" area. Do the following:

- For your first 4 nights, splurge a little and stay in the Union Square or Embarcadero area.

- On your return to The City, stay in the Cow Hollow/Marina area and save some $$$ on accommodations. Tons of motels on Lombard St. This latter area is the most "alive" on New Year's Eve, IMO. We've spent New Year's Eve there every year since 2002. It is what I call a "neighborhood". This area is full of cafes, restaurants & shops. It is mostly residential. Some Victorian architecture in Cow Hollow and Art Decco on Chestnut St in the Marina area. Fewer tourists too. You can also walk to Crissy Field along north side of SF, along the bay - beach with sand plus fantastic views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Rent a bike in Fisherman's Wharf and ride it along the beach at Crissy Field, and then over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. Then return back to SF on the ferry. You could do this on New Year's day - but check to determine if the ferries are running. If not, just ride across the GG Bridge & return to SF by backtracking. Crissy field is quite different from the Embarcadero, along the east side of SF.

Stu Dudley

I stayed at the 'The Inn at Union Square'. Perfect location & great hotel.
I would not stay in fisherman's wharf.

Wow! Thanks so much for all your replies. The Kimpton hotels are certainly popular. I'm favouring the Monaco at the moment.

With your help I've narrowed it down to:

1st 4 night options

The Monaco
JW Marriott
The Huntington Hotel Nob Hill (got great rates on this - looks lovely, has a pool - any thoughts?)
Hotel Nikko - looks nice and has a pool

2nd 3 nights options:
Hotel Vitale (love this but pretty exxy - is it worth it?)
Hyatt Regency Waterfront
The Monaco (if we don't stay there on 1st visit)
Hotel Nikko (if we don't stay there in 1st visit)

Any comments on above, particularly on the surrounding areas ie is there's lots around these hotels, specifically waterfront and nob hill?

I'm thinking if we stay in nob hill over Christmas we'd probably do the Monaco (or Nikko or jw marriott) for new year, but if we stay in one of those over Christmas then the waterfront for new year.

Thanks so much guys - feel like I'm finally sorting through this sea of hotels!

Personally, I'd do the Monaco for the first set of dates and then I'd go to the Grand Hyatt for New Year's because of the fabulous views of the city.
http://grandsanfrancisco.hyatt.com/e...ooms/view.html

That's basically the same location -but those are two of my favorite hotels in SF.

Maybe you didn't see my comment above? The JW Marriott is nothing special at all, in its rooms or its property. It is loud, because it's built around an open area down to the lobby. The sound travels, and the rooms all open into this space.

Service not so great, either. Doormen will stand there and do nothing to open the door for you.

>>Any comments on above, particularly on the surrounding areas ie is there's lots around these hotels, specifically waterfront and nob hill?<<

Nob Hill is high on a hill with very little around it - except other hotels. You'll spend your time climbing up or down a very steep hill or taking a taxi. Cable cars go close by, but that is not really a good means to get out and explore the City. Bad choice, IMO. I believe the restaurant/bar there is going through a major renovation.

Question - are you coming here to visit San Francisco, or spend most of your time in a nice hotel? The Union Sq area and the Embarcadero are somewhat similar - although the Embarcadero has the water close by. Over the last 39 years I've lived in San Francisco or very close by, I'm becoming less & less enthused with the Union Square area. Lots of vagrants - mofre so it seems each year. I would choose the Embarcadero over Union Sq for your first 4 nights. Then do what I suggested and stay in the Cow Hollow/Marina area and pretend you are a local. See something different. Stay in a neighborhood. Walk along the beach at Crissy field, shop Union St & Chestnut St. Have dinner at several of the 50 or so restaurants in this area. I think you might get bored and tired of the vagrants if you stay in the Union Sq & Embarcadero for all of your 7 nights - especially between Christmas & New Years when there might be fewer workers in the Financial district to bring the place alive during lunchtime.

Here are some suggestions of things to do & see while you are here
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Stu Dudley

Thanks for your responses. Tabernash I did see your comment but wasn't sure what it was you didn't like, thanks for clarifying.

Thanks Stu, that's exactly what I needed to know, I don't think Nob Hill will work given the walking and lack of things nearby, I love the idea of staying in an area like you suggested, but we tend to walk the legs off ourselves when we travel and end up exhausted - we live very hectic lives anyway and due to significant health issues we need to make sure we have a gym and also to make sure we get some down-time, hence the requirement for a nice hotel with good public areas/amenities so a motel wouldn't work for us. This is also the reason I was slightly favouring the JW Marriott over the Monaco (perhaps wrongly) assuming that the Marriott will have better facilities, albeit not quite as funky. It's not that the hotel is more important than seeing the city, but without the comfort of a good hotel we won't be fit and well enough to enjoy the city.

If there are any good hotels in more "local" areas I would definitely be keen on that, but I know we can't have everything and I think finding the most comfortable hotel in the best area is really what we're after - I know we may have to compromise but I don't want to sacrifice one for the other.

Thanks again

>>we need to make sure we have a gym and also to make sure we get some down-time, hence the requirement for a nice hotel with good public areas/amenities so a motel wouldn't work for us<<

Have you done a lot of research on amenities and places to get exercise in the Union Sq/Embarcadero area???? Have you researched motels in the Cow Hollow/Marina area?? There are around 3-5 gyms on Union St, Chestnut St, & Fillmore St. On "any day" you'll see lots of people in their exercise garments going to/from their local gym - then meeting friends for a coffee afterwards. The gyms probably want a day-fee - but I personally would enjoy a neighborhood gym more than a hotel gym. Down-time can be achieved in many places other than inside of a hotel. A good exercise plan, IMO, would be to rent a bike for 2-3 days and then set off to bike the Presidio or Crissy field or across the GG Bridge, or walk the Coastal trail from Sea Cliff to Sutro Baths. When we go to Paris or Rome or London or NYC - we choose to be outside to get our exercise - not inside a hotel that could be anywhere.

Experience San Francisco.

Stu Dudley

Thanks for the advice Stu but as I mentioned earlier there are a number of serious health issues to consider and that is why we must have a gym - not a bike or a run but a gym. This is not about a generic exercise plan it is about managing a number of chronic illnesses and following a strict routine. It is not a choice, it is essential. It would be wonderful if we had the freedom to just exercise however and whenever we feel like it (like you do in Paris or Rome) but we don't. There may be days when my husband does not feel well enough to venture outside at all, that is why we want a luxurious comfortable hotel room. I should not have to explain my reasons for wanting that, I only asked for advice on where to stay which meets our needs.

Many people like to holiday in different ways for different reasons. For some people staying in a motel and going to a local gym would be perfect for them but it would not work in our situation. I do not wish to be judged on our style of travelling as "not experiencing San Francisco". We will experience San Francisco, perhaps not the way you would, but that doesn't mean its not right and that we won't have an amazing time.

If anyone has any advice to offer on san Francisco which does suit our needs, then it would be very gratefully received.

Thank you

I was just trying to help.

Many people visit San Francisco and spend all their time at the Wharf. That's not San Francisco, IMO. Others just huddle around Union Square and never get out and explore the Noe Valley, Pacific Heights, Cole Valley, Castro, and the neighborhoods that really make SF a wonderful place to live. They also don't drive over the Golden Gate Bridge and through the wonderful Golden Gate National Recreation Area with the best views of San Francisco in the Bay Area. The GG Bridge is within 1 to 5 mins from Lombard St. If you were "up" for staying in the Lombard St area, I was going to suggest that you keep your car and do this latter trip (see my link for details). You could also use the car to drive on El Camino Del Mar/Lincoln Blvd (see my link) which is where I always take my visitors when I want to "show off" San Francisco (I did this last week).

Now that you have explained your health issues much better, I understand you apprehension about leaving the nice hotel/gym environment (are you sure there are not any nice hotels/motels around Lombard that have gyms?).

Stu Dudley

Stu, I agree with your comments on Union Square. We were there just 3 nights, for a conference, and we stayed at the wonderful Monaco, but I was less than enchanted with the vibe outside in the 'hood. The Monaco was a wonderful retreat from the busy streets. If that was all a tourist saw of SF, they might be disappointed. There are so many other charming areas to stay.

I can understand the OP's point and also Stu's. I think the average first time visitor to San Francisco does want to stay in the Union Square [or even FW] area and do all the typical tourist things. And they may have their very own set of needs/criteria that greatly influences their ultimate decisions as to where to stay, eat and what to do. Typically, they aren't looking for the neighborhood vibe, or wanting to feel like a local. I think that comes with repeated visits.

It is also true that the Union Sq area has become much more unpleasant to walk around, especially the Powell St BART/metro station. I was uncomfortable this most recent trip where I had not really felt that way on previous trips. What really did it for me was a "street person" actually reaching out as he approached me and touch my shoulder as he asked for money. That was over the line for me.

We also were waiting for the F street car one night after seeing a jazz concert on Market near Franklin. Another "street person" came up to the platform; stood next to us and made some comments to us; the last one being "nice diamond earrings." Made us VERY uncomfortable. He left after a few minutes and we were both glad to get on the bus [we didn't want to wait for the streetcar any longer].

Check the gym at the Monaco to see if it meets with your expectations.

If your budget allows, consider the Mandarin Oriental.

Mandarin Oriental? Not likely. First dates $400+ a night ; $500 a night (before taxes).

I am aware of what the rates at the Mandarin Oriental are like. The more the OP posted, the more it appeared that hotel amenities are very important to them. Thus the recommendation of a very high end property "if your budget allows". ;)

violet, if you're still looking, the Monaco has a special price listed for your 4 nights, 12/23- 12/27, @$215 for a King deluxe or a Double Double deluxe:

http://www.expedia.com/San-Francisco...21187-1&mctc=9

There are other deals on hotels with fitness centers:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g6...ia-Hotels.html

Big Harbor Court fan. Get a Bay View room and watch the Bay Bridge lights. :-X
Plus they have a deal with the pretty modern YMCA located next door.

You are right about the Harbor Court, Kal! Great views and guests do have privileges at the Y! Good thought.

I used to stay there for business but always got the "interior" room to save the Co some $$$...but now.

Plus, same 'hood as the Vitale and Hyatt at less $$$.
Perry's is right there for breakfast as well as L&D.

Street/cable cars nearby too.

violetm, I'm just going to step in and let you know that StuDudley is one of the most knowledgeable about SF on this board. On top of that, he goes way beyond the norm in taking time to help anyone who asks for SF recommendations. No one on this board takes any more time than he does to help travelers.

I have been in SF the past week on my first trip here and have made many choices based on his suggestions. Nothing has been a disappointment.

Thank you StuDudley.

I agree with StuDudley. We are in the city about 6-8/year and have stayed in a variety of hotels. Luxury would be out of your price range unless you can get a special deal. My favorite lux hotels would be the Fairmont Ghirardelli SQ > Ritz Carlton Residences > Ritz Carlton > Four Seasons > Mandarin. Have not stayed at the St Regis. I think most of the Four Stars downtown are fairly similar although I thought that the JW and the Meridien were pretty nice. I like them better than the Nikko. The Hyatt is a generic 4 star but in a slightly better location to me than the Nikko. Do not stay on Nob Hill if you have any mobility issues. I am not sure if any of the hotels has much of a gym as I am unclear as to what facilities you require. The only hotel I have ever stayed at that had a full scale Gym was the Four Seasons Dallas. If you need a gym there are at least two in the Chestnut street area although I do not know of what day use options are available. Do not know of any "upper level" hotels in the Marina area except possibly the Jackson Court which is a B&B in Pacific Heights or possibly the Inn at the Presidio. Neither would seem to suit you. Most hotels in the area are actually motels which are moderately priced but with free parking.

Try the Jetsetter website. They appear to have the Hotel Vitale and the Omni for $209-239/night for your dates. I have not stayed at either but my sister has and she thoughtb they were nice.

The 31st may be the only issue for your hotel as the price on new year's eve will be higher than normal. I suspect the motels in the Marina may not increase their prices for that night but you will have to check.

Lived in SF for years - yes - years ago too. :) Totally agree with Stu - and a friend of mine since grade school - went to Med School in SF - and when he returns for a Neurosurgery convention - he loves the Kimpton hotel group options and I think the Monaco is his favorite.

And do try to spend some time in the Marina area - where you can walk along a classic SF type neighborhood street - Chestnut- or enjoy the restaurants, shops and "pubs" along Union St - where we used to live. Lombard is between these two.

Walking along the Marina Green is also one of the best things you can do to appreciate the Bay, the Golden Gate, Alcatraz and the like. And the Palace of Fine Arts is a treasurer. http://www.palaceoffinearts.org/Welcome.html

There is a newer - nice place at the nearby Presidio - the Presidio Inn is it- which might also have gym facilities. http://www.innatthepresidio.com/?s_k...|p|25182737288

What type of equipment do you need? More cardio and weight resistance machines? Should not be that hard to find - and get guest membership somewhere. There are a couple fitness clubs by the Marina Safeway - or there used to be anyway.