jlaughs

I'm planning to take my daughter to San Francisco for 3 days at the beginning of January (1/5-8). I haven't been to SF in decades and I'm not particularly familiar with the various hotel locations (Union Square, Nob Hill, etc.).

I'd like to find something within either walking distance or easy transportation to Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown and shopping. I'd like to find something in the $130/night or less range (with either free or reasonable rate parking nearby). Yes, I will have a car, but I think I'd prefer not to drive it around SF. And, since it will be just my daughter and myself and we will be walking, I'd like to somewhere safe.

I can get a room at the Grand Hyatt for $129/night (thus my price range) and I've read that there's public parking nearby that is cheaper than the hotel parking. Is this hotel in a good location for my desires? Traveler's reviews don't rate it particularly high, but it seems like it's a "high class" hotel.

Thanks for everyone's comments.

djkbooks

Haven't checked rates lately, but we loved the Argonaut. Gorgeous, comfortable rooms. Great location (especially that it was steps from the cable car turnaround). Walk or ride to Fisherman's Wharf or anywhere else conveniently.

janisj

What you are seeking is pretty much non-existant. A hotel w/i your price range is possible - just. But free parking, not likely. Count on $25 or more (sometimes a lot more) per day for parking.

If you must have a car - then I'd Look at motels along Lombard St, etc. Many of them include parking and will fit in your budget.

Ida101

Check Hilton (formerly Holiday Inn Select) Financial District. Next to Chinatown, busstop in front of the hotel to Fishermans Wharf, etc. (It is walkable from there too).
Ask a room with bayview...you will love it!!!!

jlaughs

Thanks everyone.

djkbooks, I looked into the Argonaut because I'd read about it in other threads and it ranks high in traveler's reviews, but it's about $50/night more than I was hoping to spend. If it's really worth the extra money, I'm willing to spend it, but, if possible, I'd really like to find somewhere that fits what I'm looking for at the rate I'm trying to pay. Thanks!

janisj, the deal I can get at the Grand Hyatt fits my price range and, from what I've read, there's reasonable rate parking nearby (next door or across the street, I think) although not *at* the hotel. Is the reason you say what I'm looking for is non-existent because the Hyatt doesn't fit my desire to be within walking distance or easy transportation to Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf and shopping? I'll have a car because we'll be driving up from LA, but I'd prefer not to drive it around the city.

Ida101, is the area around the Hilton safe? I read about the Chancellor Hotel on Union Square which is rated fairly high on traveler's reviews and seems to fit what I'm looking for (location, price), but several reviews commented that the area is a little scary at night.

Any opinions about the Grand Hyatt? Is this a good deal that I should jump on? The deal expires today, so quick responses would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

trippinkpj

I haven't stayed at the Grand Hyatt, though I have a friend from out of state who stayed there (via Priceline), and really liked it. That's a good price you have for the GV, and it's in a good Union Square area location.

trippinkpj

I meant for the GH (Grand Hyatt). And it is AAA 4 diamond rated.

mikemo

We used to stay at the Renassiance Stanford Court which is great, but got a stunning bargain in April at the wonderful Chancellor Hotel on Union Sq.
Great location and really nice folks.
Highly recommended for nearly all.
M (SMdA, Gto.)

jtrandolph

The Grand Hyatt is fine...on Union Square, a "safe" area. I don't know about parking there. Union Square garage is across the street, but I don't know its rates. As for the Chancellor, it is a block away, still in a "safe" area. The Grand Hyatt is a little more upscale than the Chancellor, FWIW, but is a larger hotel.

Both are within walking distance of Chinatown and shopping. Hop a cable car to Fisherman's Wharf.

Don't worry, it will be a good choice. As for the car, if you are renting one, don't do it while in the city, but when you need it for day trips, or whatever.

janisj

What I meant is that parking at Union Square is $25 per day and at Stockton/Sutter it runs $33. So I was talking about finding free or reasonable parking. Those are w/o in/out privleges so if you mived the car the rates would be higher.

I second the idea of not renting a car except as needed for day trips.

If you are driving your own car to the city - then just bite the bullet and pay the high rates near Union Square, or look elsewhere for places that include parking.

J_Correa

We stayed at the Grand Hyatt last year and it was great. The room was very comfortable - small, but nicely laid out, nice bathroom, quality furnishings, very nice bed linens, etc. The hotel staff was terrific - attentive, polite, etc.

The location is good. Right off Union Square and about a block or so from Market street, which is the main public transportation corridor. Just about every bus, MUNI line, or street car runs down Market or crosses it. You should have no trouble getting around from there. The cable car turn around isn't far either.

I don't know about the parking though - I'm sure the city of SF has a web site with parking info on it. Since you aren't planning to use your car in SF, you may be able to find a garage without in and out privelages where you can keep your car for a relatively low rate.

ElendilPickle

The Columbus Motor Inn - www.columbusmotorinn.com - and its related properties (links on the website) all have free parking. They have locations in Cow Hollow, near North Beach, and some other places.

We got a family room at the Marina Motel (www.marinamotel.com) on Lombard last May for $99 a night, which included parking and a two-for-one breakfast deal at Judy's Restaurant on Chestnut.

We used SF Muni's website to plan and print all our bus routes. The site is easy to use and was very helpful since we didn't want to drive in the city either.

Lee Ann

jtrandolph

For comparison, AAA rates in last year's Northern Califoria Tour Guide list the Grand Hyatt's rates at $189-@259. I imagine they went up this year.

While the motels in the Lombard Street area are fine and do have free parking you would need to take public transportation to the downtown area, or drive your car...and the parking problem comes in again. From Union Square you can walk to Macy's and to Bloomingdale's and the San Francisco Center, with Nordstrom, etc.

I would stay near Union Square and find the least expensive parking you can. We never find the need to take our car out of the garage for a 3-day stay. We just use public transportation.

ecat

jlaughs,

Check out the Carlton Hotel - stayed here many times & love it. Parking is not free but you can do it for I think $25. per day across the street or $30.

Ask for a room not facing Sutter.

http://www.jdvhospitality.com/hotels/hotel/248

Enjoy,

Eileen

LoveItaly

Hello jlaughs. I have stayed at the Grand Hyatt many times and going along with what you are looking for location wise, trasportation wise etc and especially with being able to get a room for $129.00 (do figure on an additonal something like 15% hotel tax regardless of where you stay in SF) I don't think you can do any better. There is also the Stockton Garage to check out price wise. That is just across the street on Stockton (which the entrance to the Grand Hyatt is on) and up the next block.

tracys2cents

travelzoo recently listed a special for the Radisson on the wharf for $99 including parking...not sure if it extends to your dates. Columbus Motor Inn is a great location a few blocks easy walk to the wharf...I'd book something directly with them right away while you continue to look for something more glamourous...you can cancel up to 2 days prior.

jlaughs

Thank you to everyone for your feedback. As the Chancellor has received much better reviews than the Grand Hyatt and their rate (including valet) is less than the deal from the Hyatt, I've decided to go with the Chancellor. In the meantime, I'm also going to check out the Radisson at Fisherman's Wharf!

Thanks again everyone!

Now, any suggestions on good shopping (good as in good deals rather than high end shopping)? Also, any comments about what/where to stay away from would be greatly appreciated as safety is always a concern.

Thanks!

mikemo

We had a great room on the 11th floor in the back - missed our wine (pinot noir) toast with the manger, but you'll like it lots.
Buen viaje.
M

SAB

There is a recent thread entitled "San Francisco safety" that should answer your questions in this regad.

djkbooks

We stayed at the Argonaut with Hotwire. I was able to deduce ahead of time that the hotel would be the Argonaut by shopping the Hotwire packages.