111op

Hi,

I'm looking for an SF hotel for late next week through the weekend and the prices look pretty steep. Is there something going on?

The rack rates for hotels near the airport look like $150 and up, while the 4* hotels near Union Square are over $300 on Priceline Express and Hotwire.

Perhaps I should think about airbnb, but I've never used it and I don't really have any time to learn it right now. I think that I'd prefer to have a private apartment anyway, and it looks like this would be $200 and up anyway.

What about Priceline? Is $200 + tax achievable or is that too optimistic? Any other suggestions? I think that I want to stick to $200 + tax for my budget, but I fear I may have to go higher.

Thank you.

111op

Out of curiosity I looked up what I paid in 2009 for Westin St Francis on Priceline. It was $72 + tax....

Is this inflation or what? Tech bubble?

111op

Another data point -- $109 + tax for a hotel (maybe **?) near Union Square last year around the same time of the year in October.

I'm shocked by these prices.

DebitNM

ANESTHESIOLOGY 2013 Annual Meeting = 16,500 attendees
Oct 12 - 16th

MmePerdu

Airbnb is pretty straightforward, sign up, find a place and book it. Lots of apartments on the site. It's always my first choice these days and will be worth a few minutes of your time.

janisj

October is one of the busiest months for conventions - and the Anesthesiologists is a BIG one. All the medical conventions tend to jack up rates city-wide.

Dukey1

I will be in San Francisco on the 18th for five nights. I booked my lower Market Street hotel nine months ago and I figured I got a bargain at about $370/night considering the hotel.

You can stay cheaper but perhaps not in the exact area you prefer to be in.

Tabernash2

"the 4* hotels near Union Square are over $300 on Priceline Express and Hotwire."
That actually sounds pretty normal to me.

You could sign up on-line for the Hotel Monaco's 'club', which gives you a 20% discount on your room.

traveldawg

If you are a veteran check out MARINES MEMORIAL HOTEL. One of the great secrets in SF. Join for $125 (deductible), rooms then around $150 per night with great breakfast and free happy hour. Google it. Near Union Square and feels like an officers club.

111op

Thanks for the suggestions. Hotel Monaco starts at $439 so I think I'll pass....

I'm not a veteran but took a look anyway. It looks like membership is now $150, but there's also a benefactor option for $2500. It does look really nice!

I should get going with booking something!

Michael

If willing to spend time on the street car, you could check the motels at the end of the N-Judah and the L-Taraval lines.

Tabernash2

We have the Hotel Monaco for $260 at the end of October, using their club discount.

Tabernash2

Oops-- $247/night, before taxes, for a Deluxe room

janisj

>>We have the Hotel Monaco for $260 at the end of October

clarkgriswold

Cow Hollow motor Inn still has a few rooms left. You might want to book a room while you continue to look around, they have a 24 hr-day-before-arrival cancellation policy. Check reviews...

111op

Thanks. The Cow Hollow is a great suggestion, but it's in the Marina, and I won't have a car. I think that I'd still prefer downtown if I can get it.

So I found out that Thursday night is easy, Friday night is harder and Saturday night is the hardest. It's obviously the conference.

So as much as I dislike it, to save money I think I should break up my stay and switch hotels.

I'm actually flying home early Sunday so maybe I shouldn't even bother with Saturday night....

Does anyone know if it's easier or harder to use Priceline for a weekend only (say Friday night only, or Friday + Saturday night only)? I forget the details but I seem to remember that there's something about weekends for Priceline -- or maybe it's trying to get a room for Sunday night?

111op

P.S. Did anyone see the comments removed by the moderators? Just curious what they were....

111op

So I was Googling for 24h cafes and Cafe Mason is near Union Square.

So my backup option can always be to head there and sit for a bit and then head to SFO and save money on one night's hotel.

DebitNM

ad most likely

111op

I had to get it done as I'm leaving town tomorrow. I tried Priceline but I just don't have any more time to deal with tihs.

Hotwire $168 + tax for Hotel Nikko for Thursday
Marines $219 + tax (non refundable) via booking.com for Friday

So you can book this even if you are not military and I look forward to it. Thanks for the suggestion.

I'm just going to wing it next Saturday night.

Thanks again everyone.