I'm in the middle of getting our vacation fixed for September'99 and intended using Virgin Holidays. Two of the hotels (OK for our budget) are the Hotel Bijou and the Hotel Handlery in Union Square. Having to make a choice I wondered if any of you good guys can help this Scotsman out and perhaps give me your thoughts and a little more information on each of them? Any help would be very much appreciated.

Bill

To say the Handlery hotel is on Union square is playingfast and loose with geography.It is sufficiently off union square to put you in a questionable area for safety.You might prefer some of the B&B's or small hotels in SF:Nob Hill inn(415-673-6080)Union Square Inn(415 3973510)Email me if you want for other ideas.

Friends from Denmark found The Beresford to be economical, clean, safe, and well-located. Ask any travel agent to look up their location and e-mail and/or fax address.

Thanks for your responses.

Bill

I disagree with the judgment on the Handlery. It *is* a block off Union Square, but not in the area where problems can occur. That is a bit further south. [And there are many small hotels with good reputations and good retaurants in that area "a bit further south".] I have a friend who is very *particular* about his comfort and safety and he always stays at the Handlery. Our choice is the Monticello Inn on Ellis St. A block of Union Square, yes... and a block west of the inn ... perhaps dicey... but a *great* place to stay.

A good friend of mine also uses the Beresford. I have been to the bar and it is nice also. It is close to where you want to go.

I remember seeing the Handlery (esp since it was one of the places we'd considered staying) while we were at the Chancellor, about a block away.

Maybe it's cuz I am a long-time Chicago native, but I am really mystified by the bashing that the Union Square neighborhood gets in these forums....are you sure you folks all know from what's safe and unsafe? As for my spouse and I, we were very pleased with the location, liked walking the shop-lined streets after dinner....and never felt threatened or unsafe.