TR

I am planning to go to SF for the 1st time over Labor Day with my fiancee.

I'm planning on checking out the rates on Hotwire.com The neighborhood choices they give are:

Cathedral Hill
Marina District - Cow Hollow
Downtown - Civic Center
Downtown - Convention Center
Downtown - Embarcadero Area
Downtown - Union Square East
Downtown - Union Square West
Fisherman's Wharf
Nob Hill

Which among these are the best place for a 1st timer and which should be avoided?

Thanks

mare

Fisherman's Wharf, on a holiday weekend, is probably the only place that you won't get a hotel that's a dump.

surfer joe

I usually stay at the Nikko. Great location near Union Sq. Stayed at the Rafael (I think? Or was it the Donatello. I know it was a mutant ninja turtle name) It was old but renovated. Still very small and quaint. I know the Fairmont was undergoing renovations so they were offering discounts.

BadMin

Hilton Towers near Union Square was okay. Close to some good attractions.

Karen

TR,

I just got back from San Francisco yesterday, it was my first time. We stayed at Villa Florence in Union Square. Very noisy at night, but a very nice boutique hotel. If you choose to stay in Union Square, try to get an "inner" room it may be a little quieter. Union Square seemed very safe, we had no problems. Nob Hill is a very nice area. I didn't care for the Fisherman's Wharf area.

I would recommend a place on or near the trolley stops, it's so convenient. Also, I had read a good amount of negative feedback on San Francisco prior to my trip. However, I fell in love with the city, keep an open mind.

Have fun!

Karen in RI

don

If you don't mind touristy, I think your best choice is Fisherman's Wharf. I think it is most convenient to the things a first time visitor would probably want to do. My favorite neighborhood is North Beach, an Italian neighborhhod located between Fisherman"s Wharf and Chinatown, but there is not a lot to choose in hotels in that area. If you are a shopper, your best area might be the Union Square area, the one closest to or including Chinatown (I'm not sure but I think it is the east). It puts you in the middle of the downtown shopping area. You didn't say weather you have a car, but you can take a ferry to Sausalito or the boat to Alcatraz from the Fisherman's Wharf area (both are personal favorites).

steve

Stayed last month in the Marina District at Pacific Motor Inn. Ok quality $100 per night including tax. trolley #30 is 2 blocks away which goes to Fisherman's Wharf, chinatown and more.

mike

Cow Hollow, Union Square and the Wharf are all viable options and will provide you central locations to walk, shop, drink and eat.

Susan

I'd also add Embarcadero to Mike's list. You will possibly get the Harbor Court Hotel, they often sell through hotwire, and it is very nice. There is a cable car that runs from the Embarcadero to Union Square, and also easy transportation to Fisherman's Wharf. Also, the Ferry Plaza is right there, where you can catch a ferry to Alcatraz or Sausalito.

ThisWeekend

Anyone know about THE WARWICK REGIS HOTEL? It's a small boutique hotel, 2 blocks from Union Sq. on Geary st. Cross Street is Taylor. Does that put me in or near TENDERLOIN? I've heard bad things about that area. Should I cancel my reservation? I'm bringing my wife who has never been to SF, and I want to impress her. Don't want Porn shops and drug addicts. Am I in a good area or no?

kal

Wawick Regis is right near the upscale Monaco and The Clift. More Theatre Dist/Un Sq than Tenderloin. Not bad.

We've stayed at The Harbor Court Inn
2-3 times this year. Nice boutique hotel. Right near pub trans, restaurants, view of the Bay Bridge from the back rooms, 10 min walk to UnSq or Pac Bell Park. Got it for $80-something/night last month on Hotwire......even with the Dodgers and a marathon in town.
The clue is "B"=Boutique/Embarc Distr. on Hotwire.
We are enjoying the Embarc Distr. this year.
Kal