I have a friend who recommended this hotel for a three day stay next spring. When I called to inquire about the rooms, I was told that the rooms have shared baths, which I really do not want. But I was told that the penthouse there is available during my stay. It has a private bath and a television, which the other rooms don't have. At $155 a night, it didn't sound like a bad price compared to some of the chain hotels that I check in the area. Does anybody know anything about or have had any experience with this hotel or the penthouse there?

Though I have never stayed at the San Remo, I have read very good things about it, especially the penthouse. But I can tell you that North Beach is my favorite neighborhood in San Francisco.

The regular rooms are very very small, and very very clean. The shared bath wasn't a problem for us as it was usually free.

The suite sounds great, nice friendly place to stay , good location.

This is a very charming, European style hotel at the edge of the North Beach area. We stayed there a few years ago, and were quite happy with the hotel other than some noisy carpentry work going on next door.The bathrooms were shared, but usually unoccupied and always clean. The one negative - there is a housing project about 2 blocks away that could be sketchy late at night, but we never had any problems.

I agree that North Beach is a great area of town, and if that is the location that you are looking for, the San Remo would be a good choice. There are not many hotels in that area and will mostly find chain motels in the Fisherman's Wharf area.

Topping for Doris

Try the Andrews Hotel on Post Street...their price includes a huge buffet breakfast on each floor and a glass of wine each night.. and there is no sharing of bathrooms...yechhh... www.andrewshotel.com have used the place twice...charming and old fashioned..

If you can get the penthouse, I would nab it. I've stayed at this hotel before, and it's quite charming, great neighborhood (yes, it's a city, so take the same precautions you would in any city). Very conveninent to the 30 MUNI line and North Beach.