My wife and I have a chance to stay at the Hilton on Jones street in San Francisco free of charge for a Halloween weekend in Oct 2007. Sounds good but am interested in knowing whether or not I should just pay for a hotel somewhere else on the wharf? Must be clean, quiet and non smoking. Advice appreciated. Thanks, Dennis

Well, AAA gives it three diamonds and lists its rates between $169 and $299. It will be a typical Hilton and has 234 units. But it's free. Use the money you save for some fantastic meals.

You're asking if you should pay for a place to stay on the Wharf when you can stay free at the Hilton there? Only if you have no regard at all for money, in my opinion. Why would you do that?

If you would pay to stay somewhere else on the wharf then don't.

If you would pay to stay somewhere else in the city (Union Square, Nob Hill, Embarcadero) then maybe...research the wharf area and decide if it's for you.

Of course I like the idea of keeping my money but my question is, is it clean and quiet? I have a reservation at the BW Tuscan On Point Street and would keep it if the reviews were poor for the Hilton.

If someone gave me a free room at the Wharf, I would turn that down and pay $$ to stay in the Union Square area (where the Hilton is located).

How much time do you plan to actually spend in the hotel? Usually when I travel to a city like San Francisco (London, Paris, Rome, etc) I spend as little time as possible in the hotel, and when I AM at the hotel, my eyes are usually closed.

The noise level may be about the same at both location - I supose it depends if you're on a street side & what level your floor is on.

Isn't Hilton a pretty large chain?? I assume the rooms would be clean.

Stu Dudley

The Hilton on Jones is NOT in Union Square. In fact there is not a Hilton around Union Square (there is one on Kearney north of Chinatown).

I personally don't care for the area but since the room is free just keep it and have a great time in the city. I don't think the Tuscan Inn is any better than the Hilton but I haven't stayed at either.

my bad...there is a Hilton on Ofarell which is close to Union Square.

Yes, the Hilton in question is right at the Wharf and appears to be as nice a hotel as there is there, so that's why I can't imagine turning it down to pay for another hotel in the same area.

We were down there for a family event 2 years ago. Half the group stayed at the Tuscan Inn, the other half at the Hilton. Everyone was happy.

Neither one is "on" the wharf, they are a couple of blocks away.

I incorrectly assumed that dp1206 was referring to a Hilton downtown - on Jones. I couldn't imagine why anyone would give up a free hotel & pay for another hotel in the same area.

Most locals I know think the Wharf includes everything from Pier 39 to Ghirardelli Sq.

Stu Dudley

I think the old Holiday Inn on Kearny is also a Hilton after a remodel.

We love the Tuscan Inn. Good restaurant there too.

Get up early and go walk along the wharf and down the Embarcadero.
Watch the sea lions wake up at Pier 39!

I stayed at the Hilton a couple years back and thought it was quite nice and a great location for sight seeing. Enjoy!

Thank you one and all. I believe we will stay at the Hilton and use the money saved on a nice night out. Another question please. Any one know of accommodation in or near "The Avenue of the Giants"? We will pass thru the Redwood grove Nov. 4th.

http://www.benbowinn.com/