Is there a more modern upscale hotel than the Sir Francis Drake in this location that would have larger rooms? Or is this my best (or only) bet for less than $200/night?

You should try the Hotel Palomar. It is a kimpton boutique hotel and is right across Market Street from the Cable Car Depot. There is a BART station about a half a block away, so I always take BART directly from the airport to the hotel. Cheap, fast and convenient. The hotel palomar is quiet - the interior rooms overlook a quiet courtyard. And the decor is very chic and new. I always try to stay in a Kimpton Boutique hotel when I travel and am never disappointed. And I have gotten the Hotel Palomar for around 200/night. Good luck

I know the rooms vary greatly at the Francis Drake. We were very happy with our large but "standard" priced room at the Hyatt right on the square. Check the Hyatt website for deals.

You didn't say what time of year. I just checked the Hotel Palomar website and the cheapest room in mid-September is $299. It may be less, of course, in mid-winter. It looks very nice.

There are a number of smaller hotels in the area. One that is often mentioned here on Fodors is the Chancellor.

I have stayed at the Palomar. The room was extremely small. The condition of the room was fine. There is practically no lobby (doen't matter to many people). However, I found the service to be slow and surly.

I love the city, but, where are the hotel staff in San Francisco not surely surly?

Huh? I've never met a single hotel employee in SF who was the least bit surly, but I suppose many could be if someone approached them with "here I am" attitude rather than a smile.

I have done a lot of traveling, and if anything, I go out of my way to be a gracious guest. I almost always recieve great service. The Palomar was a noticible exception. I was there for 5 nights, and was locked in or I would have moved.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I will be there early October. I have a confirmed senior rate at the Sir Francis Drake for$188.00, but wondered if there is something newer and as well located for approximately the same rate. I have heard that the hotel is very old, although somewhat renovated recently, and that the rooms are small.

Any other suggestions?

We have been very satisfied at the Adagio, a small boutique hotel a few blocks off the square. The other hotel that we liked was the Serrano (http://www.serranohotel.com). We are staying there again in a couple of months.