Hi Fodor's experts!!!
My partner and I are planning to visit San Francisco the first week of October this year.
We're thinking about staying in the vicinity of Union Square. Does anyone have any recommendations for a hotel please - our budget is maximum $200-$250?
Has anyone stayed at the Chancellor or Hotel Rex? Would you recommend? Thanks!

I haven't stayed at your mentioned hotels, but I have stayed at The Handlery. It was nice in Union Square.

Have fun

If you can get a good price on one of the discount websites, we like the St. Francis Hotel, right on Union Square. Or if you have Hilton points, there is a Hilton right around the corner.

We also enjoyed two hotels that are not right on the Union Square, but close by: the Adagio and the Serano.

Have you checked availability for your dates on Kayak.com? The Serano for a few days at the beginning of October comes up within your price range.

The Chancellor is fine. My parents stayed there starting years ago. The rooms are small, non dramatic and a little drab. Can be noisy on the lower floors. The bar is convenient and friendly. Location is great. Sears Pancake house next door.

I love the St Francis in Union Square and always get a great deal whether its on Expedia, direct or try hotwire..
I have gotten it as low as $75 a night in the new tower..
Become a starwood member for upgrades if you do choose this gorgeous hotel.
Friends love the Beresford Arms around the corner..
Make sure you eat at the classic
Lefty O'Doul's across from the Union Square/St. Francis.

I forgot to add that hotwire is a blind buy and I go for the 4 star in Union Square and hope for the St. Francis but could be the Sir Francis Drake which I like too..

We stayed at Hotel Rex last Setp. and loved the place, location, service, etc. One of our favorite small inns. Location was very good, service was excellent.

Try the Donatello - I loved it!

Twice I've stayed at the Andrews Hotel. It's an old hotel and nice enough in that price range. Barely 2 blocks off Union Square.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Have never come across kayak.com before - how good is this website? Working my way through reviews, but just wondering if there were others out there. Any suggestions for Nob Hill?

There are only a few hotels on Nob Hill and they likely will not be in your price range (Fairmont, Mark Hopkins, Stanford Court).