What hotels would you recommend in SF? We are a family with 1 teen and 1 preteen. Would love a very nice hotel in a good area, easy access to public transportation without any hills. Greatly appreciate any help!!

The Westin St. Francis

The Hyatt Embarcadero

I will second the recommendation for the Hyatt Emabarcadero.

We stayed at the Hilton in Union Square. No regrets. Great price on priceline.com. Right in the middle of everything -- restaurants, shopping, cable cars, people watching, etc. You can even walk to Chinatown.

The homeless certainly didn't bother us.

A family friend who was visiting with her preteen and teen stayed at the Shearton on Fisherman's Wharf. As a SF resident Fisherman's Wharf is not one of my favorite areas of town (mainly because it is geared towards visitors) but the kids seemed to enjoy the area. It certainly qualifies as easy access to public transportation without any hills, the F trolley car stop was right outside the hotel.

Hills and S.F. kind of go together. The Marriott is not my favorite hotel as it is geared towrds groups/conventions, BUT it is close to MOMA, yerba buena gardens, the metreon and is close to the Embarcadero area. If it were me I would stay at the Fairmont or the St. Francis.

I am also a big fan of the Westin St. Francis. I've read some negative reviews on fodors lately but I've always been pleased with the accommodations, the staff and the ambience of the hotel. I like the Union Square location, too, as it's very accessible to shopping, the BART/MUNI system, the cable cars (front door of the hotel) and great restaurants.

The Hyatt Embarcaero or Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf would be a better choice. I would stear clear of Union Square if I were you. It's very filthy.

The Tuscany Inn at Fisherman's Wharf is a small, attractive hotel. We stayed there for three nights about two years ago and would stay there again. It's part of the Kimpton Group.

do the Marriott in the SOMA area-
it is a larger convention hotel and the rooms are huge....

Of the Hyatt Union Sq...right in the heart of Union Sq.-shopping all around and basically below the hills if you head from Hyatt to Market st.

Union Sq. is fine- forget all the negatives...just avoid the homeless and you are fine...We ALWAYS stay in Union Sq...........

Also the Villa Florence is 1 block off Union Sq. and right near the cable car...make sure you get a Jr Suite ( just a little larger room with a sleep sofa) , as the regular rooms tend to be small and face a wall....

Westin St.Francis is also on Union Sq and right across from a cable car stop...to you can avoid lots of hills that way....

First choice would be Fisherman's Wharf, eith Sheraton or Hilton. We also like the Columbus Motor Inn in North Beach area. Very nice location and parking is included.

Forget Union Square. It's a rather marginal area, despite what some may say.

The Renaissance Parc 55 has huge rooms and a pool, and is next to Union Square and the Powell St. cable car turnaround.