I disagree with the last poster's response regarding the White Swan Inn. We were there this past summer with our 8 yr old son for 4 nights and we all loved it.
It really depends on what your travel needs are and what your travel experiences are with your children. If your kids have only been on vacation at WDW or at other large resorts, then this may not be to their liking. But if they are used to travelling to other kinds of places, then they may love it. My son certainly did!
While there is no pool, we certainly did not miss it. You are in San Farancisco, for Gods sake! There is so much to see and do that you probably wouldn't have time for much swimming anyway.
What makes The White Swan so special is that it feels like a cozy haven in the middle of the bustling city. We would always come back to the hotel in the late afternoon to get ready for dinner and to stop in the lounge (beautiful and comfortable) for tea, wine, and cheese. In the evening, when we would arrive back home (as my son called it) for the night, we would head back to the lounge for some sweets and acouple rousing games of bacgammon by the fire.
Breakfast at the White Swan is also lovely. It is set up as a buffet in the lounge. There are plenty of tables set very nicely and the atmosphere is terrific. My son is a picky eater and didn't want the omlettes that had been prepared for breakfast. A simple request for plain scrambled eggs from my husband was always responded to kindly. On our last morning, he didn't have to ask. The eggs were already being prepared for him! There are also plenty of pastries, fruit and cereals available.
The Petit Auberge is also lovely but the rooms are much smaller. You'd be better off sticking with the White Swan. Ask for a King size room. Tell them you need the largest room available when making your reservation. They will be very accomodating. And yes, there is a TV in the room. There is also a TV in the Lounge by the fireplace.
Unless you have points to use up, I would pay cash for the reservation. It will cost far less money. That's what we did.
Also, if you are travelling throughout CA, I would reccommend a stay at any of the other Four Sisters Inns. We too stayed at the Maison Fleurie in Napa and loved it. Our favorite Inn of theirs, by far, was The Green Gables Inn in Pacific Grove, walking distance to Monterey. It is right on the water and incredibly wonderful!
If you want a really special trip, definitely stay at the White Swan when you are in San Francisco. We plan on staying there on any future trip we make there. A friend who was travelling with us this summer is returning to SF this spring and has already made his reservation at The White Swan. As you can tell, we're big fans.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Have a great trip-
Alyson
