Hotel in San Fran

[joece]

I am looking into a long California trip next year and see many San Francisco Hotels on Expedia. But many including Hilton S.F. just do not seem right. What hotel would you recommend near everything? Also over 3 1/2 stars!

 

[boosmom96]

If it's in your price range I'd recommend the St. Francis in Union Square. It's a wonderful hotel and the cable car runs right in front. The Fairmont and Mark Hopkins are great and the Palace Hotel is a San Francisco legend. All of these are pricey, but they are all truly San Francisco landmarks.
The Hyatt in Union Square and the Hyatt Regency in the Embarcadero are also really nice. Looking at Expedia's offerings, I'm not familiar with any of the 3 stars, although I know the Kimpton Group has some really nice hotels. In the 3.5 star category the Miyako Hotel and the Sir Francis Drake are both quite nice. The Drake is more centrally located. Any of the hotels 4 star and above are going to be fabulous. They don't have a bad one in the bunch.
All of these are in the Union Square/Nob Hill area. I would also check out Fisherman's Wharf. I'm not really familiar with the hotels in that area.
I hope this has been some help. I can only imagine how hard it must be to try and pick a hotel in San Francisco from a bunch of pictures on a website!

 

[nordkin]

We recently stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Fisherman's Wharf and found it to be wonderful.. The decor is art deco and it is very convenient to everything. They have parking which you must pay for, but it is only a block from Fisherman's Wharf. As I recall the price was not that bad, among the least expensive in the area and it includes a free continental breakfast. I would definitely stay there again.

 

[Vanvmom]

We used to go out for drinks at a hotel down by the wharf. The bar was at the top of the hotel and it revolved so that if you sat by the windows you could see a full view of the city and the bridges (very nice at night). I can't remember the name of the hotel, but if anyone local could post the name it would be great (I believe it may have even been the same hotel that marks the starting point for Bay to Breakers).

I agree with the posts about the hotels around Union Square. While you are in San Francisco, take the ferry over to Sausalito. My old college roommate lives in an area right outside of SF (and her relatives are all from NY). Tons to do and see, you'll love it!

 

[Dobie]

WE stayed at the Sheraton at Fisherman's Wharf last summer. While the service was iffy, the location was really good, and the price was right, as I recall. For 20 bucks a night more, we stayed on the top (club) floor; the rooms are slightly bigger and there was a more than adequate continental breakfast and evening (5-8) appetizer thingie in the lounge.

 

[cmoore]

Our favorite is the Argonaut Hotel. It's right at Fisherman's Wharf. We've made a lot of trips to San Francisco (we live about 1.5 hours away) and have settled on the Argonaut as our favorite. We've stayed there twice and will stay again in the future.

It's right on the corner where the cable car turnaround is. If you get a room on the right side of the building (North?) you can see the bay, the cable cars, and Ghirardelli Square out your window.

 

[RADOPT]

We stay at the hyatt on union square. There is a very popular place to eat, esperically breakfast, around the corner call Sear's fine food - get there early if you want to eat breakfast. They have a website. What every hotel you stay at mention the activities, restaurants, etc. At out last checkin, I ask about their restaurant (hours, location, etc). "Since you mentioned it" - I was given 4 50% off coupons for for the restaurant. They were only giving them to those who inquired about it, they were not just offering it to anyone who check in.

 

[boosmom96]

We used to go out for drinks at a hotel down by the wharf. The bar was at the top of the hotel and it revolved so that if you sat by the windows you could see a full view of the city and the bridges (very nice at night). I can't remember the name of the hotel, but if anyone local could post the name it would be great (I believe it may have even been the same hotel that marks the starting point for Bay to Breakers).

I agree with the posts about the hotels around Union Square. While you are in San Francisco, take the ferry over to Sausalito. My old college roommate lives in an area right outside of SF (and her relatives are all from NY). Tons to do and see, you'll love it!

You are describing the Hyatt Regency. It's actually at the Embarcadero, not the Wharf. The cable cars turn around in front of the hotel. (I think it's the California line, but I may be wrong.)
The Restaurant is called the Equinox. You can also go up and have just drinks, which is going to be cheaper than going for a full dinner. Last I knew they served lunch, but it's been a while, so that may have changed.
I would highly suggest that you buy an Entertainment Book for San Francisco. It can save you money on food and possibly the hotel. My DH and I did this on a recent trip to Monterey and we picked restaurants out of the book for lunch and dinner. We saved alot more than the price of the book.

 

[damo]

We stayed at the Argonaut for two nights and absolutely adored it!!! It has original brick walls in the rooms with wood beams and amazing decor. It is right in the middle of the action down on the Wharf and really is quite inexpensive. We got it off Hotwire.

 

[RADOPT]

I would highly suggest that you buy an Entertainment Book for San Francisco. It can save you money on food and possibly the hotel. My DH and QUOTE]

I like this new option - I'll try it on our next trip.

From http://www.mousesavers.com/misc.html
"Another Option: Entertainment Book Savings Subscription

Entertainment Book now offers a "Savings Subscription," which is an online version of the Entertainment Book that costs $3.99 per month or $39.99 per year. With the Savings Subscription you don't get a book or a discount card -- instead, you can just go online and print out any or all of the discounts for a particular location.

This is ideal if you want restaurant and attraction coupons for a vacation. Simply sign up for a Savings Subscription covering that location (i.e. Orlando) right before you leave, print out any coupons you want, and then cancel when you no longer need the subscription. The coupons are valid for 14 days after you print them.

This is an especially economical way to get coupons for an area you will only be visiting for a short time. To see what's available with the subscription, click here and enter zip code 32830 for Walt Disney World area discounts. Enter zip code 92802 for Disneyland area discounts. "

 

[jlmarr]

One potentially useful bit of advice - the SF Muni "F" trolley will get you all the way from Fisherman's Wharf to Market Street and beyond. This is a handy alternative to the cable cars (which are also a must-do but often have long waiting lines).

http://www.sfmuni.com/cms/mms/aboutmun/histcars.htm

 

[AspiringCindy]

We stayed at the Argonaut for two nights and absolutely adored it!!! It has original brick walls in the rooms with wood beams and amazing decor. It is right in the middle of the action down on the Wharf and really is quite inexpensive. We got it off Hotwire.

Do you remember what the description was on Hotwire...apparently betterbidding states that Sheraton and Argonaut have the same description! I would rather get the Argonaut!

 

[sgirlsmom]

Just got back from a girl's weekend trip to San Francisco and Napa Valley. We stayed two nights at the Omni Hotel in S.F., which is in the Financial District (500 California St.) It was a beautiful hotel, wonderful service, 4.5 stars. I was able to get it for lesser price than most other comparable hotels by going directly to their website and finding the AAA rate. I looked on Expedia, hotels.com, yahoo travel, etc., and still the best price was direct from the hotel.

Any ques., I'd be happy to answer!

We loved the location...walking distance or short cab/muni ride to all the major attractions.

If you decide to stay here, be sure to sign up for their "Select Guest" program, which gives you automatic turndown service at night, priority checkin (we were greeted at the door with keys with our name printed on them, and escorted directly to our room..didn't have to go to checkin!), free morning beverages delivered to your room, preferred room requests, etc.

We were very pleased with the Omni and will stay there again on our next trip.

Lisa

 

[captaincrash]

I've traveled to SF for the last 15 years staying all over from the 4 seasons/St Francis/Fairmont to lesser bed and breakfast joints. I wouls agree that anything at Union Square is probably a real pleaser IF 3.5 stars or better. As for other sites like Embarcader or FIsherman's Warf they have good hotels - and they were already mentioned.

I would add though to shop the Macy's and Nordstroms' Flagship stores - I now my spouse always clamors to get into those places - I just get pizza and relax in the union square or hit the book store off Powell.

Scoma's at Fisherman's Warf is an easy must go destination for seafood - and any nice and busy restuarant in Chinatown is usually a real pleaser. But I must admit - I can have pretty humble likes - as I like to hit Tommy's Joint on Van Ness for cheap and simple hoffbrau fare!

Aside - from that - enjoy your stay - and use HOTWIRE through Upromise - as that gets you a percentage back and the usual lowball rates.

 

[BelleM77]

I second the Scoma's suggestion. It's very yummy!

We stayed at the Hotel Adagio last time we went and we liked it a lot. The french toast in the restaurant there was to die for!

 

[LucyKate]

The Argonaut is a sensational hotel. It's down on Fisherman's wharf, on the corner next to the cable car, so you have everything at your doorstep, and if you get a Bridge view room you can see the cable car as well.

Great hotel, pretty new, wonderful decor, free wine tasting every evening, a couple of free internet terminals and a great on site restaurant, the Blue Mermaid.

It was the best hotel on our US trip by a mile.

Go direct through their webiste and check out the specials, if you go out of season you can get some great rates.

Beware of parking though - unless parking is included in your rate it will costs you $30 per night or more, and there's no escaping the charge if you have a car.

 

[damo]

Do you remember what the description was on Hotwire...apparently betterbidding states that Sheraton and Argonaut have the same description! I would rather get the Argonaut!

When we booked, it was the only hotel with 4.5 star rating on Fisherman's Wharf, so it made it quite easy to get. Here are the amenities that it had at the time (this is my post from Better Bidding): The amenities are restaurant, exercise room, internet and business room.

When I check in packages now on Hotwire, I see that the Argonaut is only 4 stars though, so it makes it a lot more difficult, actually impossible to tell the difference! I feel for you!