hello fellow Rochestarian
I LOVE visiting Pittsburgh. We go at least once a year for baseball games. When we go we stay at the Springhill Suites Northshore because it is right across the street from the ballpark. Great place but not near the zoo.
There is a Hampton Inn near the strip district (not what you are thinking!!!!) it is an area of warehouses, stores, food etc. The Hampton is fairly new and has free parking I believe. The strip district is fun. You should definately go there one morning. Saturdays it is packed. Cheap stuff and yummy food. In the area is Primanti's which was featured on Man vs Food, they make huge sandwiches with the coleslaw and fries in the sandwich. It is on a back corner, you go in and sit down, either in the dining room or the bar -same thing really! read the menu off the blackboard (corned beef is fantastic). This is the original one and the best!
Whooleys which has the best fresh seafood and a hot food counter. Try the fish sandwich and the lobster bisque. They have sushi too (yuk not for me!) Onion rings are really good too. The only thing I have had there that was just ok is the fried clams -they are just the usual frozen kind.
Check out Mike Feinbergs for all sorts of fun stuff. And the Pennsylvania Macaroni Company is great too. We enjoy looking around and my dad always gets some cheese to take home. I like the olive bar, especially the antipasto. Needless to say we bring a cooler.
Getting around Pittsburgh can be tricky -lots of bridges, and streets that start out going one way but end up going an entirely different way. But any hotel should have directions to where you want to go.
Point State Park is interesting too as is Station Square (upscale shops and restaurants).
The zoo is wonderful but plan on doing a lot of walking.
As for other hotels, I usually look for a Marriott, I trust all their brands.
Have fun!