San Francisco Hotel Tips by richiecdisc

I was a bit leery when booking a hostel in San Francisco. I had stayed in the Tenderloin ten years ago and though not as dangerous as purported, it was certainly a seedy locale. The first place I reserved was down a one-way street but when I found this place on the Internet, I quickly changed the booking. And was glad I did. It was a very good location, more in Nob Hill than the Loin and a San Franciscan referred to the area as the Tender Nob. It was completely safe and very convenient to everywhere in the city, whether on foot or using the extensive mass transit system.

Unique Qualities: Aside from its great location, the place itself was quite pleasant with helpful staff and clean rooms. We stayed in three different rooms and all were roomy with attached bathrooms, TVs, and comfy beds. There is a lift (elevator) which comes in handy since the place is about seven stories! The kitchen area downstairs is well kept and there is pancake batter for those on a tight budget though we preferred to eat rice porridge in Chinatown for $2.55 a huge heaping bowl. All this for $54 and remember that hostels are exempt from San Fran’s exorbitant 14% tax. You can book online at their useful website or call their toll free number.

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Theme: Hostel
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 1-877-483-2950
Address: 717 Sutter Street
Directions: Take BART to Powell Street Station, walk north on Powell to Sutter, make a left and it's about four blocks and on your left.
Website: www.usahostels.com

We didn’t stay here but stumbled across it while walking towards the Painted Ladies to get some photos. It was actually a more striking building than its more famous neighbors up the street. As it turned out, it’s an operating B & B and a very good one evidently, having won the best B & B in San Francisco award this year.

Unique Qualities: From the looks on their website, the rooms are very well appointed and atmospheric. Though it’s far from inexpensive, it does seem to be good value and even I, the savvy budget traveler, would consider staying here. Oh, did I mention, it’s within stumbling distance to the beery shrine, Toronado on Haight Steet?

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Theme: Bed and Breakfast
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: (800) 228-1647
Address: 1057 Steiner Street
Directions: Steiner is just off Haight Street and the B & B is a couple steep blocks down the street from the Painted Ladies row of Victorian homes everyone wants to capture on film.
Website: http://www.chateautivoli.com/