Very nice accomodations in the Financial District and other San Francisco, CA Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

The room was impeccable: clean, well laid-out, the furniture was gorgeous, and it had every amenity we could want. ( no shortcuts like combining shampoo and conditioner )
We got a 19th floor room with a balcony that had a view of the bay for only $200. ( This was off season, in mid-March )
The food from room service was as good or better than most restaurants.

{ as of Sept 2006 the hotel had been sold, and was operating under new management, so all of the above may not be accurate }


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average

Address: 333 Battery St, San Francisco, CA 94111

We had a very pleasant stay. The Stanyan is a Victorian era hotel that has been completely upgraded, and is well maintained. The rooms are comfortable, with all the usual amenities.
Staff was very helpful, spoke accent-free English, and someone was on duty 24/7.
The continental breakfast had a huge selection, and could almost be advertised as a buffet.
The only thing that they don't have is off-street parking ( although the Kezar stadium parking is 1/2 block away for $15 per night ) I was able to find parking within 100 yards for free on three of four occasions when I needed it. YMMV.
A room with queen bed was 170 in Sept 2006.
We will be staying there next time we visit SF.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average

Address: 750 Stanyan St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Directions: Eastern end of Golden Gate Park.

On the net, this looked like a deal: cheap, good amenities, off-street parking, and close to Fort Mason where I was doing business.

Things began to go badly when I opened the door. The perfume smell was strong enough to gag a Parisian skunk. I told the clerk that I wanted another room, and he replied that there were no other rooms available. Fortunately I had checked in early, so I opened the windows and left for several hours. On my way out, the neon sign said 'vacancy'.

When I got back, it was breathable, but cold. So I closed the windows and turned on the heater, only to find that the drapes were too long and they covered the vents of the heater, and they flopped around in the airflow. I finally found a way to get the drapes tied up out of the way of the heater but so that they covered most of the window, and settled down to sleep. Within ten minutes I was sweating, for the sheets were cheap polyester.

During the night I was awakened regularly by traffic noises: that part of Lombard is one of the main routes through the city and has trucks driving on it all night. Every time I was awakened, I could see - through the gap in the drapes that I could not close - the glaring red 'vacancy' sign.

In the morning, I found that the allegedly 'continental' breakfast was little more than a pot of coffee, a bottle of orange juice, and a box of dry donuts.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average

Address: 1501 Lombard St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Directions: Directions? Go someplace else. Perhaps the Stanyan Park or the Park Hyatt.

The Palace hotel is one of the most elegant hotels I have ever stayed in. The interior decor ranges from fine to breathtaking.

The location is excellent: there is a BART and Muni station right next to the building.

But the management is resting on its laurels. Nothing is really done badly, but there are a bunch of things that are done as if it were a Motel 6.
-The internet on your tv ( at $10/day ) is absolutely useless: it distorts web pages so as to make them unreadable.
- There was only one end table, and one bedside lamp in a room with a kingsize bed.
- The food was mediocre. We paid $89 each for their Mother's Day buffet, and the food was the quality of Denny's.

Despite these minor flaws, we enjoyed our stay. It is a very romantic place. ( If you are staying for business, go to the Park Hyatt a couple blocks away. It's not romantic, but well managed )


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average

Address: 2 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105
Directions: It is at the New Montgomery BART stop.