San Francisco Hotel Tips by tinyvulture

This is by no means a fancy place - there is no pool, no room service or anything like that (but there are a ton of coffee shops, restaurants and bars really close by, and a convenience store right next door). Our room was very small, but if you just want a clean, affordable place to sleep in a central location for sightseeing, the Dakota is highly recommended. The only downside is that, since our room overlooked Post St, which is quite busy all times of day and night, we were woken up a few times by sirens and people shouting at 3 in the morning.

Unique Qualities: This building is 100 years old, and the elevator is sort of scary. It is kind of like a cage, but you get used to it.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: 606 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Grant Plaza Hotel is an old building but the lobby is cute and well-lit. Everyone I spoke to was very helpful and courteous. It's centrally located in a safe area in the heart of Chinatown, within walking distance of Union Square, North Beach, the cable car lines, and many restaurants. I would have expected to pay far more for such a great location, but it was only about $60 a night for a small, basic room with a double bed and private bath. The bathroom has only a shower--no bath tub--but good water pressure and plenty of hot water. Extremely clean, color TV, hair dryer, electronic key card door locks, alarm clock, computers in lobby (but you have to pay extra to use them). If you plan on spending most of your time outside of your hotel, but still want a clean and comfortable place to rest your head at night, then stay here. The only downside to my stay was that there was no mini-fridge in the room which made it hard to stick to a food budget by eating cereal, etc. in the room. There is a Coke machine and ice machine in the lobby, however.

Unique Qualities: Ask for a room facing Grant St., on one of the upper floors. You'll get an interesting view of Chinatown, but not too much street noise. The concierge told me that the rooms on the top floor are bigger and have the best views, but they do cost more.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: 800.472.6899
Address: 465 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108
Directions: One block north of the Chinatown gate
Website: http://www.grantplaza.com