Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Hotels in San Francisco

48 replies

cherrypiepie · 07/08/2022 20:13

Looking for a hotel for a few nights in SF as part of a longer holiday. No idea where to start looking.

Any suggestions?

OP posts:
user1497207191 · 07/08/2022 20:18

I'd avoid "downtown" hotels as some of SF isn't very nice, with lads walking around with baseball bats and sledgehammers. We were really shocked when we went as we were driving around trying to find hotels (before the internet became the place to look/book) and quickly drove back towards the sea/harbour side around Fishermans' wharf etc where there are all the usual "chain" hotels which were pretty affordable.

chipsandpeas · 07/08/2022 20:24

i stayed in a marriot close to fishermans wharf - it was booked on expedia

notyetpregnant · 07/08/2022 22:43

I stayed at the Edwardian Hotel previously which was nice and had a streetcar stop right outside which was great because as pp mentioned it can feel unsafe in some areas at night.

I visited again this year and stayed at the Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf which was a great location for the wharf area and also had a good breakfast. This was also part of a longer trip so decided to stay somewhere more conveniently located to save time.

Pointblank2 · 07/08/2022 22:47

Another vote for Rui Plaza Fisherman’s wharf

HundredMilesAnHour · 07/08/2022 22:49

I stayed at Hotel Emblem near Union Square when I was there a few months ago. It's not really a child friendly hotel (it's a boutique hotel) so depends if you're taking children. Lots of decent hotels (such as Hilton, Ritz Carlton, JW Marriott etc) around Union Square / Nob Hill. (No signs of baseball bats or sledgehammers).

Other popular hotel area is near Fisherman's Wharf but that's VERY touristy.

NewYorkLassie · 07/08/2022 22:50

user1497207191 · 07/08/2022 20:18

I'd avoid "downtown" hotels as some of SF isn't very nice, with lads walking around with baseball bats and sledgehammers. We were really shocked when we went as we were driving around trying to find hotels (before the internet became the place to look/book) and quickly drove back towards the sea/harbour side around Fishermans' wharf etc where there are all the usual "chain" hotels which were pretty affordable.

Pretty sure most areas will have a changed a bit since the internet became a thing….

OP I’ve stayed at the Fairmont on Nob Hill a few times and it’s decent enough.

bluesky · 07/08/2022 22:53

Argonaut Hotel down at Fisherman's Wharf, it's on the end nr golden bridge, so not in the midst of the wharf busy-ness. We thought it was a great location. Perfect for getting first boat out to Alcatraz for example, must book that as soon as you know you're going to San Fran. The tram stop is outside the hotel. We hired bikes from next to the hotel to cycle across the bridge.

1990s · 07/08/2022 22:57

Avoid the tenderloin and that side of Union Square. Very bad mentally ill/addict population.

The Mission is fun and more “real”.

Nannyamc · 07/08/2022 23:00

Stayed in holiday inn fisherman's walk. Great hotel and close to fab restaurants.

bert3400 · 07/08/2022 23:03

Another vote for Argonaut . Really lovely hotel and very tastefully decorated

TheTeenageYears · 07/08/2022 23:07

Hotel Fairmont Heritage Place - Ghirardelli Square
+1 415-268-9900
goo.gl/maps/sLEyHnjcpB6RcFE97

Soproudoflionesses · 07/08/2022 23:11

I stayed in Nob Hill Hotel but wasn't much around it from what l remember

ifIwerenotanandroid · 07/08/2022 23:15

The Handlery in Union Square was lovely but we had to get beakfast down the road. (It was a long time ago so check out new reviews!)

maranella · 08/08/2022 14:06

There are two main areas where the majority of hotels are in San Francisco - Union and Square and Fisherman's Wharf. Of the two, I prefer Fisherman's Wharf, because I like being by the water. Yes, it's rather tacky and yes, there are some homeless people down there, but it's set up to be easy for tourists and it is.

We also stayed at the Riu Plaza on our most recent visit and it was nice. We also looked at the Argonaut and the Zephyr, which both looked good too. We went for the Riu because it had a pool, but actually SF is rarely hot enough for outside swimming to be pleasant and even in July I found the pool cold.

TizerorFizz · 08/08/2022 14:56

Fisherman’s Wharf is handy for fisherman’s wharf but quite some distance from other things you might want to see. We disliked it. Glad we didn’t stay there. We stayed at the Orchard Garden hotel which was well positioned for many other things we liked and it’s well priced. Not flash but worked for us.,

NooNakedJacuzziness · 08/08/2022 15:02

And another for the Argonaut, great location and lovely hotel.

pollyannaperspective · 09/08/2022 18:29

Another for the Argonaut - have stayed there several times with children. V close to end of one of the Cable Car routes.
Also stayed at the Fairmont at Ghiradelli Sq - OK, lots of space but expensive.
Also stayed at Fairmont Nob Hill - close to a Cable Car stop but agree with PP that it is a bit away from tourist activity.
As an alternative, we all loved staying at Inn Above Tide across the bay in Sausalito.

TizerorFizz · 09/08/2022 20:19

Maybe not very one wants tourist activity. Being at the end of a cable car means long queues to get on it. There’s so much to see in SF besides Fisherman’s Wharf.

pollyannaperspective · 09/08/2022 20:59

The Cable Car end stop near the Argonaut does have queues during the day but we always got on easily at the start of the day running time. There is also the tram that runs from Mission around to near the Argonaut passed the waterfront/Fisherman's Wharf.

WorrisomeHeart · 09/08/2022 21:56

We’ve just come back from a stay at the Argonaut - great hotel and ideal with kids. Having said that, next time we go to SF I’d aim to stay out of the wharf. The touristy crowds get annoying really quick.

allfurcoatnoknickers · 10/08/2022 18:55

The Fairmont! DH and I stayed there on our honeymoon. I'm not a massive fan of Fisherman's Wharf, it's very toruisty.

maranella · 10/08/2022 21:14

Yeah, I suspect in a normal year Fisherman's Wharf is horribly touristy. We went last year, when it was really quiet and I quite liked it.

MissConductUS · 10/08/2022 21:16

I stayed at The Palace hotel years ago and it was lovely and a really nice location.

www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sfolc-palace-hotel-a-luxury-collection-hotel-san-francisco/overview/

HairyMcLarie · 10/08/2022 21:19

user1497207191 · 07/08/2022 20:18

I'd avoid "downtown" hotels as some of SF isn't very nice, with lads walking around with baseball bats and sledgehammers. We were really shocked when we went as we were driving around trying to find hotels (before the internet became the place to look/book) and quickly drove back towards the sea/harbour side around Fishermans' wharf etc where there are all the usual "chain" hotels which were pretty affordable.

Ridiculous comments based on a visit 20 years ago

Fisherman's Wharf is horribly touristy and a massive rip off.

We adored the Clift in Union Square. Otherwise I'd head for Embarcadero area mainly as my favourite restaurants are around there and the market and lovely walks.

indigoemerald · 10/08/2022 21:27

We stayed at the Handlery Hotel in Union Square in May. It was a good location, only 5 minutes from Powell Street metro station and the cable car terminus, and good value for the price we paid. There’s a pool and gym and the staff were helpful. There’s no option for breakfast but there are lots of options nearby. There were some homeless/mentally unwell people on the surrounding streets, especially in the evenings, but sadly that is something you “get used to” quite quickly in SF.