Hotels/Motels in SF
 

I am looking for a "inexpensive" but safe hotel or motel in San Francisco.

Somewhere near fun stuff to do where we would feel safe driving or taking a cab back to late at night.

Thank you

Define safe. Define inexpensive. The Hyatt Union Square typically has internet specials for the mid $100s. The Rex Hotel in the classy west-of-Tenderloin area on Sutter Street is neat. I've never stayed there, but I've gone to parties in the bar. I checked rates there recently, and I think it's mid 100s. It's an old style building, so you won't have much of a view once you're in for the night. There are a bunch of other hotels on Sutter as well that might fit the bill.

When are you coming and I presume with driving you will need parking, right?

Yeah, need more detailed definitions of safe and cheap. If you'll have a car you can also consider places nearer the airport or over in Emeryville. Drive into the city, park all day, and then be back at the hotel in those locations in 20 minutes.

How long will it be for? If at least a few nights you might consider an apartment rental. I have a friend couple that spends about one long weekend in the city per month and they've found a very nice apartment in North Beach that they can use for about $80-$90 a night. If you'd be interested in that kind of thing I could try to see if it would be available.

Safe as in we won't get shot/mugged/otherwise hurt. There's bad areas of every city, we don't want to stay in the bad area of SF.

Looking at the 26th-28th of Dec. Alex, that would be great if you could get that information for me.

We're looking at driving and flying. Whatever will end up being cheaper (flying = cabs, driving = parking).

flying = BART

flying = cabs or buy a 3 day muni pass which will get you on BART (in the city) and all MUNI or Cable Cars. It's reasonable.

Heck, I'd love to have Alex's tip on an apartment in North Beach for a weekend rental. Keep in mind though, parking in North Beach is a b*tch, so if you go that route, try not to have the car.

heck, if my roomate were not coming back on the 25th, you could stay with me, no problem. But now I've got a full house again.

Well, one thing to keep in mind about San Francisco is that it really isn't that big. At least in areas near downtown the bad parts and the good parts are intermingled pretty well and are frequently nearly indistinguishable in the middle of the night.

I'll ask about that apartment. But I'm guessing that Christmas week you aren't going to find much in the way of "cheap" for hotels.

I'm guessing--just guessing--that, however, frugal it might be, suggesting that her party drive back to Oakland, Emeryville or San Bruno in the wee hours will not be the safe, socially responsible or legal alternative.

Why wouldn't it be safe? I do it all the time (because I live in the East Bay). Not sure why it would be illegal.

Obviously if the drivers will be drinking that's a problem but then driving in the city back to a hotel would be just as bad.

Depending on where you're parking in relation to where you're driving back to, going to Emeryville would only be about 10 minutes more driving. Not the perfectly green way to go but also not a huge additional burden considering how much driving/flying was done to get them there.

It's also not a solution I would strongly recommend, but depending on how big a concern price/sketchiness of neighborhood is, I find it is an option that some people like.

I am, indeed, assuming that for the evening activities, cabs, public conveyances and/or pleasant brisk walks will be required.

BtD
There is this:

It's near the BART (if you are flying in to SFO or Oakland) and is not too far from Union Square. It's in a slightly seedier area, but 2 blocks over, it's Union Square and much nicer. SF is like that as Alex pointed out, one block is scary, the next gentrified (or at least colorful). About $90 a night, depending on the room. Not sure how inexpensive you mean. For SF, this is cheap, I'd say.

http://www.hotelmetropolis.com/

Anyway, from here you can catch MUNI, BART and a Cable Car or cab and get around town.

it's an option

I have always been a fan of the JDV hotels. I have stayed at the Phoenix and the Hotel Carlton. They also have some hotels in the east bay.

The Phoenix has free parking, and the Hotel Carlton has a lot that you can pay for and leave your car. (somewhere like $30 a day)

As Alex said, the good and bad areas are intermingled when you are in the city. One just needs to be aware when walking. I have never had a problem and I have walked all over the place at all hours of the night.

There is a big difference walking around a city a night with a vagina than it is with a penis.

And you are probably the one that everyone else is afraid of :D

True.

For the record, I have a vagina, and I do walk around the city in most areas, just some of them I don't walk around at night. It's simple common sense, really, and not any scarier than some sections of LA that I've been in.

After a certain hour in the bitter naked city, isn't that really what everyone is walking around with?

I've been to the Phoenix and it is fine if you're into the kind of scene is plays host to (nothing too raunchy, they just aren't quick to shut down a party).

But it is a perfect example of not knowing what "safe" is. That part of the Tenderloin wouldn't bother me at any time of night but I know people that would be worried just being there during the day.

Travelocity has some good deals on flights/hotels. We think we're driving but with gas doing what it is, it's not set in stone.

Any opnions about these hotels?

Wow, those are some good rates!

You'd be fine with any of them as far as I can tell. If you really want to be in the heart of the San Francisco shopping district Christmasy brouhaha then the Westin St. Francis is probably best for that. It is a monstrosity of a hotel in the classic urban style with rooms appointed with unstealable furniture (not because it is bolted down but because a table lamp weighs 4 billion pounds).

I've always wanted to stay at the InterContinental just because the have the coolest driveway so I'd pick that one but you'll be a bit further away from things and any trip on foot will at some point involve a serious uphill walk.

Thank you so much Alex!

I just got approval for the time off, so it's a go. SUPER EXCITED!!!!!!!!!

I've stayed at this one many, many times. It's nice, and it's right on Market. There's a Muni/Bart station entrance right out front.

It's owned by Ramada (and until recently, was called the Ramada Plaza). The building was built as a temporary city hall in 1911 (there are still jail cells in the basement!). It opened as the Hotel Whitcomb in 1915. I'm glad Ramada decided to go back to the historic name.

Not to mention all the historical info on the hotel dotted throughout. Not to mention they have the original house phones in the lobby, from the 1930's I'd wager, if not earlier, they weigh a freaking ton. I love the St. Francis

Not to alarm you or anything, but...

Violent crime climbs in the Bay Area
As homicides and other felonies decrease in L.A., several Northern California cities are recording increases. Experts say finding the culprit will be tough.

Anyone know if booking a package deal and then skipping the flight portion would screw up the room reservation?

As in buying but just not taking the flights? It shouldn't I would think. How would the hotel know if you'd just gotten bumped to a later flight or something?

No effect at all. Air tickets will be worthless, but room ressies will be just fine.

Got the hotel booked - a killer deal at the Westin St. Francis. Thank you Alex for the recommendation. We're going to drive and I hoping to swing by the aquarium to say hi to Sharky3 with side-stops maybe in Solvang, Los Olivos and Paso Robles.

How about a quick stop in San Luis Obispo to see Bubblegum Alley?

(BTW: going up the 5 would be much faster, though far less scenic drive.)

Good choice, the St. Francis is centrally located and a spiffy hotel with plenty of history. And comfy beds, which I think is important!

Comfy being relative. They have really soft beds (or did) so I slept on the floor.

I'm actually not sure how we are going to go. We are leaving from Santa Barbara and I'm not driving.

And right by a giant mall! ;) Can you say after Xmas sales? :evil: :D :evil: :D

Don't they have the heavenly bed? Which it seems you don't find heavenly.

Yeah, that's the monstrosity. Beds should be difficult to differentiate from floors when it comes to firmness. Really, the advantage of sleeping on a bed versus a floor is that it is easier to stumble out of in the morning.

Nothing against the San Francisco Shopping Center, but you are only allowed to visit it after you've done the freestanding stores along Post, Geary and Sutter that allow you to go from shop to shop while breathing the wonderful cold December air.

Ah. From Santa Barbara, it would probably just be the 101.

The St. Francis was the setting for the TV show "Hotel" with James Brolin and Connie Sellecca.


And, why is it I remember that tidbit of info?

Because you are a pop culture whore.

The opening sequence of The Conversation was filmed from the top of the St. Francis and the Macy*s Building.

Don't worry. I'm sure we will be. We're also going to be eating lots of yummy non-chain food.

I was tormenting myself with a whale watching tour that tries to also see Great Whites.

I need to buy some cold weather clothes.

Why bother? Be like all the other tourists who come here with clothes that are not SF weather clothes. Just buy them while you are here! I mean you are right smack in the middle of the shopping district, and plenty of other spots, too.

Or be like me and wear shorts and a t-shirt and scoff loudly about how it isn't really all that cold and what a bunch of sissies the people of San Francisco are.

I could... we have the same stores (where's the nearest Target? Because, you know, it's not like my Target ;) ). I need to figure out what the weather is going to be. I mean I already have jeans, hoodies, pea coats, a nice comfy Columbia jacket, gloves, scarves and a beanie. I don't actually need anything. Really, I need hoodies, gloves and scarves like I need another hole in my head. :D

HA!