San Francisco Hotel - which area??

[Neil]

Just a quick question, which is the best area to stay at in San Franciso, Union Squire or Fishermans Wharf?? Looking to do both shopping([:I]) and the usual tourist things.

We are looking at the moment at either they Grand Hyatt in Union Sqaure or Argunaught at Fishermans Wharf, but any other suggestions/tips would be appreciated.

Neil:)

[fozzyo]

We've always stayed near Union Square. Great location for most things.

I always stay at hotel niko by Union Square and then ride the cable car down to Fishermans Wharf, Hotel Niko , is a great hotel and its 2 minutes away frpm the cable car turnaround.

Originally posted by fozzyo
We've always stayed near Union Square. Great location for most things.

Gets my vote too.

Paul

[Neil]

Cheers people, my preference was Union Sqaure too

[Bazz]

I would locate in the area that you plan to go out in the evening to. Better to get around and enjoy the sights and sounds in daylight and perhaps only have a short walk, maybe to a restaurant, in the evening.

The transport system is very good, albeit the cable cars can get very busy and it is sometimes difficult to board during really busy periods or at popular stops.

There are some good restaurants in the Fishermens Wharf area, mainly seafood themed as you would expect but also some other gems like Gary Danko to tempt you.

Whatever you decide you won't go far wrong with either locale - enjoy!

I found the Union Square area can be a little noisy at night depending on where your hotel is (as soon as it gets quieter between 12am-2am, the garbage trucks etc all come out to make more noise).
Definitely better for shops though as you step outside the hotel and there is everything within a few yards.

Not saying there's anything wrong with Fisherman's Wharf as it's only a 5-10 minute trolley bus/cable car ride from Market Street/Union Square. Just might be easier to get back to your hotel with loads of shopping from the Union Square area - as mentioned, the cable cars do get busy and aren't really designed for lugging loads of bags about (very touristy) - the trolley bus that runs along the pier area is slightly better for this sort of thing and pretty much goes to the same place without going up and down all the hills.

[Neil]

Thanks Bazz and Xenole, must say that I can't stand sea food[:$] so maybe Fishermans Wharf is not the best for me, must say we do enjoy a good nightlife,nice bars and good restaurants, are there plenty of these in the Union Square area that would keep us entertained??

Thanks,
Neil

[mcmbenjamin]

There is the Ferry Terminal too and Hotel Vitale.

Between your two picks I would go with the Hyatt. There is a Starbucks across the street and it is closer (very close) to the Cheesecake Factory.

[Neil]

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
closer (very close) to the Cheesecake Factory.

Sold - I love cheesecake!!:D

We recently stayed in the Argonaut. The hotel itself is very well presented and very clean and the staff were friendly. Wine receptions (free) between 5 and 6 each night are a bonus.

The area is a very mixed bag. The Argonaut is right at the end of Fisherman's Wharf, away from the most tacky excesses of the area, but close enough to sample if you were minded to. We walked through it to get to the Blue and Gold Cruise departure point for the 1 hour bay cruise. It's quite simple really, if you want Fishermans Wharf, turn right out of the front door - if you don't, turn left and you wouldn't even know it existed.

Our room had a view of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, the park and (obscured view of) the cable car turnaround. It was across the way from Ghiradelli Square where there are a number of good restaurants as well as the ubiquitous chocolate shop and cafe.

The building itself used to be the old Del Monte cannery, and the rest of the site has also been transformed for leisure/shopping/dining. There is also a nautical museum within the hotel, and the gubbins of the cable car operating system is a short walk away.

You need to walk two short blocks to pick up the number 30 bus that will take you through Chinatown (5 mins) to Union Square (10 - 15 mins depending on how many Chinese people embark going through Chinatown ) and beyond. A Muni pass is very good value and covers the cable cars as well. You can also pick another bus up here in the opposite direction for the Palace of the Fine Arts, Golden Gate Park and the Exploratorium.

Personally, I found the Argonaut's location to be much more peaceful than Union Square but was really pleased I'd not picked one of the bigger chain's Fisherman's Wharf locations - smack bang in the middle of the tacky bit.

Regards

Pat

Sorry - forgot to mention I'd echo Bazz's recommendation about Gary Dankos - it's opposite the bus stop just up the way as previously mentioned but you could easily walk past it and not realise it was a restaurant, very stylish and very good food.

Regards

Pat

I wouldnt stay at either place - too noisy. Id stay at the W for its coolness, but normally atop Nob Hill at the Mark Hopkins or the Fairmont is where I stay kind of in that order of priority too..

Originally posted by Attitude23
Just a quick question, which is the best area to stay at in San Franciso, Union Squire or Fishermans Wharf?? Looking to do both shopping([:I]) and the usual tourist things.

We are looking at the moment at either they Grand Hyatt in Union Sqaure or Argunaught at Fishermans Wharf, but any other suggestions/tips would be appreciated.

Neil:)

Of the areas you mentioned I'd vote for Fishermans Wharf but, as it is easy to get around, it comes down to whether you want to be by the bay or in the city centre. Nob Hill could provide you with both bay/bridge views and bustle.

We had a fantastic stay in the Marriott last year just round the corner from the Powell St trolley stop and next to a couple of good shops. The breakie wasn't bad and the views out over the city on the higher floors are great.

Plus the bar at the top has some of the largest windows I've seen and a great place for sun sets and they make a mean Mai Tai.

[honey lamb]

The first time I went to San Francisco we stayed in the Grand Hyatt in Union Square which we got from Priceline at $85 per night I really enjoyed it as it was very convenient to everything as well as being on a bus route we used to get to the Presidio Park. Chinatown was nearby and there was plenty of shopping close at hand.

The views from the bar on the 35th floor are stupendous - except when the fog rolls in!

Originally posted by mysteryflyer
I wouldnt stay at either place - too noisy. Id stay at the W for its coolness, but normally atop Nob Hill at the Mark Hopkins or the Fairmont is where I stay kind of in that order of priority too..

I would never ever go to the W SF, hideous staff and small rooms. Mark Hopkins I might agree with and the Fairmont, well never stayed there but been pretty tight in the tiki room.

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by Attitude23

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
closer (very close) to the Cheesecake Factory.

Sold - I love cheesecake!!:D

The CCF is at the top in Macy*s on Union Square. Stop by the Westin St. Francis (also on Union Square) and get a discount coupon for Macy's (11% off). Just ask in the lobby. I do not think the coupon is valid for food at the CCF.

[Neil]

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
The CCF is at the top in Macy*s on Union Square. Stop by the Westin St. Francis (also on Union Square) and get a discount coupon for Macy's (11% off). Just ask in the lobby. I do not think the coupon is valid for food at the CCF.

Cheers for the tip Ben[y].

I spent what seemed forever last night looking at loads of reviews sites and hotel websites for San Fran and still have no idea where is best to stay, TBH think the Grand Hyatt look ok for what we need but if anymore suggestions then keep them coming:D

Cheers
Neil

(Just off to look at the Mark Hopkins now as that seems to off totally passed me by[:?])

[Bazz]

We have stayed at the Mark, a bit tired but still a good Hotel. If you book an Executive/Club Floor room you get comp breakfast/lite lunch/lite dinner and free bar, think you can also buy the priviledge for $30 pp or thereabouts.

Another one to consider, in the financial district is the Mandarin Oriental, a few of us stayed there on the way back fro the V-Flyer LAS social last year, spectacular views some good restaurants near by, close to the cable car so good access alround. Downside is it is a bit pricey.

I went through a phase of staying at the Pan Pacific so thats worth a check too. Its a big hotel but I liked the place. On the W I just had a lovely time there in the bar and my room was great and with alovely view and crammed with Sony gadgets and a hifi which was great.

Originally posted by mysteryflyer
I went through a phase of staying at the Pan Pacific so thats worth a check too. Its a big hotel but I liked the place.

The Pan Pacific has now trans-mogified (is that an English word?) into a JW Marriott. The location is excellent, 2 blocks from Union Square, but I found the rooms rather bland. I don't know if Marriott has done any work to the rooms since the take-over earlier this year.

One thing I did like about the Pan Pacific was the complimentary chauffeur car service for guests. Very handy if you wanted to get to other places downtown in San Francisco.

[|:)]

i suggest the clift, located by union square, not cheap but well worth it...

it is a sister hotel to the delano in miami, and the mondrian in los angeles etc.

[8D]

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by Bazz
Another one to consider, in the financial district is the Mandarin Oriental, a few of us stayed there on the way back fro the V-Flyer LAS social last year......

Well I have not personally stayed at the MO SF but have heard wonderful things from people that stayed there during the VF social.

A benefit of staying at the MO is that they give you access to this gym that is an old bank. The building that is the gym looks great. Neat concept.

[Neil]

Mandarin Oriental looks very nice and seems to of made its way to the top of our list, probably a bit more than we wanted to pay but I guess were on holiday so we should splash out (my excuse for all the shopping to be done:))

Thanks for the tip Bazz[y]

Neil:)