V-Flyer

Ok I'm not sure this is happening yet, but here's the story. Prompted by another post about where was awesome and what's on your to do list, I thought I'd do a dummy booking for SFO next June UC Z fares and then compare ex-AMS. The difference for a pair of tickets was £3100. Then I thought I'd check ex-DUB and the difference was an astonishing £4029!! y) ^) ^) y) Obviously this is now very tempting and we haven't even paid for our Japanese trip in April yet :w

So I'm giving it serious consideration although I might wait until a little later in the year, and am now asking my fellow v-flyers for hotel recommendations please.

Cheers all,
John

O dear john ,I sense the cc may be about to take another bashing !

The Fairmont on Nob Hill (yes that is correct!) is very nice, but pricey. I would avoid Fishermans Wharf, it is a tourist trap.

The first time I went to SF in my yoof we stayed at The Inn on the Castro which was very nice and they did fantastic breakfasts. But it is an Inn as opposed to a hotel. Looking at the website it looks like it has not changed since 1992!

You must go- definitely my favourite US city. On one trip there I had planned to drive down the freeway from SF to LA. I never left SFO in the two weeks I was there as I was having such a great time I didn't want to leave.

Our favourite hotel in the world is the Mandarin Oriental San Francisco. We love the quieter location, but still within walking distances, the fantastic views and fabulous staff (nothing is too much trouble for them!).

Wow hamster that looks like a fab view. Maximus I've read all of Armistead Maupin's books so I've already heard of nob hill etc. Thank's for recommendations so far. And yes Blacky it looks lie the Amex might get another bashing! But a deal's a deal right?

Bretty wrote:Wow hamster that looks like a fab view. Maximus I've read all of Armistead Maupin's books so I've already heard of nob hill etc. Thank's for recommendations so far. And yes Blacky it looks lie the Amex might get another bashing! But a deal's a deal right?

I must admit I had a look on Expedia after your post ,£1400 odd pound to SFO is pretty darned good ! y) go for it ):

Thanks of this. You have got me looking now as well....had already decided to do the AMS thing next year to get to SFO on VS in J, but just checked DUB (which I hadn't thought of) to SFO it saves me a staggering £2015...kerching

The InterContinental on Howard Street (next to the Marconi Centre) is quite nice with good city views, nice large rooms and good facilities including an indoor pool.

When we went we did stay in Fishermans Wharf at the Holiday Inn, which was fine, we didn't spend much time in the hotel anyway, we found the area great for being able to walk to all the areas we wanted to visit, and its right by the tram stops.

One recommendation from me is here. Great fun and a grey way to see the sights. You'll also feature in hundreds of tourists pictures as you descend Lombard Street !

James thanks for the hotel recommendation, it's a good price for the UC flight isn't it? Chum a, very funny, but er NO! Blacky, are you thinking about it too?

chumba wrote:When we went we did stay in Fishermans Wharf at the Holiday Inn, which was fine, we didn't spend much time in the hotel anyway, we found the area great for being able to walk to all the areas we wanted to visit, and its right by the tram stops.

One recommendation from me is here. Great fun and a grey way to see the sights. You'll also feature in hundreds of tourists pictures as you descend Lombard Street !

We stayed at the Holiday inn Fishermans wharf too and loved it. I know some say it is a tourist trap but we found it a great base and the tram stop right outside worked great for us. We loved an early morning walk up the wharf to the Ferry building and enjoying coffee and breakfast pastries at Pete's coffee shop. We found Union square to be soulless in the evenings where as the wharf came alive. Can't wait to get back to SF y)

Bretty wrote:Maximus I've read all of Armistead Maupin's books so I've already heard of nob hill etc.

Will you be heading out to 'The End Up' then I love Tales of the City and spent many an hour in SF checking out the landmarks.

Bretty wrote:James thanks for the hotel recommendation, it's a good price for the UC flight isn't it? Chum a, very funny, but er NO! Blacky, are you thinking about it too?

Tempting isn't it ! ,might give it further consideration but I've already booked Boston this week so might give my cc a rest for a week or two

Having stayed in San Fran a few times my favourite place to stay is just over the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito at Cavallo point. It's an amazing place with great views of the bay, the city and the Golden Gate Bridge. Whenever I'm in San Fran now that's my first choice.

Thanks for the tip nayobaby2003, I'll bear that in mind.

I think we're going for it but first I just need to check with my 2ic who runs my business whilst I'm on leave. It should be okay as I'm looking at dates outside school holidays, but yeah, looks like we might do it so I should strike whilst my hubby agrees and to hell with the Amex getting bashed! Only thing is I'll miss out on some miles on Amex for not booking direct but hey ho... on the upside I'll get to fly a 747 in the nose

H. There ,

We stayed in the Argonaut at the end of Fisherman's wharf close to the tram stop and great views of the bay.

It also does free wine tasting in the evening for an hour well when I say free I mean you put a dollar in the pot and drink away

We stayed at the Omni, and it was fabulous!

Now the omni is one that's caught my eye too and it looks right up my street, so thanks mrsw.

Today I'm gonna check with my 2ic and then hope to get it booked.

I have a bone to pick with you john! Why did you put this online...hkg is coming out 5k cheaper ex DUB also! I could do hkg and sfo at those prices!
Princess is doing cartwheels!

Glad to be of assistance John. We only had a short stay there (2 nights I recall), and it was really lovely. Make sure you join their free loyalty scheme (if you are not a member already), as it gives you free wifi, water, etc.

We went to Mama's for breakfast, which was, as they say, a San Francisco institution. The queue was pretty long (we even went before it opened), but was worth it.

ultreen1 wrote:I have a bone to pick with you john! Why did you put this online...hkg is coming out 5k cheaper ex DUB also! I could do hkg and sfo at those prices!
Princess is doing cartwheels!

ROFLMAO!! ): ): Go Princess go!

mrsw wrote:Glad to be of assistance John. We only had a short stay there (2 nights I recall), and it was really lovely. Make sure you join their free loyalty scheme (if you are not a member already), as it gives you free wifi, water, etc.

We went to Mama's for breakfast, which was, as they say, a San Francisco institution. The queue was pretty long (we even went before it opened), but was worth it.

Many thanks, I'll bare that in mind y)

good afternoon.
a quick question for you vflyers,
do i have to use the dublin leg of a dub-lhr-jfk-lhr-dub flight
or can i just use the lhr-jfk-lhr tickets
the sound of a uc ticket at just over1300 punds sound to good
to be true.
cheers julian

Yes you have to fly the initial DUB-LHR leg, otherwise the whole ticket becomes void.

However bear in mind your "stopover" in the UK can be up to 24 hours, so you can either do the LHR-DUB-LHR trip the same day as your LHR-JFK flight or, if it's more convenient and you live reasonably near LHR, you could do it the day before and just go home for the night. No need for the hassle of taking your luggage to DUB then.

You don't have to fly the final LHR-DUB leg when you get back from the US.

Hi Bretty,

I must say that I'm a big fan of The Palace Hotel when staying in San Francisco although it's been a few years since my last stay there.

I was meeting up with my sister when she was going through her divorce and thought SF would be a great place as she lives in BC and I could get a G to SFO and return via LAS, anyhow upon check out I think it was the Assistant Manager who said "thanks for visiting Mr Hull I hope you will return soon" to which I replied "oh I will and next time I'll bring my wife" and winked at him, my sister and I both managed to retain our composure until we made it out to the street.

Now I'm off to look at how I can get another trip booked up with those knockdown ex AMS/DUB prices.

Dominic

Stayed in the Grand Hyatt last year,which is next to Union Square. I would certainly head back there when visiting next.