A thread for local matters.
Such as: The NY Times just did a piece on recommended "affordable" hotels in SF. I've been inside the Triton and used to overlook the Phoenix while living in the 'Loin, but have never stayed in any of these places, so I thought I'd see if any of you can confirm or deny the recommendations. I have some vacation time in November and December and am starting to think about taking a week to visit. December might be especially nice, as I always love walking through the Christmas-deco-adorned Hyatt hotel and the poinsettia-flooded BofA building.
http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/10/15/travel/15SF.htmlHotel des Arts, 447 Bush Street, (800) 956-4322;
www.sfhoteldesarts.com. Rooms start at $125. However, $294 gets you a week in a room with a shared bath — possibly the best hotel deal in the city: you could stay there for more than 10 months for the price of a single night in the penthouse at the nearby Fairmont.
Metropolis Hotel, 25 Mason Street, (800) 553-1900;
www.hotelmetropolis.com. From $99. There is a suite for children, and packages for dogs, and “Girls Gone Wild,” which includes Champagne, skin care products and calling cards.
Queen Anne Hotel, 1590 Sutter Street, (800)227-3970;
www.queenanne.com. From $99. Rooms available with fireplaces and hot tubs.
Cornell Hotel, 715 Bush Street, (800) 232-9698;
www.cornellhotel.com. From $85 with shared bath; from $110 with private bath. A cozy spot operated by the same family for 40 years; rates include a full breakfast.
Hotel Boheme, 444 Columbus Avenue, (415) 433-9111;
www.hotelboheme.com. Starting at $159. This North Beach hotel trades on its Beat pedigree: Allen Ginsberg often stayed here.
Hotel California, 580 Geary Street, (800) 227-4223;
www.thesavoyhotel.com. Starting at $139. Accessible location near Union Square, plus a frosted tequila shot at check-in.
Hotel Diva, 440 Geary Street, (800) 553-1900;
www.hoteldiva.com. Starting at $129. Coolly slick, with an urbane knowingness: a condom inside the in-room safes.
Hotel Majestic, 1500 Sutter Street, (800) 869-8966;
www.thehotelmajestic.com. Starting at $125. A peaceful Victorian hotel on the shoulder of Pacific Heights.
Hotel Palomar, 12 Fourth Street, (866) 373-4941;
www.hotelpalomar.com. Starting at $200, this is a notch above the others here, with a central downtown location by Market Street, slick décor and doggie wellness packages.
Hotel Triton, 342 Grant Avenue, 800-800-1299;
www.hoteltriton.com. Rooms start at $159, and if they’re available at that price you should snap them up for amenities like a goldfish as a roommate, in-room stereos with iPod docks and a well-appointed fitness room, all in a vibrant newly renovated building. Near Union Square and Chinatown.
Phoenix Hotel, 601 Eddy Street, (800) 248-9466;
www.thephoenixhotel.com. From $139. The “rock ’n’ roll” hotel near the Civic Center that is a San Francisco take on Los Angeles style; it holds afternoon pool parties on weekends.
San Remo, 2237 Mason Street, (800) 352-7366;
www.sanremohotel.com. Rooms from $55, but the real gem at this historic North Beach hotel is the penthouse suite, starting at only $175. It’s usually booked three months in advance.
York Hotel, 940 Sutter Street, (800) 808-9675;
www.yorkhotel.com. This hotel, on Nob Hill, was a setting for Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo.” Stay in the room Kim Novak lived in during the shooting, starting at $109. Otherwise, rooms start at $89.
