So much good info! As for what I like to do, I'm an art and architecture nerd. Always behind a camera. I like to walk a lot, see the sights, not too much of a foodie. Wouldn't mind some good shopping but really only for local goods (crafts, foods, art) as I live in a huge city and can get any sort of mall type goods from home and avoid lugging them around. I like a good bar, breweries, etc. I am not bothered by a hill but I am bothered by long lines of tourists. I like a quiet place to sleep and to sort of blend in when possible. I do generally take taxis to and from hotels though. It's just easier unless I'm carrying a small amount of luggage. The view from the Hyatt is amazing!
One of the tricks to avoiding the "tourist" lines at the cable cars is to *not* start at the begnning. If you generally go up a stop or two, you can hop right on. I may have just been luck, but found that the car operators would only load them so far at the first stop, then add on at the next stop or two. JMHO... Have fun in the city... whereever you stay. It's a great "playground" city.
Then you shouldn't miss the 210-foot high Coit Tower and its American Social Realism mural art and art deco design in the shape of a fire-hose nozzle, which was built to commemorate the firefighters in 1906 earthquake.
This thread has left me with more answers than when I started. 1. I hear Nob Hill is bad b/c of the line but that the hotel is nice (?) (and with an IC bogo that I would otherwise not use, a good deal) 2. The SPGs haven't been getting much love but if I need nights for my 3 for 1 promo, I might put up with it (and the possibility of a nice suite as a plt) 3. The Hyatts sound good but which one? The Regency or the tourist-area Fisherman's Wharf. And should I use a suite upgrade? Also read about noise problems - anyone here have those issues? I am going to get some drinks on Fri and then walk and take pics on Sat. Nothing too exciting for the weekend but I was in town for work and will extend my stay. I am leaning towards the Mark Hopkins b/c of the bogo - do I need to be talked into something else? Cheers -
If it's between those two, go for the Hyatt Regency. I still believe that the Grand Hyatt on Union Sq is the place to be.
Thanks for the suggestions on the Hyatts. I ended up at the Mark Hopkins. A nice hotel in a decent location (the hill isn't too bad). The staff performed well and I'd go back given the chance. The hotel does seem a bit dated but maybe that is what gives it a bit more charm than some of the newer hotels? I would have liked to have seen at least a flat screen tv - who still has picture tube tvs in a high end hotel? The bar up top of the hotel has some fantastic views Cheers -
I'm glad that you enjoyed your stay at the Mark. The bar on the top floor "Top of the Mark" was a popular place for soldiers who were heading to the WWII Pacific theater to have a last drink, including my father in 1944.
Thanks for reporting back. Many years ago, I was staying at the hotel when Clinton arrived for a meeting (not with me)- it was quite the security scene and the hotel handled it very well. I prefer the newer IC for design, but Mark Hopkins is a classic with great views.
Just stayed at three of the majors last week in the same general area--here's how I'd rate them, in order of my experiences: 1. Omni--stellar stay (the nearby SF Architecture tour by Rick Evans is exceptional, BTW) 2. Hyatt Regency--miss those hanging vines, though 3. Le Meridien (such a disappointment compared to the Park Hyatt days; mention Priceline at your peril)
I went to the steakhouse in the basement of the Omni- and it was excellent- I also recall the cost being quite high even for San Francisco. Very nice staff. LM is only good value if you get a super low rate (I have seen as low as 99 USD). JW isn't too bad however it was much better when it was the Pan Pacific. Cliff was great as a Four Seasons years ago- now sucks as a Schrager hotel (sneering staff, terrible tacky furniture in the Red Room, and they permanently closed Asia de Cuba which was a pretty good restaurant). Stay away from the Westin unless you are at a convention there. I have stayed at a few of the "Joie de Vivre" hotels which are excellent value- we also held some meetings and the service was very good- the only super annoying thing is that you need to enter your email address to access the (free) wifi- after which they spam you every two weeks forever and the cancel function doesn't work (I was stupid enough to give my real email address and somehow they get through the spam filters). New Four Seasons is good although I heard they decimated the staff a while ago.
To all you Nob Hill wet blankets, the only reason I suggested the Renaissance Stanford Court was because the OP stated this was/is going to be her first visit to SF and of the chains she has status, I recommended my favorite Marriott property over any of the Hiltons. That's all. Hopefully she'll be back for subsequent visits and can try out different neighborhoods.
Your suggestion was a good one! The views from the tower in the Fairmont by the way are amazing. RC is one of the top hotels in San Francisco. Huntington is a very quirky property but I have found the management to be a bit of a PITA (so I don't stay there anymore). A lot of people like the Fairmont Suites at Ghiraldi Square but to me the location is terrible.
