The 161-room upper-middle-range Hotel Carlton is a comfortable property located located near Polk Street and Union Square in Lower Nob Hill. Built in 1927, the Carlton has an eclectic decor, with Middle Eastern and Asian influences. The fusion theme continues into its restaurant, Saha, which blends Yemenese and Arabic cuisine with California and French touches. The hotel also has a meeting room and a 24-hour business center. Rooms come with flat-screen TVs and Keurig coffeemakers, and offer city views. Be aware that rooms are not air-conditioned, and some receive noise from the street and adjacent rooms. The Galleria Park, also a Joie de Vivre hotel, offers quieter internal rooms with minibars.
The 161-room upper-middle-range Hotel Carlton is a comfortable property located located near Polk Street and Union Square in Lower Nob Hill. Built in 1927, the Carlton has an eclectic decor, with Middle Eastern and Asian influences. The fusion theme continues into its restaurant, Saha, which blends Yemenese and Arabic cuisine with California and French touches. The hotel also has a meeting room and a 24-hour business center. Rooms come with flat-screen TVs and Keurig coffeemakers, and offer city views. Be aware that rooms are not air-conditioned, and some receive noise from the street and adjacent rooms. The Galleria Park, also a Joie de Vivre hotel, offers quieter internal rooms with minibars.
This old-fashioned, five-floor hotel on a busy Tenderloin street was built in 1908 and has some charming historical details, as well as basic amenities and lots of helpful information for tourists. It’s near many attractions and offers a standard continental breakfast. While it’s a budget hotel and a little run-down in places, the rates are generally tough to beat. If there's room in the budget, though, the pricier Hotel Diva has a better location and a lot more to offer.
This old-fashioned, five-floor hotel on a busy Tenderloin street was built in 1908 and has some charming historical details, as well as basic amenities and lots of helpful information for tourists. It’s near many attractions and offers a standard continental breakfast. While it’s a budget hotel and a little run-down in places, the rates are generally tough to beat. If there's room in the budget, though, the pricier Hotel Diva has a better location and a lot more to offer.
The 131-room Hotel Union Square is a modern, streamlined hotel in a historic building in the heart of San Francisco's Union Square. Popular with guests seeking a central location, this property has cozy, sometimes small rooms with coffeemakers and flat-screen TVs. There is a cable car line directly in front of the hotel and perks include an afternoon happy hour with free wine and free morning coffee. Wi-Fi is free, but some guests have complained about weak soundproofing and dark, interior-facing rooms.
The 131-room Hotel Union Square is a modern, streamlined hotel in a historic building in the heart of San Francisco's Union Square. Popular with guests seeking a central location, this property has cozy, sometimes small rooms with coffeemakers and flat-screen TVs. There is a cable car line directly in front of the hotel and perks include an afternoon happy hour with free wine and free morning coffee. Wi-Fi is free, but some guests have complained about weak soundproofing and dark, interior-facing rooms.
The upscale Payne Mansion Hotel is a lovely restored Victorian mansion in the Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. The 10 elegant and spacious rooms have been tastefully renovated, and many original details have been preserved, including the hardwood floors, wood-paneled walls, and fireplaces. Modern, high-end gadgets like Apple TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and flat-screen TVs are included, and marble bathrooms come with L'Occitane toiletries. But like many old properties, there's not much soundproofing between guest rooms, and ambient street noise can be an issue. Breakfast is costs extra as well. Travelers might want to compare rates with Villa Florence Hotel, another boutique property, which includes breakfast and has an on-site Italian restaurant.
The upscale Payne Mansion Hotel is a lovely restored Victorian mansion in the Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. The 10 elegant and spacious rooms have been tastefully renovated, and many original details have been preserved, including the hardwood floors, wood-paneled walls, and fireplaces. Modern, high-end gadgets like Apple TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and flat-screen TVs are included, and marble bathrooms come with L'Occitane toiletries. But like many old properties, there's not much soundproofing between guest rooms, and ambient street noise can be an issue. Breakfast is costs extra as well. Travelers might want to compare rates with Villa Florence Hotel, another boutique property, which includes breakfast and has an on-site Italian restaurant.
The 65-room Hotel Bijou is a budget-friendly property with colorful and fun decor in San Francisco’s Tenderloin area, near Union Square. The hotel has old-time movie seats in a small theater, a casual buffet breakfast room, and two meeting rooms. Classic, no-frills rooms have flat-screen TVs and writing desks, and some have street views, which can make them noisy. Rooms lack safes, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. For moderately priced rooms with more perks, check rates at the nearby Hotel Abri.
The 65-room Hotel Bijou is a budget-friendly property with colorful and fun decor in San Francisco’s Tenderloin area, near Union Square. The hotel has old-time movie seats in a small theater, a casual buffet breakfast room, and two meeting rooms. Classic, no-frills rooms have flat-screen TVs and writing desks, and some have street views, which can make them noisy. Rooms lack safes, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. For moderately priced rooms with more perks, check rates at the nearby Hotel Abri.
The Keating Hotel by Pininfarina is most notable for its striking red and black interiors designed by the Italian car company behind Ferrari and Maserati. Just like the cars, this historic hotel's makeover is sleek and chic, with a sexy ambience. The industrial-style rooms have Italian luxuries such as Lavazza espresso machines and custom-designed glass rainfall showers. Not everyone will appreciate the lack of privacy some of the showers offer, though, and guests have to pay for upscale amenities (Wi-Fi, turndown service, the Lavazza espresso and tea, and a welcome amenity) by way of the nightly resort fee. The Gaslamp Quarter location is great for partying, but travelers who don't want to be in the same building as Coyote Ugly, which is bumping late into the night, should check out the nearby Andaz San Diego, or the eco-friendly Hotel Indigo.
The Keating Hotel by Pininfarina is most notable for its striking red and black interiors designed by the Italian car company behind Ferrari and Maserati. Just like the cars, this historic hotel's makeover is sleek and chic, with a sexy ambience. The industrial-style rooms have Italian luxuries such as Lavazza espresso machines and custom-designed glass rainfall showers. Not everyone will appreciate the lack of privacy some of the showers offer, though, and guests have to pay for upscale amenities (Wi-Fi, turndown service, the Lavazza espresso and tea, and a welcome amenity) by way of the nightly resort fee. The Gaslamp Quarter location is great for partying, but travelers who don't want to be in the same building as Coyote Ugly, which is bumping late into the night, should check out the nearby Andaz San Diego, or the eco-friendly Hotel Indigo.
This three-floor, 208-room hotel is a family-friendly value option with a pool located within a 10-minute drive of Sea World. Multiple freebies are on offer, including free hot breakfast, a free airport shuttle, free coffee in the lobby, free Wi-Fi, and free weekday newspapers. Parking costs a fee, however, and the immediate area -- right off the freeway -- is a bit gritty: Two strip clubs are in close proximity. The lobby is modern and attractive, while rooms are typical generic chain hotel fare; some have microwaves and mini-fridges. It's also worth considering the Best Western Plus Hacienda, which has a more appealing setting near Old Town.
This three-floor, 208-room hotel is a family-friendly value option with a pool located within a 10-minute drive of Sea World. Multiple freebies are on offer, including free hot breakfast, a free airport shuttle, free coffee in the lobby, free Wi-Fi, and free weekday newspapers. Parking costs a fee, however, and the immediate area -- right off the freeway -- is a bit gritty: Two strip clubs are in close proximity. The lobby is modern and attractive, while rooms are typical generic chain hotel fare; some have microwaves and mini-fridges. It's also worth considering the Best Western Plus Hacienda, which has a more appealing setting near Old Town.
The upper-middle-range Crowne Plaza Hotel San Diego isn't an ideal spot for those hoping to walk to attractions, but its relatively central location right off the freeway makes it a convenient base for driving around the city. The tropical decor feels dated, and enforced quiet zones, the nearby golf course, and large rooms with ergonomic work chairs make the venue a fit for business travelers, but everyone has to sign up with IHG's rewards club (it's free) if they don't want to pay for Wi-Fi. The nearby Courtyard Marriott is a bit pricier, but it’s much more modern -- with free Wi-Fi for all. Just to the south in Old Town, BEST WESTERN PLUS Hacienda Hotel has interesting local flair and cheaper rates.****
The upper-middle-range Crowne Plaza Hotel San Diego isn't an ideal spot for those hoping to walk to attractions, but its relatively central location right off the freeway makes it a convenient base for driving around the city. The tropical decor feels dated, and enforced quiet zones, the nearby golf course, and large rooms with ergonomic work chairs make the venue a fit for business travelers, but everyone has to sign up with IHG's rewards club (it's free) if they don't want to pay for Wi-Fi. The nearby Courtyard Marriott is a bit pricier, but it’s much more modern -- with free Wi-Fi for all. Just to the south in Old Town, BEST WESTERN PLUS Hacienda Hotel has interesting local flair and cheaper rates.****
This romantic Victorian inn near Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo has nine quaint, richly decorated rooms with flat-screen TVs, luxurious amenities (including decadent bedding and butler service), and free Wi-Fi. The free, delicious breakfast is made to order, and free wine and cheese is served each evening in the parlor.
This romantic Victorian inn near Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo has nine quaint, richly decorated rooms with flat-screen TVs, luxurious amenities (including decadent bedding and butler service), and free Wi-Fi. The free, delicious breakfast is made to order, and free wine and cheese is served each evening in the parlor.