Situated on a somewhat desolate stretch of the artsy SoMa neighborhood, the Good Hotel earns its moniker, "hotel with a conscience." With features like a water-conserving toilet-top sink, the Good is environmentally friendly, charmingly quirky, and -- for those who don't mind venturing a bit off the beaten path -- one of the best budget hotels in the city.
Situated on a somewhat desolate stretch of the artsy SoMa neighborhood, the Good Hotel earns its moniker, "hotel with a conscience." With features like a water-conserving toilet-top sink, the Good is environmentally friendly, charmingly quirky, and -- for those who don't mind venturing a bit off the beaten path -- one of the best budget hotels in the city.
The JW Marriott -- the chain's high-end brand -- tries to keep pace with the town's luxury standard-bearers with touches like 24-hour butler service and 42-inch flat-screen TVs in the spacious rooms. But with unremarkable room decor, no destination restaurant or spa, and so-so service, the hotel is just a better-than-average chain hotel.
The JW Marriott -- the chain's high-end brand -- tries to keep pace with the town's luxury standard-bearers with touches like 24-hour butler service and 42-inch flat-screen TVs in the spacious rooms. But with unremarkable room decor, no destination restaurant or spa, and so-so service, the hotel is just a better-than-average chain hotel.
The bustling, 1,010-room Parc 55 hotel has some great, modern touches, such as big flat-screen TVs in the (generic) guest rooms and top-notch equipment in the fitness center. With over 32 floors and 30,000 square feet of meeting space, it feels like the big, corporate hotel that it is. The lack of room service and pricey fee for Wi-Fi are downsides, but all in all it's a solid choice a couple of blocks from Union Square. Still, it may be worth comparing rates with the similar Marriott and Hilton hotels nearby.
The bustling, 1,010-room Parc 55 hotel has some great, modern touches, such as big flat-screen TVs in the (generic) guest rooms and top-notch equipment in the fitness center. With over 32 floors and 30,000 square feet of meeting space, it feels like the big, corporate hotel that it is. The lack of room service and pricey fee for Wi-Fi are downsides, but all in all it's a solid choice a couple of blocks from Union Square. Still, it may be worth comparing rates with the similar Marriott and Hilton hotels nearby.
With 131 rooms, The Buchanan (The Kimpton Buchanan), is a hip mid-range boutique hotel with bohemian style and a prime location in the heart of Japantown. Shabu shabu is served in the restaurant and bar, and the hotel has a small fitness room and bicycles for its guests to explore the city. Spacious rooms -- most of which are pet-friendly -- feature trendy interiors, mini-fridges, and Keurig coffeemakers, though not all are updated. Some also have patios adjacent to the stylishly furnished courtyard with a fire pit. Travelers seeking a hotel that's closer to the waterfront should check out the Pier 2620 Hotel Fisherman's Wharf.
With 131 rooms, The Buchanan (The Kimpton Buchanan), is a hip mid-range boutique hotel with bohemian style and a prime location in the heart of Japantown. Shabu shabu is served in the restaurant and bar, and the hotel has a small fitness room and bicycles for its guests to explore the city. Spacious rooms -- most of which are pet-friendly -- feature trendy interiors, mini-fridges, and Keurig coffeemakers, though not all are updated. Some also have patios adjacent to the stylishly furnished courtyard with a fire pit. Travelers seeking a hotel that's closer to the waterfront should check out the Pier 2620 Hotel Fisherman's Wharf.
The 14-story, 388-room Holiday Inn San Francisco-Civic Center is located just south of the Civic Center Plaza in a somewhat seedy part of the city that few tourists frequent. It is, however, the center of most of San Francisco's governmental and cultural institutions, including its courthouses, and if you have business in the area, the Holiday Inn can be an attractive choice. This is due to its heated outdoor pool, modest but functional fitness center, and, largely, its guest rooms, which have flat-screen TVs, small balconies, and coffeemakers. But compare prices at the eco-oriented Good Hotel one block away, which also has a pool, fitness room, and free loaner bikes.
The 14-story, 388-room Holiday Inn San Francisco-Civic Center is located just south of the Civic Center Plaza in a somewhat seedy part of the city that few tourists frequent. It is, however, the center of most of San Francisco's governmental and cultural institutions, including its courthouses, and if you have business in the area, the Holiday Inn can be an attractive choice. This is due to its heated outdoor pool, modest but functional fitness center, and, largely, its guest rooms, which have flat-screen TVs, small balconies, and coffeemakers. But compare prices at the eco-oriented Good Hotel one block away, which also has a pool, fitness room, and free loaner bikes.
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.
Located in the heart of Union Square, Villa Florence is a 189-room upper-middle-range boutique hotel with chic modern design and a touch of whimsy on great historical bones. The 1908 hotel’s location, directly on the Powell Street cable car line, couldn’t be more central: It’s surrounded by shops, restaurants, theaters, and all modes of public transportation. Rooms in fresh gray, white, and magenta hues have comfortable beds, solid amenities, and smallish bathrooms with C.O. Bigelow bath products, but those overlooking Powell Street can pick up noise. A mandatory nightly facility fee covers Wi-Fi, beverages in the lobby, and use of the fitness center, but parking and breakfast cost an additional fee. For fewer fees and more amenities in the same neighborhood, consider the Handlery; it offers free Wi-Fi, and a heated outdoor pool -- a rarity in this part of town.
Located in the heart of Union Square, Villa Florence is a 189-room upper-middle-range boutique hotel with chic modern design and a touch of whimsy on great historical bones. The 1908 hotel’s location, directly on the Powell Street cable car line, couldn’t be more central: It’s surrounded by shops, restaurants, theaters, and all modes of public transportation. Rooms in fresh gray, white, and magenta hues have comfortable beds, solid amenities, and smallish bathrooms with C.O. Bigelow bath products, but those overlooking Powell Street can pick up noise. A mandatory nightly facility fee covers Wi-Fi, beverages in the lobby, and use of the fitness center, but parking and breakfast cost an additional fee. For fewer fees and more amenities in the same neighborhood, consider the Handlery; it offers free Wi-Fi, and a heated outdoor pool -- a rarity in this part of town.
The family-owned Marina Motel is a 39-room motor lodge with budget prices, lush landscaping, an on-site dog run, private garage parking, and a computer corner. Homey, pet-friendly rooms and suites have flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and mini-fridges, but no air-conditioning. Some also have living rooms and kitchens. Airport shuttles can be arranged for a fee. Guests in need of air-conditioning may prefer a room at the Hotel Del Sol instead.
The family-owned Marina Motel is a 39-room motor lodge with budget prices, lush landscaping, an on-site dog run, private garage parking, and a computer corner. Homey, pet-friendly rooms and suites have flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and mini-fridges, but no air-conditioning. Some also have living rooms and kitchens. Airport shuttles can be arranged for a fee. Guests in need of air-conditioning may prefer a room at the Hotel Del Sol instead.
The Sir Francis Drake attracts both business and leisure travelers with its great location close to Union Square and public transportation (including the cable car that runs right outside the hotel). But the business traveler might be slightly disappointed with the amenities: The business center and fitness center are both minimally equipped and Wi-Fi comes at a cost to everyone except Kimpton loyalty program members. There are, however, ample meeting rooms for groups. Staying at a Kimpton hotel does have several perks, including free coffee and tea in the lobby each morning and a free wine happy hour in the evenings. The hotel is also pet-friendly, with no extra costs and no size or weight restrictions. The hotel is one of the oldest in the area and takes pride in its history, but the property nonetheless feels modern with its clean, quiet, and comfortable guest rooms (each features a work space). Interior rooms on the lower floors are the quietest, but rooms in the Towers offer the best views.
The Sir Francis Drake attracts both business and leisure travelers with its great location close to Union Square and public transportation (including the cable car that runs right outside the hotel). But the business traveler might be slightly disappointed with the amenities: The business center and fitness center are both minimally equipped and Wi-Fi comes at a cost to everyone except Kimpton loyalty program members. There are, however, ample meeting rooms for groups. Staying at a Kimpton hotel does have several perks, including free coffee and tea in the lobby each morning and a free wine happy hour in the evenings. The hotel is also pet-friendly, with no extra costs and no size or weight restrictions. The hotel is one of the oldest in the area and takes pride in its history, but the property nonetheless feels modern with its clean, quiet, and comfortable guest rooms (each features a work space). Interior rooms on the lower floors are the quietest, but rooms in the Towers offer the best views.
San Francisco Inn is a basic two-pearl hotel with a convenient location, clean spaces, and a free basic breakfast, but little else. The 21 dated rooms come with tube TVs along with microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. It’s definitely a no-frills property that mostly attracts guests for its free parking in a city where parking is hard to come by. For a little more per night, the nearby Good Hotel is an eco-friendly choice with flat-screen TVs in the stylish rooms plus free access to a pool and gym nearby.
San Francisco Inn is a basic two-pearl hotel with a convenient location, clean spaces, and a free basic breakfast, but little else. The 21 dated rooms come with tube TVs along with microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. It’s definitely a no-frills property that mostly attracts guests for its free parking in a city where parking is hard to come by. For a little more per night, the nearby Good Hotel is an eco-friendly choice with flat-screen TVs in the stylish rooms plus free access to a pool and gym nearby.