by 100ACRE
- the Westin St. Francis, Mark Hopkins, and Fairmont, 950 Mason St., San Francisco 94108; (877) 441-1414; www. fairmont.com. They have promotions, for example, the hotel offers a "Third Night Free" package that includes two nights starting at $189 per night and a complimentary third night. Try a martini at the Mark... catch a cable car to the summit of Nob Hill, 30 minutes before sunset, ridde the elevator to the 19th floor of the Mark Hopkins Hotel. All of San Francisco lay at our feet. Sitting by the window called Weeper's Corner - from where wives and girlfriends once watched their men sail off to war.
There are many boutique hotels surrounding Union Square - like Monticello Inn, a few steps from the Powell Street cable car line, 127 Ellis St., San Francisco 94102; (800) 669-7777 or (415) 392-8800; www.monticelloinn.com. We paid $139 plus tax midweek for a two- room suite. Standard rooms are available from Expedia and other online sites for $119 midweek.
The Marina District is as close to a neighborhood 'feel' as you can get. It's the best weather & atmosphere in the City.
Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square are nice places to visit, and sometimes those hotels 'make you an offer you can't refuse'.
But for 'recharging your batteries' after a long day, your SF experience will be better if you stay in a neighborhood, close to the 'locals', especially if you're staying longer than a couple of days.
Also, see my GENERAL TIPS section for more online research help -
For example - FOR BEST HOTEL DEALS, my favorite is http://travelocity.com (but you still need to shop around, there is NOT ONE best online source for hotel rates)
Another favorite is Priceline. First go to their biddingfortravel for help and tips on bidding. A friend landed a 4* hotel (Westin St Francis right on Union Square) for $65 a night.
