Great hotel near Embarcadero
by TripAdvisor Member fara821
We just returned from a weekend in San Francisco and stayed at the dog-friendly Harbor Court Hotel. It is about a block away from the Ferry Building and less than a block away from the more expensive Hotel Vitale. The staff were very friendly; guests and hotel staff were so warm with our dog. He loved the attention! The room is small but comfortable. The view was ugly; but we kept the curtains shut. The cool LCD TV was a bit far from the bed. The bathroom was tiny, with only 1 sink and hardly any counterspace but the location and staff made this hotel a great choice. We would definitely visit and recommend this hotel again!
Great find for biz travellers
by A TripAdvisor Member
San Francisco has a bunch of boutique hotels, but the one I like best for business travel is the Harbor Court Hotel on the Embarcadero. Received a warm welcome upon check-in. The room was small, but tidy and elegant, with an LCD TV on the wall, a yoga package, and windows that open. If you're going to stay in the City, might as well have some fresh air. Although I didn't have a Bayview room, the hotel itself looks out on the Bay Bridge, so you can see the gorgeous scenery out front.
It's also next door (has its own private entrance) to the state-of-the-art YMCA with huge pool, oodles of machines, and a view to kill for. If you need to get outside, the Embarcadero is right there, you can run and walk to your heart's content. The hotel is surrounded by good food, including the Japanese restaurant, Ozumo. My colleagues had a blast there, they had never tasted food quite like the flavorful dishes we had.
There is also a nightly wine and beer reception in the lobby, and on Tuesdays, a sake tasting reception. We found it a great way to meet other travellers and do some networking. Also, the hotel is wireless, so we were able to meet each day in the wonderful arty lobby, where we could hook up to our heart's content.
Plus, BART and Muni are right there, we didn't have to rent a car. Perfect location. They also had a towncar on hand for anyone needing that form of transportation. Needless to say, I had a most productive stay, able to accomplish so much with our meeting, that it was a joy. The staff went the extra mile to ensure we had a good business meeting, including giving us a powerstrip and speaker phone, when we had an emergency conference call. Superb.
The hotel also accepts dogs, as I was greeted by a jolly bulldog upon arriving. Alas, the dog was not the hotel mascot, but belonged to a guest. It would be smashing to have a doggy mascot, who I could look forward to seeing each time I arrive. This hotel will be a second home for me, and I think it might wind up being something special for others, also.
Great Hotel for the $
by A TripAdvisor Member
My fiance and I decided on a last minute Labor Day trip to San Francisco and used priceline to get a good deal on hotels. For $75 a night we got this hotel and I was skeptical (first time using priceline). It was a really nice Europen style hotel that was clean and staff very friendly. We upgraded for $25/night to a bay view room and this is totally worth it. We woke up to a beautiful sunrise over the SF bay bridge. Yes the rooms are small but we spent limited time there. The hotel also had complimentary beer/wine 5-6pm and coffee/tea till noon. They also had homemade cookies and milk in the evenings. The location is excellent if you do not have a car. We were 2 blocks from BART to get back and forth to airport ($5/person), 2 blocks from F-train to the Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf and 2 blocks to the cable cars to China Town so we could take public transportation everywhere and cab at night when we were tired. The cab fare there is pretty expensive and all car travel is slow at peak times. Overall, I was very pleased with this hotel for the price.
Great location but not much else to rave about
by TripAdvisor Member eurotrash
Bay view rooms have fabulous views and the location right on the embarcadero is wonderful. Rooms are very small which is fine for a city hotel but I can imagine no view in such a small room would make for a dreary stay.
No room service at all except for the local japanese restaurant...that was weird. Service was ok but a bit on the cold side. Carpets and walls need some TLC which makes things look tired and dirty. All in all a mediocre stay.
great hotel
by A TripAdvisor Member
Stayed for 5 nights in August, got a great deal through Priceline. THe room was tiny, but that didn't bother me given the wonderful location and the cost during peak travel time (i think it was $95/night).
The wine/beer hour was great - nice wines and beers, a real effort in picking good ones. Starbucks coffee in the morning. Nice decor and very clean. Highly recommended. I'll definitely stay there next time in SF.
Forum Posts
Fishermans Wharf or Union Square??
by nelly03
My sister and I are going up to San Francisco next Saturday just for a day and night. We are trying to decide whether to book a hotel in Union Square or Fishermans Wharf...as far as restaurants and nightlife is concerned, is Union Square a lot better? Regardless, we'll go to both, but wanted to know where to base ourselves....also, any good sushi restaurants you can recommend?? :) Thanks SO much!
RE: Fishermans Wharf or Union Square??
by Jeannette1
I prefer Union Square rather than Fisherman's Wharf.
Jeannette
RE: Fishermans Wharf or Union Square??
by jessicadf
I have to agree. Fisherman's Wharf is as touristy as toursisty can be. You'll find few restaurants or shops that you couldn't find at any other tourist destination in the world. Aside from crab vendors and San Francisco souvenirs.
Union Square has more places that locals would go to and is central.
Sushi bars.... so may good places... A tiny, little known but delicious one is on Van Ness and is called Wayo. A great place with cool atmosphere is Blowfish Sushi to Die For. I'm sure there are plenty of others, but those are a couple I know and enjoy.
RE: Fishermans Wharf or Union Square??
by VdV
I agree with the first two replies--Union Square. Fisherman's Wharf is touristy family zone.
RE: RE: Fishermans Wharf or Union Square??
by UKDaisy
Me too - Union Square gets my vote.
RE: RE: Fishermans Wharf or Union Square??
by YVRDave
I fifth Jeannette. I can't help on Sushi
RE: RE: Fishermans Wharf or Union Square??
by VdV
It's a bit pricey and the bar area is a real scene, but I like Ozumo, located next to the Harbor Court Hotel, 161 Steuart St. (415) 882-1333. They have really great sake samplers; the food is good, too.
Some friends of mine like Ebisu; have heard good things about Blowfish.
RE: Fishermans Wharf or Union Square??
by fireflies77
The best sushi in the city is a small place in the union square area - Ryoko's. It's on Taylor between Sutter and Post. It's small, but the fish is fresh and the chefs are wonderful! Enjoy!
RE: Fishermans Wharf or Union Square??
by Waveform
If you stay in Union Square, Sanraku at Sutter and Taylor is right by Union Square (there's also one in the Metreon, 4th and Mission).
RE: RE: Fishermans Wharf or Union Square??
by UKDaisy
Don't go to the Floating Sushi Boat Restaurant in Chinatown - unattentive service and the place looks dirty.
RE: Fishermans Wharf or Union Square??
by VdV
I like the Sanraku suggestion. Used to go to the one at the Metreon and sit at the counter facing Yerba Buena gardens/park while enjoying my lunch. One time there was a wonderful tango show in the park and I felt as if I had one of the best seats in the house for it!
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