 San Francisco Hotels
#102746
11/14/10 07:49 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
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Anna B.
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Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations for hotels in San Fran? Regent uses the Hyatt at Fisherman's Wharf or the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins. Not even sure if it's more fun to stay down by the water or in Union Square? ( We do NOT care about shopping.)
Thanks!
Kathy
Kathy
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102747
11/14/10 09:12 AM
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Joined: Jan 1970
Posts: 15,171
KarenS
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Kathy, we stayed at a hotel that had large rooms and a GREAT outdoor patio space for one floor of the rooms but I can't remember the name! Joanna, Marcie and Olivia was with me so maybe they remember the name. I think it was on Market St. in a good location.
Karen
Live long and prosper
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102748
11/14/10 10:47 AM
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KarenS
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DUH Kathy, you are asking which hotel of those two to stay at! Disregard my post above :rolleyes:
Karen
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102749
11/14/10 12:40 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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petlover
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I definitely wouldn't stay in Fisherman's wharf...VERY touristy and just loaded with trinket, t-shirt, souvenir shops. People make the mistake of going there thinking that's the best place for seafood...NOT. I would stay in Union Square or area near North Beach. We were just there 2 weeks ago. If you want a super fun city tour be sure and take http://www.mrtoadstours.com/. It is a great tour in old vintage cars with just a few others. We loved it and it gets rave reviews from everyone. Do NOT take hop on and off bus, poor service, can't hear commentator (earplugs) over street noise and it never runs on time. Mr. Toad Tour leaves from Fisherman's Wharf so you will still get a quick peak of that area. Also, be sure and go see Beach Blanket Babylon. It is so funny and great...kind of like a live Saturday Night Live with fabulous humor and costumes. Longest running show (27 years I think) and always a sell out so make sure you make a reservation. It will be one of the highlights of your trip to San Francisco. http://www.beachblanketbabylon.com/ It is in North Beach (Little Italy), surrounded by tons of excellent restaurants and very walkable. If you're in town long enough, go to the Top of the Mark for a drink and wonderful view of the city. Editing/Adding: Hotel we stayed at several years ago Karen was The Donatello [img] http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/marciematassa/P1000708.jpg?t=1289771494[/img]
Marcie 
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102750
11/14/10 01:03 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
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Anna B.
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Karen, you always make me smile!
Marcie, thank you so much for the great suggestions! Really appreciate it. We will only be there for one night in January after our Voyager Panama Canal cruise, but since there will be no jet lag issues and we will leave the ship early, we plan on packing in as much as we possibly can. Love the Mr. Toad's Tour suggestion and also Beach Blanket Babylon! I think when I was a little girl we ate at Top of the Mark and I fell asleep in my dinner plate... again, really appreciate your help!
Kathy
Kathy
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102751
11/14/10 01:51 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084
petlover
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I was hoping you'd be staying longer Kathy. I'd for sure see Beach Blanket Babylon, it's such a classic of S.F.!! Hopefully, squeeze in Mr. Toad's in the day time and BBB that evening.
BTW, the center Magnin seats at BBB are the only seats where you reserve a specific seat, other sections are first come first serve so if you want to splurge with the best seats in the house...go for Magnin seats. We've sat in other areas that were OK for viewing but didn't like the first come first serve part, Tom doesn't have much patience for that kind of thing.
Marcie
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102752
11/14/10 02:07 PM
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joannapv
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Have a fun visit Kathy in a beautiful city! I think Marcie gave you good advice about where to stay - I loved Beach Blanket too!
Joanna
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102753
11/14/10 02:54 PM
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Anna B.
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We should be staying longer, Marcie. Unfortunately I would have a huge change fee on Continental if we change our return again. This was originally our Ft. Lauderdale - Lima ticket which has all kinds of strings attached. Just looked at BBB website. We'll be there on a Thursday, so looks good. Thanks for the seating suggestions.
Joanna, thanks for your help! And Karen too!
Kathy
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102754
11/14/10 03:05 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641
joannapv
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Those change fees are so nasty! I went broke changing Delta FF tixs for TUT
Joanna
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102755
11/14/10 03:24 PM
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cruisinfanatic
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Have a great time Kathy - sounds like Marcie, who should probably be a travel agent with all her knowledge - gave you some fun tips and things to do. In all my years in the travel business, not to mention being a native Californian and having been to SF many many times, I have never heard of Mr Toad's tours, but I will certainly remember that for the future.
Hotel wise, between the two, I would go for the Mark Hopkins if those are your only choices. There are so many hotels in SF, that if you do one on your own you could pick and choose, but if you are doing it thru Regent and have a choice, then thats my 2cents worth.
JoAnn 
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102756
11/14/10 03:56 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 961
Anna B.
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I remember reading about your endless discussions with Delta reps, Joanna. Our TUT tickets cost us a fortune too. We moved to TUT from another cruise because of a family wedding. Bottom line is it's easy to change cruises,but the airline surcharges will get you every time!
JoAnn, we're not booking the hotel through Regent....just thought I'd start there. We've also been told the Campton Place Hotel on Union Square is really nice. Who knows, but it's so nice to have all of you well travelled people to turn to. :lct:
Kathy
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102757
11/14/10 05:19 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 732
peteropny
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I'm a Hyatt person but don't really like any of the Hyatts in SF. Mark Hopkins rooms are really variable. Never stayed at Campton Place but it has great reputation. What kind of budget are you working with?
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102758
11/14/10 05:22 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641
joannapv
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KATHY - 6 of us went in 2005/6? to SF and loved the Donatello - I thought you had to use R hotel IF not check out this one - not fancy but darn OK!!! Great location and we had patios off of rooms loved it!
Joanna
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102759
11/14/10 05:56 PM
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Anna B.
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Peter, no budget really, but I try to be reasonable ;) Thanks, Joanna, will look at the Donatello. I'm guessing that's the hotel Karen was talking about?
Kathy
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102760
11/14/10 06:08 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641
joannapv
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YES SAME ONE....IT was 5 yrs ago??? but very OK!!!!
Joanna
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102761
11/14/10 06:14 PM
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Anna B.
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Thank you - will go take a look right now!
Kathy
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102762
11/16/10 10:23 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 732
peteropny
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Well for reasonably priced hotels, I probably like the Le Meridien the best - located in the Financial area but quite near Ferry Building. This used to be my favorite hotel in SF when it was the Park Hyatt - probably stayed there 80 x over 15 years. Generally acknowledged as the top hotels in SF are Ritz Carlton (quite traditional on Nob Hill) Four Seasons (right on Market in SOMA) and St Regis (same ares as 4S - love the rooms but won't stay there on a paid stay since they play games with upgrades to Starwood Platinum guests). Have always heard good things about Campton Place but never stayed there.
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102763
11/17/10 07:58 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 961
Anna B.
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Thanks, Peter! Thanks to Everyone. I really appreciate your help!
Kathy
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102764
01/21/11 05:56 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,512
Ms Understood
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FWIW I just returned from weekend in SAn Fran and stayed at Fairmont Heritage Square. It is attached to Ghirardelli Square. Fantastic suites and great location. PLus they have a Lexus SUV in which they will take you anywhere you want to go w/i 2 miles. Dropped us at Pier 39, North Beach for dinner and also the new Disney Family Museum in the Presidio. Highly recommended.
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Helen
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102765
01/21/11 11:43 AM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,415
Wandra
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Thanks for the thumbs up for the Donatello. I'm going to be in SF eons from now, spring 2012 for our Alaska cruise, but I'd already picked out the Donatello as a good bet, and it's nice to have that confirmed.
Wendy
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Booked: Uniworld Egypt, 2015
Tauck Amsterdam to Budapest, 2016
Paul Gauguin, Societies & Tuamotus 2016
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102766
01/21/11 11:53 AM
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Posts: 15,171
KarenS
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Wendy, ask for a room with a veranda, I think there are only a few. Sitting outside was wonderful, it's like a big long patio with tables and chairs.
Karen
Live long and prosper
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Re: San Francisco Hotels
#102767
01/21/11 12:31 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641
joannapv
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Wendy we really enjoyed this hotel and it was so nice to have a patio - nice location and continental b'ft perfect!
Joanna
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