San Francisco: Top 10
So I’ve narrowed down the list of hotels for San Francisco down to a Top 10: 3 near the airport, 7 in the city.
Near The Airport…
(listed from lowest to higher price)
Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco
This is probably my current front runner for two reasons: It has both an indoor pool and a whirlpool and it has a Triple Diamond rating which means “These establishments appeal to the traveler with comprehensive needs. Properties are multifaceted with a distinguished style, including marked upgrades in the quality of physical attributes, amenities, and level of comfort provided.” To me this sounds like a guarantee of a certain degree of luxury. As I understand it the AAA Diamond standards are much higher than your run-of-the-mill star rating system because properties have to meet 27 essential requirements based on cleanliness, comfort, security, and safety before they can even apply to be evaluated. Triple Diamond is the level at which they stop paying attention to price (for more information on the AAA Diamond standard, watch Ocean’s 13). Free WiFi everywhere which is more important outside the city I should think since in the city WiFi will likely be flying about all over the place.
Hampton Inn San Francisco Airport
This is like my backup to the Hilton; it only has an indoor pool but also offers free drinks. Good reviews on Trip Advisor and although few pictures have been posted, those that have look very nice. Free WiFi only in the lobby.
Larkspur Landing San Francisco
This is Mindi’s first choice largely because of their pillow menu but since we’re driving she can just bring her pillow from home. No pool but good reviews, rated #1 near the airport by Trip Advisor reviewers. Free WiFi only in the lobby.
In The City…
(listed from lowest to higher price)
Travelodge Golden Gate
By far the cheapest option, no pool, free parking which is rare, not particularly centrally located for the attractions we’re interested in but it’s near an IHOP and every room has a fridge.
Travelodge By The Bay
A little more expensive by more usefully located for our needs, more of that impossible to find free parking, has very responsive management on Trip Advisor.
Grant Hotel
No pool, no parking of any kind free or otherwise, but perfectly located for our needs. Looks nice, has positive reviews, but the computer in the lobby for internet access is a Mac – this is a far darker mark against the property in my mind than it probably should be…dirty Mac.
Hotel Vertigo
This is probably the city-located frontrunner for me but unfairly that’s probably because it just looks cool. No pool, expensive parking, HDTV channels, glowing reviews, and very hip. Also this is the last of the city hotels cheaper than the top 3 airport options.
Galleria Park Hotel
Has a whirlpool, competition for which I would expect to be a pain. Looks pretty good, reasonably well located.
Wharf Inn
This is probably my frontrunner for properties at Fisherman’s Wharf, largely because of their free parking. It’s just a fantastic location.
Radisson Hotel Fisherman’s Wharf
Has an outdoor pool, very centrally located for our interests, looks very nice, incredibly pricey when you factor in parking.
And for a bonus there’s still the spectre of the dark horse, the Holiday Inn Express Fisherman’s Wharf which I may just forgive for charging $41/day for parking if a spot on the list opens up but I’m trying to narrow this Top 10 down to a Top 5 so that doesn’t really help with that goal. It is also pretty expensive and…oh no wait, no pool. Screw ‘em.
So there you have it, the Top 10.
So what do YOU think?
With a little luck and perhaps some feedback I hope to have this down to a Top 5 early next week. I probably won’t be ready to book for a couple weeks anyways because my finances aren’t the greatest at the moment and our dollar isn’t doing too hot either, currently sitting at $0.87. I think I’ll try to wait for it to hit at least $0.90 before I move on this.
