eponymous_coward

The Hampton Inn SF Downtown Convention Center is nice enough for a stay (new furnishings, decent breakfast). Neighborhood isn’t awesome.

Thanks to fleet week and an Oracle conference, I can say with confidence that the most expensive hotel room I have ever stayed in is a Hampton Inn. (The prices for everything else were even crazier.) My boss warned me about $600 SF hotel rooms. He was not kidding. I’m stunned my corporate booking system would let me book it, but it was actually a reasonably proced option for the location and dates.

LennartH

I am undecided between Union Square and FD for our New Year‘s Eve stay. Both are 60k points.

Is there any preference with regards to either a view of the fireworks or accessibility of good view points?

We will be arriving from and returning to SFO airport, so BART/public transport access could also be an issue.

jamesteroh

Union Station is more convenient to Bart. FD has the lounge but Union Square has a good breakfast benefit for diamonds, especially if you can get the waiter to waive the upcharge for the full buffet (even if you have to eat the continental it's pretty good) or you can chose a food/beverage credit if you don't want to eat breakfast and it can be used on the top floor bar which has some good views at night. Not sure if you'll be able to see the fireworks from there or not.

Kacee

I wouldn't pick either property for a view of the fireworks, as they're launched from the water south of the Ferry Building. If you're locked into Hilton, FD is an easier walk to viewing spots. But it is not convenient to BART with luggage.

LennartH

At least I feel like being locked. I consider 60k points vs almost all cash rates on NYE quite a good ratio.

Locationwise, I tend to pick the Union Square, but I had a rather underwhelming stay there back in 2013. Maybe things have improved...

Kacee

All the Hilton SF options are underwhelming. FD has nice rooms (many with Bay views) and a decent lounge breakfast but the wifi and elevators are AWFUL.

arlflyer

This really sums it up quite accurately.

I stay at FD because it has consistently treated me OK, and thus at least I know what I'm getting.

sfgiants13

If you had a free night cert you had to use which of the SF properties would you choose? Mine expires in a few weeks and it's my last chance to use it. It's not ideal but I don't want to waste it. I'll be arriving into SFO around 9pm and flying out of OAK the next day at 10am so I was going to spend the night somewhere in the city and just BART over in the morning. Location is fine for any of the properties since I don't mind walking and I'll only have a small bag with me. All I'm really looking for is an edible breakfast and nicest rooms (an upgrade would be nice but it's only a night so I don't care as much).

kpbadger

The "nicest" hotel that meets your criteria is, in my opinion, the Parc 55. Note that as a diamond you'll need to kick in $10 for hot breakfast (which is high quality). As a diamond you will likely be upgraded to a high floor with a good view. This property is literally across the street from the Powell BART station and in case you want to walk around downtown at all, it's still a relatively active area even around 10PM.

Practically speaking, in your situation, I would personally stay at the Hilton Oakland Airport. Last time I stayed there it had a free hot breakfast which was OK. The rooms are not "nice" as it's pretty dated. The reason I am suggesting this property is that it takes BART out of the equation in the morning. A small earthquake or other disruption that interrupts BART service could mean a missed flight for you in the morning. Note, I'm more risk-averse than the average person and have not ever personally experienced significant interruptions of this nature.

Kacee

Agree.

BART kind of sucks these days, but you should be fine. Thousands every day rely on it to make their flights. Leave about an hour total for the journey, it will probably take less.

LennartH

Hilton Oakland Airport has great staff, but it is very (!) dated. However, I had quite a nice stay there before an early morning departure. And it will save you a significant amount of money/points, I guess.

mike2200

Haven"t stayed at SF Hilton Union Square before what is the status of breakfast for a Gold with upgraded room/ Jr. Suite or Skyline View?

thanks

Eujeanie

akcae

If you were choosing between Parc 55 and Hilton Union Square, any strong arguments one way or another? They both fit my location needs, and I'll likely be Gold during my stay. I don't plan on spending that much time at the hotel itself, (2 days/nights) as I'll be out exploring. A good breakfast would be a plus.

DoggyDaddy

We stayed at the Union Square in late September for one night as Gold on points. The room was fine . Was given a credit for breakfast which we used at the stands in the lobby area. Almost covered a pastry and coffee.
At checkin, there was a humongous line for everyone and a much shorter line for HHonors. Make sure you get in the right one, it is not obvious.

DD