rgoel

Also recommend the Marriott Fisherman's Wharf. I forget if this is a cat 4 or cat 5 hotel.

I enjoyed my stay there. Fisherman's Wharf is touristy but if that's what you are, it's great. There are real pics from inside the room at HotelScoop: http://www.hotelscoop.com/hotelDetai...p?Hotelid=5024

You can see what to expect when you get there.

Derf

Thanks for the input. However, it looks like the Courtyard on 2nd is a Category 5 and the Marriott Fisherman's Wharf is a Category 6. Any Category 4s in the surrounding area that one could recommend?

DenverBrian

Derf, at Category 4 you're out of the city core and into the periphery. The SF Airport Marriott is Cat 4 - I've stayed there; it's a typical airport Marriott property but they do claim to have the "new beds" so if that's a hot button for you, it could work. The Airport Marriott can shuttle you to the airport, where you can catch BART to the city.

A new Courtyard and Residence Inn are showing up in South San Francisco /Oyster Point - I don't know the specific neighborhood, but they claim to overlook the bay, although I have no idea what the view is. They also claim free shuttle service to the airport which allows you to take BART to the city core.

BruceWG

We've stayed at the RI at Oyster Point twice and enjoyed it. Very quiet area, and nice hiking trail. Rooms come with kitchen, etc. Staff was very good. You can take the shuttle to CalTrain, from there to 4th ST. SFO.

We've also stayed at the full service Marriott in San Mateo - not much furth dwon the peninsula. You can walk from there (5 minutes) to the CalTrain station for the city. Large property - nicely down and again a very good staff. If you've got a car they do charge for parking, but you can park on the street behind the hotel for free (done it 3x with no problems).

Either of these is nice, albeit not in the city.

Bruce

srk123

Are you sure the Courtyard on 2nd is a Cat. 5? I stayed there for one night a year ago as a Cat. 4 on one of those free certificates that was only good for a Cat. 4 or lower. I haven't been in SF or checked since then.

BruceWG

Checking the Marriott site today (Wednesday 9/29) the Courtyard, SF is listed as a cat 5, Courtyard and RI Oyster Point are cat 4, Full service SFO airport and San Mateo are cat 4, Courtyard Larkspur Landing (across the GG Bridge, right on the ferry line to SF, a nice property) is a cat 4, as are the two Walnut Creek properities.

Bruce

keeton

The Marriott Oakland City Center is a category 4 hotel. It is near a BART station so it should be an easy trip into SF for sightseeing. Although not the best for walking around at night, it would be more convenient than the airport locations.

liveon777

I am looking for a high-end spot within walking distance of major attractions downtown for the weekend of Nov 5-8. Wanna blow it out, using points, and flying Ms liveon out for a long weekend.
Trouble is, only area of SF I know, involves the airport! ughh.

Any suggestions are truly appreciated!!

Boraxo

If you want a Marriott, your best choice is either the Renaissance Stanford Court (I think it's still in the chain) or the JW Marriott ? on 4th Street. The former is a nicer property but the latter may be slightly more convenient for tourism and is walking distance from a number of attractions.

Personally I would go on priceline to see if you can score a room at the Grand Hyatt, but that will take cash, not points.

Cindi89

If you want easy walking distance then try the San Francisco Marriott downtown (it's on fourth street) It's a decent Marriott hotel. Ask for a room on a high floor with a view of the bay and go up to the top floor lounge one night and just enjoy the view. It's about a btwo blocks from Union Square downtown, and if you want something quick to eat there's a movie theatre across the stree that has a decent food court. IF you want something a little nicer, then go to the Renaissance Stanford Court at the top of knob hill. It has a European feel, but it's a nice hotel. I've found it to be nicer than the SFC Marriott. Just the walk up knob hill can be a killer at times when the cable car is full. There's another renaisance court downtown (Parc 55) but last time I stayed there it was a little shabby.

If I had the points to burn and SFC it had to be, I'd stay at the Stanford Court. If I wanted a nice weekend, I'd skip SFC all together and head straight for Marriott Sonoma Lodge, have dinner at their restaurant and make sure I asked for a lodge and then come back and fight the crowds in SFC.....but then you asked about SFC right? My vote goes to the Stanford Court.

Enjoy yourself.

sfpaul900

I go to San Francisco about one week out of the month and, hands-down, I prefer the Stanford Court. The Marriott is a very crowded, convention-type hotel with a truly ugly lobby, the Parc55 is also very large and impersonal (and in a questionable neighborhood), and the Wharf is in the middle of t-shirts, cut-offs, and fanny-pack land. The beds at the Stanford Court have a wonderful feather mattress (I bought one for my own bed-the dog loves it) and Frette sheets. Yes, the rooms can be a bit small and the decor is a bit grandmotherly but the hotel is a class act all the way. You will actually feel like a San Franciscan walking around that neighborhood. The hotel restaurant is excellent (the BEST lemon-souffle pancakes) and the bar is a little gem. Yes, there is a hike up Nob Hill but you can take a short cab ride if you're not inclined to make like a San Franciscan and walk the 3 blocks from Union Square. Ask for a outside-facing room. There are several little neighborhood places to eat nearby (Rue Lepic on Pine, the Nob Hill Cafe and Venticello on Taylor are all a short walk away) and the legendary Top of The Mark is next door atop the Hotel Mark Hopkins. It's a far more romantic place for a nightcap than the Marriott's rooftop bar. Have a wonderful trip!

PTravel

I'd recommend the Renaissance rather than the Marriott. Before moving up here, I stayed at the Marriott numerous times and ALWAYS had problems. I had a long talk with the manager my last time, and it came down to this: most the Marriott's business is conventions and large meetings. They give priority to these, and elite members wind up getting shorted. In a dozen stays, I don't think I ever had my request for a king, non-smoking honored at check-in without a significant battle and having to call for the manager.

Marriott made it clear whose business they wanted at that property, and it isn't the single business traveller.

keeton

I've stayed at the downtown Marriott, Stanford Court and the Parc 55.

The Stanford Court is my least favorite - but those who like "old world" (think: stuffy and pretentious) may like it. An outside room, as one poster recommended, will get you a lot of street noise from those #$% cablecars. It is not very walkable to anything other than Grace Cathedral and the Mark Hopkins (it's the walk back up those hills that will kill you

The downtown Marriott is pretty good and more convenient to the downtown area. As others have noted it is a big business hotel but my "tourist" stays have generally been pleasant.

I have grown to like the Parc 55. For transportation, the location is great since you are right next to all modes: BART, MUNI (subway and "F" trolley) and cablecar. The front side of the hotel is next to Union Square but the back side abuts the Tenderloin (best avoided at night). They seem to treat elite level guests well and the Concierge Lounge is pretty good. For location alone, this gets my nod.

Do a search for "San Francisco" on this board. A lot has already been written.

GoCubs

Concierge Lounge is open on weekends - huge plus. EXTREMELY helpful concierge - gave us excellent restaurant recommendations. Location is great if you're going to see a show at the nearby Golden Gate Theatre.

JC5280

Who the heck takes the cable car for transportation? Thats a tourist trap that you should do once only. Take a cab, or even better, ask the front desk which muni will take you to the wharf. Its so easy to get around SF, but it helps when you live there and know it well. Just ask anyone...they are friendly folks!

And avoid the fanny packs! (and for that matter, anyone dressed like they are on vacation to "warm" California!)