Taking the mini-Murms (4y and 8m) along to SFO in June.

Any recommendations amongst the Marriott properties?

Thanks
MMD

I would pick something around the wharf. Other SF hotels are closer to biz stuff, and have a business feel to them. Likely with kids, many of the attractions you see will probably closer to the wharf. I do think there is a Marriott closer to the ballpark, but not much else over there.

Keep in mind that most of the hotels on the wharf are not very great hotels - even though they have a very high category rating. Unless you are going to spend all your time here, you may be better off at one of the other properties (Parc 55 or the Marriott on 4th) and take a bus to Fisherman's wharf.

I found the Marriott, Sheraton and Hyatt to be pretty run down and not worth the money (IMO). That said, the Marriott is definitely nicer than the Hyatt.

You might consider the Courtyard or RI at Oyster Point. Very kid friendly the RI has nice outside area to let them run around, also good trail around the bay. Very easy access to SF via BART or CalTrain, and free shuttle from hotel to either. You could also drive into SF if you want to fight the parking (not recomended). Nice to have mini-kitchen (RI) in the room, and you'll spend less points/$$.

Bruce

I would stay at the Marriott Downtown. They have a pretty decent breakfast buffet.

There is a museum one street over from the hotel and Yerba Gardens (I think I got that right), as well as a movie theatre with a food court. In the movie theatre there was a child interactive project based on a children's book (the name escapes me with now). When I took my brother to SFO, we stayed at the Marriott and we went to the movie theatre for downtime.

Plus the cable car ride from downtown to the wharf is awesome going down the hill.

With children I would stay there before I would stay at either one of the Renaissances' or the Wharf.

The Marriott downtown is probably your answer. The Stanford Court Ren is probably a bit nicer but is very much geared to a pretentous weekend on Nob Hill. Kids won't want to walk the hill and the environment is very stuffy. The Marriott downtown (I live 1 block away) is definitely a business hotel, but it is also one of the better standard Marriotts systemwide, the exec lounge has an excellent city view, and the restaurant isn't bad. It is about 30 feet from Metreon, which is great for kids as it includes SF's largest movie theater, food court, all sorts of Sony and gadget shops, an arcade, etc. It is part of Yerba Buena gardens which also includes a zoo muesum that I've never been to, bowling lanes and ice skating.

Granted, it's far from the Wharfs, but it's a few blocks from the cable car and even closer to public transport. It's about a $10 cab ride, too. The Wharf properties are all so run down and white trash at this point that I would sooner stay at the airport. That part of town is going to become overrun with tourists soon, too, as the whether is finally turning beautiful.

You've gotten some good replies on this helpful thread. Varied opinions, but good info.
My 2 cents...I live in the Bay Area and travel into The City for weekends of fun. I have stayed at all the properties mentioned, save for the very nice Stanford Ct. As in previos posts, I always recommend the REN Parc55. They often have special offers at http://parc55hotel.com/. Kid friendly-not any less than the convention heavy SF Marriott. Parc 55 is 2 blks from Union Sq and equal distance to cable car and also trolley out to Embarcadero and The Warf.
I never recommend the Marriott, known as one of The City's great eyesores. It is a mamoth hotel. Often MEB rates make the property more desireable. If w/car, parking at the very nearby Mission/4th garage is always the smartest bet.
I agree with other FTers re warf properties. The location from the H2O is great, but SF is a compact city, getting around is easy.
I have stayed at the CY nearest SBC Park (2nd St) and found it better than the dtown M. The hotel is a new highrise, 5 blocks from the ballpark-which is a don't miss. Bleacher seats are always in the sun-if there is any sun in June! CY rates can be $99 AAA, $91 through an offered MEB, or even packages if through the front desk (I got room and parking and breakfast for $109).
The Oyster Pt locations, though accessable, are 15 mi from The City...and that's not so much fun for kiddies.
Metreon is a good distraction for kids and is not far from any of the hotels discussed except for the warf's M and CY.
You might want to look at http://www.sfcvb.org/ for ideas and discounts on ferry/cablecar/museum packages.

You may also want to consider a Muni passport (http://www.sfmuni.com/cms/mms/fares/...htm#passports). For 7 days, it's US$20 and includes all busses, cable cars, muni trains, and street cars. (These are also available with some of the discounts at http://www.sfcvb.org/.)

You can pick these up at most hotel news-stands or at the Convention & Visitors Bureau at Powell and Market.

Have a great trip!

Bob

The SF Downtown Marriott has a another advantage over the other in-city, FS Marriotts/Rens which would be a big plus in particularly in view of your having the kids w/you.

It's the only one with a pool (indoor, BTW).

FYI - The Downtown CY has a pool as well, but the Marriott Downtown also also is diagonally across the street from a municipal parking garage - a big savings over hotel parking, should you have a car overnight.