I really like visiting San Francisco. I’ve been there many times for both vacations and business trips. I like the sense of history I find in the city. I think it combines well with the progressive mindset of most of the citizens. The city is compact and, while not walkable, the connections of cable cars and other public transportation make it easy to get around, even without a car.
There are many hotel options in this cool city. Here are my three hotel choices for San Francisco, California:
Luxury – The Fairmont San Francisco
I think the Fairmont is the best hotel in San Francisco and always discover new things each time I visit. The hotel opened in 1907, just after surviving the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906.
The hotel has two sections: an older main building and new high rise tower. Both have their good points, and rooms in either place will be impressive. I’ve stayed in some ornate, over-the-top suites in the main building, which have beautiful wood paneling, private libraries and bars, and other cool features. I’ve also enjoyed some beautiful, modern corner suites in the tower with amazing views of San Francisco and the water.
Specials are available, bringing the room prices down to $299 per night, with breakfast included. On the other end of the scale, an apartment-like penthouse is also available, one of the most beautiful hotel rooms in America, for about $12,000 per night.
The Fairmont San Francisco
950 Mason St., San Francisco, CA
http://www.fairmont.com/sanfrancisco
Great Location – Taj Campton Place
This is another former grand hotel located down the hill from the Fairmont just off Union Square. The entire hotel has been renovated, and the price makes it a great luxury option. The location is also perfect for travelers, close to shopping and restaurants, also close to cable car lines. Prices start around $185 per night.
The Campton Place has been part of Union Square for more than 100 years, slightly smaller than the the big palace hotels like the Westin St. Francis. It’s now managed and owned by Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces, an Indian luxury hotel developer, and is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World group.
Taj Campton Place
340 Stockton St., San Francisco, CA
http://www.tajhotels.com
Cheap, Yet Hip – Hotel Tomo
What used to be a boring Best Western motel is now a cool, hip, Japanese anime-themed hotel with all the tech toys, including gaming suites with PlayStation 3 consoles. Rates are very low, from about $85 per night, and the location is central, in Japantown.
The decor is very Tokyo pop and over the top, and there’s a hip restaurant in the hotel called Mums. The restaurant is known for its all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu, which is Japanese table-side BBQ dining.
Hotel Tomo
1800 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA
http://www.jdvhotels.com/tomo/
Freddy Sherman is a world traveler and editor of the travel blog travel4people.com. You can follow him on Twitter @thefredsherman.
More From This Contributor:
3 Great River Cruises in the U.S.
Local’s Guide to Los Angeles Hotels
The Mirage’s Tower Suites Are a Great Las Vegas Bargain
