Hotel recommendations in San Francisco

[DaninWA]

Hey, guys. I'll be in San Francisco July 26 and 27. Has anyone stayed at the Executive Hotel Vintage Court? What about the Juliana? I have a sneeking suspicion that I stayed at the Juliana years ago and didn't like it, but can't remember for certain.

 

Thanks,

Dan

[FrancoDiSantisxxx]

San Francisco

 

Since you participated in this thread last time, you know that Devon, Unicorn and I all strongly urged the use of Priceline. I have been to SF once since that thread initiated and will be in the Bay Area in August, and I still recommend Priceline highly to you and anyone else.

 

http://babydb.male4malescorts.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=51570&mesg_id=51570&listing_type=search

 

Unless there is a major convention going on (which would not be hard to find out from the SF Convention Center or the SF Visitor's Bureau), there should be a surplus of hotel rooms.

 

As Devon points out in his comment, the Grand Hyatt often comes up for a resonable rate and I have always enjoyed all of my stays at that property.

 

I am not familiar with (which is neither a good nor bad sign) either of the two properties you specifically mention.

[DaninWA]

RE: San Francisco

 

Franco,

 

The few times I've used Priceline, I've been very dissatisfied. This is, largely, because I must know certain things (ammenities, availability of conference room, airport shuttle, etc.). Priceline doesn't specify these and is not useful to me when I'm traveling on business.

 

I asked about these two hotels because they have the ammenities I need and the rates I was quoted were very reasonable. I have no experience with these hotels and was hoping contributors to this message board could clue me in.

 

Thanks for your response,

Dan

[Rod Hagen]

RE: San Francisco

 

Palomar is very fun.

Fairmont is grand, old and dear.

Great views, best views, at Mandarin Oriental.

Ritz Carlton (executive club floor of course) is elegant, but what's with that sushi bar?

I suppose The Huntington could be described-passive voice-as "clubsy".

Small well-appointed rooms at Campton Place.

 

Have fun.

[Guest]

I cannot recommend more strongly but that you make a $55 bid on priceline for a 4* SOMA hotel. According to biddingfortravel.com , the Marriott has been coming up consistently. It is a true AAA 4-Diamond hotel, and has every amenity you might want. I recently stayed there, and the exercise room, pool, and public facilities are fabulous. The location is ideal, one block from BART, the MUNI metro, and the streetcars. It's two blocks from the cable cars, and three to Union Square. It's also within walking distance of the gay clubs. You have direct, rapid public transportation access to just about anywhere in SF without having to transfer (including the airport). The only other hotel which has come up within the last several months on priceline for a 4* in SOMA has been the "W" which I understand is even more luxurious (and is one block from the Marriott).

The Marriott is a huge hotel with about 1800 rooms, and they just can't fill at their usual $220/night rate. Believe me, I have no financial interest in priceline. However, I cannot understand why one would want to get a room anywhere else. I challenge anyone to come up with one good reason.

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: San Francisco

 

Within the past year, there have been at least two threads devoted to lodging in San Francisco. I know far I've given suggestions previously. Go to Hotwire.com; you'll probably be placed in the Grand Hyatt, a very attractive and comfortable and relatively quite hotel right at Union Square if you plug in east of downtown. Last time I stayed, I requested a room on fl 22 or 23 which gave me a picturesque view of much of downtown and the square itself; it made for a romantic setting with curtains drawn and candles burning and "hot"-- "hot" sex with my favorite escort in the City. He's from Brasil!

[+ Hoover42]

Unicorm,

 

Excuse me for butting in, but can you tell me how far in advance one should make a Priceline bid for a room?

 

I have a trip to LA coming up in October. Would it make sense to bid now for a room, or wait until a few weeks beforehand?

[Flower]

>Excuse me for butting in, ....

 

That's ok--you are not butting in at all--everyone is so anxious to sell Priceline or their own favorites, they have totally ignored the very specific question about the two specific properties: "Has anyone stayed at the Executive Hotel Vintage Court? What about the Juliana?"

 

Well I haven't either and can't answer the question any more than the rest and wouldn't have even posted on this one except I thought it so hilarious to read the questions and then the "answers." :+

[Guest]

>Unicorm,

>

>Excuse me for butting in, but can you tell me how far in

>advance one should make a Priceline bid for a room?

>

>I have a trip to LA coming up in October. Would it make sense

>to bid now for a room, or wait until a few weeks beforehand?

>

>

I prefer to bid earlier rather than later, but one can bid the day before if one likes. Inventory changes, and one can always bid later, if one doesn't get the room early on. If one bids really early, one can sometimes get priceline-inventoried rooms before a hotel realizes it might not need to sell rooms at that rate. My favorite deal was the Anchorage Hilton for $49 at the end of June. The rooms usually go for about $299 at that time of year, but I bid in January. I think they may have still been on "Winter mode." There have been a couple of times when I've gone to cities with a big convention. I bid those as soon as I know the convention dates, and before other convention attendees start buying hotel rooms. I've gotten incredible rooms rates during conventions, later to find the hotel was booked solid when I got there.

That being said, in looking at winning bids on http://www.biddingfortravel.com, it looks like successful bids for 4*'s in West Hollywood are usually won two weeks in advance. Nevertheless, there's little reason not to bid early and often. You can always ask for bidding assistance at that site. (It looks like the 4* usually available is the Wyndham Bel Age for around $80. This is not at all as wonderful a deal as SF Marriott for $60, but still a bargain).

[Guest]

>>Excuse me for butting in, ....

>

> That's ok--you are not butting in at

>all--everyone is so anxious to sell Priceline or their own

>favorites, they have totally ignored the very specific

>question about the two specific properties:[font color =

>"blue"] "Has anyone stayed at the Executive Hotel Vintage

>Court? What about the Juliana?"

 

Oh, all right. If I must answer THIS very specific question, the answer is no!

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

A quick recommendation~

 

The Argent Hotel, located steps away from the MOMA in SFO... Beautiful location, well-appointed rooms and comfortable by all-means. High-speed internet is also plentiful (a must for any guy on the go) Everytime i've stayed there, it's been nothing but perfection everytime...

 

 

Or was that the fella i was staying with (You KNOW who you are)

 

 

 

Warmest Regards,

 

 

 

Benjamin Nicholas

 

 

 

PS: For breakfast, you can't go wrong at Pergaminos. Some of the best bacon i've ever had...

[FrancoDiSantisxxx]

Bidding for Travel * Juliana

 

Disclaimer: I do not think Priceline is the very best option. I would never use Priceline for air travel, would never think to use them for car rentals. In some cities, Priceline would not even be my alternative choice. HOWEVER, for the two cities you requested, frankly, I believe Priceline can offer you what you seek at a good rate.

 

The Juliana

 

Here is a site with reviews on the Juliana: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60713-d112346-r1020734-The_Juliana_Hotel-San_Francisco_California.html

 

According to various sites I looked at, there are only 24 true suites. There are no banquet rooms or meeting rooms "on site" and based on the price, even discounted as offered on several web sites, you would get identical or better quality amenities at the Grand Hyatt or the Marriott in SOMA. Either of those properties have or can arrange for shuttle service to the airport. The Juliana does not offer its own hotel shuttle service but also contracts with a van shuttle service as do most other hotel properties.

 

Executive Hotel Vintage Court

 

Here are reviews of the Vintage Court: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60713-d81531-Reviews-Vintage_Court-San_Francisco_California.html

 

Again, based on the information I found, I believe you would be better off with the Grand Hyatt or another four star hotel property.

 

Bidding for Travel has reviews of the properties and tells you what the properties are in each location. While it requires a certain amount of work on your part and investigation as to how to "game the system" to your benefit, it is possible. The one thing which is not always possible on Priceline is to get the exact dates you want, but it is not an improbable task.

 

Given the economy in San Francisco, I would still strongly urge you to consider Priceline; however, if you need to know amenities in advance, I suggest you do some further research as neither of these two properties appear to offer conference type meeting rooms.

 

Good luck.

[Huey]

RE: San Francisco

 

>Palomar is very fun.

>Fairmont is grand, old and dear.

>Great views, best views, at Mandarin Oriental.

>Ritz Carlton (executive club floor of course) is elegant, but

>what's with that sushi bar?

>I suppose The Huntington could be described-passive voice-as

>"clubsy".

>Small well-appointed rooms at Campton Place.

>

 

I love it when Rod talks 'hotels' it gets me very worked up .

[Huey]

Hoover if you do head over to biddingfortravel.com they strongly suggest that you don't bid too early. In fact, if you read the various hotel threads they will always comment in regard to people who are over anxious and bid too early. They don't feel that is the correct way to get the best out of priceline.

 

This is their opinion and I just wanted to be sure it was clear and not lost in all the muck .

[DaninWA]

RE: Bidding for Travel * Juliana

 

Franco,

 

Thank you for the information. I tried to post this response yesterday, but it kept dissappearing when I hit "Post message".

 

In fact, based on Unicorn's recommendation, I contacted the Marriott directly and was able to negotiate rates for the rooms needed that were significantly lower than the rates offered by either the Juliana or Vintage Court. We were, also, able to negotiate excellent rates for a small conference room, food, and shuttle service to and from the airport.

 

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions.

 

Dan

[Rick Munroe]

I haven't always been so thrilled with priceline. I would caution anyone who reads biddingfortravel.com, thinking that their hotel list for a particular city is a complete list, because as they clearly state, it isn't. You still really have no control over what you'll end up getting, even if "everybody" is currently getting a certain hotel. A new hotel could pop up at any time (it's happened to us twice) and you're stuck. Just a word of caution.

[bigguyinpasadena]

Hello Dan,I have put friends up in the Vintage Court before,And I have checked out rooms at the Jullianna.

They are both "boutique"type hotels/former SROs that have been refurbished.The Rooms lean toward the smallish side,but nicely done in a homey styly.These will not make you go wow!with either accomodations or ammeneties.The staff can be VERY attentive and are very greatful for tips-if you let it be known that you will reward them for good service they will fall over them selves to help you.

I belive both of these properties are a Joie de Vivre hotel(or matbe Kimpton)Joie de Vivre is Gay owned if you would like to keep your money in the family.

That being said,these are all three star properties-not world class by any means.

I too normally would sing the praises of priceline,and of BIDDINGFORTRAVEL.COM.However,If you need certain ammenaties during your stay,might I suggest two properties that are often overlooked.

The Donnatello Hotel,and The Handlery(this may be a sheraton four points now not sure)Both are fine low key mediun size properties that can offer everything you desire at a much better price than the big chain hotels.The rooms at the Donatello are Huge,the restaurant is very good and the location is very nice-halfway between union square and nob hill.

The Handlery has very nice buisness class rooms-the regular rooms are on the small side(in fact one of the smallest rooms I have ever seen in SF was here,the other was at the Holiday Inn Express on 6th st.)

Good luck on your trip-hope my post was helpful.

Oh,and don't miss the NOB HILL THEATRE!Not as great as it once was,but still fun!

[Guest]

>Hoover if you do head over to biddingfortravel.com they

>strongly suggest that you don't bid too early. In fact, if you

>read the various hotel threads they will always comment in

>regard to people who are over anxious and bid too early. They

>don't feel that is the correct way to get the best out of

>priceline.

>

There is no penalty for bidding early and often. The FAQ on biddingfortravel.com clearly states that inventory is constantly changing. The successful hotels and airlines know how to keep every room and seat filled, at prices that the market will bear. If you're not successful at this time, you can keep trying every week (or more often if you choose).

[Guest alanm]

I can come up with several good reasons. The Marriott is a chain hotel and every room in every hotel looks the same. If you have ever had to stay at Marriott Hotels on business a lot, you would understand what I am talking about.

 

I suggest the Parker House near the Castro, it's gay run and fun to

be so near Castro Street. Yes. the Parker House costs more than the Marriott on Priceline, but somtimes the price isn't everthing.

 

Sorry, I just hate chain hotels when there's a much better alternative.

[Guest]

Well, yes, but there is a short list of 4* hotels in SF's South of Market neighborhood, and they all have great amenities and locations. It's not like bidding for "West Hollywood/Hollywood" in the LA area, where there's a pretty extensive list of where you might end up staying...

[Guest]

Well, yes, but there is a short list of 4* hotels in SF's South of Market neighborhood, and they all have great amenities and locations. It's not like bidding for "West Hollywood/Hollywood" in the LA area, where there's a pretty extensive list of where you might end up staying...