Hotel Recommendations in San Francisco

[JuniorNYC]

Hey guys,

 

This is my first time traveling to SF with a car. I drove up from LA and flying out on Wednesday. I'm staying at Hotel Vertigo until tomorrow morning, but was wondering if anyone had any hotel recommendations for the next two nights closer to Castro with parking, or close to a place where I can park over night. I'm tempted to try out AirBnB but concerned about privacy and what not. Also curious to find out where guys stay when visiting SF, and why.

 

Huge thanks in advance.

[Kyle Clinton]

Kensington Park hotel has always been a favorite. Staying there next week. Hope new ownership has been taking care of the old girl. Charm to boot! Wish you were still going to be there when I am there. Really sad about that.

[maninsoma]

I have never rented a hotel in San Francisco because I live here. The only motel I know of near the Castro is Beck's Motor Lodge. I've visited a few men there over the years, and it's a serviceable hotel. By that I mean that it's okay for a few nights' stay, but it's certainly nothing fancy. A little farther down Market Street but still within a reasonable walking distance of the Castro is a Travelodge, though it's probably even more basic than Beck's. I may be mistaken, but I think AirBnB would be difficult to arrange at the last minute anyway.

[bigvalboy]

Parker Guest House...Two 1909 Edwardian mini-mansions

It's in the Castro and on the trolley line.

Staff is very accommodating and discreet.

Off street parking is available

Charming ambience

 

http://www.parkerguesthouse.com/

http://www.parkerguesthouse.com/wp-content/uploads/home1.jpg

 

http://www.parkerguesthouse.com/wp-content/uploads/garden-1.jpg

[+ Charlie]

I have never rented a hotel in San Francisco because I live here. The only motel I know of near the Castro is Beck's Motor Lodge. I've visited a few men there over the years, and it's a serviceable hotel. By that I mean that it's okay for a few nights' stay, but it's certainly nothing fancy. A little farther down Market Street but still within a reasonable walking distance of the Castro is a Travelodge, though it's probably even more basic than Beck's. I may be mistaken, but I think AirBnB would be difficult to arrange at the last minute anyway.

I haven't stayed at Beck's for thirty years, so I can't comment on its quality as a motel nowadays, but it is very convenient if you have a car. I actually stayed there once with my mother, who luckily for me was blind, because the cruising going on there was almost like a bath house.

[+ honcho]

Echoing what maninsoma said, it's worth pointing out that Beck's and TravelLodge both have some on site parking (where you can leave your car all day), whereas the parker house doesn't; you would have to move your car every two hours. The Castro district in completely ensconced in a residential parking zone; the nearest escape from it that I'm aware of are the couple of blocks of 17th just down the hill from clayton.

 

I used to live near the Metro hotel on Divisadero at Page, about 15 - 20 minutes walk north of the castro

but there's no hotel parking there. (Converted Victorian rooming house; rooms are small but nice).

 

Somewhat further up the hill there's a goodly stretch along twin peaks blvd west of clayton (find Tank Hill park on google maps), that's non-area S , but you should pay attention to street cleaning, which happens

once a week.

[rvwnsd]

You might want to check out the municipal garage in SOMA. They might have a 12- or 24-hour rate. Alternatively, you could see about returning the car early.

[bigvalboy]

Echoing what maninsoma said, it's worth pointing out that Beck's and TravelLodge both have some on site parking (where you can leave your car all day), whereas the parker house doesn't; you would have to move your car every two hours.

 

Actually the Parker Guest House does have off street parking for a fee (I have used it). It is accessed from the adjacent alley and uses an adjoining property that they own. It's not cheap, I think I paid $25 per day! It is however gated and a secured space.

 

From their website:

 

Parker Guest House is a highly rated 21 room Bed and Breakfast Hotel Inn located near San Francisco’s vibrant Castro, Mission and Noe Valley neighborhoods. Just steps away from dozens of restaurants, pubs, parks and the Muni Metro, Parker Guest House is the perfect choice for business and holiday travelers, with easy access to all San Francisco’s major tourist destinations including Moscone Convention Center. Guests enjoy newly renovated rooms, private baths (in most rooms), extended continental breakfast, complementary wine social, and fee WIFI. Public rooms include front parlor, library with fireplace, sun room, steam spa and extensive outdoor decks and gardens. On site parking is available for an extra fee

[maninsoma]

I haven't stayed at Beck's for thirty years, so I can't comment on its quality as a motel nowadays, but it is very convenient if you have a car. I actually stayed there once with my mother, who luckily for me was blind, because the cruising going on there was almost like a bath house.

 

I think that atmosphere has changed significantly since, apart from the ground level facing the parking lot, there are locked doors that prevent random people from accessing the majority of the hallways. Not saying that the guests who stay there don't cruise in/outside their rooms, but given that the only other people who will see them are other hotel guests it's no longer so common to simply see guys stroking on their beds or in their doorways.

[AshburyGuy]

Beck's went through a major renovation this past year and I was really impressed at how nice the rooms are now.

[+ SundayZip]

The Beck's rooms are pretty basic but they're clean and comfortable. The traffic on Market St can be quite loud at times so, if you want quiet, ask for a room in the back of the hotel facing 15th St. They're larger rooms with king beds and more expensive but, in my opinion, definitely worth the extra money for the extra space and quiet.

[JuniorNYC]

Thanks for all the suggestion, guys! I ended up going with Beck's. It's my last night here and I'm flying back to NYC tomorrow morning. The location was definitely quite convenient, parking was a breeze and the room was surprisingly well kept. I got a room on the second floor overlooking Market, but the traffic didn't bother me one bit, in fact, I'd say that the sounds of cars coming and going was comforting since I do live in NYC - plus people don't honk their horns every few minutes as they do in NYC.

 

My favorite Hitchcock film, and one of my favorite films ever, is Vertigo, so staying at Hotel Vertigo was amazing - as someone who isn't into Disney, I imagine it's how most people feel when they stay at Disney Land/World. Beck's was just as great of an experience but for very different reasons of course. My only complain, as @maninsoma mentioned, is that you have to go down and open a gated door that leads to the rooms in order to let someone in. Other than that, it was perfect. Will definitely be staying here again for my next trip!

 

Thanks again, guys!!!

 

Jr.

[Rudynate]

I have never rented a hotel in San Francisco because I live here. The only motel I know of near the Castro is Beck's Motor Lodge. I've visited a few men there over the years, and it's a serviceable hotel. By that I mean that it's okay for a few nights' stay, but it's certainly nothing fancy. A little farther down Market Street but still within a reasonable walking distance of the Castro is a Travelodge, though it's probably even more basic than Beck's. I may be mistaken, but I think AirBnB would be difficult to arrange at the last minute anyway.

 

The Travelodge at Market and Valencia is really nasty. I did an incall with an escort there once.