Priceline Hotel: 4* San Francisco (SFO Airport-Burlingame) Westin

[bill&ferdi]

We already booked our plane tix. Aug.21-28. We live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We appreciate any helpful info and tips about SF. We are gay but we're not planning to spend most of our vacation going to gay bars in Castro. Maybe just 1 evening. Where should be the best place to stay as tourists? We're thinking $80 before 15% tax, per night... any star rating, just as long as it is clean, decent and not in the ghetto.

Thanks,

Bill and Ferdi

[blkjck1]

I wouldn't be considered an expert, but I have been to SF a few times the past few years, so take this info for what it cost you to get! :-)

If you wanted to be centrally located and relying on public transportation, then I would want to be downtown. Union Square East and the Embarcadero areas I think have the best hotels around, and the ones near Moscone Center are fine. Union Square West is a good location too, but if you are looking at a 4* place, there is a chance of getting a rotten room at the Hilton (my sister had that PL experience). I also think that gets you near the Tenderloin area: that can get pretty dodgy.

If you are planning on renting and hanging onto a car, you may want to consider staying outside SF proper. I stayed at the Fairmont Hotel a couple of years ago, and valet parking was $55 a night. Generally, parking in SF is very pricey due to the lack of parking lots and garages. What I normally do is stay near SFO, rented a car, paid the nightly parking fee, and if I was going into SF, I would go to a BART park and ride and take the train into the city.

[Gallus50]

Where to stay in SF if you're gay? Short answer: Anywhere you want. Just about everyone is gay friendly in SF or they wouldn't live there.

Longer answer- USE & USW: city central, USW is closer to Tenderloin, but doable. Also contains Nob Hill, pretty much.

SOMA: High rises, arty, nightlife. A bit noisy for my taste.

FW: Touristy and away from center. More family oriented with attractions, etc.

CC: Grittier, a bit more ghetto. Not bad in north section near Calfornia.

FD/EMB: FD is quiet at night, but Embarcadero has Ferry building, restaurants, etc. EMB is on water, which is nice.

Lombard/Marina- Lots of motor hotels, not so much character.

Japantown: Neighborhood-y and away from center.

If you stick with 3* and above, you should be in good shape. A week may be tough on PL, so you may have to split your bid between weekday/weekend. Also consider places more apartment-like, such as Gaylord Suites, Grosvenor Suites, Donatello, Canterbury (now owned by Wyndham Vacations?). With kitchen, etc, you wouldn't have to eat every meal out.

Does this help?

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Depending upon the zone(s) and star rating you select i think you're budget may be enough for one place... if you're able to extend your budget to $90-$100 you may even have enough for a 4* hotel.

Once you decide upon your desired zone(s) and star rating let us know and we'll suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[bill&ferdi]

Thanks a lot guys! Those were very helpful, detailed information information. I'm glad i found this website.

[bill&ferdi]

Got it, just now... 9:30am CST

I decided to just spend the weekend near the airport and rent a car to get around town. Then get a another room in downtown during the week.

my first bid was $78 and they accepted it! I'm happy. Now, i have to bid for 8/23-28.. i want to be in downtown. USE if possible. any tips?

Thanks

[yellowdog]

bill&ferdi

Thank you for sharing your result with the board!

Enjoy your stay.

Please use the site's HOTWIRE and PRICELINE links to start future purchases.

Yellowdog.

PS. Please start a new topic for the 8/23-28 stay and we'll have a look at that.