Francisco Bay Inn, San Francisco

...day to kill in San Francisco (lucky me!) before catching an early morning flight, I needed a hotel, and decided to stay in town rather than near the airport. I searched on Expedia and found the Francisco Bay Inn. One of the features I was looking for was free parking, and the Francisco Bay offers it. There were cheaper options, but not when you add $10-$20 to park your car. Expedia gave me a rate of £39, prepaid, and I took it.

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The Francisco Bay also offer family suites and free tour pick up. Public transport is right at the door.

One other thing, which is only temporary - they are busy renovating! Just after 5pm there began a great banging and thumping in the room above us. After a few minutes, I went up to see what was happening. Two workmen were dismantling the room! I went down to the office, and in fact met the chap who had checked ... more

Having a day to kill in San Francisco (lucky me!) before catching an early morning flight, I needed a hotel, and decided to stay in town rather than near the airport. I searched on Expedia and found the Francisco Bay Inn. One of the features I was looking for was free parking, and the Francisco Bay offers it. There were cheaper options, but not when you add $10-$20 to park your car. Expedia gave me a rate of £39, prepaid, and I took it.

Another advantage of the Francisco Bay is its location. This is also a disadvantage. It is on Lombard Street, near the corner of Van Ness, within easy walking distance of Fisherman's Wharf and other attractions. However, Lombard is a major, six-lane thoroughfare, part of Highway 101 as it wends its way to the Golden Gate Bridge. This means constant traffic noise, right through the night. Earplugs are advised! There are rooms on the back, which may be a bit quieter, but we were right on the front. If the noise doesn't bother you, or, as I say, you use earplugs or drown out the noise with the air conditioning/heating (as we did), it's fine (and I qualify my "recommended" rating with this). If you want a quiet stay, look elsewhere. I would think this applies to all the hotels and motels along Lombard Street.

We arrived about 11 in the morning. I pulled into the parking lot and went to the office. I told the very friendly desk clerk that we were staying there that evening, and could we leave our car while we went sightseeing? No problem. Indeed, our room was ready so did we want to check in now? He also arranged a shuttle to the airport for me the next morning, as my wife was taking the car to visit her family in Northern California. He gave us a map of San Francisco, circling the main tourist attractions and also highlighting the less salubrious areas of town that we might wish to avoid.

The room was a decent size, and the bathroom was HUGE, with a full bath. It was bigger than it needed to be because of the design of the rooms. Everything was clean.

The king size bed was very comfortable.

The room was well appointed, including a microwave and fridge, as well as the usual coffeemaker. Complimentary coffee and muffins are available in reception in the morning. And of course there was cable televiision. The rooms also have wireless broadband internet.

The Francisco Bay also offer family suites and free tour pick up. Public transport is right at the door.

One other thing, which is only temporary - they are busy renovating! Just after 5pm there began a great banging and thumping in the room above us. After a few minutes, I went up to see what was happening. Two workmen were dismantling the room! I went down to the office, and in fact met the chap who had checked us in on the stairs. I asked how long the noise would continue, and a look of horror crossed his face. "They were supposed to finish before 5," he said, and went straight up to tell them to stop. It seems they thought they would make a start on another room before knocking off!

A final tip: There are lots of great places to eat in San Francisco, but if you stay here, or at any of the nearby hotels, and fancy a great hamburger, go to Polkers on Polk street, which runs parallel to Van Ness, one block up. Turn right out of the hotel and walk up the hill to Polk Street, and right on Polk. Polkers is on your left, past the Alhambra (which you can't miss). It is a small neighbourhood place (my sister-in-law used to live in the area which is how we found it) which does burgers and salads and various sandwiches the way they were meant to be. Great for lunch.

 

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