Fiona,
I've not stayed there but have walked past it (I think) and it does look nice, lovely boutique style. It's just across from Van Ness Avenue with bus routes all over the San Francisco area. Use caution walking towards Union Square from this Civic Center location, just above the area you will be walking down is the Tenderloin, which is a run down district our hotel bordered in 2006 and some of the things we witnessed walking down towards Union Square (particularly along Golden Gate Ave) were not pleasant.
What fascinates me, and not in a good way, about San Francisco is that the homeless problem borders what I consider to be both tourist and business areas of the city, and just a block or two either way can be the difference between finding yourself in a sketchy area or a street bustling with shoppers, workers or theatre goers.
Whilst San Francisco is a good walking city (until you reach one of the massive hills anyway) the 3 day BART ticket we purchased was superb value for money, and in most cases meant you didn't need to take a risk walking an area that was slightly dubious. That the pass also included unlimited cable car rides ($5 per journey normally) made it even more exceptional.

Sorry I can't help with any particular reference to the hotel itself.

that is very helpful. Is the BART ticket something you purchase on the bus or can it be ordered beforehand?
Thought the hotel looked lovely but couldn't understand how BA could manage a price of £645 for 6 days when the others were offering it for over £1100.

Sorry Fiona it's not the BART ticket it's called the Muni Pass. The BART funnily enough is the only mode of transport the ticket doesn't cover.

We got it from Tourist Info on Market. It was $16 for 3 days (I think I read it was $18 now somewhere) and was exceptional value especially if you used the cable cars a good few times. We actually loved the California Line (leading down to the Ferry Building and Embarcadero) as much as the Powell-Mason line which goes from the Powell turnaround to Fishermans Wharf. I don't know if it was me, but I found the hills even steeper on the California Line!!!!

A scenic way of getting to Fishermans Wharf from Market (Union Square area) is to hop on the classic streetcar which runs up Embarcadero. It's way better than a bus, plus you are getting to see the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge as part of a simple journey from A to B, plus it's covered by the Muni Pass.

I have never experienced public transportation as good as it is in San Francisco. Absolutely first class.

ah now that makes sense as I've just been reading elsewhere about Muni. What does BART stand for?

Bay Area Rapid Transport. At a guess.

We rode an Amtrak train from Sacramento to Richmond and then hopped on the BART to San Francisco. Very efficient, clean and rather wonderful if you should ever need to use it (i.e. from the airport).

thanks again- this is great info

Have actually just booked it! I completed a redemption voucher booking with BA and decided to just go ahead and book the hotel with them.

we bought the muni pass,when we went in oct,excellent value!
we bought it,at the fishermans wharf,turnaround station.hubby & grandaughter,loved the cable cars hubby being the typical tourist,standing up & holding on! me,my bum was securely,fixed to the seat.
really enjoyed our time,in san francisco & would love to return someday.
tracy

hi Tracy
what was the weather like in October? I'm not too bothered as long as its not really windy and cold

Fiona you will love San Francisco,we were there in Sept 2008 the weather was perfect did all
the popular tours our fav was the full day along the 17mile drive went to the famous
Pebble beach Golf Club really swish, and had a lovely time in Carmel,made our way from San Francisco
[hire car] to Sacremento, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite,through Death Valley ending up in Las Vegas one of
the our best holidays ever.
annx

Thanks Ann
We only have 6 days so will have to think about what we most want to do. Still- thats the good part- planning

Take something warm to wear Fiona. San Francisco has it's own climate, different from the rest of California. Quite often in the morning the fog rolls in and it can be chilly, it usually burns off by mid-day though. If you get a chance to go across the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County visit Sausalito a lovely little town on the bay, also in the same general area is Muir Woods where you can see the giant Redwood trees.

we do intend to venture out of the city so thanks for the tip. I can see me over packing again- just had to do that for Cape Town, had to pack for good and not so good. ( but fortunately didn't need the clothes for not so good!)

Late September/Early October is actually a very nice time to go to San Francisco. The first time we went in June and like Judith has mentioned, the fog lingers in the morning before the sun breaks through. We certainly felt a lot warmer in October than in June with t-shirts being the order of the day, although you will need something on your legs.
I must admit I was caught out in June clothes wise. It was a 2 centre with Vegas so I packed shorts and t-shirts and only one long sleeve top, which I then proceeded to wear most of our 7 days and nights in SF.

6 days/nights is a good starting point for San Francisco. We have had 13 nights there in total since 2004 and still haven't seen everything we want to. I would certainly recommend that Muni Pass, and the City Tour is one of the best in the world (the views from Twin Peaks are excellent). Definitely do Alcatraz, and if you are feeling fit bike the bridge one way and get the ferry back from Sausalito. One of the best things I have ever done. Muir Woods National Monument is well worth a trip as well, and if you are into your sport, a tour of the Giants baseball stadium affords some excellent views of the Bay Bridge and surrounding area.

I am just slightly envious....

thanks Not sure about the bike though

Fiona

My wife and I are in the states from 30th April until 18th May and will be in SF for 4 days and got a great deal from Hotwire for the King George Hotel near Union Square total was $240 for the 4 nights.

Link below.

http://www.travel-ticker.com/details.jsp?encId=s5q9h5w306fb7spajmh2&pageName=Home&secCode=H1&posId=5

We were in SF in May and it was freezing! It was like Aberdeen on a cold, windy day and it did spoil it a bit for us as we didn't have any warm clothes.

luci

fiona,we flew on the 20th oct & the weather was absolutely fantastic.they were saying,they were having one of the hottest octobers for years!!!!!!!!!!!
i packed combats & fleeces,for the grandaighter,what a waste of time,they were!
the only time,it was chilly,was going across to alcatraz,but we did the night tour.i think it left about 7.30p.m..i would definately recommend,the night tour.they say it is more atmospheric.
we also did the city tour,with mr toads tours,again highly recommended.the tour is carried out,using an old open topped car,graet fun & very informative.
the city pass is also excellent value,it has a bay tour,included in it,i think we went with the blue & gold fleet,you go right under the golden gate bridge & around alcatraz,so you get the oppurtunity,for some great photos,especially,if you do the night tour of alcatraz.
the hop on,hop of bus,is also included,the tour of uss pamplito (not sure if i have got the name right) there are pages in the booklet,with a choice of 2 things,to do,so you choose 1 off each page.there is also a tour of,the famous bakery included,again the name escapes me.
i am off work,at the minute,because we fly to spain on monday,so i have the weekend off,so i will upload some photos,so you can see,what the weather was like.
we also visited gharelldis (spelling?) where we sat,with a gorgeous ice cream & got our free chocolate!
we were only there for 4 nights,but we packed loads in.the jet lag,certainly got us though,up really really early,so was shattered at night,but it was worth it.
hope you have a great time planning,
tracy

its strange for me to be only looking at what to do after we have booked. Usually I have a good idea beforehand. However, the redemption ticket could only be used by us this October and I had to act quickly when seats came up for SFO.
YOu have given me loads of ideas- thanks