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star in the Union Square East (USE) area. Converted in the last 2
years from a Holiday Inn, the 27-story hotel's rooms and gym are a
bit smaller than most folks are used to at a Hilton. Still, it's freshly
renovated with sleek decor, and many north-facing rooms have a
sweeping view of Telegraph Hill. Restaurant, bar, room service, day
spa, and iPod-docking alarm clocks round out the amenities.
Standard price (standard double room): $209 to $370; Priceline
price: $65 to $90 with the average accepted bid at $81.
u Holiday Inn Fisherman's Wharf (1300 Columbus Ave.): This is what
Pauline Frommer got in San Francisco, the last time she bid on
Priceline.com, and it's a common one for this company, particularly
for those bidding three stars in the Fisherman's Wharf area. It's about
a block from the frenetic energy of the wharf, quiet and cheery, in that
bland chain-hotel way. On-site amenities include a pool and small fit-
ness center. Standard price (standard double room): $200 to $255;
Priceline price: $65 to $80, with average accepted bid at $73.
u The Opal San Francisco (1050 Van Ness Ave. at Geary): Ranked as a
2 1 2 -star choice, it comes up fairly frequently for the upper Civic
Center area. An older property in a large stone building, it's a bit
worn, but clean and with a small gym, and free continental break-
fast. Standard price (standard double room): $99 to $169;
Priceline price (and average): $65.
With the exception of the period around New Year's Eve, accepted bids
on Priceline.com rarely ever jumped above $125 a night, and that also
included such swank brands as Hyatt, Westin, and InterContinental. One
warning: Make sure you use the location selector to ensure that the air-
port hotels are not included in your search; otherwise, you may get stuck
with a place that requires a car. Often those who bid for “South San
Francisco” also get an airport hotel, so leave that out of the search.
mistake it for something with more service standards than a clean crash pad, you'll
find that it absolutely meets your expectations. Prices are sane ($72 for 2 in a
smallish room on a full mattress including private bath and continental breakfast),
though rooms vary greatly in terms of ambient light and size. For example, no.
111 is dark, on an airshaft, and eerie, while no. 115 is light and large with a newer
bathroom. What you get appears to be luck of the draw, but hey, you can always
ask to see another room if you're not happy upon check in.
$ If you don't plan to spend much time in your room, you could do worse than
the seven-story Dakota Hotel (606 Post St., at Taylor; % 415/931-7475; www.
hotelsanfrancisco.com), where all the units have private baths but beyond that,
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