Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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bedrooms ar e masculine in feel with black-trimmed woods and upholster y—but the
hotel is o verdue for some fr esh fabrics on windo ws and beds. The double-doubles ar e
really dual queens and big enough to shar e with the kids and still hav e space for y our
luggage. There are no connecting rooms or suites suitable for a crowd, but the staff does
its best to provide families with the largest r ooms available.
55 5th St. (bt w. Mission and Market sts.), San Francisco, CA 94103.
&
800/398-7555
or 415/543-8555.
Fax 415/543-5885. www.hotelmilanosf.com. 108 units. $109-$299 double. Kids under 12 stay free in par-
ent's room. Additional person $20. Rolla ways $20; cribs fr ee. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet park ing $30;
oversized vehicles $35.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar; fitness center; concierge; room service (6am-1am);
babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning; executive level rooms.
In room:
A/C, TV, wireless high-speed
Internet access, minibar, fridge, hair dryer, iron, safe.
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FISHERMAN'S WHARF
As the most visited tourist destination in San Francisco, Fisherman's Wharf has plenty of
family activities, and a fe w of its hotels hav e outdoor pools. B ut the lopsided ratio of
tourists to locals makes for a sle w of tacky T-shirt shops and lousy r estaurants. At least
it's next to the bay, and the area's western edge, towards Ghirardelli, is quite scenic.
EXPENSIVE
The Argonaut
I've long wonder ed why any one would want to stay in F isher-
man's Wharf. Upon seeing the Argonaut, which opened its doors in A ugust 2003, I not
only stopped wondering, I wanted to check in immediately . It helps that the hotel is
located on the wharf's more picturesque western end. The hotel building, originally built
in 1907 and now property of the National Park Service, is part of The Cannery, a historic
structure that once housed the world 's largest peach canning facility . The $40 million
restoration to create this attractive new hotel left the red-brick walls, Douglas fir beams,
and wood-plank floors beautifully intact.
The overall decor, which pokes fun at traditional nautical themes, is fresh and appeal-
ing. It extends to the sizable guest rooms and bathrooms, which are hued in bright blue,
white, and silver. Room configurations include two queens or one king, and a fe w king
rooms also have a pullout sofa. Bay views are an option, as are interconnecting rooms and
suites. Rooms have DVD and CD play ers, and if y ou pop do wn to the lobb y for the
complimentary wine hour, your teens or tweens can take advantage of the two computers
with free high-speed wireless Internet access there.
Too bad the Argonaut doesn't have a pool. Then again, if it did, the other wharf hotels
might go out of business. When you call, ask whether the Neptune's Adventure package
is still available. At last check, it granted a family of four a double queen room, passes to
PIER 39 attractions and the H yde Street Pier, clever kids' gifts, tickets for the cable car
a mer e block away , and a full br eakfast at the hotel 's Blue Mermaid Chowder House
(p. 130), one of the fe w good family restaurants in the area.
495 Jefferson St. (at Hyde St.), San Francisco, CA 94109.
&
866/415-0704
or 415/563-0800. Fax 415/563-
2800. www.argonauthotel.com. 252 units. $199-$249 double; $599-$1,000 suite. Kids under 17 stay free
in parent's room. Rollaways $20; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $39; oversized vehicles $54;
hybrids $30. Pets welcome.
Amenities:
Restaurant; concierge; courtesy car; room service (6:15am-mid-
night); babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning; executive-level rooms.
In room:
A/C, TV/DVD w/movies
and games, free high-speed I nternet access, minibar/fridge, coffeemaker, hair dr yer, iron, iPod dock in
suites.
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