Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
93
That's not to suggest you shouldn't choose the Hotel Vitale if you can get a good deal.
For families, a good option could be one of the six F amily Studio suites, which feature a
larger room with a king-size bed and a pullout sofa, as well as a small dining table. A few
of these suites have a curtain that parents can pull across the room to separate the sleep-
ing little ones while the adults watch a mo vie in bed. U nfortunately, these suites don 't
offer views of the water. A possibility that does feature the Vitale's signature views is one
of the sev en interconnecting room configurations, pairing a king-siz e bed r oom with a
spa shower, but no tub , with a r oom that has two twin beds as w ell as a bathtub . One
word of caution: The Vitale is also home to the indoor-outdoor Americano Bar, which is
packed with 20-somethings most nights of the w eek. The upshot is that the Vitale is in
a v ery desirable location, offers fabulous vie ws, and boasts v ery ne w, w ell-decorated
rooms. But because the family suites don't have the views and the Americano B ar is not
quite a kid-friendly scene, I'd try to get a good deal on r oom prices before booking.
8 Mission St. (at Steuart St.), San Francisco, CA 94105.
&
888/890-8688
or 415/278-3700. Fax 415/278-
3750. www.hotelvitale.com. 199 units . $329-$399 double; $379-$699 suit e. $30 f or 3rd adult in r oom;
kids under 18 stay free in parent's room. Rollaways and cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $51.
Dogs welcome, $35 f ee.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar ; fitness c enter; concierge; courtesy car ; business
center; room service; massage; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning.
In room:
A/C, TV/DVD, dataport,
free high-speed Internet access, minibar, coffeemaker (on request), hair dryer, iron, safe, CD player, iPod
dock.
EXPENSIVE
Harbor Court Hotel
This hotel is in one of the best locations in to wn, offering
lovely views of the San Francisco Bay and the Bay Bridge. You'll be steps away fr om the
Ferry Building and will have immediate access to the Embarcadero promenade for lovely
waterside strolls or bike rides. M oreover, you'll be within walking distance of the S oMa
attractions, and public transportation options abound. Compared with the newer Hotel
Vitale just down the street, the Harbor Court is a better value. One reason for the Harbor
Court's good rates is that, because it's a historic building, rooms and windows are on the
small side. So while view rooms look out onto the bay, you have to stand near the win-
dow to take it all in; the vie w doesn't just permeate the r oom as it might at mor e posh
hotels with massive picture windows.
The hotel's overall feel is intimate, funky, and friendly, and the color ful lobby is very
inviting. Ozumo is a gr eat Japanese restaurant off the lobb y, but it's not really a family-
friendly destination. I n fact, and her ein lies the r ub, the hotel itself was designed mor e
for couples and business trav elers, as it has no double-double r ooms. You can r eserve a
twin-bedded room for the kiddies, but you'll be sleeping elsewhere because the maximum
occupancy her e is two, unless y ou splurge on the two-bedr oom suite. That basically
makes it suitable for couples toting a bab y or families with kids old enough to sleep in
their own non-interconnected guest r oom. But the gr eat waterfront location, ex cellent
rates, and full use of the YMCA next door (including its O lympic-sized pool, fitness
center, and ev en a bab ysitting facility) make the H arbor Cour t wor th looking into .
Check the website for packages and weekend specials.
165 Steuart St. (btw. Mission and Howard sts.), San Francisco, CA 94105.
&
866/792-6283
or 415/882-
1300. Fax 415/882-1313. www.harborcourthotel.com. 131 units. $139-$239 double; $499 suite. No rolla-
ways; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC,V. Valet parking $40, $30 hybrid.
Amenities:
Restaurant; complimentary
evening beer and wine r eception; pool; health club; c oncierge; courtesy car; laundry service; dry clean-
ing.
In room:
A/C, TV, free wireless Internet access, minibar, complimentary morning coffee and tea, hair
dryer, iron, CD player, iPod dock.
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