I would NOT stay near the Orpheum

Instead of 'stars', what is your actual budget?

Thank you. Budget around $300, but not a huge factor. Would prefer a boutique style with full service hotel, but open to all suggestions.

I'm curious, why not stay near Orpheum?

If you're interested in a boutique hotel, I can recommend any of the Kimpton properties in the immediate area, Monaco, Prescott, Serrano, and Palomar. They each have their individual personalities but all share the signature Kimpton attention to customer service.

To clarify just a bit - the Kimpton's are great hotels. But they are all near-ish Union Square and not that close to the Orpheum.

The Serrano is probably the nearest -- but it is just a bit too close to the Tenderloin for my comfort.

I really like the Monaco

The Orpheum is in a "seedy" area in Civic Center. I wouldn't stay there. You'll feel "threatened" at night" - except when surrounded by other theatergoers. Stay around Union Square instead - it's a tad less threatening.

Stu Dudley

>>But they are all near-ish Union Square and not that close to the Orpheum.<<

Point taken.

>>The Serrano is probably the nearest -- but it is just a bit too close to the Tenderloin for my comfort.<<

I split a 7 day stay between the Serrano and the Monaco at the beginning of the month. They're less than 400 feet from one another. We took cabs at night for convenience. DId not "threatened" during the day and early evening.

Of those hotels I mentioned, I'd opt first for the Palomar and the Monaco. Obviously not a local, just a lucky visitor to a great city.

Thanks for the good feedback. I'm a member of Kimpton InTouch, so I'll check them out. Is one in a better location than another? Monaco the best?

>>But they are all near-ish Union Square and not that close to the Orpheum.<

But only 1 Muni-Metro stop away.

Stu Dudley

Stu Dudley- nice to see your name. I copied several San Fran threads you've written.... such great info. My daughter lives in the Palo Alto area, so I'm always researching and planning for my next visit.

obxgirl: Only 400 feet - but 400 feet in the 'wrong' direction IMO

And yes one can take cabs - but if one stays in a bit nicer area, one doesn't 'have to'.

katiekate, We preferred the location of the Palomar but the decor of the Monaco. I think they are both about the same distance from the theater. San Francisco is swimming in amazing food choices, but if you were to stay in, we liked the restaurants in both hotels. I'll be taking notes on the recommendations you get for pre-theater dinner.

>>And yes one can take cabs - but if one stays in a bit nicer area, one doesn't 'have to'.<<

janis, I said we took cabs at night from both the Serrano & the Monaco for convenience not b/c of safety. So I disagree with your opinion.

I would not walk from the Orpheum to a Union Square hotel post-theater. We drove through the Tenderloin tonight and it has gotten worse than I ever remember it being (in terms of seediness), and I've lived here nearly 40 years. If you stick to Market Street, it might be okay, but if you're unfamiliar with urban grittiness and characters, you may feel a bit uncomfortable.

It's one Muni stop and one BART stop from Union Square proper.

The Monaco in Union Square is very nice. We recently stayed at the Marriott near it, but don't recommend the Marriott. (It's very loud, with its central open area.) While there, I walked into the lobby and looked around the Monaco. Very nice.

We had a great dinner across the street at Fino, which is itself in a little boutique hotel but I don't know anything about it.

We highly recommend Fino:
http://finoristorante.com/

(Some reviews call it in the Tenderloin, but it isn't.)

What's the Tenderloin?

A nasty area - SRO hotels, drug dealers, hookers, dive bars let's just say 'gritty' . . .

The Monaco is my favorite hotel anywhere. As Stu said, the Union Square hotels are just one stop away. I used that option coming back from seeing Wicked at the Orpheum. You'll much prefer being at Union Square.

It doesn't much matter - if you want a 4-5 star hotel, there are none really close to the Orpheum, so stay at Ynion Square, and plan on taking a taxi or public transport back

The Tenderloin is the most crime-ridden part of San Francisco. A lot of drugs and homeless. And dirty. It's also an historic neighborhood where you can take a tour - in the daylight.

http://www.thisboundlessworld.com/tours-of-san-francisco%E2%80%99s-most-dangerous-neighborhood-the-tenderloin

If you have that kind of budget, stay at Union Square, up on Nob Hill with only a handful of hotels (Fairmont, Mark Hopkins, Huntington - some of the best hotels in San Francisco), or the Embarcadero (Vitale - boutique, quiet area). A cab ride is only $5 or $10 away from the Orpheum. You'll feel much safer.

Like sf7307, I drive around San Francisco a lot, not as much as she does, but quite a lot. At present, personally, I would never recommend that anyone stay in any of the hotels in the Tenderloin - no matter the star rating. Especially not with young children.

If you stay in the Union Square area, there are plenty of restaurants to fit every budget. If you have to go a few blocks away from Union Square, stay away from the West side as the Tenderloin starts just a couple of blocks west of Union Square.

Enjoy your trip and Merry Christmas!

>>The Tenderloin is the most crime-ridden part of San Francisco.

Probably second most - if you are talking about serious crime. Hunters Point is #1 - but no tourist would ever find themselves there.

>>It's also an historic neighborhood where you can take a tour - in the daylight.<<

If SF City Guides does the tour - it is only offered October & May - VERY early on a Sunday morning.

Stu Dudley

Thanks everyone. I've narrowed it down to 2 Kimpton properties: Palomar or Sir Francis Drake? Any one have a preference? I plan to take a taxi to theatre, so location not a issue.

Stu: I hate to state something contrary to "Mr San Francisco", but I did run across a map a couple of years from the SFPD designating the most crime-ridden neighborhoods. Tenderloin was #1 and Hunter's Point-Bayview was #2. (Not to say that those stats couldn't have changed for 2012) Can't immediately find that map right now, but ran across this Oct, 2012, tidbit:

Everyone knows that much of the Tenderloin is, on a typical weekday, an open-air drug market, an insane asylum, a gathering place for the indigent, and one gigantic halfway house.

http://sfist.com/2012/10/19/sfpd_arrest_44_people_in_tenderloin.php

Again, just my opinion, but I wouldn't advise any visitor to stay in the Tenderloin, especially those with children.

katiekate: Both are OK, both are in fairly noisy areas, so ask for a room (rooms) away from the main street and as high up as possible; away from elevators or coke machines. The Palomar would probably win by a shake, although the Drake has a really great restaurant, La Scala. The Drake is closer to all the activity (and noise) of Union Square.

Hard choice.

Thanks Stu. I appreciate your advise as always.

I would chose the Palomar. Have a great trip!

For rooms, I'd choose the Palomar. For restaurant, the Drake. Wouldn't be the least bit unhappy with either choice. Good luck -- hope it's a great trip!

Stay at the Palomar, eat at the Drake LOL!

Although, if by any chance, you're looking for a very high-end restaurant, near the Palomar, in the St. Regis, is Ame, which is fabulous.

SF Palomar looks like Dallas Palomar twin sister! I've stayed at the Dallas Palomar many, many times and have always loved it. sf7303 Thanks for the Ame tip. We're interested in a nice cocktail bar, but one that's not wild and crazy, more subdued. From the website, Palomar bar looked fun. Do you know if Ame has one?