A Travel Community for San Francisco Bay Area Families
Top Five Family-Friendly Hotels in San Francisco
San Francisco can be a terrific weekend destination and even though it is a day trip for Bay Area families, an over night adventure can feel like a real vacation without long drives or flights.
While I am a big fan of the San Francisco getaway, I've been surprised how hard it is to find a great hotel for families in San Francisco. But let me start with a couple words about my criteria for a great family hotel:
1. Two adjoining rooms or a suite room. Face it, it is not a vacation unless the parents get their own room.
2. Location. Needs to be close to great kid activities: Union Square, Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, SOMA.
3. Service orientation for families. Kids menus, family activities, special family packages, overall great service.
4. The right price. Why pay $700 a night for a family suite when you can get something similar for $300.
Finally, I didn't come up with the hotels below on my own. I gather feedback from a variety of SF Bay Area mothers clubs, online sources like TripAdvisor, and finally my own awesome community of friends. If you have a favorite hotel that you think should be on the list, please let me know!
1. The Fairmont Heritage Place. This relatively new hotel offers 1, 2, and even 3 bedroom luxury residence options right in the Ghirardelli Square area. The concierge can arrange activities, set up child care, or find great dining options. You can't beat the location and the pricing was not as high as I thought it might be for a Fairmont. Finally, a two bedroom option in San Francisco! One bedrooms from $349.
2. The Omni: This hotel has a great location, close to Chinatown, the trolleys, and Nob Hill (close to the Ritz) and with a good price tag to match. Weekend packages (for Amex card holders) are currently $120 a night including kids' backpacks and milk and cookies on the first night. They also have one adorable kid suite but you have to book that room plus another room for the parents and runs north of $500 depending on dates. You may just want to get two regular adjoining rooms for $240.
3. The Argonaut Hotel, located near Ghirardelli Square and Fisherman's wharf caters to families with fun, nautical themed rooms, a welcome package for the kids, and even kid bathrobes. Its close to plenty of family activities like Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf and the Maritime Museum. The cable car which stops right by the hotel can whisk you over to Union Square. Double rooms from $239 and King Suites from $499.
4. Westin St. Francis. You can't beat the Union Square location and they've recently undergone a much needed remodel. They offer some great kid-friendly room options but be sure to book the tower, not the main building, as the rooms are more recently updated. Also, if you save Starwood points, you can get a great deal on a room. Rooms with two double beds from $225; Suites from $509.
5. Ritz Carlton. The Ritz Carlton does a terrific job catering to families and the San Francisco Nob Hill property is a great example of their family focus. They have junior and one bedroom suites that are very roomy. In addition, their very helpful concierge will find you a babysitter or family-friendly restaurants. For mom and dad there is an excellent spa, full size indoor pool, and gym. Finally, if you are an American Express Platinum card holder, use your card to get some extras like late check out and breakfast included. Junior Suites start around $529.
Finally, a word on getting great rates. While I put mainly list prices on this summary, you may want to check Priceline and always remember to check for special rates for AAA, Starwood or AmEx if you are a cardholder. Discounted rates can be a fraction of the list prices!
While I am a big fan of the San Francisco getaway, I've been surprised how hard it is to find a great hotel for families in San Francisco. But let me start with a couple words about my criteria for a great family hotel:
1. Two adjoining rooms or a suite room. Face it, it is not a vacation unless the parents get their own room.
2. Location. Needs to be close to great kid activities: Union Square, Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, SOMA.
3. Service orientation for families. Kids menus, family activities, special family packages, overall great service.
4. The right price. Why pay $700 a night for a family suite when you can get something similar for $300.
Finally, I didn't come up with the hotels below on my own. I gather feedback from a variety of SF Bay Area mothers clubs, online sources like TripAdvisor, and finally my own awesome community of friends. If you have a favorite hotel that you think should be on the list, please let me know!
1. The Fairmont Heritage Place. This relatively new hotel offers 1, 2, and even 3 bedroom luxury residence options right in the Ghirardelli Square area. The concierge can arrange activities, set up child care, or find great dining options. You can't beat the location and the pricing was not as high as I thought it might be for a Fairmont. Finally, a two bedroom option in San Francisco! One bedrooms from $349.
2. The Omni: This hotel has a great location, close to Chinatown, the trolleys, and Nob Hill (close to the Ritz) and with a good price tag to match. Weekend packages (for Amex card holders) are currently $120 a night including kids' backpacks and milk and cookies on the first night. They also have one adorable kid suite but you have to book that room plus another room for the parents and runs north of $500 depending on dates. You may just want to get two regular adjoining rooms for $240.
3. The Argonaut Hotel, located near Ghirardelli Square and Fisherman's wharf caters to families with fun, nautical themed rooms, a welcome package for the kids, and even kid bathrobes. Its close to plenty of family activities like Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf and the Maritime Museum. The cable car which stops right by the hotel can whisk you over to Union Square. Double rooms from $239 and King Suites from $499.
4. Westin St. Francis. You can't beat the Union Square location and they've recently undergone a much needed remodel. They offer some great kid-friendly room options but be sure to book the tower, not the main building, as the rooms are more recently updated. Also, if you save Starwood points, you can get a great deal on a room. Rooms with two double beds from $225; Suites from $509.
5. Ritz Carlton. The Ritz Carlton does a terrific job catering to families and the San Francisco Nob Hill property is a great example of their family focus. They have junior and one bedroom suites that are very roomy. In addition, their very helpful concierge will find you a babysitter or family-friendly restaurants. For mom and dad there is an excellent spa, full size indoor pool, and gym. Finally, if you are an American Express Platinum card holder, use your card to get some extras like late check out and breakfast included. Junior Suites start around $529.
Finally, a word on getting great rates. While I put mainly list prices on this summary, you may want to check Priceline and always remember to check for special rates for AAA, Starwood or AmEx if you are a cardholder. Discounted rates can be a fraction of the list prices!
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