Inexpensive Accommodations? (San Francisco, San Bruno, Millbrae: hotel, price, gym)

[Mary.Ray]

We are flying into San Francisco International Airport on Tuesday 7/22. (Actually we are arriving close to Midnight the 23rd.) We don't think we'll be there in time to ride the BART into town. We'll probably want to stay at a motel near the airport and BART in the AM.

We just want a cheap place to sleep that's clean. Any recommendations?

Also, can you recommend something in town maybe by Fisherman's Wharf that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? We are a family of four on a tight budget. Again, as long as it's clean and halfway decent, we're happy.

We have tickets for Alcatraz on Wednesday. What sites would you recommend? We have an 18 year old and a 16 year old.

Thanks!

[sonarrat]

If you want a cheap motel, you don't want to be anywhere in the San Francisco city limits. For one thing, you won't sleep, and for another, you'll pay out the nose. You would be better off looking at a motel in Millbrae or San Bruno.. the Travelodge is close to the airport, you can walk from there to the Millbrae BART station, and you'll get better accomodations for the money.

[Mary.Ray]

Well, just in case anyone comes to this thread seeking the same answers I did, I thought I'd post our own result. There are two Travelodges by the airport, one's quite expensive about $130 a night just for a place to plop, and the other was $80, but reviews online are horrible for the cheaper one. We found a Howard Johnson Express Inn in San Bruno with AAA discount for $81 and it got more decent reviews. The building is only a few years old, we're told, and it has a gym room, so we're hopeful it's decent enough.

In the city, we found the Motel Capri just off Lombard Street. It has good reviews and it's very reasonable. With our AAA discount, we're getting a room with 3 double beds for $135 per night. Finding most informative reviews at YahooTravel.com

[Urban Renewal]

Next time try www.hotwire.com. I used this website to find a hotel a few blocks from Union Square for only $80/night. They search for rooms that would otherwise go vacant and give you a discounted price. The only drawback is they don't tell you the exact hotel until you reserve the room.

[Bluesmama]

How "basic" can you handle?

Because I know of a hotel in the wharf-outer North Beach area that is very reasonable, but it is a very OLD hotel with very small rooms. No tv, no room phone, no microwaves or mini-refrigerator. This is perfect for those who just want a clean place to sleep. The Big Boon: Close walking distance to the wharf area.

The caveat: The bathrooms are shared facilities. They are kept clean, as the maid service maintains them a few times a day.

It's called the San Remo Hotel. (And, yes, I've stayed there many times.)

[calidude]

Stay in Millbrae or SAn Bruno if you want to be near the airport or if you do want to stay in san fran itself try the new place they built on 5th and howard my freind was in the state he stayed there in June Very nice

[Mary.Ray]

Calidude, what's the name of the new place on 5th and Howard?

Bluesbabe, I'll take a look at the San Remo. Thanks.

As for the room we got, we do have 4 people, and we need at least 2 queens, so this 3 double beds at $135 may be a pretty good deal. May be hard to get 2 queens for $80 or so.