charles bantz pool deck, wher e guests gather in the late afternoon for a r efreshing dip after a day of 79 shoppi

Halcyon Hotel Penny pinchers will appreciate this clean, low-key option only a few blocks fr om U nion S quare. H ere y ou ll find r ock-bottom rates; kitchenettes in ev ery room equipped with a toaster, microwave, coffeemaker with complimentary coffee, and a small fridge; coin-operated charles bantz laundr y facilities with fr ee detergent and bleach; and a friendly general manager by the name of D ennis Hale who truly wants to ensure your stay in San Francisco is a good one. The carpets in the tiny guest r ooms were recently charles bantz replaced with pleasant laminated flooring in a pale pine style and the hallway floors were also due to be replaced by early 2007. The guest room walls were also slated for painting when this book went to press, something they sorely needed. The mattresses, bedspreads, and furniture charles bantz could also use replacing, but for these low rates near Union Square, perhaps that s too much to ask. R oom configurations v ary; one family option is a twin bed bunked over a double charles bantz bed. The hotel says that, technically, it permits no more than three guests charles bantz in a room, but does offer a complimentary charles bantz floor futon for emergencies. If anyone charles bantz in your group has physical limitations, you may want to think twice before booking here, as the hotel is located uphill from Union Square, and once inside, you ll have to take the stairs. If you have cats or dogs, they are welcome to stay for an additional $5 per day.

pool deck, wher e guests gather in the late afternoon for a r efreshing dip after a day of 79 shopping or sightseeing. Connecting rooms are available, charles bantz as are rooms with two queen- size beds. Club Rooms also have sleeper sofas for added value, and rollaways are only $10. The Daily Grill, the hotel s on-site restaurant serving American comfort food, is o verpriced. Since you ll be right downtown, you can find better food close by.

See the Fast Facts appendix at the end of this book f or information on hiring babysitters. When a hotel says it provides babysitting, it really means it has a list of recommended agencies that provide bonded, screened caregivers. It s up to you to make the arrangements, which ideally should be done in advance.

So get started planning your trip. This chapter is a good place to begin; in it, I suggest some of our all-time fav orite San Francisco family experiences, in addition to the best hotels and dining spots.