Chancellor Hotel

We are looking to stay at the Chancellor Hotel next January 12th -15th. I have booked our flights through Expedia and have been looking to book the hotel with them as well. Reading through this forum I understand that its best to ask for a room thats on the upper floors, however i%26#39;ve also read (I%26#39;ve done a lot of reading)! that the reason they are able to offer such good prices is that in some cases the rooms are on the lower floors. Is this true and if so where is the best place to try that I guarantee rooms on the higher floors.

I know its probably best to book direct with the hotel its self but I am trying to keep the price down as we are on holiday for nearly 4 weeks, travelling around the USA.

Any comments please.

Dee

Chancellor Hotel

That is not true. At the Chancellor Hotel, if someone makes a request, regardless of the rate they are paying, we try to honor it. A very small number of guests actually make a special request for room location. In the cases where no request is made, it is just random room assignments based on availability.

Not all hotels operate like that. Some will assign the less popular rooms to the guests paying the lower rates. The guests paying higher rates get better rooms.

Both systems have reasons that make sense in my opinion.

Chancellor Hotel

Most hotels will not promise anything until you actually check in. If you book through Expedia, contact the hotel directly as soon as your reservation through Expedia is confirmed. Let them know your specific requests. Then contact the hotel again closer to your travel date and get everything confirmed.

My other advice is to contact the hotel directly and see what rates they can offer you and compare it with Expedia as well. Sometimes the hotel may be able to beat or match the travel site, or they may not. Either way, doing your research will pay off in the long run.

I have done both --booked through hotels and I use Expedia on ocassion and I have been very happy with both.

**Note, this advice is coming from a person who is really anal retentive when it comes to travel plans and confirming things several times!**

Thankyou Wes and Saks for your replies. Wes, if you are around on the 12th-15th January we shall be seeing you then.

Dee

We requested a room on a higher floor and had no problems getting it on the 11th floor . We had a room with a view of Union Square . It was at the side of the building . We booked directly with the hotel and when Expedia had it at a lower rate than I received I called and The Chancellor matched it . No questions asked . Great value and service in my opinion .

Can the hotel accomodate a party of 3 adults in one room?

Hearing such wonderful things about this hotel combined with it%26#39;s location makes me really want to stay there for a brief weekend trip scheduled for this Fall. And, it%26#39;s next to the restaurant we always hit upon arriving for those great thin pancackes!!!

Thanks.

I am sure they can accomodate you with a cot upon request .BTW the rooms are on the small side .

The Chancellor%26#39;s rooms have either 1 queen or 2 twin beds. A third person can be accomodated by a rollaway bed, however, the rooms are small and there will not be a lot of room with the cot in there. If you are okay with that, the hotel will not have a problem working with you on it. If extra room is a priority for you however, you should probably look into a different hotel.

We are staying at the Chancellor for a week in July and after looking online, called the hotel directly. Very pleased with our rate...we are staying in a suite there since we are staying a week and I tend to overpack and shop when vacationing! We can%26#39;t wait for our trip.

I am sure you will love the Chancellor Hotel, we stayed there for 6 days mid April and loved it, not only for value but location is outstanding! I spoke directly to the GM, Wes Tyler and he handled our requests and then some. Not only did we have a view, but the large closet/safe and tub with a rubber ducky as well~Superb! You have the cable car line right outside your door and you can walk to Chinatown in 15 mins, have the charge card ready as walking thru Macy%26#39;s and the other stores you are sure to find something! If you get the growlies late at night hit Lorie%26#39;s Diner for a burger and the best milkshake I have had it years! Enjoy your trip!

Thanks everyone for answering my query.

I can%26#39;t wait, I know its ages away and we are only staying a few days but we have never been to San Francisco before. I have to admit we weren%26#39;t even to going to stay but just fly in then go straight to Las Vegas. ButI found it was cheaper flying in from London to San Francisco then onto Las Vegas, rather then a direct flight to LV from London. Then I thought we might as well stay a night and see what SF is like. Then after reading this forum, one night turned into two which has now turned into three!

Dee

Huntley Santa Monica Beach - still renovating?

Does anyone know how long the renovations will be going on at the Huntley?

On their website it looks very modern so its not clear what they are actually renovating!

I am planning to go to Santa Monica in September and as this hotel looks nice I would like to stay there or somewhere similar if anyone has any suggestions?

Huntley Santa Monica Beach - still renovating?

It looks finished to me... where did you read it was still being renovated?

Huntley Santa Monica Beach - still renovating?

Sorry, just read the reviews - it looks finished because now the construction is confined to the top floor.

Also read in those same reviews that the construction will be complete in July of 06

Chinese Music

Will be in San Francisco in June for a few days. Looking for a few Traditional Chinese music CD %26#39;s. Ant thoughts?

Chinese Music

You%26#39;ll find stuff for sale all over Chinatown. There are a lot of little hold-in-the-wall places that aren%26#39;t traditional music stores, sometimes books and music, sometimes this-and-that and CDs. Most of what is available is contemporary, like the 12 Girls Band from China, playing traditional instruments, but you may find some classics.

Eastwind Bookstore, on the corner of Stockton Street and Columbus Avenue may be worthwhile looking into.

Chinese Music

I know there%26#39;s a few stores on Grant Street. One (or two) is between Broadway and Pacific Street, while I think the other one is between Clay and Washington Street. If I remember correctly, one of the two between Broadway and Pacific Street is a bootleg music store. There also is one on Broadway between Powell and Stockton Street. I%26#39;m not sure if these stores sell traditional Chinese music, but I know for sure they sell current Chinese music, but you can check it out to see if they sell traditional music. And it%26#39;s been awhile since I%26#39;ve tagged along with my friends when they go and buy Chinese CDs, so I can%26#39;t say for certain if those stores are still there.

The previous poster jogged some memories.

Grant Avenue will likely have some. As I recall, when I was searching for an ink box for brush painting one time, there is a store upstairs that also has CDs. You have to go into the stores that carry ';traditional'; kinds of art or for that matter, any art. Sometimes they are playing music and you can ask about it. I think the last time I was there, I really liked something I heard, but I can%26#39;t remember why I didn%26#39;t buy it right then.

Eastwind, I forgot to mention, was started by a Chinese American in the years after Nixon ';opened'; China in 1972. The idea was to provide information for those trying to learn more about China, so that included language books and, of course communist magazines and the People%26#39;s Daily. That was the late 70s and 80s. It also carried more traditional stuff that bridged what people here knew with contemporary China. Things have changed quite a bit since then, and Eastwind%26#39;s founder died recently, I understand, but I%26#39;m sure it%26#39;s kept up with the times.

Is this feasible?

Hi! I posted last week about our planned trip to the states and got some great advice. This is what we%26#39;re now planning on doing - do you think it%26#39;s feasible?

Flying from Scotland to San Francisco and driving round for 10 days visitng LA and Las Vegas - don%26#39;t have any particualr sites yet that I really want to see, just know those are the places I want to go! We would then fly from Las Vegas to New York, staying there for f ew days then flying back to Scotland.

We%26#39;ve only just started saving so will prob be a couple of years til we can afford to go. What time of year is best to visit weather wise? Not too bothered about the weather in NY as we%26#39;ll only be there a couple of days but would like hot weather so i can go to the beach in LA!

I know we%26#39;re probably cramming a lot in to 2 weeks but it will probably be the only chance we get to go the states so i want to see as much as i can!

Is this feasible?

Best time to visit here is anytime! Wether is almost always good.

I never been to Europe. What happen if my itenery is to fly to Paris, then go to Venice and Florance, then stay at Londo for couple of days, then back to the US? Will it be too much for me to handle?

I always think quality of the trip is better than quantity. It%26#39;s impossible to see them all.

Is this feasible?

Hi Ally

I would spend a couple of days in SF - visit Alcatraz, Fisherman%26#39;s Wharf then take the scenic coast road via Monterey, Big Sur down to San Simeon. Stay overnight and visit Heart Castle. Follow coat road to LA - do you want to do Disney or other theme park? If you want to go to th beach in LA, Huntington Beach is fabulous! Drive from LA to through Mohavje desert to Las Vegas.

10 days is not long and as the flights are the most expensive, would consider a bit longer if I were you or do your NY trip at another time e.g. short 4 night break autumn time. get best deal for your holiday by not booking from a brochure. !

We have done the California trip many times and end of August/September is great. USA was always the cheapest option for us and three children. better deal than Europe package hols. Arrange flights and car yourself and book motels separately. Happy to advise; and enjoy!

Agree with Llangirl - Late Aug or better yet Sept. after kids are back in school.

Another option to coast route would be SF to Tahoe, Yosemite, and Sequoia/Kings Canyon and then down to LA. Depends on if you prefer ocean or mountain scenery - both are spectacular. San Diego is also beautiful, but you may not have time to get down here if you go to Las Vegas and NY. Vegas will be hot in Sept. but better than mid-summer. Good time for NY though - much less humid.

Thanks for all the replies!

Don%26#39;t really want to miss New York out as it%26#39;s probably the only chance i%26#39;ll get to go to the states, i could maybe try and stretch the holiday out to 2 and a half weeks i suppose!

I%26#39;d rather see the ocean scenery, not really that fussed about Yosemite, that type of thing! Maybe i%26#39;m mad but i%26#39;m not really an outdoors type of girl - would be happier shopping and sunbathing! Not too bothered about going to Disney, been to the one in Paris and i know the one in CA will be much bigger etc but i%26#39;m not really into rollercoasters so would be a waste of money and i think one trip to disney is enough!

sttsou - in response to your message, i think 10 days would be enough for a quick tour of main cities in europe, people go to florence etc for weekend breaks so it must be feasible to see the cities in a couple of days! I went to Paris last year and one day in the city was enough to see what we wanted to see!

As far as weather is concerned, it depends on what you are used to. Keep in mind that the daytime temperature in southern California is between 65 and 75 degree F (18 and 24 degrees F) most of the year (with higher temperatures in the summer and early fall as high as 100 degrees F or 38 C).

I grew up in New York and I swim all year (in a pool) except Winter (Dec/Jan/Feb). Of course, if you want to lie on the Beach in March or April, it will be breezy and a little bit cool. So, it depends on what you are expecting. Compared to Scotland, Southern Caliufornia is paradise!

September and October can be excessively hot. Beware! Bring sunscreen and a hat. Since there is little humidity here, one does not feel the effects of the excessive heat until it%26#39;s too late. Drink plenty of water and be aware of the surface temperature of your head. (Touch it from time to time). When I first arrived in L.A. in September, I found myself exhausted from the heat until I got adjusted to it.

Oops! That%26#39;s 18 and 24 degrees C not F

database

Hotel advice needed please

Hi all

Could someone please give me some advice on the Argonaut Hotel situated at Fisherman鈥檚 wharf, I%26#39; m thinking of staying there for 4 nights in August this year.

Is the location ok?

Does it have a pool, if not would you suggest somewhere else?

Thanks in Advance

Trevor

Hotel advice needed please

No, it doesn%26#39;t not have a pool, however it is a great hotel, probably the best at the Wharf and the one I reguarly recommend.

Pools are really not a common thing in San Francisco as it rarely is hot enough to actually use one.

If you are insistant on a pool, see the following hotels:

The Four Seasons

The Palace

The Hotel Nikko

The Handlery

Hotel advice needed please

Hi Trevor

The Argonaut Hotel is beautifully situated. And I can heartily recommend their customer service. Prior to my recent(ish) trip to SF I had extensive dealings with one of the Argonaut booking clerks. She tried very hard to accommodate my party of three (all of whom required their own bed), but as our trip overlapped with a Dermatology conference a lot of rooms in the city were booked up, and it just wasn%26#39;t possible. I was disappointed, but there was no solution. The hotel gets rave review though ...

san francisco to san diego

hi there, this question has probably been asked on numerous occassions but i%26#39;m going to ask again!

Travelling to San Francisco - San Diego in September on our honeymoon.

We%26#39;re staying for four nights in both SF %26amp; SD, wondering if anyone has any recommendations for stop-offs on route between SF %26amp; SD?

Appreciate any views on locations as well as hotel recommendations.

Thanks

san francisco to san diego

The most romantic place between SF %26amp; SD in my opinion is Cambria.

San Simeon Pines offer real comfortable room at 1/2 of what other B%26amp;B charges (around $100). Try stay at an ocean front room with private balcony at San Pebbles Inn if budget is not concern. It has the best ocean front view and elevation for privacy.

4 days along in Cambria will be a heavenly retreat.

san francisco to san diego

Start with a dinner and overnight in Carmel; the BW Monterey Bay View Inn and the Carriage House Inn are quite nice. For a splurge, the Highlands Inn is very, very nice; the restaurant and some of the rooms have fine views over the ocean. Another splurge would be lstaying in the Big Sur.

Next, spend the next night in Cambria--take a tour of the Hearst Castle if you can get reservations. It%26#39;s well worth the time.

You could also go straight from Carmel to Santa Barbara, where there are a number of good hotels and charming B%26amp;Bs.

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!

makeup stores

HELP! Looking for great budget accommodations in San Diego...

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone know of a reasonably priced but still decent accommodation for San Diego? (La Jolla would be great but I know it must be hard to find a deal there.)

Also, we love cute bed and breakfasts so it does not have to be a hotel per se.

THANKS!!

HELP! Looking for great budget accommodations in San Diego...

If by ';deal'; you mean getting something fabulous at a really low price than I would say no deals during the summer in La Jolla. Unless at the last minute there is aplace that is not completely full.

There is a B%26amp;B inour Little Italy area that has come up recently(I hadn%26#39;t heard o f it until someone else mentioned it) . I t is simply the Little Italy Inn. It is centrally located in an area of good restaurants .

In that same neighborhood is LaPensione.

I think these are both very low priced. If you want to go higher let me know.

HELP! Looking for great budget accommodations in San Diego...

YOu might also look at the reviews of the La Jolla Inn and the Hotel La Jolla at the Shores. They are less expensive than some of the other La Jolla hotels but you are NOT getting MORE than what you pay for.

The only others I can think of around La Jolla are Holiday Inn Express or La Jolla Travelodge both are on the south end of La Jolla in the $100 a night range. May also try vrbo there is quite a varity of accomdations.

Thanks, mom and Hula!

I found some availability at La Jolla Cove Suites...ocean view at a decent price.

Any thoughts?

--Betty

Jump on it.

DITTO TAKE it QUICK!!! but make sur eit is ocean view!!!