Recommendations for romantic, boutique hotel?

Hi--

My wife and I will be taking our first ';baby free'; vacation in nearly a year in January, coming to The City for a long weekend. We%26#39;ll be there for my birthday, and then she%26#39;ll fly home while I stay in town for the MacWorld conference.

We%26#39;re both 32, will be 33 by then. Looking for a charming, romantic hotel within walking distance to cable car lines or bus routes, as we%26#39;d prefer to leave the car parked as much as possible. She hasn%26#39;t been to San Francisco for nearly 20 years, and since this is our first getaway since our daughter was born in March (and might be our only one for a while!) we%26#39;d like to stay somewhere memorable.

A room with a view would of course be a plus, though not necessary.

I%26#39;ve just started looking around at hotels, and just today found the York Hotel%26#39;s website. Any thoughts on the York, and recommendations for other hotels, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Recommendations for romantic, boutique hotel?

Could you give us a price range?

Recommendations for romantic, boutique hotel?

Not knowing how much you wish to spend, it is hard to recommend a hotel. Without knowing, I urge you to check out the Hotel Vitale at the Embarcadero. It is near the California Street cable car line (2 blocks) the street car stops next door to the hotel and it has stunning views of the bay.

The York is a decent, budget hotel with a so-so location. It does not fit my personal definition of ';romantic';.

Gee, I guess price range would help, huh??

Would like to spend no more than $200/night, but would be willing to spend $250 if I felt the place was worth it -- i.e. nice views, or bigger rooms, or something else to justify a higher price.

The Vitale fits your bill. Even the basic room is about $199/night and the rooms with a view are not too much more. Check out the hotel%26#39;s website and look at the photos on this site as well. It generally gets great ratings.

Try the Argonaut hotel in the Cannery - its rated 3rd best in the whole of san fran by trip advisor readers.

We are staying here at the moment - its part of the Kimpton Boutique hotel group - and has such nice things as '; views of the bay '; , Telescopes in some rooms, Aveda bath products, funky animal print towelling robes ( Im wearing the Leopard print one now ) comfy slippers, turndown service with chocolates, complimentry wine offered in the lounge between 5 and 6pm , complimentry coffee in the lounge in the morning , the rooms are nautical themed and have huuuuuuge round mirrors along with exposed oak beems , cd/dvd players along with flatscreen tv in each room. We love the Kimpton chain and the location of this one is fantastic - right next to the cable car turnaround - staff very friendly, 10 minutes from pier 39, 30 second walk from the waters edge. We are on our honeymoon and have just stayed in a massive suite at the Bellagio, and we feel we have also struck lucky by choosing the Argonaut.

If you consider the Argonaut, I seriously urge you to look at the photos on this site. While a good, family oriented hotel, it is not my idea of romantic. It has a strong nautical theme. Again, view the photos first!

I%26#39;m backing up Saks. The Vitale is perfect for your needs. close to cable cars, right on the bay, beautiful, elegant, romantic rooms. your wife will thank you for the pampering.

I%26#39;ll back up the nomination by Saks and drummerliz on the Hotel Vitale. We will be there for the third time three weeks from today.

Vitale is a wonderful choice in hotels with great views of the bay bridge and ferry building across the street. Friendly, courteous staff, with a certain energy that the financial district brings to this location. Yet at the same time fairly quiet at night and out of the main tourist paths.

Since you will be there for the weekend be sure not to miss the farmers market on Saturday morning across the street at the Ferry Building. Great food and great people watching.

My recommendation for Sunday morning would be to take the Ferry over to Sausalito and have brunch. Great views of the S.F. skyline from here while you enjoy your meal.

Two of our favorite restaurants are on oposite corners from the Vitale. Boulevard is across the street from the entrance and The Slanted Door is across the street in the Ferry Building.

Have a great time.