In search of more bargains, we checked out prices at a dozen other traditionally pricey San Francisco hotels. Asking for a rate card elicited one of two responses: There wasn’t one because rates are in flux, or there was one but the rates didn’t apply. Clerks were almost invariably happy to show a room.
Grand Hyatt, 345 Stockton St., (415) 398-1234, https://www.grandsanfrancisco.hyatt.com. At this 685-room convention-oriented hotel just off Union Square, the clerk said, “Our rates change all the time. I’m sure we’ll be having some holiday specials.” Regular rates start at $169, but specials abound.
Huntington, 1075 California St. on Nob Hill, (415) 474-5400, https://www.huntingtonhotel.com. A clerk at the 135-room, family-owned hotel handed over a rate card, scribbling reduced prices alongside printed ones -- $310 for a luxury $455 double, $195 for the $310 superior double.
Mandarin Oriental, 222 Sansome St., (415) 276-9888, https://www.mandarinoriental.com/sanfrancisco. The clerk at this 158-room hotel wrote special holiday rates good through November and into December alongside printed rates -- $250 for a $540 deluxe king, up to $450 for the most spacious view king, listed at $725.
Milano, South of Market at 55 5th St., https://www.hotelmilanosf.com, (415) 543-8555. Rate cards have been removed at this 108-room hotel, but the clerk quoted a range from $199 to $299, then advised asking for park-and-stay specials.
Nikko, 222 Mason St., (415) 394-1111, https://www.nikkohotels.com. “Rates go up and down,” a clerk said of the 532-room hotel. He offered a November special of $159 a night for a king for a package that would have cost $235, including free parking (usually $30) and a sake martini.
Nob Hill Lambourne, 725 Pine St., (415) 433-2287, https://www.nobhilllambourne.com. “It’s best to call. Rates vary these days,” said the agent at this 20-room hotel. She offered a brochure, on which she wrote a price of $189 for a deluxe queen and $219 for a deluxe suite. All rooms have kitchenettes; rates include breakfast and a wine-and-cheese hour.
Pan Pacific, 500 Post St., (415) 771-8600, https://www.panpac.com. At this 330-room place, a cheerful agent produced a sheet showing rooms and suites ranging from $365 to $2,500, then suggested calling in-house reservations for a better rate and mentioned a Thanksgiving special of $129 for a superior queen from Nov. 22 through 30.
Renaissance Stanford Court, 905 California St. on Nob Hill, (415) 989-3500, https://www.marriott .com. No rate sheet was available for this 400-room hotel. “Rates constantly change, depending upon availability,” a clerk said. Regular rates start at $170, deluxe view rooms at $199.
Ritz-Carlton, 600 Stockton St., (415) 296-7465, https://www.ritzcarlton.com. Only at the 336-room Ritz was a rate card handed over with no comment. The lowest listed rate was $500 for a deluxe room. A check of the hotel’s Web site showed rooms starting at $355 and, through Dec. 30, a $369 as-available package with overnight parking, American breakfast for two and a 25% discount certificate for shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue.
San Francisco Marriott, 55 4th St., South of Market, (415) 896-1600, https://www.marriott.com. The 1,498-room hotel did not have a rate card but quoted a special of $189 to $204 with breakfast for two, adding, “It fluctuates from day to day.”
W, 181 3rd St., near Yerba Buena Gardens, (415) 777-5300, https://www .whotels.com. A standard room starting at $299 was offered at this 423-room hotel. But that changes, the clerk said, “depending on when you book and whom you book with.”
Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell St. on Union Square, (415) 397-7000, https://www.westin.com. A rate card also was unavailable at the 1,194-room hotel. The clerk mentioned a range of $189 to $469, adding, “Rates vary according to occupancy.”
