Great San Francisco Hotel - 4 Days 3 Nights

I'm trying to plan a surprise birthday present trip for my wife to San Francisco in the next 3-4 months and I'm in great need of some hotel advice. I'm looking for a great hotel that's located in the middle of everything. The Le Meridien has caught my eye so far but I'm not sure if that's the route to take. Can anyone help me with some suggestions

Thanks

There are a TON of hotels up there. What kind of vibe do you want?

i lived in downtown sf up until recently.

when you say in the middle of everything, what do you mean? do you want to be near downtown and union/square/shopping? or near the water/views? near tourist area?

Last time I stayed at the W downtown and it was great

Ok, I want to stay near Market Street. Hotel Monaco and the Le Meridien have caught my eye so far.

Le Meridien is a very nice hotel but is a bit of a walk from Union Square (maybe 10-12 blocks), but is very close to the embarcadero center which has some great shops, the ferry building which is very popular with the out of towners, and the embarcadero area which has a great restaurant selection and only a couple blocks from the bay.

Hotel Monaco is on the other side of Union Square so you're more in the thick of it in regards to the city, but still close to great shops, restaurants and powell street if you want to do the cable car.

The W is the closest probably to Market Street, and is only a couple blocks from the edge of Union Square. You're also close to the Metreon and Yerba Buena Gardens.

You can't go wrong with any of them and they're all just a short cab ride from anywhere downtown and neither is super close to fisherman's wharf.

A couple of things i recommend you do that I always do with out of town guests.

1. Drive or walk the Golden Gate Bridge. It's amazing and it still takes my breath away when i drive into town and see the whole city from the bridge.

2. If you get a chance, go up to Twin Peaks for the best view of the city you can imagine. You get a whole different perspective of SF.

3. Take the ferry either over to Tiburon or Sausalito for lunch.

Have a great trip!

I love the Fairmont, not in downtown but being on the hilll the rooms (specially the new ones in the tower )have fantastic views plus you can take the cable car to downtown. Very romantic.

I have only been to SF once and I loved it so much!!

We stayed at The Palace.. all I know is that we were walking distance to downtown (Macy's) and alot of GREAT restaurants!! I was 7 months pregnant, so I ate alot lol!!

The Palace Hotel: San Francisco Hotel Reservations

What a great Bday present!!