The Grant Plaza Hotel is centrally located at the gateway to Chinatown, just 3 blocks from Union Square shopping district, 1 block of the famous San Francisco cable cars, Nob HIll 5 stars Ritz Carlton Hotel and Financial District. It is recommended by many travel guidebooks as a best buy. Built in the 1920s, The Grant Plaza is best known for its charm, service and warm hospitality, and convenience to many popular sites in San Francisco. The Grant Plaza Hotel is the perfect place for a vacation getaway. All rooms at the Grant Plaza Hotel are 100% non smoking. The Grant Plaza Hotel has recently installed new furnishings in all our guest rooms. All rooms non smoking.
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During your San Francisco vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
San Francisco Zoo (& Children's Zoo)
Located between the Pacific Ocean and Lake Merced, in the southwest corner of the city, the San Francisco Zoo is a fun place to take the kids -- especially if you make it to the hands-on Children's Zoo. The zoo, which was founded at its present site adjacent to the ocean in 1929, is 125 acres, with 100 acres currently developed. Over 950,000 visitors come here annually to see the almost 950 mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Exhibit highlights include the new Lipman Family Lemur Forest, a forest setting for five endangered species of lemurs from Madagascar that features interactive components for the visitor; Gorilla World, a tranquil setting for a family group of western lowland gorillas; Koala Crossing, which connects to the Australian WalkAbout exhibit with its kangaroos, wallaroos, and emu; Penguin Island, home to a large breeding colony of Magellanic Penguins; the Feline Conservation Center, a wooded sanctuary and breeding facility for endangered snow leopards and other small cats; and the Primate Discovery Center, home to rare and endangered monkeys. In the South American Tropical Forest building, a large green anaconda can be found as well as other South American reptile and bird species. Puente al Sur (Bridge to the South) has a pair of giant anteaters, a rare Baird's tapir, and capybaras. The Lion House is home to rare Sumatran and Siberian tigers and African lions. You can see the big cats fed every day at 2pm (except Mon). African Savanna, the latest exhibit, which opened in mid-2004, is a 3-acre mixed-species habitat with giraffes, zebras, antelope, and birds.The 6-acre Children's Zoo offers kids and their families opportunities for close-up encounters with domestic rare breeds of goats, sheep, ponies, and horses in the Family Farm. Touch and feel small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians along the Nature Trail (open Memorial Day to Labor Day), and gaze at eagles and hawks stationed on Hawk Hill. Visitors can see the inner-workings of the Koret Animal Resource Center, a thriving facility that houses the animals used in the educational outreach programs, and visit the incredible Insect Zoo. One of the Children's Zoo's most popular exhibits is the Meerkat and Prairie Dog exhibit, where kids can crawl through tunnels and play in sand, just like these two amazing burrowing species.Don't miss the Little Puffer miniature steam train, which takes passengers around a 1/3-mile track, and the historic Dentzel Carousel (both $2 per ride).
Cable Cars
Although they may not be San Francisco's most practical means of transportation, cable cars are certainly the best loved and are a must-experience when visiting the city. Designated official historic landmarks by the National Park Service in 1964, they clank up and down the city's steep hills like mobile museum pieces, tirelessly hauling thousands of tourists each day to nowhere in particular.London-born engineer Andrew Hallidie invented San Francisco's cable cars in 1869. He got the idea by serendipity. As the story goes, Hallidie was watching a team of overworked horses haul a heavily laden carriage up a steep San Francisco slope. As he watched, one horse slipped and the car rolled back, dragging the other tired beasts with it. At that moment, Hallidie resolved that he would invent a mechanical contraption to replace such horses, and just 4 years later, in 1873, the first cable car made its maiden run from the top of Clay Street. Promptly ridiculed as "Hallidie's Folly," the cars were slow to gain acceptance. One early onlooker voiced the general opinion by exclaiming, "I don't believe it -- the damned thing works!"Even today, many visitors have difficulty believing that these vehicles, which have no engines, actually work. The cars, each weighing about 6 tons, run along a steel cable, enclosed under the street in a center rail. You can't see the cable unless you peer straight down into the crack, but you'll hear its characteristic clickity-clanking sound whenever you're nearby. The cars move when the gripper (not the driver) pulls back a lever that closes a pincerlike "grip" on the cable. The speed of the car, therefore, is determined by the speed of the cable, which is a constant 9 1/2 mph -- never more, never less.The two types of cable cars in use hold a maximum of 90 and 100 passengers, and the limits are rigidly enforced. The best views are from the outer running boards, where you have to hold on tightly when taking curves.Hallidie's cable cars have been imitated and used throughout the world, but all have been replaced by more efficient means of transportation. San Francisco planned to do so, too, but the proposal met with so much opposition that the cable cars' perpetuation was actually written into the city charter in 1955. The mandate cannot be revoked without the approval of a majority of the city's voters -- a distant and doubtful prospect.San Francisco's three existing cable car lines form the world's only surviving system of cable cars, which you can experience for yourself should you choose to wait in the endless boarding line (up to a 2-hr. wait in summer).
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
Swiss architect Mario Botta, in association with Hellmuth, Obata, and Kassabaum, designed this $65-million museum, which has made SoMa one of the more popular areas to visit, for tourists and residents alike. The museum's permanent collection consists of more than 23,000 works, including close to 5,000 paintings and sculptures by artists such as Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, and Willem de Kooning. Other artists represented are Diego Rivera, Georgia O'Keeffe, Paul Klee, the Fauvists, and exceptional holdings of Richard Diebenkorn. MOMA was one of the first museums to recognize photography as a major art form; its extensive collection includes more than 12,000 photographs by such notables as Ansel Adams, Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Weston, and Henri Cartier-Bresson. Unfortunately, few works are on display at one time, and for the money the experience can be disappointing -- especially compared to the finer museums of New York. Docent-led tours take place daily. Times are posted at the admission desk. Phone for current details of upcoming special events and exhibitions or check MOMA's website.The Caffé Museo, to the right of the museum entrance, offers very good-quality fresh soups, sandwiches, and salads.No matter what, don't miss the MuseumStore, which carries a wonderful array of architectural gifts, books, and trinkets. It's one of the best shops in town.
Hotel Metropolis
San Francsico's most vivid boutique hotel rises from a 1930's landmark building. Featuring Complimentary Wireless Internett Access, the lobby and guest rooms have been designed to reflect the forces of nature: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. Each guest room includes two-line phones with data ports, hairdryer, iron and board, cable tv, on demand movies and Nintendo. The lobby has been restored to reflect Zen and Earth's natural forces accented with a visual kaleidoscope of San Francisco ...
Hotel Union Square
Hotel Union Square is a great choice for both business and pleasure. Featuring Wireless Internet Access, our guest rooms have been completely upgraded with a stylish California decor. A warm color scheme is accented with splashes of bright color. All rooms have Wireless High Speed Internet Access ($5.95 per day), Cable TV, On Demand Movies and Nintendo.Pets are allowed: Dogs only, limit one dog, maximum 40lbs, $75 nonrefundable ...
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Most recent user reviews
You get what you pay for.
Anonymous
Take the Cable Cars to Fisherman's Wharf. Only 5 bucks.
The good part is that the hotel is at a great location. It's in Chinatown, really close to Union Square, and the Cable Cars that go to Fisherman's Wharf are a few blocks away too. Everything is walking distance. The room wasn't that great, and don't even bother turning on the TV (there's no cable - at least in the room we were in). We could also hear our neighbors snoring at night... But it's cheap, so it was okay. I don't think you can find another hotel this close to everything for this price.
Covenient and Comfortable
Anonymous, 2007-03-10
Sushi Rock is right across the road and then there are other restuarants close to Union Square.
The Grant Plaza Hotel is situated in a convenient location and is run by friendly and helpful staff. Our room was cleaned daily and there was always sufficient resources. The room was a reasonable size for two people and the beds were comfortable. I would recommend the Grant Plaza Hotel to anyone looking for a budget hotel as this place is good value for money!
Good value
Anonymous, New York, NY, 2007-02-19
There's a cool french diner just a short block down the road.
The location was great, right in the Chinatown, walking distance from Union Sqare, Columbus & Broadway area, and CBD. The room was rather small, we had a bad reception of certain TV channells, but overall, it's a good value considering the location. Staff were very friendly and helpful.
Review
Jianyuan, Los Angeles, CA, 2007-02-09
it's the center of Chinatown, very convenient.
great location
tammy, Fresno, CA, 2006-12-28
Union square is a 5 min walk.
This hotel is cheap and is centrally located. It is small and the heater was hard to work, but staff were friendly.
Great Buy for your Buck!
Jeremy, 2006-11-12
A few blocks form Market Street. Catch the F Train and go to Fishman's Wharf and BACK for $1.50.
The Grant Plaza Hotel was one block into China Town. Felt very safe for walking at night. Near Trolly, Bart and Buses. Older hotel...none of the bells and bling, but very confortable, great views and clean. If you are not one to stay in your room all the time and want to see the city and all the sites, this is the place for you. Great Value for your Buck.
Grant Plaza Hotel-Very Very Dissatisfied
Anonymous, New York, NY, 2006-10-24
My friend and I have never had an expienced staying at a hotel like this one. They gave us rooms near each other, mine was a corner room with no dresser, all the other rooms as I looked each day when they were being cleaned had dressers..I had no room for my suitcases. The elevator worked the first two hours we were there, then was temporarily out of order and was never fixed. We were there for 5 nights and we were on the 5th floor. They did not seem to care, never apologized. You couldn't get any ice or even bottled water. The morning we were leaving we had 3 large suitcases and I called the desk to see if some one could help me down 5 flights of stairs, they said no one was there too help and hung the phone up. I was so upset, I dragged the suitcases down the stairs making two trips. I was exhausted. I left my pillow and watch on the dresser, I knew that for sure. I called the hotel at the airport and they said they have my pillow but never saw my watch which is a lie. They kept it. I have pictures of the elevator with the sign and pictures of my room. I fell the first morning over my suitcase I had no where to put it. I do alot of traveling, my daughter lives in san francisco and so many family and friends are visiting. I will never recommend that hotel, they were the coldest inconsiderate money hungry people I have ever met.
Location!
Anonymous, San Diego, CA, 2006-10-02
Walking distance to great shopping. Perfect for a laid back Sat. afternoon
The Grant Plaza Hotel was located in an ideal location for a first time trip to San Francisco. Its location in Chinatown within walking distance to Nob Hill as well as North Beach made transportation easy. You get what you pay for...simplicity. There is no pool or rec room. The rooms are small but the staff is helpful and friendly. I would stay there again.
Excellent cost/benefit
Patricio, Minneapolis, MN, 2006-08-30
Nice small room, well located, clean for the price we paid. Better than any other cheap hotel.
Awful
Anonymous, Portland, OR, 2006-08-21
Many shops for you to shop right at your hotel door. A few blocks to the Bart station. Take Bart to the airport ($5.15) or use Muni to get around, save you lots of $$$. The Union Square shopping center is near by.
If you travel with a compansion or more than 2 persons, don't stay at this hotel. During my stay, I had to change for 3 different rooms. Rooms are small. The stall shower-no tub may fit only one skinny person. Rooms are small, stink, old and spooky. Hotel staff friendly but they know who you bring up to the room. Nice location, right at the gate of Chinatown. Fun at daytime but too noisy at night. The room walls are thin. You can hear the noise when the guest next door take a shower or wash their face.
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