Best Hotels Bets in San Francisco on a Budget

Although the implosion of the dot-com era put a cramp in my plans for early retirement, it's resulted in a boon for budget-conscious visitors. When the price of San Francisco real estate skyrocketed in the late '90s, all those frumpy old hotels throughout the downtown and South of Market districts were gussied up to accommodate the droves of stock-crazy newcomers. When the bubble burst, everyone went back to their crummy old jobs and the hotel owners were forced to drastically lower their rates.

Ergo, you can now score some amazing lodging bargains in the heart of the city. With a little research and a lot of walking around, I managed to find numerous lodgings that are both inexpensive enough to be included in this guidebook and respectable enough that even a snob like me would be willing to stay there. I even discovered a few low-priced gems this year such as the Alisa and Mosser hotels.

Of course, there's a catch. You can kiss mints-on-your-pillow luxuries goodbye, because most budget hotels keep their prices down by offering the bare essentials -- phone, TV, bed, and bathroom -- and in the Union Square district, even a bathroom is considered an upgrade. Keep the following pointers in mind and finding a room will not turn into a nightmare.

Best Low-Cost Hotel Bets

Best Overall Value:

Best Place to Stay on a Shoestring: I'd stay at either the San Remo Hotel, in North Beach or the Alisa Hotel, near Union Square. Both hotels have rooms with shared bathrooms, and the Alisa's go for as low as $50.

Best Romantic Splurge: The hopelessly romantic Hotel Bohème, 444 Columbus Ave. (tel. 415/433-9111; www.hotelboheme.com) is the perfect mixture of art, style, class, and location-steps from the sidewalk cafes of North Beach. If Bette Davis were alive today, this is where she'd stay.

Best for Conventioneers: My first choice is the Mosser, a Victorian-chic hotel right around the corner from the Moscone Convention Center. The Stratford Hotel, 242 Powell St. (tel. 888/504-6835; www.hotelstratford.com) may be a few blocks north of the Convention Center, but it's close enough. Both hotels are in the right location for heading out to the downtown happy-hour action.

Best for Long-Term Stays: If you're planning to make yourself at home, you'll find all the necessary comforts-and a very affordable price tag-at the Halcyon Hotel, 649 Jones St. (tel. 800/627-2396; www.halyconsf.com).

Best Views: One would think that a city surrounded on three sides by water would have a slew of ocean-view hotels, but, oddly enough, it doesn't. The Seal Rock Inn, 545 Point Lobos Ave. (tel. 415/752-8000) in the Richmond District, is the only budget hotel to offer a view of the ocean. You'll be lulled to sleep by the sound of the surf and distant foghorns.

Best for Families: At The Wharf Inn, 2601 Mason St. (tel. 800/548-9918; www.wharfinn.com) kids are within skipping distance of the famous Fisherman's Wharf, and mom and dad don't have to sweat parking the minivan because there's plenty of free parking here. Less expensive -- but a long walk to the wharf -- is the Hotel Del Sol, 3100 Webster St. (tel. 877/433-5765; www.thehoteldelsol.com) where kids can play in the heated courtyard pool with lots of pool toys. They even provide free kites, beach balls, and sunglasses for playing on the Marina.

Best for a Budget Romantic Rendezvous: The best place to get all lovey-dovey without spending the big bucks is at the Nob Hill Hotel, 835 Hyde St. (tel. 877/662-4455;www.nobhillhotel.com), a beautiful 1900s-era Victorian-style hotel with original marble flooring, high ceilings, and authentic antique furnishings-including heavy brass beds that don't squeak.

Best Service for a Budget Hotel: That's an easy one: Any of the four family-owned Reneson hotels (tel. 800/736-3766; www.renesonhotels.com) on Seventh Street. The entire staff makes you feel like you're a valued customer (as it should be).

Best Moderately Priced Hotel: Ever since we've included the Golden Gate Hotel, 775 Bush St. (tel. 800/835-1118; www.goldengatehotel.com), in our lodging lineup, we've received nothing but kudos from satisfied guests. Just 2 blocks from Union Square, this 1913 Edwardian hotel is a real charmer and a fantastic value.

Best Budget B&B: It may not be the most centrally located place, but if you want a slice of old-style San Francisco, the quaint Monte Cristo, 600 Presidio (tel. 415/931-1875), will do the trick. Prices start at $78 a night (including a full breakfast buffet), but the manager has been known to negotiate when his beds are empty.

Best Funky/Groovy Hotel: Former flower children will fall in love with the 1960s-nostalgic Red Victorian Bed, Breakfast & Art, 1665 Haight St. (tel. 415/864-1978; www.redvic.com). Owner Sami Sunchild has retained a piece of peace, love, and happiness that radiates throughout her colorful inn. Then there's the retro 1950s-style Phoenix Hotel, 601 Eddy St. (tel. 800/248-9466; www.thephoenixhotel.com), a favorite with the rock and movie set, including Sin? O'Connor, k.d. lang, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Best Public Space in a Historic Hotel: You may not be staying the night, but you can certainly feel like a million bucks in the public rooms at The Palace Hotel, 2 New Montgomery St. (tel. 800/325-3535). The extravagant creation of banker "Bonanza King" Will Ralston in 1875, the Palace Hotel has one of the grandest rooms in the city: the Garden Court. Running a close second is the magnificent lobby at Nob Hill's Fairmont Hotel & Tower, 950 Mason St. (tel. 800/441-1414).