Which Hilton in San Francisco?

[LACE]

I'm looking to book 3 nights in San Francisco in Feb, I've just got HH Gold status (from VA) but I'm not sure which Hilton to book. The financial district is cheaper than Union Square but which would be the best value for money? Can anyone recommend a hotel based on the following?

Access to the airport.
Access to tourist areas.
Benefits of HH gold (chances of getting upgraded to executive floor)

Thanks for your help.

 

[QF029]

I've stayed at the Financial District as a Diamond but have never stayed at Union Square. The FD has a small hotel feel (which I like) whereas the US location is often described as a convention hotel.

Access to the airport - US is closer than FD but by taxi it's only a few minutes difference. By BART then US would win as it's closer to a station.

Access to tourist areas - Probably US being near Union Square but I was perfectly happy at the FD and it was probably 5 minutes walk to the Market St shopping area and not much more to Union Square. North Beach is quite popular for nightlife which is closer to the Financial District (and Chinatown is next door).

Benefits of HH gold (chances of getting upgraded to executive floor) - I suspect the FD wins out here. The lounge is nothing like you would find in Asia but for the USA it's pretty good. I don't think the US property has a lounge.

Ultimately I'd stay at whichever was cheapest and if they were similar I'd likely stay at the FD again.

 

[erkpod]

I'm in San Francisco as we speak. While I don't know either hotel location or hotel itself, either area would be similar in terms of location. It's not as though either location is remote to things downtown.

 

[LACE]

I've stayed at the Financial District as a Diamond but have never stayed at Union Square. The FD has a small hotel feel (which I like) whereas the US location is often described as a convention hotel.

Access to the airport - US is closer than FD but by taxi it's only a few minutes difference. By BART then US would win as it's closer to a station.

Access to tourist areas - Probably US being near Union Square but I was perfectly happy at the FD and it was probably 5 minutes walk to the Market St shopping area and not much more to Union Square. North Beach is quite popular for nightlife which is closer to the Financial District (and Chinatown is next door).

Benefits of HH gold (chances of getting upgraded to executive floor) - I suspect the FD wins out here. The lounge is nothing like you would find in Asia but for the USA it's pretty good. I don't think the US property has a lounge.

Ultimately I'd stay at whichever was cheapest and if they were similar I'd likely stay at the FD again.

Financial district it is it is almost $100 cheaper per night. Thanks for your help.

I haven't had much to do with HHonors or Hilton for that matter but I am tossing up between a double room and a king room. Im travelling alone so space isn't an issue but does the room type change the ability to upgrade?

 

[geoffsmith147]

I have stayed at US on many occasions the last time Nov 2013. The hotel is well located to shopping, cable car on Market St, and so on. A very large property with the lounge having been removed. restaurant is ok with many great local beers at the bar on tap. Is subject to hosting very large conferences. Next time in SFO will reconsider whether we stay there again or try the FD.

 

[QF029]

Financial district it is it is almost $100 cheaper per night. Thanks for your help.

I haven't had much to do with HHonors or Hilton for that matter but I am tossing up between a double room and a king room. Im travelling alone so space isn't an issue but does the room type change the ability to upgrade?

For the latest upgrade information check the hotel specific thread on Flyertalk. I booked a double room and that's what I received. The main upgrade here is to a high floor with a small chance of a junior suite.