Please help! Trip this weekend. Stanford Court & Grand Hyatt

Hello all,

My wife and are in our late 20s, early 30s. We coming to San Fran this weekend for what I hope to make a romantic Valentine%26#39;s Day weekend (2/15-2/17/08). We have done all the touristy stuff in prior visits, so this weekend is about shopping and eating out and just enjoying our time in this beautiful city.

I have a close friend that lives in SOMA who I went to for hotel recommendations. After sending him a list of available hotels he broke them down into tiers for me as follows:

Tier 1

St. Regis Hotel (next to SF MOMA)

W San Fran (SoMo)

Westin San Fran Market St

Clift Hotel

Tier 2

Palace Hotel (Financial District)

Hotel Palomar (also a Kimpton Hotel)

Parc 55 Hotel

Omni San Fran

Tier 3

Renaissance Stanford Ct (Nob Hill)

Anyway, being the always trying to get the best deal type, and noticing that many on his list were out of my price range, I named my own price through priceline and was unsuccessful in booking the same hotels for both nights. Instead I got the Grand Hyatt for Friday for $90 and the Renaissance Stanford Ct for Saturday for $99.

My question(s) are, did I wind up with good choices or am I going to regret not spending the extra money and booking one of the other hotels above? When I originally looked at hotels last weekend, I could have booked the Westin San Fran Market St for $159/night prepaid, which is in his top tier, but I was on a retreat last weekend with no internet service. Granted he lives in SoMa, but I am worried because I want this weekend to be great. Also, the Stanford Court website says the property is undergoing renovations in 2008. Anyone know if they are completed? I haven%26#39;t seen any recent posts on tripadvisor stating whether or not they were completed or had even started yet. Finally, if anyone has any suggestions on how to get the best room I%26#39;d appreciate it. I am worried we%26#39;ll be banished to the dungeon since I booked on priceline.

Please tell me I have ruined the weekend before it started.

Thank you so much to all of you for reading this post. I appreciate any advice and knowledge you have to offer.

Please help! Trip this weekend. Stanford Court %26amp; Grand Hyatt

These two hotels are quite adequate, central, and used to people jumping at the chance for a romantic weekend getaway that they planned out in great detail. It%26#39;s how you decide to ';accessorize'; your weekend that will make it romantic, the rooms are not dungeons, by far. I don%26#39;t know how you can request the best room at the Stanford Court, other than by being an honest-sounding, polite-speaking individual, ';May I have a newly renovated room, I%26#39;d be so grateful,'; etc. You can call the front desk of the hotel and tell them you%26#39;re concerned you%26#39;ll hear construction the majority of the time you are there, but it is a weekend. Ask, ';Is the construction going on only on the weekdays or is it 24/7?';

Please help! Trip this weekend. Stanford Court %26amp; Grand Hyatt

You have two different locations, both fine, which should be interesting for you. The Stanford Court is on Nob Hill, and the Grand Hyatt right on Union Square, two excellent locations.

At the Stanford Court you will be across the street from the Fairmont and might want to try out the Tonga Room, where they do tropical storms periodically around a pool. You are practically next door to the Mark Hopkins and MUST go to the Top of the Mark for a drink and a great view.

Relax. You have not ruined the weekend. As for getting a good room, let them know that it is a special romantic trip...(after all, it%26#39;s Valentine%26#39;s Day.

Incidentally, you got excellent prices.

Have fun.

We%26#39;ve stayed at the Grand Hyatt a number of times, but are usually on the top floors, and the view of Union Square and the city is fantastic. At least go to the lounge for a drink up top.

Last year we stayed at the Mark Hopkins, and they have even better views at the Top of the Mark.

You%26#39;ll have a great time.

Thank you everyone, who posted to my request. I%26#39;ve called both hotels and taking your advice, asked for any considerations they could offer with regards to our room selection. And thanks for the extra suggestions for placing to see and have a drink nearby. I%26#39;m glad to have a couple places already picked out for when the time comes. I%26#39;ll let you know how things turned out.

Thanks again. You folks are the best!