Great deal, lots of fun

My husband, our 6 year old daughter, and I stayed at the Handlery for a week in August, 2003. I thought we got a great value for the money. The location is safe and within walking distance to cable cars and Chinatown, yet one of the most affordable in the city. I recommend staying in the Club section, and request pool side...the street side is very noisy. The Club rooms are larger, good if you have children. The Handlery has one of the only heated outdoor pools in the city, which my daughter loved.

The concierge was helpful in choosing kid-friendly restaurants (we recommend Max's down the street). There are two Lori's Diner locations on either side of the hotel...great breakfast and low-key dinners. Find the larger location for more comfortable seating and old-fashioned pinball games. The Daily Grill restaurant, attached to the hotel, has excellent food but was a bit pricey. Near the hotel are a couple of pub/grills, a sushi restaurant, a Jack in the Box, and a pizza place.

The only McDonald's we saw was in Chinatown! We bought snacks, milk, and Pop Tarts at the nearby drugstore and kept it in the mini-fridge.

(By the way, if you have leftover snacks on your last day, bag it up and give it to a homeless person.)

We also recommend renting a car...the cable cars are always full and you'll still have a lot of walking to get to your destination. The Handlery offers all-day in-and-out privileges for one daily fee, also one of the lowest in the city. The garage staff was outstanding.

The only negative was the long walk, including some stairs, from the front desk to the Club section and garage.

Great location for everything!

We stayed at the Handlery for 3 nights in August. It was convenient to walk to many locations and for the cable cars and streetcars. The restaurant was great for dinner and Lori's Diner was nearby for fabulous breakfasts. We had a room overlooking Foley's Pub which was loud at night so we just looked out and enjoyed the show of revelers leaving a street people seeking a handout. The rooms were very clean and comfortable (we stayed in the club section). I would stay here again.

Can Handle the Handlery

This is a great hotel in a great location. We stayed in the club section, poolside. The room was a nice size and the beds were comfortable enough. A little too hard for me but not enough to disturb sleep. Bathrobes, morning paper, coffeemaker and a mini fridge are included in the club section rooms. We had no problem with any noise as we were poolside and the pool closes at 8:00 p.m. The hotel is also close to the Powell Street cable car turnaround as well as BART and Muni which made getting around a cinch. Would stay at this hotel again.

Great start to California trip

I have to second the comments from the July 22 review of the Handlery.

I selected the hotel based upon this reviewer's comments and they were right on the mark. I booked a double room and when I arrived, they upgraded us to the Club section of the hotel. Our room was large with very comfortable beds. Enjoyed having the robes and the lighted make-up mirror. It was an easy walk to the cable cars and art galleries. The noise from the street was disturbing on Friday night and we were on the 8th floor. However, don't know if other hotels would have been better.

I would definitely return to this hotel.

Great location and room; would stay here again

We just returned from a 5 night stay in the Club Section of the Handlery and enjoyed our stay very much. The positives.....large, clean, beatifully furnished room; comfortable queen beds; refrigerator; morning newspaper (except for Sunday); quick and courteous garage personnel; fantastic location, close to Union Square and bus/cable car transportation. The negatives....lots of noise from the street below (car horns as well as people shouting - there was an Irish pub across the street from our room); long walk through both buildings and the pool area to get from our side of the hotel to the Lobby; bathroom not cleaned as well as I would have liked on a daily basis; concierge was always busy (waited one morning 20 minutes to talk with him and finally gave up). All in all, it was a great room in a great location for a good price (we had a special park and stay package with free parking).

We would definitely stay at the Handlery again.

Great staff

This was my first visit to San Francisco in a long time, and the Handlery really made it special. The location is very convenient to everything. I must say the staff is superior. Everyone, especially Shirley at the desk, was extremely cordial and helpful.

Handlery,s fine

Stayed at the Handlery April 9th 2003 for four nights. A nice hotel. nothing special fron the outside but dont let that put you off.. nice inside lobby, corridors and rooms Our room did not have a senic view in any way shape or form, do not expect it you wont get it. Just undergoing a redecoration while we were there (no disruption). heated pool a must with children in a city centre to prevent their bordom. within 50 metres of union square, shops,cable cars(buy a pass to allow unlimited rides you will find it cheaper as you will use it).Parking may be available in your room rate we paid $139 for room & car (parking essential if you rent a car). The best location to be in San Francisco, central for everywhere. PS all the top shops are on your doorstep. Any normal person will not go far wrong with this hotel. There are a lot of homeless people in and around union square and elsewhere, dont let them put you offyou have to ignore them unfortunately...a top place..

Great Location, Friendly Hotel

We found this hotel to be very clean, comfortable and in a great location right on Union Square, close to pretty much everything. As we were on honeymoon, we were upgraded to a Club Room which is slightly larger with fancier furniture. We were also presented on arrival with champagne and fruit. The room was lovely with a view of the pool and courtyard, a welcome retreat in the centre of the city. Although the hotel is quite small it does have a good restaurant and bar, and staff are very friendly and attentive. We would definitely stay here again.

Nice rooms, plenty of amenities

We were pretty unimpressed with the facade of the hotel as we alighted from our shuttle. It was a small hotel and negative thoughts played in my mind at first. But as we came in, and saw our rooms ( we reserved for two rooms ),it was very very nice. The furnishings and colors were chic. It was clean and fresh. The bathrooms were a little less elegant but it was spotless. I particularly liked their amenities. They even have make up mirror and plenty of supplies. I understand we were accomodated at the newer wing. So I would suggest you should get your room in that area. The swimming pool was quite small. Service was ok, but not really outstanding. The location of the hotel is great, with good restaurants and stores nearby. Very near Macy's and shopping malls. Good rate for that kind of hotel. Handlery is our hotel in San Francisco.

Hotel review

Stayed at the HUS in January. Great location with easy access to cable cars, buses etc and the great shopping.

Hotel staff were quite helpful, but maybe a little formal.

Restaurant we being refurbished, but there was plenty of choices nearby and hotel staff were knowledgable in that area.

We stayed with 2 small children and the hotel catered for them as well.

More than happy to stay there again.