Nob Hill Inn --acceptable w/ child?

[senorak Member Find all posts View Profile Close senorak]

I have the opportunity to exchange into this SF timeshare for summer, 2007. (I own at another VRI resort which gives us that "inner exchange advantage"). I'd like to take my 10 year old to SF....and was wondering if this exchange would be a positive one for us. I've read the reviews on various sites...and realize that the unit sizes are small (right now, I have the chance for a studio unit); and have few ammenities. However, we plan to spend most of the time sightseeing in the city and surrounding area.
Any comments (positive/negative) re: Nob Hill Inn....or the general area of the TS?

DEB

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

DEB

GO GO GO!

One of our favorite exchanges was to Club Donatello (also a studio with a wet bar and mini-fridge/microwave) with our then 9 year old and we had a blast! There is so much to do there that you your time in your room is watching TV for an hour and falling asleep anticipating your next day's activities. We were up in the Union Square area but would prefer Nob Hill location if we return.

Nob Hill is a great location close to the wharf area ( and a nice walk to burn off the sundaes at Ghirardelli's YUMMY!) The exploratorium is not far from there a short bus ride was another hit with our son. If you have a bad weather day it is PERFECT. You can be there for hours and not do it all. Of course the Alcatraz tour is a must and the zoo was great.

If you can fit a day to drive to Monterey into your schedule the aquarium is well worth price of admission and there is a really nice State Park "Lobos Point?" with easy and beautiful walking trails and stands of the last remaining monterey pines. We also saw harbor seals and pups there.

One day we took the bus out to Golden Gate Park saw the Japanese Tea Garden and the Botanical Gardens and then rented bicycles in the park and rode for a couple of hours. That was a nice day! You can also rent paddle boats there on the little lake.

Be sure to get the weekly transit pass you'll use it to death!

SFO is for kids.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

I have the opportunity to exchange into this SF timeshare for summer, 2007. (I own at another VRI resort which gives us that "inner exchange advantage"). I'd like to take my 10 year old to SF....and was wondering if this exchange would be a positive one for us. I've read the reviews on various sites...and realize that the unit sizes are small (right now, I have the chance for a studio unit); and have few ammenities. However, we plan to spend most of the time sightseeing in the city and surrounding area.
Any comments (positive/negative) re: Nob Hill Inn....or the general area of the TS?

DEB

Deb - although the property and units are small, the overall vacation experience is wonderful. The location is very good, only about 2 blocks from Union Square.

I will try and be as humble as possible but let me remind everyone the world famous Conde Naste Traveller's Magazine ranked San Francisco as the number City destination in the world several years in a row.

I too have a 10 year old daughter, and although we live in the city, I cannot tell you the joy our family has, playing tourist and enjoying the magnificent rennaisance this city has experienced in the last few years. As far as cities go, it is very safe and comfortable walking around. People are very friendly and civilized.

There is so much to do and see from the musuems, parks, the incredible ambience of walking around the city, Nob Hill, Union Square, Fishermans' Wharf, Ghiradelli Square, Aquatic Park, Embarcadero and so much more with easy excursions to Tiburon, Napa, Sausalito, Monterey, Carmel. There is a reason this is the most expensive place in the USA to live... the beauty, the culture, the excitement and the history (oh and not to mention some of the best food on the planet) it all comes together in this unique place called San Francisco... America's most beautiful city.

Come visit... you will have a Great Time !!!

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

DEB
I could not say it any better. Lawren pretty much said it all. She is very correct & has lots of knowledge of SF. Very impressive.

All rooms in SF are small; I think a studio unit at Nob Hill Inn is considered a junior suite that sleeps 4.

I do have a few questions.
What month are you planning to come to SF?
What are some of activities you and your son will be interested in?

[senorak Member Find all posts View Profile Close senorak]

Put the studio on hold

Thanks, Everyone! I currently have the studio unit on hold (sleeps 2); and will most likely confirm the unit tomorrow. Our visit would be the end of July, 2007. There were 2 "hotel units" and the studio unit available...and while I would like the 1 BR (just for some more space/possible kitchenette), I didn't want to risk losing the week. (I'm a teacher, so I have to travel during school vacation times....and the end of July fits perfectly with our already scheduled 2007 vacations and summer sports. )

I know we will love San Francisco.....I have been there at least 7 times...and it is my favorite city. My 10 year old is my youngest child...and has never visited the city (my last visit was about 7 years ago, w/ his older siblings). I have relatives who live near Hayward, (in an "adult community"), so we can visit w/ them, as well.

As for what we would be interested in seeing: exploring SF itself, Alcatraz (a "must do" w/ all my children when they visit), exploratorium, Giants and/or Oakland A's game (hopefully, at least one team will be in town during our stay), visit to Muir Woods, and of course, we have to have ice cream at Ghiradhelli!

My son is a great traveler...and I have been anxious to take him to San Francisco for several years now. Just haven't been able to fit it into our schedule....until now.

Thanks for all your help. I am so excited for next summer!

DEB

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Thanks, Everyone! I currently have the studio unit on hold (sleeps 2); and will most likely confirm the unit tomorrow. Our visit would be the end of July, 2007.

As for what we would be interested in seeing: exploring SF itself, Alcatraz (a "must do" w/ all my children when they visit), exploratorium, Giants and/or Oakland A's game (hopefully, at least one team will be in town during our stay), visit to Muir Woods, and of course, we have to have ice cream at Ghiradhelli!


Thanks for all your help. I am so excited for next summer!DEB

Oh you will have a SUPER time! Now I want to go back......

We ate outdoors at Cheesecake Factory on top of Macy's in Union Square to celebrate our son's birthday. Yes it's a chain but a GOOD chain. It was neat watching the fog roll in over the city.

According to VRI website Faust is correct and the studios are referred to as Jr Suites sleep 4. Even though RCI sleeps 2 check the unit number and call Nob Hill Inn ( I have a resort that used to come up as a "2" even though it actually sleeps "4" ). http://www.8664myvacation.com/resorts/nhi/index.html

Ken I wish I had met you prior to our visit. I'm sure you could have shown us more of the "real" SF, but we had such good time as tourists we could have stayed 2 weeks and not had an empty day. The only one who didn't RAVE was DH but he works in NYC every day. So if I go out again it will be with my son because he and I rank it in the top 3 exchanges and we have been to some pretty outstanding places <including our very own city>.

[senorak Member Find all posts View Profile Close senorak]

I just confirmed the exchange! I will call the resort to check on the room assignment...but according to the VRI site, the "Nob Hill Suite" is listed as a "studio" and sleeps 2...so I think that is what I have (as opposed to the Gramercy unit, which is the smaller, "hotel" style suite). I will be thrilled if it is a larger unit---but am just happy to have an exchange in San Francisco!

DEB

[Fern Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fern]

--deleted--

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

Deb,
July should be a good time of year.
There's usually an early morning fog that burns off rather quickly and turns into a beautiful HOT day...
If you have a room number, I'll be more than happy to go by and check things out...Check on details such as how many it can sleep, etc.
Feel free to contact me for further information on San Francisco or the Bay Area.

Lawren,
The RED Carpet awaits your arival

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

We were there several years ago....at the Nob Hill Inn 1BR July 4th and 2 BR August 8th.....with our daughter who was 6 yrs old.....we had a great time.....the weather was fantastic both weeks. You will love it.

[senorak Member Find all posts View Profile Close senorak]

Thanks...you guys are getting me so excited for this trip...and I still have almost a year to wait! I don't mind the close sleeping quarters....I'm used to sharing a bed with at least one of the children from time to time. (Please, so posts re: (Not) allowing children to sleep in parents' bed ). I know my great Aunt would probably allow us to stay at her house (outside of Hayward); but then I'd have to deal with taking BART into the city everyday, not having a place to rest during the day (should we need/want it), and....she lives in a retirement community. This way, with staying at Nob Hill, we'll be right in the city....and be able to explore to our hearts' content!

I'm hoping that the Giants will have a home game stand sometime during our stay. My son is a huge fan. If not, we'll settle for the Oakland A's. On my previous trips, I took my older children to an A's game (that was when my Aunt still owned a home outside of the city....plenty of room for us to stay w/ her back then).

Not sure if we will fly into SFO or OAK.....either way, I can take BART from the airport into the city, right? I won't be renting a car....just using public transportation.

Thanks for the offer of help, Lawren. I did check my exchange confirmation (on line)...and all it says for room number is "studio"....so I guess that's the Nob Hill Suite.

DEB

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

It won't matter. You won't be in the unit long other to shower and sleep and if it is a kingbed just throw a pillow down the center. Which I HAVE to do or I get kicked and pummeled when the need arises to share a bed with DS.

If I were you I would still be tempted to call the front desk at Nob Hill Inn and see if they can tell you any more about the unit. I find most of these desk folks friendly and informative ( especially if you call during the week when check-out/in isn't in full swing ). Our unit at Donatello was sleep 2 but had a sectional sofa with chaise that the housekeeping staff made up each day as a bed, all the way down to the chocolate on the pillow The desk staff had very nicely told me that the 2/2 would sleep a child and we would not be out in the streets for sleeping more that the RCI info stated.

You think YOU are excited? I'm trying to figure out how soon I can wrangle another trip to SF after we visit some hawaiian islands and...IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

We only live on the other side of the bay and I LOVE to go into San Francisco and stay. In fact one of our mini-vacations this summer was three nights in San Francisco.

[senorak Member Find all posts View Profile Close senorak]

I called RCI to see if I could find out the "square footage" of the unit....since the person I talked to at Nob Hill said that sometimes the "hotel unit" and "studio unit" are "interchanged" w/ RCI. The VC at RCI confirmed that my studio unit is 320 square feet, (as opposed to the hotel unit of 180). I will try to call the Nob Hill Inn back (we had a bad connection on my cell)...and see if I can find out any more information.

Lawren--I have been trying to return to SF since my last visit (when my youngest was only a toddler...and he stayed home w/ his father). I used to go out every other year or so...and stay w/ my great aunt (back when she owned a private home in the bay area). I would commute each day (using BART). However, she moved to a retirement area a few years back....and with other "family" vacations planned...and the kids playing summer sports...I just never found the "right time". When this opportunity arose---perfect week in the summer, my youngest will be 10, accomodations right in the city----I just couldn't pass it up.

I am so thankful that I bought a VRI timeshare last year...now I may be able to get out to SF on a yearly or bi-yearly basis.

DEB

[bigrick Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bigrick]

Go to the Nob Hill Inn website. Looking down the left-side button column, click on the button titled "About the Inn." On the next page, look along the top right for "Floor Plans" and click that. Now you can see the real room sizes!