Best Western "Plus?"
We stayed three nights at the Best Western for a short vacation. Although we usually stay in Union Square, we chose this hotel for its location near Fisherman’s Wharf (2.5 blocks). It’s also a short walk to great dining in the Washington Square area of North Beach and the Powell/Mason cable car terminus is a block away at Bay and Taylor. Our stay was the weekend of the “Bay to Breakers” run; I suppose that was the reason for the hefty price (>$330/nt).
Upon check-in, the clerk invited us to join the reception (5 – 6:00 pm) in the lobby; wine, hors d’oeuvres and a selection of non-diet soda. She also notified us that we had been upgraded to a premium king room. Apparently, it’s larger than a standard king, with a couch and desk. Although room 427 may be larger, it is NOT an upgrade. It is on the east side of the hotel (along Mason) overlooking a parking facility and is VERY noisy (trash is collected Monday at 5:30 AM). In addition to the noise, the drywall tape is peeling off the joints on the walls, and the mattress is due for replacement: it’s sagging and has a hump in the middle. We didn’t bother to ask to change rooms; the bed wasn’t that uncomfortable and leaving the fan on “high” all night drowned out the buzzer from the traffic exiting the garage and the drunks exiting the bars. It seemed that a lot of the noise was coming in around the air conditioning unit. 
Like any hotel, mini-bar prices are high so get bottled water and snacks at Cost Plus next door or Trader Joe’s a block away. We were given a 10% discount coupon for the adjoining restaurant (Café Pescatore), but didn’t capitalize on that. There is also free coffee and tea in the lobby in the morning (no continental breakfast) and free wi-fi.
The property is in a great location, but I’m not sure we’d stay here again. If we do, we will request a room with a courtyard view for the (expected) quiet.