In-Laws At Loose In the City

Oh GREAT. The in-laws are visiting! You know what that means: in no time at all, you’ll find your mother-in-law redecorating your kitchen with hand-woven baskets while your f-i-l camps out in the living room with your remote control. Oh, and I can’t wait for the bit when they subtly critique your child-rearing abilities.

Know what could solve all these problems? A hotel!

Good in-law hotels fit the following characteristics:

• Across town from your residence
• Free parking, so they can “explore the area” independently
• Helpful counter staff, so they’re not calling you to find out where the sea lions live

In San Francisco, our recommendations include:

Hotel Del Sol

Hotel Del Sol is a bright and breezy 50′s style motor lodge located waaaay up in the Marina district, near some tourist hot spots like the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf. The hotel also supplies a “Golden Gate Greeter” who will give your in-laws a tour of the town–for free!

One Yelper recommends the Carl Hotel as “excellent for visiting family if you ‘don’t have any room’ at your place.” Why’s that? The clean, basic rooms are affordable and located in the family-friendly Cole Valley neighborhood, far from your abode but within walking distance of many restaurants and Golden Gate Park. There’s even a patio perfect for a relaxing afternoon drink.

Drumroll, please…

Room at Seal Rock Inn

Our top pick is Seal Rock Inn, located way out in Sutro Heights. This ocean-front motor lodge offers the whole package: free underground parking, views of the foggy seascape, an in-house restaurant, and a location far from your dwelling but close to some popular tourist locations like the Cliff House, San Francisco’s camera obscura, the Sutro Baths and the Presidio.  

They may never want to leave! Their hotel, that is…

Photo of joe m500′s adorable grandparents via flickr creative commons. They can stay in my house any time.

The Fairmont on Nob Hill in San Francisco

Living in San Francisco, I see lots of families on vacation. It’s easy to spot the tourists, usually wearing brand new sweatshirts purchased when they realize how quickly the weather changes here.

But where are these families staying? Here are some good choices for your family’s next trip to the Bay Area:

Hotel Del Sol, a bright 50′s style motor lodge located in the Marina District, frequently is voted one of San Francisco’s best family-friendly hotels. Fresh-basked cookies greet you each afternoon, kids splash in the pool with complimentary beach balls, and the Union Street and Chestnut Street dining corridors are a few blocks away.

The punchy Hotel Metropolis, situated right in the thick of it on Market Street, offers an “urban explorers kids’ suite” that features kid-sized furniture, a chalkboard wall and toys. It’s just a hop, skip and jump to a cable car that will take you to Fisherman’s Wharf.

For a luxurious experience, try the Fairmont San Francisco, located at the top of tony Nob Hill. The Fairmont offers babysitting services, a children’s menu at the hotel restaurant, and a special Nutcracker-themed tea service for the little ones in December.

Travel well, and pack layers!