SanFrancisco parking

Small group of us riding the 101 down to SanFrancisco And staying at the Fairmont but they want just under $50/night for parking EACH BIKE!!!  Is this normal?  Anyone one from SanFran have any suggestions?  I'm used to hotels letting you poke in anywhere for free!  Their unapologetic nature did not make me feel welcome at all.  Is there other options for secure parking or is it best to suck it up??  Many thanks!

[image: View Post]Squamishvfr, on 01 August 2011 - 11:28 PM, said:

Small group of us riding the 101 down to SanFrancisco And staying at the Fairmont but they want just under $50/night for parking EACH BIKE!!!  Is this normal?  Anyone one from SanFran have any suggestions?  I'm used to hotels letting you poke in anywhere for free!  Their unapologetic nature did not make me feel welcome at all.  Is there other options for secure parking or is it best to suck it up??  Many thanks!


I don't know the answer, but I suggest you post your question on BARF:  http://www.bayarearidersforum.com.  HUGE forum for SF Bay Area riders, you'll get an answer very quickly.

I've never heard of any motel or hotel charging extra for parking. Is this hotel owned by an airline.

I'd call around and find a hotel that doesn't charge for parking.

[image: View Post]Monk, on 01 August 2011 - 11:41 PM, said:

I've never heard of any motel or hotel charging extra for parking. Is this hotel owned by an airline.

I'd call around and find a hotel that doesn't charge for parking.
It's common for bigger, "famous" hotels in CA to do so. I remember staying at the Beverly Hills hotel and getting charged similarly. The Fairmont is one of the most famous/historic hotels in SF so they feel that they can have a take it or leave it attitude when it comes to rates and what they charge for.
There are special MC storage/garages ytou can rent in downtown SF who cater mostly to people who moved into the city and cannot find safe parking for their bikes. They might have short term deals for situations like this. I guess one can google and find one close enough to the Fairmont.

Beck
95 VFR

Well it's just for one night so the consensus is that we will suck it up. So for our second night do you Bayer's have a cool place that we could stay for the second night (6 bikes+)??  Some super special road or must see spot to visit?? Any advice is very much appreciated!

Thanks eh?

I'd still give them a call or email to the hotel's duty manager. You understand that parking space in SF is at a premium and that them charging $54 per car is what it is (I looked up their website, nice place). But you can fit 3 bikes in the space a single car takes up (esp a US car   :biggrin: ). You would apreciate their flexibility in this matter....

If you get a success, you owe me a scenic postcard   :laughing6-hehe:

YMMV.....


I once pulled up at the Steigenberger in Hamburg where the valet parking staff gladly took the panniers but kindly asked me to park the bike myself.   :fing02:

I ran that up the flag pole and it was a no go. No sharing allowed either. I thought we'd take another run at it while there after all the bikes need to be close enough together to cable them up. They were quite unapologetic about it.

[image: View Post]Beck, on 02 August 2011 - 01:59 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Monk, on 01 August 2011 - 11:41 PM, said:

I've never heard of any motel or hotel charging extra for parking. Is this hotel owned by an airline.

I'd call around and find a hotel that doesn't charge for parking.
It's common for bigger, "famous" hotels in CA to do so. I remember staying at the Beverly Hills hotel and getting charged similarly. The Fairmont is one of the most famous/historic hotels in SF so they feel that they can have a take it or leave it attitude when it comes to rates and what they charge for.
There are special MC storage/garages ytou can rent in downtown SF who cater mostly to people who moved into the city and cannot find safe parking for their bikes. They might have short term deals for situations like this. I guess one can google and find one close enough to the Fairmont.

Beck
95 VFR

Usually when I've upgraded to a nice motel like the Motel 6 ....... I've never had that problem... just roll it in the room and park it inside....YO !

It's normal for the hotels to charge you $30-$50 to park a vehicle in the SF downtown area.  You should be able to find a parking garage nearby that will charge a little less.  Last time I stayed in SF in 2004, I paid $30 for over night parking in a parking garage so $54 for a parking spot is normal.  

If you don't want to pay for the outrageous parking fees, find a hotel outside SF.

I do a little bit of travel for business and many big hotels do charge for parking.  I was in Chicago last year and had to pay $30/night.  Even in Idaho, I'll be paying $17/night for my up coming trip.  However, many smaller hotels/motels still offer free parking.  Just came back from DC three weeks ago and hotel parking was free at Best Western (two miles from DC).

If I travel for business, I'll pay whatever price the hotel wants because I'm being reimburse for the cost, but if it's for pleasure, I always ask if the parking is free.

6+ bikes = $$$$ just for parking is way toooo much.  I'm not surprise they don't let you share parking spaces.  For one, it's more money for them and second, there's no guarantee you'll park in one or two spots. vfr661 is right, for lower cost you're better off finding a parking garage.  However,keep in mind the garage maybe a block or more from the hotel.

Thanks for that. I think we will suck it up for the night.

Parking is a premium in SF. I can send you to a garage that is much cheaper, but w/ cab fair, you will not save that much. That's really just how it is around here... PM me if you want some alternate parking suggestions.