HotelChatter

What We Liked: The big, clean rooms; the efficient staff at the front desk; the Fatboy bean bag in our room; the large and functional bedside table (you could reach the shelf from the side, not just the front); the colorful decor which made us forget we were in a run-of-the-mill Best Western-style motel room layout; and the convenient location.

What We Didn't Like: That our room (#207) was located right near the housekeeping H.Q. on our floor, meaning there was always some noise and carts in the hallway; the depressingly bad breakfast at Mum's, the hotel's restaurant. Tasteless eggs, and perhaps the worst coffee we've ever had.

Bottom Line: If you want to stay outside of the Union Square hotel hub, and closer to the Hayes Valley and Fillmore Street shopping districts, this is a solid, affordable option. It's also a short Muni ride to the Marina district, and downtown. Obviously, if you like manga, J-pop, and exploring authentic Japanese neighborhoods, Hotel Tomo is ideal.

We paid $111.75 plus tax, using a friends and family rate provided by the hotel. Regular rates start at $149 a night.