Property
The Best Western Hotel Tomo in Japantown is one of a kind. If your family is feeling a little been-there-done-that, the whimsical Japanese pop culture-inspired decor here will perk you right up. The Tomo Queen rooms are good for families (two Queen beds, anime-style wall paintings, a beanbag, a fridge, plus a small nook with table and chairs). Ask for a corner room, they are awesome.  High rollers can impress the kids by reserving the Players Suite (two Queen beds, beanbag chairs, 6-foot LCD projection screen, Nintendo, and Wii).

Location
Japantown–not a real touristy area, but we could not love it more.  The Japan Center (an adjacent indoor shopping mall) is truly unique.  Try purikura (kooky Japanese photo booths) at Pika Pika.  Shop for fascinating souvenirs at affordable Ichiban Kan.  If you’ve got a Sanrio or Pokemon fan in the family, you’ll have to pry them out of here with a crowbar.  Japantown is just a mile from Union Square, and is well-connected by public transportation.

Sleeps
2-4 (for fire safety reasons, rollaway beds can only be put in King rooms so larger families will have to reserve connecting rooms).

Highlights
Browsing Fillmore Street’s shops (don’t miss the amazing French pastries at Boulangerie at Pine and Fillmore). Hiking to Alta Plaza Park to take in the city views and put the children’s playground through its paces.

Good to know
The onsite restaurant Mum’s does shabu shabu (thinly sliced rib-eye steak served with fresh vegetables and noodles, cooked at your table in an iron-hot pot). It’s fine for culinary adventurers, but many kids–mine included–don’t fit this description. Not to worry, there are western choices on the menu (hamburgers, BLTs, and apple pie) as well as lots of dining options nearby.  Your room has a fridge, so stock up on snacks at Molly Stone’s (Fillmore and California).

Contact
http://jdvhotels32-px.trvlclick.com/hotels/sanfrancisco/tomo

Hotel Tomo from TravelSavvyMom on Vimeo.

January 12th, 2009 | by Jamie Pearson