Admittedly, we aren’t overly enamored with Hotel Abri, simply because it doesn’t offer much for families, other than comfortable accommodations near San Francisco’s Union Square (which isn’t particularly kid-friendly either, unless you’ve got a group of shoppers in tow). If that’s all you’re looking for in a hotel, however, Hotel Abri makes a perfectly fine choice for lodging.

One outstanding advantage of the hotel’s location is its close proximity — just two blocks — to the turntable at Powell and Market Streets, which serves as the starting stop for the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason Cable Cars. That said, it also serves as a tourist trap, though one your family will likely want to experience — just be sure to get there before 9 a.m. While you can easily catch a cable car at other, far less crowded stops, you won’t find an iconic turntable, on which transportation workers manually rotate the cable cars.

You can also easily access the F bus, which stops at Market and 4th Streets and goes to Fisherman’s Wharf, another must-see for families.

Hotel Abri offers 91 rooms and suites, each with modern furnishings and decor (though nothing you wouldn't find at a typical chain hotel). All rooms offer standard amenities, including free Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TV's, DVD players (upon request), iPod docking stations, work desks, safes, irons and ironing boards and coffeemakers, in addition to plush bathrobes and complimentary newspapers (upon request).

The only room variation that can accommodate a family of four is a Deluxe Double, which offers two double beds. For more space, upgrade to an Oasis Suite or Urban Suite, which both offer separate parlor areas with queen pullout sofas. Cribs are available upon request. Many units only offer shower stalls in the bathrooms (which are decent in size), so if a bath and shower combination is important to you, mention that when you book your stay.

Note: During our stay, we noticed a unpleasantly powerful odor in our room. We're not sure what it was, but suspect it could be animal-related, as the hotel welcomes pets. Make no mistake -- we love animals -- but you may want to book a room on a floor that doesn't allow pets, if something like this might bother you or another family member, particularly for medical reasons.

Hotel Abri doesn't offer specific activities for families. It's located near Union Square, which isn't San Francisco's most kid-friendly -- or exciting -- neighborhood (though if you have a family of teenage shoppers, by all means... ). You'll find mostly high-end department stores and restaurants, which line the streets and encompass Westfield San Francisco City Centre, a six-level shopping mall.

The hotel is, however, conveniently located near the cable car turntable at Powell and Market Streets, where crowds of tourists wait to see the turntable in action before hopping aboard the iconic attraction. Because the hotel is so close to the stop, it allows quick and easy access in the morning, when you'll want to get there before 9 to avoid long wait times.

Other than room service from Puccini and Punetti (which also offers a complimentary happy hour for adults), Hotel Abri doesn't offer any onsite dining options, but there's a Subway next door.

You'll find more dining options if you walk toward the center of Union Square, though many of them are chain restaurants.

All About the Extras
Hotel Abri features a nifty interactive "tech wall" in the lobby, which doubles as a small lounge. Various tablets are connected to the wall, and provide free and easy access to Wi-Fi, should you want to find tickets for a harbor boat tour or make a dinner reservation. There's also a business center with two computers and printers, located next to the lobby, which also offers a gumball machine that kids will like.

The hotel welcomes pet up to 60 pounds, with a limit of one per room and at a non-refundable fee of $75.

The Art of Smart Timing
Summertime is quite chilly in San Francisco, and although it brings an influx of tourists, you'll find slightly lower rates and reasonable temperatures if you visit during the fall. The lowest rates you'll find will be during the second half of November, but what Hotel Abri considers "low" is actually quite high for us -- rates start at $299 per night during that time.

Getting There
Hotel Abri is strangely difficult to spot, possibly because its sign isn't very prominent. When searching for the hotel, it might make more sense to look for Puccini & Pinetti, an Italian restaurant (with a bigger sign) adjacent to the hotel.

Once there, Hotel Abri offers valet parking through an outside service. Expect to pay about $45 per night.

Getting Around
If you're driving, you'll have to use valet parking services, whether you do it at the hotel or choose to pay top-dollar at a parking garage nearby. Our suggestion: leave the car in the garage throughout your stay, and utilize public transportation. There are plenty of options, including buses (on which children under age 4 ride free; standard, one-way fare is $2) and taxis, easily accessible from the hotel.