Not expensive, if you know how
I stayed at Clift in September 2004 and was impressed with their courteous staff, clean room, and lack of snootiness (even though we used Hotwire instead of booking via Clift directly)
Speaking of Hotwire, you can save about $100 per night if you book through them (hotel & flight)
If you already have plane tickets, you can still use Hotwire to save the same amount to stay at Clift. By the way, Hotwire won't tell you which hotel you are staying (only if you are NOT getting (plane tickets)until you complete the booking process.
However, you can cheat by selecting to "look" for hotel only in West Union Square AND hotel that is rated more than 4 stars. There should be only one listed as having 4 and 1/2 stars and that's Clift.
For $191 you will get a basic room and no valet parking. If you traveling on business and need to park your car or rental, consider paying a little more and booking directly to get parking, breakfast and other specials. You can also get bigger rooms and even (mini) lofts if you or your company can spend more $$$$.
Asia de Cuba is worth eating at (at least once) and you'll see a lot of locals on the weekends, dressed to the hilt. I assume since this is California, people don't dress-up much and Asia is one of those hip-n-happening places that the younger crowd likes.
I liked it so much the first time, I am going to stay there again for several days on my way to Napa from NJ.