My husband and I spent 9 nights at the Grant last month and overall were pleased, especially for the price we got ($720 incl tax).
Pros: you cannot fault the location of this hotel, only a block or so from Union Sq, Chinatown, close to all the major shopping and a cable car practically outside the door to take you to Fisherman's Wharf.
We asked for a room at the back (based on other reviewers comments) and got one so no street noise. The bed was VERY comfortable too so we got a great night's sleep (until 6am anyway, see below).
Breakfast was decent enough (muffins, croissants, homemade walnut cake, coffee) and there was always plenty of it. We had a fridge in our room so had real milk for our coffee (there is only coffee mate provided by the hotel)and cereal so the pastries were just an extra. May not be enough if you like a big breakfast but there are plenty of nice little places nearby for that.
Cleaning service is excellent, fresh sheets everyday and room tidied with as little disturbance to our belongings as possible.
The plumbing in our room also made strange noises but there was always plenty of hot water.
The hotel generally was clean and quiet, we were able to leave our luggage on our last day after check out and before we got the shuttle to the airport. We were given tags to hold so they could check them when we came back to collect it which was good.
Cons: staff can be difficult and hard to understand as they barely speak English (most of them) and were annoyed when I asked for the fridge we had reserved and why I was unable to turn the heat on. I was ill when we arrived and was told the heat came on when it got cold enough outside! I was freezing but was informed that having too much heat would give me a headache anyway so I didn't really need it...
We booked a Queen Deluxe but judging by the pics on this website, I'm not sure we got that. However the room was spotless and more than spacious so we didn't say anything.
A family of elephants checked into the room directly above ours and woke us every morning at 6am with the kids running about and jumping off the furniture. Not the hotels fault granted but be aware that you can hear the noise of other guests if they have kids!
The bath was the smallest I have ever seen. No-one bigger than a child could actually have a bath in it. It was more like a large shower tray. Loo was also smaller than usual and I banged my elbow off the wall every time i reached for loo paper!!
Overall we were happy with the hotel, it's the kind of place that will be great if nothing goes wrong but if you have any issues at all, don't expect the staff to be gracious in helping! If we have a slightly bigger budget next time we return we'll go back to the Andrews which also a great hotel but with the nicest staff I've ever met!
Some tips: the internet in the hotel is the slowest in the WORLD, go to an internet cafe instead if you don't want to spend an hour checking 4 mails.
Lori's Diner just down the hill serves great diner style food until late, just a nice walk from the hotel and casual so no need to dress up. Try the malted milkshakes!
Go to Sears Fine Foods for a lovely breakfast or lunch.
Take the Blue & Gold fleet cruise around the Bay, slightly cheesy but the audio tour is fun and informative and it's a great way to see the parts of Alcatraz you can't normally see.
If you don't have too much luggage and you decide to stay at the Grant, get the BART from the airport as far as Powell St and then walk to the hotel, it's only a few blocks and the BART if far cheaper. Save the shuttle for the way back when you're laden down with purchases!
Get yourself a MUNI pass (only $24 for a seven day pass!) and a map for $3 (essential, we bought one in Walgreens instead and it was a nightmre to follow, the MUNI's own map is much much better). The pass covers buses, cable cars and MUNI trains.
hotel reviews