I stayed for three nights at the Hotel Monaco just recently for a convention and absolutely loved it! As noted in other reviews, the Queen Deluxe rooms are REALLY small – there is only one other spot to sit other than the bed, which is at the desk. The small room is usable but if you need more space it would be wise to consider one of their larger rooms. The staff at this hotel is one of the best I’ve run across anywhere – every request I had was taken care of within minutes, from a non-functioning TV remote to wireless internet access instructions. I’ve never stayed at a Kimpton property before, but I’m a fan after this stay. The decoration is really fabulous and feels kind of “funky posh.” Another reviewer mentioned hideous wallpaper in some of the rooms and I do have to agree on that point, during my stay I saw the interior of several rooms when they were being cleaned and not all have that nauseating yellow/green striped wallpaper. It’s an off-note in a hotel that is otherwise so beautifully decorated. The gold/red in the bathroom is much more pleasing. The bed and linens are first rate and extremely comfortable. Towels in the bathroom could be a little bigger and plusher – they also have a faint smell of having been laundered with the kitchen towels from the restaurant. I wish hotels would figure out that they have to keep those carefully separated.
I also found my room to be pleasantly quiet – the hotel was full but I never once heard other guest voices or Television noise while in my room (my perennial complaint at hotels..having to listen to the TV from the room next door.) The old style windows actually open to provide fresh air (there is no AC, but not really needed in San Fran unless it’s experiencing a rare heat wave.) Even with the windows closed there was only a faint occasional sound of the usual city sirens wailing.
The hotel really needs to be clearer about their spa. What the website currently does not explain is that the spa downstairs is open (Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna) to guests but has to be unlocked for each use since the hotel does not have an attendant on duty. Treatments (facials/massages) are all being done directly in guests rooms while they finish the spa renovation. I didn’t use the fitness center due to a recent injury but it looked well appointed with a variety of machines, yoga mats and free weights. Of the several times I used the spa, I was usually the only guest there (the spa facility is co-ed, so bring a suit.) There is a changing room with a shower and plenty of fresh towels.
The in-room safe is easy to use. The honor bar does have a small refrigerator, but it is fully packed and you’ll have to pull stuff out of it in order to use it for personal supplies. Once I got the WiFi figured out, it was a breeze and speeds were reasonable for wireless. I love hotels that provide an iHome in the room, so a big Thank You to Kimpton for that treat!
The wine reception between 5 and 6 pm each day is very popular, but they end promptly at 6, so don’t be late! There are no coffee makers in the rooms, but the downstairs coffee arrangement in the morning is plenty sufficient. The hotel will deliver the NY Times to your door every day (and charge you for it) unless you specifically ask them not to. Very wasteful for a supposedly “green” hotel.
Across the street is a Walgreens for supplies and small grocery. San Fran is expensive; expect everything to cost 25-30% more than back home. Even the greasy-spoon diner down the street had outrageous prices, I don’t know how people traveling with kids ever afford San Francisco.
The Grand Café restaurant attached to the hotel calls itself French-California (translation: Hip French) and has seriously excellent food. There are a few moderately priced items on the menu but expect to drop some coin, especially on wine or cocktails. It has a great atmosphere and an equally stellar staff as the hotel does (although it does sport some of the ugliest statuary I’ve run across. I’m certain somebody somewhere considers those “art” but, eye of the beholder and all that….) Being in the Theatre District, the restaurant is fairly popular with the pre and post theatre crowd (dinner before, dessert and drinks afterward.) I had the Filet Mignon on a splurge for my final night and would have licked the plate clean it was so delicious.
All in all, I would stay here again in a heartbeat.
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