If I were to judge on my experience inside hotel (or may be up to 25 feet outside of it), I have no problem giving 4 stars. Rooms are small but comfy (SF hotels rooms are smaller than national average). Unlike some reviewers, I did not see any rude receptionist, dirty room etc. I found a ball pen under my bed sheet but otherwise, my room was clean. Hallway, reception area are beautiful and I especially like antique elevators with full of mirrors. BART station, trolley stop in front of the hotel is a big plus too.
There are a few tips I'd to share:
- thanks to other reviewers, I had a great time at Sam's diner in front of the hotel and that place is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- parking at civic center underground garage is the safest (with security camera) and most economical ($24 maximum for 24 hours vs. $40 at hotel). It's very close to hotel, a block north of Market St where the hotel is.
Now let's discuss about the devil: tenderloin neighborhood with homeless people which is negatively effecting all businesses in the area, restaurants and of course this hotel although hotel is no fault at making visitors uncomfortable.
1) Majority of homeless could be harmless and most of them just sleeping in public area/garden, walkway and parking spaces of banks etc. They also knew that if they do some stupid things, they might be in trouble and so during the daytime, in my opinion, it's okay to travel. But I saw someone with a small knife. Well, it's difficult to judge from that alone, he might need it to cut his food etc but is it okay to display weapons in a public place? Then, one TA reviewer mentioned that one homeless tried to stab another (is it the same homeless I saw??). So if your priority is 100% safe vacation, please stay in a more decent area. I was at a boutique hotel north to this place years ago and atmosphere is 100% better, nobody is in fear and it's almost as busy as NYC streets.
2) I was at a similar historic hotel in a similar neighborhood in downtown LA (refer to my review for Millennium Biltmore Hotel) but experience is totally different. In SF, no police presence noted but in LA, LAPD is in every corner of the street and I was able to go out at 10PM and ate street food. Police in SF should help out this community. I was planning to eat brunch at a French restaurant next day but street leading to that place seems more deserted and I don't want to be mugged at the last minute before leaving SF, I just ate at museum cafe.
3) If you decided to stay in this area, go back to hotel before dark. don't keep more than $20 cash, no credit card in wallet to a minimize damage if sky ever falls on you. At least there is some bellboy from hotel calling taxi cab etc and once you see the hotel, you are safe. I wish San Fran has somebody like Rudy Giuliani to keep visitors safe. Republican mayor in the Bluest City of a Blue state -- I need to check my head!
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