Argonaut Hotel at Fishermans Wharf

Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

FAVOURITES HOTEL
These hotels provide exceptionally good value, are in great locations and offer exclusive benefits to Virgin Holidays’ customers.
Lobby and Living Room
Blue Mermaid Chowder House & Bar
Blue Mermaid
Lobby and Living Room
Standard Room
King Room Suite with a Bay View
Lobby and Living Room
Blue Mermaid Chowder House & Bar
Blue Mermaid
Lobby and Living Room
Standard Room
King Room Suite with a Bay View

The hotel

You might feel like you’ve boarded a luxury cruise ship as you enter this distinctive boutique hotel, perched on the edge of the bay. The Argonaut’s original red brick walls, rich wood beams and ‘deck floors’ help to transport you back to San Francisco’s nautical heyday. At the same time, the plush décor provides all you need to settle in to your charming surrounds. Until, of course, those views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz lure you out to explore all that is Fisherman’s Wharf.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Valet parking
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Wheelchair access
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Close to City Centre
  • Restaurant

Where is it

By Fisherman's Wharf, next to the cable car turnaround. Overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. An easy walk from Aquatic Park, Ghirardelli Square and great restaurants. A 12-minute walk to PIER 39.

Hotel information

252 rooms on 3 floors in 1 building. All with air-conditioning, 37" flat-screen HD Sony TV, pay-per-view films, CD and DVD players, WebTV*, WiFi*, coffee maker, honour bar*, safe, essential travel items kit, iron and board, bathrobes and hairdryer. Interior Rooms with 1 queen-size bed, 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

Why is this a Virgin Holidays Favourite?

Great location in the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf.

Coastal inspired boutique hotel.

Exclusive Virgin Holidays benefits:

  • Complimentary upgrade to a Deluxe Room with cannery and city views, valid for stays completed between 1 Aug '19–31 Dec '20, subject to availability (may be withdrawn at any time).

Blue Mermaid Restaurant adjacent (breakfast, lunch and dinner). 2nd-floor fitness centre. The lobby level boasts the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park's 10,000sq ft Visitors' Center and Interactive Museum. WiFi (included in resort fee). Concierge. In-room spa services*. Valet parking: without in/out privileges $65, oversized vehicles $75, plus tax per night; with in/out privileges $75, oversized vehicles $85, plus tax per night (all payable locally, subject to change).

This hotel has resort fees that are included in the room rate (subject to change)

Resort fee includes: - $10 credit for Blue Mermaid - WiFi - Fitness centre access - 2 hours bicycle rental (subject to availability) - Discount at Ben & Jerry’s - Local and toll-free calls - In-room coffee - Waterfront tour with National Park Ranger on Saturday and Sunday mornings – Use of board games and Xbox One console in lobby. Resort fee, tax and inclusions are subject to change - please see hotel check-in for current inclusions available to you upon arrival.

Wheelchair accessible rooms available on request. Please note that these rooms are subject to availability and may be restricted to specific room categories and bedding arrangements. Rooms and facilities vary between hotels so please check at the time of booking. For more information and contact details please check out our Special Assistance page

*Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (4562)
  • Very good (1938)
  • Average (455)
  • Poor (172)
  • Terrible (72)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Fisherman’s Wharf with a View

Oct 16, 2021 joshcG1138IC Sun City West, Arizona

My wife and I planned our getaway for our 20th Anniversary before knowing about Fleet Week. We chose this hotel for it’s location and view, ease of access to several precooked tours (Love Tour and Napa/Sonoma Winery Tours). With Fleet Week (first in two years and only one nationwide this year), the crowds, the road closures, and San Francisco’s… Read more
My wife and I planned our getaway for our 20th Anniversary before knowing about Fleet Week. We chose this hotel for it’s location and view, ease of access to several precooked tours (Love Tour and Napa/Sonoma Winery Tours). With Fleet Week (first in two years and only one nationwide this year), the crowds, the road closures, and San Francisco’s notorious lack of parking would have made the trip horrendous. The historic trolleys are right next to the hotel allowing access to Chinatown, Lombard Street, and Union Square. Despite assurances there would be no parties and having checkpoints comin in and out of the hotel due to Fleet Week, noise does travel easily from adjoining rooms. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Not terrible but not worth the price

Oct 16, 2021 Victoria L New York City, New York

I stayed here for a one night mother-daughter getaway and was looking for something special and luxurious. My first instinct told me to book a different hotel, but after a friend told me that her brother had stayed here many years ago and loved it (back when it was a Kimpton, I think), I reconsidered. My mistake. The whole nautical theme is so… Read more
I stayed here for a one night mother-daughter getaway and was looking for something special and luxurious. My first instinct told me to book a different hotel, but after a friend told me that her brother had stayed here many years ago and loved it (back when it was a Kimpton, I think), I reconsidered. My mistake. The whole nautical theme is so overdone, my teenage daughter said she thought a 5 year old had designed it. The anchor carpets and star pillows and bedskirts seemed like something from the 1990's. Besides that, our 'deluxe' room had a tiny window and felt dark and claustrophobic, even though we were on the top floor. No complimentary water in the room, just overpriced Evian to purchase which felt tacky for a 4.5* hotel. We arrived during Fleet Week weekend and it was so crowded on the street with sketchy people and men on motorcycles riding sidewalks (!) and doing wheelies, that it felt scary. The hotel did a good job keeping non-guests out but still, I regretted choosing this location. This might be ok area for a winter, mid-week stay when the tourists are away (or if your small children want to stay on a 'ship') but this felt like Coney Island. If that is your thing, you might love it, but if 4 Seasons is your style, this hotel might not be for you. I wished I had chosen the new Kimpton nearby, which I popped into to check out and much preferred. This area is good for touristy things like Ghiradelli square and walking the pier and wharf. It was perfect location for watching Fleet Week display (not why we came) and there was a big parade which was fun surprise. Not a lot of upscale restaurants but we took a quick Uber to Chestnut street. We did have a great breakfast at a very casual place nearby called EightAM. SOO delicious! When I spend a lot on a hotel, I want to feel like I get my value, and I am not sure that I left with that feeling at this hotel. Maybe if they update the rooms and decor it would feel more worth it. Def does not feel like 4.5 star hotel. Sorry. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating This hotel sucks plain and simple

Oct 15, 2021 836marcellan

Dominated by careless staff thriving off of poor communication. This place is great for anybody who doesn't care about customer service, respect or empathy. Lets peel away the layers at this blooming onion! The overriding theme here is rejection: By managers who failed to provide proper communication in a professional establishment. First of all,… Read more
Dominated by careless staff thriving off of poor communication. This place is great for anybody who doesn't care about customer service, respect or empathy. Lets peel away the layers at this blooming onion! The overriding theme here is rejection: By managers who failed to provide proper communication in a professional establishment. First of all, don't bother with reservations, they will have you on hold for an inappropriate amount of time and transfer you back and forth. Call the hotel directly if you decide to stay here. I was initially offered a rate of $127 for the night which I had agreed to. I sent in my credit card authorization form (which to everyone reading, any employee can steal your card information with these as these are just documents with your card numbers, billing information and full name) because their "system was down". I later receive a call that my rate was going to be raised to $200 a night because I was misquoted. Please understand that I have worked in the industry, I know slip-ups happen, its human error- its natural. But when a service representative from a professional establishment offers you a deal and you sign, it is basically a contract that both parties are agreeing to the terms and agreements of service. This establishment did not respect that. The front desk manager Veronica and she agreed that "It was their fault" but yet still decided that I would have to take the fall for their actions. She insisted that I pay the $200. We discussed over the phone that I would call her back after discussing with my husband about the raised price. About 20 minutes pass, I receive a call from the hotel and I stated that I was at work (I'm a consultant for the City of San Francisco) and I would have to give a call back. I hang up I hang up, and promptly receive a notification on my phone that my reservation has been cancelled. When I hadn't told Veronica to cancel it, I said I was at work and would give a call back, and there was no verbal exchange that I wanted this reservation cancelled. This is completely unprofessional and I will be sure to tell my colleagues, family, and now the internet, to not reserve a room at the Argonaut Hotel located at Fisherman's Warf. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Loved every minute!

Oct 15, 2021 greenroomo

I came with my daughter for her 8th birthday. The staff was absolutely lovely throughout our stay. They gifted her from the “treasure chest” wished her happy birthday numerous times, and let us check in early! I am completely sold on this hotel and when staying in SF will stay no where else. Thank you for making us feel part of the Argonaut… Read more
I came with my daughter for her 8th birthday. The staff was absolutely lovely throughout our stay. They gifted her from the “treasure chest” wished her happy birthday numerous times, and let us check in early! I am completely sold on this hotel and when staying in SF will stay no where else. Thank you for making us feel part of the Argonaut family. (The bike across the Golden Gate Bridge was a lifetime memory, we will relive that for a long time! Thank you for sending us to blazing saddles, the comp for the bikes, and recommending we do it!) also- the Cafe de Caza behind the hotel recommended by staff was A+. Thank you for letting us stay as your guests. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Delightful hotel in an excellent location.

Oct 15, 2021 735Melissa Santa Rosa, California

Overall our stay was wonderful. The building itself is gorgeous and is ideally located "almost" on the water in Fisherman's Wharf. The staff was exceptional. Everyone was super helpful and friendly. The rooms are well-appointed and spacious as far as SF rooms go. The hotel has a seamless valet program and is walking distance to excellent… Read more
Overall our stay was wonderful. The building itself is gorgeous and is ideally located "almost" on the water in Fisherman's Wharf. The staff was exceptional. Everyone was super helpful and friendly. The rooms are well-appointed and spacious as far as SF rooms go. The hotel has a seamless valet program and is walking distance to excellent restaurants. The biggest disappointment was the cheap, rock-hard mattress. For a hotel of this caliber and for the rates they charge (average for a view property in SF) I would expect a comfortable night sleep. I loved everything about the hotel.......except the mattress. Read less