Kimpton Buchanan Hotel

Japan Town, San Francisco

Hotel Lobby
Standard King
City View Queen Queen Room
Hotel Lobby
City View King Room
Hotel Lobby
Standard King
City View Queen Queen Room
Hotel Lobby
City View King Room

The hotel

A self-confessed ‘sultry diva of a hotel', Kimpton Buchanan Hotel sits where three of San Francisco’s most dynamic neighbourhoods meet. In one direction you’ve got Japantown’s ramen shops and spas, in another Pacific Heights’ chic boutiques and gourmet restaurants, and in another The Fillmore’s cool jazz and burgeoning dining scenes. And The Buchanan certainly keeps up with The Joneses, with Zen-inspired touches in sleek modern guestrooms, trendy design features like vintage whiskey bottle chandeliers, indulgent free wine and sake receptions, and Japanese flavours at ‘Mums’, where American breakfasts are followed by all-you-can-eat Shabu Shabu. Before heading out to explore, there’s morning tea and coffee in the lounge and, if the hills of San Francisco aren’t enough, there’s a free 24-hour fitness room when you return.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Spa
  • Babysitting service
  • Room Service
  • Valet parking
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Laundry Service
  • Internet Access
  • Close to City Centre
  • Bicycle Rental
  • Restaurant

Where is it

At the crossroads of vibrant yet traditional Japantown, leafy and trendy Pacific Heights, and the cool jazz scene of The Fillmore, Kimpton Buchanan is also close to The Tenderloin district, less than a mile from Alamo Square Park, and between one and two miles from Union Square, Chinatown, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Transfer time from San Francisco airport: 40 minutes.

Hotel information

131 rooms. All with 37” flat-screen TV with HD channels, WiFi*, mini-fridge, Keurig® coffee maker, yoga mat, safe, bathrobes and umbrella. Standard King Rooms have 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Standard Queen Queen Rooms have 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

City View King Rooms have city views, and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

City View Queen Queen Rooms have city views, and 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

Patio King Rooms have a private outdoor patio, and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Balcony King Rooms have a private balcony with city views, and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Balcony Queen Queen Rooms have a private balcony with city views, and 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

Spa King Rooms have a corner room location, a Japanese-style deep spa bathtub and shower, and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Mums Restaurant & Bar (Japanese, including Shabu-Shabu all-you-can-eat service, and American menu, breakfast, lunch and dinner, bar open 5:00pm-10:00pm daily). Hosted evening wine hour and sake reception. Morning coffee and tea service. In-room spa services*. Kimpton-bespoke bicycles (first come, first served). WiFi*. ‘Forgot It? We’ve Got It’ service (for essential travel items from mobile chargers to hair straighteners). Concierge service. Same day laundry/dry-cleaning service*. Self-parking $38 plus tax per day (payable locally, subject to change).

*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 (536)
  • Very good (374)
  • Average (104)
  • Poor (29)
  • Terrible (15)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Pleasant stay-Great location

Feb 16, 2020 DoloresB43

This is a great place to stay in SF. Nice neighborhood, close to Japantown. Staff are friendly and very accommodating. They quickly accommodated our request to switch to a room with ADA fixtures in the bathroom. Will stay here again!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great hotel great location

Feb 15, 2020 david1941van White Rock, Canada

Excellent cafe hidden on first floor. Great neighborhood, near Fillmore for shopping, light traffic, central location. A smaller hotel with all the amenities you want but none of the extravagances you don't need.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Acceptable

Feb 14, 2020 witfwd Sacramento, California

I came here on February 12-13 for my birthday, so it’s unfortunately only a one night stay. My girlfriend and I likes to travel once a month or so. I can't sleep well at airbnb so we have been going to Hotels for the past few month. One of our struggles is getting the staff to take us seriously. I'm 23 and my girlfriend is 20 which is difficult… Read more
I came here on February 12-13 for my birthday, so it’s unfortunately only a one night stay. My girlfriend and I likes to travel once a month or so. I can't sleep well at airbnb so we have been going to Hotels for the past few month. One of our struggles is getting the staff to take us seriously. I'm 23 and my girlfriend is 20 which is difficult at times because the staff will almost always automatically put you to the farthest room away from the elevator. The staff in here is welcoming but lacks the ability to really provide information when checking in. I was offered a parking and I took it but I was not told that it's first come first serve despite payment already. This means that if you bought a parking pass and you take your car out, say to Twin Peaks for a little night getaway, and you find the parking place full, well tough luck, you just lost $40. The worst part of it all is that I had to inquire within the website about the whole parking situation because they did not tell me. My girlfriend and I's room were pretty accommodating, as all hotels, the pictures can be misleading though. As a photographer, I understand that getting the best picture is a must but for those travelers reading this review, look at photos in trip advisor instead of the official website! I can't sleep well at times so I always get a package that lets me checkout until 2 pm so I was hoping that the staff wouldn't bother me until 1 pm or so. However at 11 am, I heard a knock and then another at 12 pm. Isn't there a way for the front desk to communicate to the cleaning staff which room is checking out at 2 pm and whatnot? Whatever the case, my stay was alright. I went to the Holiday Inn Gateway a couple months ago and I much preferred it. Yes, Buchanan is so close to Japan Town but the parking situation isn't ideal (only 30 spaces!?). Yes, Buchanan is in a good location but Holiday Inn Gateway has an even better location wherein the views will take your breath away. I will most likely just go to the Holiday Inn Gateway next time or even try Kabuki. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating GOOD PLACE IN SF

Feb 12, 2020 Jet38884635047

in a very convenient and quiet neighborough in SF cosy, nice decoration hotel nice and professional staff I lived 8 years in SF and I hardly recommend this hotel since you go almost everywhere with public tranportation
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Hidden gem and location

Feb 10, 2020 irenejacobson99 Santa Ana, California

My husband and I enjoy staying at the Kimpton Buchanan for it's ideal location, far away from the hub-bub, yet ideally situated close to Fillmore with an abundance of shops, restaurants and entertainment options. The staff is kind and pleasant, and the vibe is understated. We will continue to stay there on our frequent visits to the city!