Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel

This hotel got me by surprise for the money and the parking price you just don't get your moneys worth the hotel itself looks beautiful but when you look closely it's worn and tied in places chipped floor tiles ripped wall paper and bits of paint missing on edging. Also the parking is overpriced and not done by the hotel themselves it's a different company. The rooms had a damp or wet smell as well as noisy they also had not tea,coffee or fridge and for the price you would think these things would come with the rooms. When it comes down to it you can get alot more from other hotels in the area for your money and the parking well everywhere else was cheeper to park your car some by half the amount. I think the hotel is relying on its location to justify there price I won't be using this hotel again when returning Read less

Just back from a father/ son bonding break in San Francisco. Booked flight and hotel through Trailfinders Nottingham whose advice, expertise and enthusiasm could not have been bettered. Flight from Heathrow on BA 380 upper deck both ways, first tick on bucket list. Trailfinders recommended: airportshuttles.com as taxi operator from and back to San Francisco airport, worked a treat. Booked and paid for direct from here before we left. Arrived at hotel after 10 hour flight plus 3 hours at Heathrow and 1 hour at San Francisco airport plus the 8 hour time difference to be met with not the friendliest of reception at the hotel. No offer of help with our luggage, we made our way to room to find clean room, two queen beds as requested and a relatively small bathroom, but who spends more time than necessary in the bathroom. Hotel reception very ornate, unfortunately the bar on 21st floor was closed for refurbishment which was a pity but it was not going to spoil the break. Hotel well located for Union Square as well as cable car terminus. Found by chance John’s Grill on Ellis Street and Johnny Foley’s Irish bar on O’Farrell Street both within a few minutes’ walk from hotel. Both subject to separate reports. Also having seen previous trip advisor reports we went to Sears Fine Food just opposite hotel for breakfast again see separate report. Trailfinders booked our Alcatraz tickets which included 3 day hop on hop off bus, another tick on bucket list. If you want to see Alcatraz make sure you book well in advance as on the day we went the next available dates were in 5 weeks. Used the bus to see the city and go over the Golden Gate Bridge, make sure if you go on the bus you also go to Sausalito quite a contrast to the hustle and bustle of Fisherman’s wharf. Had chowder in sourdough bread loaf at Boudin Bakery, separate report on Trip Advisor. Another tick on the bucket list. We also visited Coit Tower great views over city. Found San Francisco as a city to be quite safe but unfortunately many homeless and rough sleepers but don’t let that put you off going. Also quite expensive not helped by the weakness of pound against dollar. Would we go again, yes, would we stay at same hotel, yes. Not much more to say then. Read less

Room was small with limited storage. Bed and pillows were hard. Noise from the street was terrible. Rooms were cold. Bathroom was tiny. Fusty smell in hotel. Overall we found staff to be unfriendly and unhelpful. A dated and dark hotel. Overall I would could not recommend this hotel. Wifi was good and the rooms were cleaned daily to a satisfactory standard. Location to shopping was good however I would stay in Fishermans Wharf if I returned. Read less

Let me start by saying we are use to more modern hotels. With that being said we were there for 4 days and 3 nights. If you like older hotels then this is for you. The beds were not comfortable, the bathroom was very small, the toilet sits very low. You can request a refrigerator, but there is no access to a microwave at all, so don’t bother bringing back leftovers, because there was not one that you could even use at the hotel. No vending machines, however there was a Walgreens right across the street. Overall, I would not ever book this hotel again. I am still waiting on my 300 dollar deposit to be refunded and it has been 5 days since we returned. Read less

Second stay here and we noticed some upgrades: elevator now works and bath tub has been converted to walk in shower with nice (but not hand-held) shower head. Bathrooms are very small (NYC small) and there is no vent. Bedroom had one Queen bed (VERY comfy with nice linens!) and adequate space. If you are a light sleeper, note that the windows are old single pane and you will hear street noises. This is a great location and we found the check in staff to be very professional. Lemonade and ice tea in the lobby was a nice touch. If you drive, beware of the $62/night parking fee! Read less