This stylish hotel, named for San Francisco Renaissance poet, translator and essayist Kenneth Rexroth, celebrates literary creativity. Shelves of antiquarian books line the library-theme lobby lounge, where book readings and roundtable discussions take place, and the adjacent study, decorated with a collection of vintage typewriters, has two high-tech workstations. Although the spacious rooms evoke the spirit of 1920s salon society with muted checkered bedspreads, striped carpets, and restored period furnishings, they also have modern touches such as CD players, and complimentary Aveda hair and skin products. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring California cuisine and local wines are served in the petite bistro, Andrée.
Reviewed by dan_d from nyc on 10/31/07
Some 'boutique' hotels that look fab when they open do not wear well with age. This is one of them. I spent one night in one of the smallest rooms I have seen in terms of hotels. Tried to get the room changed but they were booked. The service tried to be good but was more patronizing. Even when I got my room changed, was not happy. Hallways and rooms are musty and smell of nursing home. the carpet is the kind that makes you want to protect your bare foot before walking on it for fear of athlete's foot.
Reviewed by jeanclaudeva from Paris, France on 8/20/07
It is a known fact that real estate in SF is more expensive than gold ... But writing that Rex's rooms are spacious is quite surprising; in the one we booked, a massive desk was placed in front of the bed and left only a foot and a half passage to enter the room,it was even difficult to get our one suitcase in ... Thanks god we stayed only two nights. At 200 Dollars a night (plus taxes), Rex is an unusual bad tip from Fodor's.
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