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Hotel Rex

Exterior

At a Glance

    Pros

  • convenient location
  • literary pedigree

    Cons

  • cramped airless rooms
  • tiny baths and closets
  • musty hallways

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Hotel Rex Review

At this stylish literary-themed hotel—named after San Francisco Renaissance poet, translator, and essayist Kenneth Rexroth and frequented by artists and writers—paintings and shelves of antiquarian books line the "library," a homey lobby lounge where book readings and roundtable discussions take place. Although the small, somewhat dark, cramped rooms with restored period furnishings and striped carpeting evoke the spirit of salon society—excerpts from historic San Francisco social registers paper the elevator—they also have modern touches like a study decorated with a collection of vintage typewriters (and two high-tech workstations). Currently breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in a makeshift lobby restaurant. The hotel plans to add a game parlor with a pool table and poker table within the next year.

    Hotel Amenities

  • 92 rooms, 2 suites.
  • Restaurant, bar, business center, parking, some pets allowed.
  • Rooms have: Wi-Fi.
  • Rate includes no meals.

Member Reviews

  • dan_d, from nyc
    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.

    Ratings details: Room: 2 | Atmosphere: 2 | Service: 3 | Value: 1
  • jeanclaudeva, from Paris, France
    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.

    Ratings details: Room: 1 | Atmosphere: 2 | Service: 3 | Value: 1
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