Which Kimpton hotel in SF?
 

We're still trying to choose a hotel in SF for our January trip. My husband has been on a short trip to SF but this is my first. We would probably check out Fisherman's Wharf just to do it, and he says I have to see Alcatraz anyway. Otherwise, I was leaning toward staying in Union Square due to all the recommendations here, but I wonder if you could help me choose from these three Kimpton hotels? In our price range seems to be (in no particular order):

1. The Argonaut (how INconvenient is it to areas outside of FW, if at all?)

2. Monticello Inn

3. Villa Florence

FWIW, my husband might not like the colonial feel of the Monticello. Villa Florence looks really nice, and of course, the Argonaut seems very original. Anything I should know about their locations or atmosphere? Thanks again!

Well, my choice is not there - Hotel Monaco

I've heard very good things on this board about the Villa Florence...enough for me to MAYBE consider trying it one time instead of the Monaco :-)

Hello fllady, when I go to SF I usually (not always but usually) stay at the Villa Florence. It is on Powell St., just a half block south of Union Square. It is not a 5star hotel of course. It is an older hotel. The beds have always been wonderful and I have always found the rooms to be very clean etc. They have a hosted wine service at the end of the day in their lobby which is nice. I have always found the hotel employees to be very gracious and helpful. Kuleto's restaurant is connected to the Villa Florence. And the location is wonderful for me. I haven't stayed at the other hotels you listed so I can't comment on those. Another Kimpton Hotel that many like is the Monaco which is a couple of blocks west of Union Square on Geary. It has the Grand Cafe at their hotel.

Unfortunately, the Monaco seems to be a bit out of our price range, but I'll keep it in mind, and maybe keep checking different dates for cheaper rates. Thanks for the input!

Ah starrsville, I was thinking of you when I mentioned the Monaco! We evidently were posting at the same time, LOL. I will leave it to you to describe the Monaco. And obviously I must stay there sometime. We can switch hotels ;;) Take good care!

Hi fllady, a couple of things I failed to mention..the Villa Florence has a coffee maker and coffee in the rooms. Almost certain coffee is served in the lobby also. And every room I have had has had an iron and ironing board (but have never used them..I hate ironing LOL). The rooms are not large, did want to mention that also. But I have always found them comfortable. Again it is not a luxery hotel but then neither are the room rates. Welcome to San Francisco. Wishes to you for a beautiful visit.

We LOVED the Argonaut. Especially the location. Steps from the cable car turnaround, Ghiradelli Square, etc. A nice stroll to Fisherman's Wharf, the boat cruise docks, the motorized trolley tours, all sorts of restaurants and shopping - and very convenient to bus and trolley stops and routes.

We booked for a ridiculously low rate via Hotwire, but they also have AAA rates.

You'll want to go all over no matter where you stay, and it's easy to do so with public transit and taxis.

Best about the Argonaut were the night-time rides back and forth on the cable cars and Irish Coffees on the way "home" at Buena Vista, just up the street.

I just found the Commodore hotel for only $66/night (two nights, get third free) on Cheaptickets.com. I really like the Kimpton hotels, but the Commodore looks pretty nice, and that's so cheap! I don't know what to do.

Love Villa Flo for most of the reasons L'Italy mentions but I'd prefer the Argonaut.

Never stayed there but did eat in the restaurant a few times ( =-O EGAD!!! Who am I starting to sound like..LOL) and we love the location and the decor.

Nothing is too far out of the way in SF, IMHO. Plus, you have the Hyde St Cable car and all the Embarcadero street cars too....and the Buena Vista!

We had another great stay a few weekends ago at Galleria Park...a "sometime" Kimpton Group hotel...Joie de Virve now???

Hi ***Kal***...I am getting worried about you, LOL!!!

I was just thinking that maybe now we need to call Kal, ***Kal***, LOL! We were thinking alike LoveItaly:)

Hey, ladies, stop making fun of my ***PAL*** Kal! (see, even I can be friendly!)

Thanks Faina! :-X

Hey! How do you guys know that ***kim*** and I aren't the <b>same</b> person?

:-?
Afterall, you never see us in the same place together. Even tho we invite her and invite her.
&gt;:D&lt; &gt;:D&lt; &gt;:D&lt;
Mahalo,
***Kal*** ((W))

Faina--Oh, no...no making fun of Kal...laughing WITH him, not AT him:D

***Kal***, I cannot answer that how I really want to or someone will whine and have my post removed:D

mms,
OK...what have I missed??? :-O

Drop me a line so we don't get accused of cliqueish behavior/hijacking.

F'lady,
As for the Commodore, not too bad an area for the Theater Dist....and it's another JDV property. Didn't someone post a recent revu?

We still prefer the GP as it's just near the hustle/bustle and not in it, IMHO. But $65/night hard to beat in that area!

Commodore was either bought or remodeled, at least the exterior is re-painted. That's all I know. And the location is safe if Kal is not in town :)

Kal--You've got mail.

We had to change our dates slightly to get a really good deal on airfare, and now the room we reserved at the Argonaut will be $30 more/night. I can't decide whether to stick with the interior room there for $179, go with the cannery view for $199, totally splurge on the SF Bay view for $229, or splurge on the Monaco for $219. If my husband will even go over $200. OR do a king room at Villa Florence for $179... I was starting to check out other properties, but I think I'll stay with the Kimpton hotels. Can anyone help me decide?!

PS - We are staying one less night as well, which is why I'm looking into splurging a little, plus the cheap airfare we got. :)

I'd go for Villa Florence, but don't trust me, I'm biased: live in this area :) Theaters, restaurants, transportation, safety.

fllady

Just think about whether a view is important - how often, how much time do you plan to spend looking out the window?

Our room had a huge window on the Hyde Street side. It was nice to have a view of scenery and trees. There was a bit of street noise and conversation of passers by when the window was open for fresh air.

During our visit, I noted that I would NOT want an interior room. The interior of the building is quite drab and the windows of all the rooms are opposite others within a relatively short distance.

I, personally would not pay the extra for the Bay View. It is my understanding that your view is really more a &quot;glimpse&quot; of the Bay (it's a short building with most of the &quot;view&quot; blocked by other buildings. But, I would pay the extra to not have one of those interior room views.

Thanks! That's great information to know.

I've stayed at the Villa Florence, Monticello and Commodore in the past, several times each. Actually, I like all of them. Agree that the Monticello is a little more &quot;feminine&quot; in its decor, but not bad. Villa Florence has always been consistent and the location is convenient. Still like Kuleto's, too.

I also like the Commodore (and check out the other Joie de Vivre hotels on their website just to completely confuse you!) because it is not as close to Union Sq. but still walkable to that area, a bit quieter and I like the coffee place across the street on the corner. It is funkier than the other two and caters to a younger crowd (which is not me but I feel perfectly fine there).

I like the little Red Room bar is attached to the Commodore, too. It is not crowded at all early in the evening but fills up tighly later on.

The Argonaut sounds really interesting, too...you can't go wrong really, there are a lot of nice little hotels in SF.