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Argonaut Hotel
Categories: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Event Planning & Services Venues & Event Spaces Hotels, Venues & Event Spaces [Edit]
495 Jefferson St(between Hyde St & Leavenworth St)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Neighborhood: Fisherman's Wharf
(415) 563-0800
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 7 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 7 am - 11 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
175 reviews for Argonaut Hotel
Review Highlights
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"The room is nautical theme fits well with the location." In 28 reviews -
"We also had breakfast at the Blue Mermaid." In 15 reviews -
"You can see the Golden Gate and Alcatraz from the hotel." In 16 reviews
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175 reviews in English
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Review from Angel W.
5/3/2012
A superb hotel in every way!
I stayed here for 4-fabulous nights and loved every second of it! This is small Kimpton boutique hotel with only 4 floors of rooms available so book early! I originally tried to book 1.5 weeks out and could not get a room. I then booked over 1 month out and was able to make a reservation. The government rate is $155/night which is typical for the area.
Area - The Argonaut is located in the very quaint Fisherman's Wharf, where everything is situated within walking distance (tours, shopping, food, trolley, Pier 39, the Alcatraz boat tour is nearby as well). As soon as I put my bags in my room, I darted out into the scene just to wander around and soak it all in. It's hard to stay put in the hotel when you see all kinds of cool things right outside your window.
Décor/Ambiance - The hotel is beautiful and the lobby and the rooms look EXACTLY as pictured online. The lobby is super cute and I wish I would have taken some time to sit in the high back red chairs by the fire place. I also loved the wood floors in the lobby. So pretty! The rooms were super clean and tastefully decorated. I loved the plantation shutters. The couch was comfortable. The linens were crisp. The temperature was breezy and perfect. The bathrooms had C.O. Bigelow Apothecary products available for use. The body wash smelled awesome. The bathroom was also equipped with a makeup mirror - always love that! Next to the door is a "Privacy" and "Make up My Room" button that is to be used in lieu of the hanging door cards. I did forget to switch the Privacy button the first day I was there so my room did not get made up but I remembered the other days.
Valet - Valet is $45 per night. Other garages nearby ran approximately $35 per night. There is some parking on the street next to the hotel that appeared to be free parking but there is a street cleaning service that runs down that street on Tuesday and Thursday after midnight, which made me wonder if they meant after Monday evening or after Tuesday evening. It could get confusing and you might get towed if you park here and don't understand the signage. The valet was more efficient than some other valet services I have used. They also did not overwhelm me with 10 attendants honing in on me trying to be helpful. It was usually just one attendant who assisted me which was exactly what I wanted. They also covered me with an umbrella while I got into my car one morning when it was raining. The valet attendants also dress in really cool costumes.
Happy Hour - Argonaut offers a complimentary wine happy hour each evening. There is a tasting room connected to the hotel which is very convenient!
Extras - the closet came with a large umbrella that guests can use and can also purchase and take home. There were also two robes in the closet; a tiger one and a leopard one. You can wear them during your stay and they were also available for purchase (the robes seemed a bit scratchy to me so I did not wear it). This was also true for a pair of snuggly socks. There is a sign in the bathroom letting guests know that if you forgot anything, the Argonaut will provide it or else find it for you, if need be. Everything from Band-Aids to a humidifier and everything in between...cell charger, contact lens solution, fashion tape, mirror, curling iron, straightening iron, floss etc. Very cool indeed, although I remembered everything for my trip so I did not test out this service, but this is such a nice added touch.
The front desk did not receive a fax I had sent earlier so I did need to stop by on my way to the airport and have them take care of some things, which they did very hastily, and I was on my way. A well oiled machine, this place! Highly recommended! -
Review from raquel m.
San Mateo, CA
5/1/2012
1 star for our room - No cable in the room! The room was sooo tiny, like they could only fit the bed in. The mattress was the worst one I have ever slept on. It was so hard and I think they had a layer of plastic sheets under it. The pillow was so soft that my head feel through it and it provided no comfort to the hard bed. The sheets were starched beyond belief, they were so crunchy I could barely get to sleep with how much noise it made when I moved. We did'n't have a noise problem like many people have said but maybe we just had decent neighbors... the walls had to be paper thin though because we could hear when they were in their room.
1 star for the valet. We called ahead for our car to be out front before we checked out. We get outside and the valet is just hanging out shooting the shit with the door man. We ask about our car and he literally runs off ... Why couldn't he have just grabbed our car 15 minutes ago when we called instead of leaving us out in the cold SF winds for another 10 waiting for him? Then when we see him he racing our nice benz up to the front and whips into the spot... we were really pissed about that. Then of course it was $45, way too expensive for the terrible service but then again you just can't bring a car into the city.
There are lots of hotels in this area that are a comparable price, make sure to check for the cost of valet parking (because you have to valet park it in that area) Compared to the flea bag hotel I got the last time I stayed in the city I'm not sure which one I preferred. At least at a shitty hotel that costs $80 for the night you know what your getting.
Positive points - The hotel is located near fisherman's wharf, very touristy. Find another hotel in the same area if that is what you are looking for. -
Review from Francine L.
Los Angeles, CA
4/2/2012 7 Check-ins Here
Argonaut was the hotel I choose to stay at during my vacation in San Francisco. It was based on the pet friendly issue and how they do not charge a fee for your dogie!! This hotel is literally in Fishermans Wharf and you can walk across the street and the beach is right here!
I loved how everything was close by to us or in walking distance you can get food, dessert, drinks or have a nice night out on the town.
Our trip was fun yet very unique. I would say the hotel guest were all very different and from all walks of life. Having some small talk you get to have a feel that a lot of people come to this hotel because it is known and also that the service is very friendly!
The only sad thing about this hotel or many others in San Francisco is they will charge you a fee for parking your car each night. That was a little bit hard to swallow but ehh if you have to drive up here you will need this service.
Buddy my puppy loved walking in and out of the hotel and the side of the entrance is a little table and on this table it has a white ceramic jar filled with dogie treats! So sneak up a few to give to your puppy. :)
This was one of my best trips I have had in a while and maybe my most expensive. I do believe it is worth it since I got to bed with Buddy and in a nice comfortable room. Pet friendly hotels do sometimes get a bad rap for being disgusting and dirty but this hotel really felt like it was brand spanking new and you were literally the only people that stayed in that room.which you know can't be possible!
The maids must have magic powers!Listed in: San Francisco
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Review from Laura S.
Whittier, CA
5/21/2012
Awesome hotel to stay in SF will definitely stay here again next time I come to San Fran.
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Review from John G.
I was pleasantly surprised with this place. At first, I thought a nautical-themed hotel right by Fisherman's Wharf was cheesy and only operated with bells and whistles, but it had substance and made perfect sense.
With a name like Argonaut Hotel, it really belongs in the wharf. The interior is decorated with all things nautical and the color scheme works. It's very pleasant on the eyes makes you feel like you're on a cruise traveling the seas. I also liked the porthole-shaped and designed mirrors in the lobby restrooms. They definitely gave an illusion that you were in the open water.
The rooms are spacious, open, clean, comfortable and very whimsical. Yup, I said it...WHIMSICAL.
And the staff was friendly, helpful and sincere. Everyone from the Doormen, Bellmen, Front Desk Agents, Maids, Servers and even Engineering greeted you warmly and they went out of their way to please you. Wow, totally unexpected level of service and we were satisfied. A service-oriented industry driven by people who understands that it's all about the service. Everything else is cherry on top.
Ship ahoy, mateys!Listed in: Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn..
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Review from Annie B.
St Paul, MN
4/28/2012
Great location, loved being next to the park and beach . Staff is very friendly and they gave me free room upgrade when I complained my room had a poor view. We loved our 2nd room overlooking the patio with a window to get some fresh air. Jacks next door plays great music that we were able to listen to, they also has live music and pretty cool bar to sip some beers. Skip the wine tasting unless you're cheap and want free wine - boring with dull people. Too many other fun things to do on the Wharf and in the area. Walking to the Golden Gate bridge easy from here. Loved all the great parks along the water. Gay bellman out front is a riot. And being able to walk to Lou's on the weekends for live blues made our night.
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Review from Michael C.
Easton, PA
4/21/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Fantastic location right in Fisherman's Wharf and walking distance to some great scenery. The decor is old maritime and the rooms are very charming with exposed brick and large wooden beams. A nice happy hour every day and the staff is quite friendly.
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Review from Victoria C.
Rowland Heights, CA
2/27/2012
I only have good things to say about this hotel. It's a boutique hotel and part of the Kimpton hotels. The location is right next to Fisherman's Wharf and plenty of bars, convenient store and restaurants around.
Upon arrivval the staff promptly took all my luggage and check-in was fairly fast. My room is a lot bigger than a standard hotel room at any chain I've been to. The room is set to a perfect 72 degress F. I have a nice view into a small plaza on the side of the hotel framed by white plantation shutters and a brick wall.
Some things I really liked:
- Free Wi-Fi and its fairly fast too
- On top of the desk there's a round hub with a bunch of electric outlets that you can easily plug your laptop charger and other electronics in.
- There's an alarm clock with a built in iphone charger. Super convenient!
- The bath products use the brand C.O. Bigelow which I really like
- Shower curtain rack is bowed out so the water is contained inside and doesn't drip all over the place
- Flat screen tv
- They have a door man
- There are a long list of items that they provide if you forgot something: toothbrush, feminine products, curling and straightening iron and a lot more.
The staff is polite and really good with answering all my questions.
There were only 2 minor things that I wish they had paid more attention to.
- They didn't refill the shampoo and conditioner (it's like a fixture inside the shower when they tidied the room up
- They didn't re-stock the mini bar like the brouchure says they do daily
I'm not sure what the price is because my company paid for it, but when I come back to SF for leisure, I would definitely stay here again. -
Review from Maria S.
3/22/2012
I stayed at this nautical treasure for a conference in March. I was beyond pleased with the helpfulness of the staff, the cleanliness of the rooms, and the decor - and an added bonus aveda beauty products! There is a complimentary wine tasting from 5-6 daily. The lobby is cozy and welcoming. Many rooms have a view of the golden gate bridge. The catered meals for the conference were really fresh and the service was great. I highly recommend this hotel. While I didn't utilize the services this is a pet and family friendly hotel that offers extras for that clientele.
Listed in: 100 in 2012
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Review from Lin M.
Los Angeles, CA
1/4/2012
I couldn't have been more pleased with the Argonaut Hotel. The staff was super friendly and the room exceeded my expectations in cleanliness and comfort. It was amazing to be part of the historical location at The Cannery. The decor was completely appropriate for Fisherman's Wharf. Absolutely loved the hot chocolate and wine hour that made the hotel feel like a home away from home.
The Argonaut Hotel was in the prime tourist destination of Fisherman's Wharf. It was steps away from great food, great shopping and amazing views of the Bay. It was the perfect place for New Year's Eve Fireworks viewing as it was just a short walk to Pier 39 as well. Can't wait to go back! -
Review from Heather M.
Saratoga, CA
2/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
We stayed the night at the Argonaut before visiting Alcatraz and it was fantastic! The location was great, the staff friendly and the decor appropriate for the location.
My only complaint was that we had requested a specific room and the reservation system did not notify the front desk so the room was given away literally 1/2 hour before we arrived, and the hotel was far from full so our room request should have been easy! Had our room request been accurate we probably would have stayed longer!
Some reviews complained about outside noise and my only comment to that is yes, there is noise outside, it is located in a city directly on a working wharf...the noise did not bother us given the excellent location and views!! -
Review from alexis z.
San Francisco, CA
3/29/2012
First I want to address the two previous reviews on yelp and say they are correct except that I had a different experience. For that reason I'm not going to talk about the positives already enumerated on yelp.
I had my wedding here an 3/10/12.
I was told the day before my wedding that the ceremony I planned wasn't possible unless I wanted to make some compromises. Ultimately, I was very disappointed with the entire visual that was covered in blue umbrellas ( it was sprinkling earlier but had stopped earlier as well). None of my guests could see me make my dramatic entrance and the photographer had to try and work around these huge and multiple umbrellas that clashed.
The food we ate at our tasting was delicious but a deception. What our guests were served was completely different. When pressed it was revealed that the hotel didn't even make the appetizers and because they weren't told the food was dry and overcooked it must not have happened.
Also, the entrance our guests were led to take was not what I was told and completely ruined the floor plan I set up. The bridal party was squeezing past tables to make their entrance and so were the bride and groom.
My guests said the walls to their room were so thin they could hear everything the neighboring guests were saying. Another of my guest was over charged $120 plus a dog fee of $80 they didn't have present. It wasn't until they looked at their credit charges they noticed their receipt was not reflective of the charges. Thats got to be illegal. If you stay here, don't give them your credit card. Check and double check.
As for the suite, we didn't have champagne and strawberries, we had champagne and kitkats....i didn't know they had a vending machine. We also had our presents and all the left over garbage from the reception. I really didn't need empty beer bottles in my room after being locked out of my room after my wedding. Apparently they thought we checked out even though we checked in just that morning. We were also over charged and then not charged and then recharged once we started complaining.
Ultimately, I feel deceived and played for a fool by these con artists with pleasant facade. It's unfortunate the hostility I feel towards this place since the staff are so lovely. At the end of the day the multiple things that went wrong for my wedding could have been avoided. Three weeks later when asked "how was your wedding", I change the subject... -
Review from Jessica J.
Redwood City, CA
1/2/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Location Location Location
and HANDS DOWN THE BEST HONOR BAR EVER...
The Argonaut didn't let us down for our New Year's Eve stay for 2011. Sure, we were late with checkin in so we were 10 minutes past the closing of the Happy Hour hosted wine reception in the lobby. That was kind of a bummer. I still need to call and ask what happened with my PRE-PAID King Suite with view of the bay... Pre Paid... I thought that meant when we arrive at 610pm to check in we would get the room I paid for, but nope. We got a queen bed overlooking the court yard. I will talk to them about that for sure.
In the meantime... The room was very cleanand spacious. I appreciate the white flat sheet cover they put on the beds so you know they are fresh and you don't have to wonder how often the hotel cleans their coverlets. ;) That's a plus in my book for sure!
The rooms are decorated perfectly so you feel like you are out at sea on your old wooden boat. I love the star shaped pillows on the bed. Cute.
The reviews were correct when they talk about hearing everything that goes on with your neighboring rooms. WE heard every conversation in the hallway and all the really curious 'WOWWWWWWWWWW"s coming from the room next store - all night long.
Thank goodness it was New Year's Eve though. We were drinking and coming and going from our room all night until we came back around 2am and slept peacefully til about 9am. That was when the noise was truly annoying. So we made ourselves get up , pack, and we headed out for breakfast.
Not so bad. Took forever to get our car after we checked out too, but it was New Year's Day so we tipped them anyway and were glad to be back in our car and headed home.
I would definetly tell people who are headed to SF for a touristy experience to stay right there in the action on the Wharf. You've got street vendors, fresh local seafood, Ghiradhelli Square, Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, Cable Cars, and Alcatraz... all right there when you step outside the doors of this quaint and historical boutique hotel. -
Review from soraya s.
Pacifica, CA
3/4/2012
Jordan and David made our wedding our dream wedding. The attention and service we received was first class. Jordan was always quick to respond to my billions of emails and phone calls. She offered her opinion when asked and never pushed us to do something we didn't want. On our wedding day, David was AMAZING! Our entire wedding went perfectly and smoothly because of him. He didn't blink when guests had weird and annoying requests or a high maintenance family member worried about the cold weather. David was so professional and pleasant the whole time. My best friend is getting married later this year and wants to hire David to run her wedding day! When our wedding ended and we went up to our suite, everything was already in our room, including the leftover wedding cake, gifts, cards, two bottles of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. Our ceremony was held outside in the courtyard and our reception was in the charming Maritime room, it was all so beautiful and perfect. I am so happy we had our special day at the Argonaut and it would not have been as beautiful and perfect without Jordan and David. I would defendantly recommend having your wedding at the Argonaut!
Overall experience: Awesome and perfect!
Price: Extremely affordable, had 85 guests, a nighttime wedding w/open bar with filet Mignon entree, including all service fees and taxes and everything, was only 11k! -
Review from Riza T.
Antioch, CA
11/26/2011 2 photos
The rooms are spacious.. compared to the other Kimpton Hotel - Sir Francis Drake.
The grassy area is closer than that of the other Kimpton Hotel - Hotel Palomar.
We didn't get the doggie welcome package like that of Hotel Palomar.. but you can request for it. We did not bother though.
Argonaut still held the Kimpton Standard of Customer Service and we are extremely happy. From the doorman, valet, bell service and front desk. Thank you. You made our family get-together at SF a great one.
I think I converted my sister to a Kimpton fan. She has never heard nor stayed in one before. I told her "Welcome to the Kimpton family"! Yay!Listed in: Dog-Friendly Hotels in…
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Review from Sarah K.
San Diego, CA
12/13/2011
In 2009 hubby and I decided on doing a drive along the coast from San Francisco to San Diego.
Our first stop was San Francisco, we picked this place based on the location and also the cost. We got a fantastic deal.
This hotel is absolutely beautiful. It has a real nautical theme (very fitting for the area) and is close to the old cannery (which now houses many shops), Fishermans Wharf, the old Ghiradelli factory (also houses shops).
I have not one bad word to say about this place ! -
Review from Craig B.
Jacksonville, FL
11/19/2011
I chose this hotel for a 2-night visit to SF for the wife and myself based on Trip Advisor reviews. It didn't disappoint!
I booked the room using frequent flyer miles, and reserved a standard room. When we checked in we were offered a complimentary upgrade to a larger room with a view! The employee checking us in was a sweetheart and very friendly. After checking in, we stopped by the "living room area" of the lobby and helped ourselves to complimentary hot chocolate with all the trimmings! Yum!
The room was very large with all of the typical hotel room items (TV, mini bar, coffee maker, etc etc. Free internet was offered if you signed up for the Kimpton email list which we did. Our stay also included complimentary continental breakfast at the Blue Mermaid restaurant which is downstairs and attached to the hotel. Its not a ton of food but includes coffee, juice of choice, a bowl of fruit and toast or danish of choice. They also offer discounted add-ons like eggs and omelets and such which are available to hotel guests.
The location was perfect for us. There is a cable car stop right outside, and Pier 39 is a 10 minute stroll away.
This was our first stay at a Kimpton property and we were very impressed! -
Review from Mariko F.
9/27/2011
How lucky the hubby and I were to randomly come across the Argonaut when we were on our search for a wedding venue. We found it because we were looking at the Maritime Museum, next door. When the caterers for the Museum told us $198 a head, we ran for the hills. But on our run out the door, we came across the Argonaut.
Sean McKean is the Catering Director and was amazing. He is the one that took us from initial talk to the actual event. He was with us every step of the way and was so supportive and excited, that it kept our spirits up through the entire planning process. Our wedding was going to be very un-traditional and he was very patient with us as we explained all our wants and non-wants. It was also great to have someone to talk to, who had done this before! He sometimes gave us a smack of reality. I felt so safe knowing that Sean was there to help us out.
When getting married at the Argonaut, their restaurant, The Blue Mermaid, does the catering. What's great about this is that there is only one vendor. And, as the kitchen is attached, it's easy for them and easy for you. And the food is fantastic. For our meal, we chose their award winning crab chowder, an arugula salad and then the choice between duck, sea bass or portabella mushroom. Although it was all delicious, the crab chowder was a hit. People talked about that one for a while. As we were trying to stay in our budget, we opted for an open bar during the cocktail hour only. But the bartender, Orion, continued to make cocktails if you asked for it, I heard :)
On the day, David McNerney was in charge. He is the Banquet Manager and is the most amazing task master ever. He has done more weddings than you could count, but I was still so happy that we were able to do something that he had never seen before! He was an amazing buffer on the day. Of course, being an event, some things were going to do wrong. We never heard about them. He dealt with them in the background and made the event seem flawless to me! Later, I heard about a few things (like a different wedding's cupcakes being delivered to us!), at which point, I could only laugh about them.
The hotel itself is great. The rooms are clean and comfortable -- all the greatness that you would expect from a Kimpton. The staff are incredibly nice and accommodating. Everything just seems really easy when you are here.
The team of Sean and David were amazing. I would recommend a wedding at the Argonaut to anyone just because of the absolutely amazing service that you will receive from them. To top it off, the food is great (yes! A wedding with good food! Imagine that!) the surrounding area is beautiful and is great for photos, and the hotel is fun, comfy and elegant.Listed in: Amazing Wedding Vendors
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Review from Diane S.
Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, CA
12/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Love this place, totally dog friendly and people friendly!! Awesome customer service
And the rooms are beautiful!! Can I move
In permanently? -
Review from Todd A.
San Jose, CA
10/10/2011
Iwould have given 4 stars, but had to take a star away for the thin walls and LOUD noise we endured in our room. Also, all the staff we encountered at the hotel smiled and said the right thing (even received 2 calls in our room, 1 from the concierge and 1 from the front desk - welcoming us) but not sure the follow through is there to back up the friendliness.
Positives:
Cute hotel, good location, friendly staff, nicely decorated and comfortable room, decent food at the Mermaid Chowder House, complimentary wine hour from 5p-6p, and nice inclusions with the package we had (parking, breakfast, and cable car passes.) Overall, a genuine "fun energy." Many guests had pets, as this hotel is pet-friendly.
Minuses:
NOISE: We could hear every word and every sound coming from the rooms on either side of our room. From the room on one side we had their normal volume tv coming through the walls and we could hear what show they were watching and what was being said. Hope they enjoyed their local news broadcast. From the room on the other side, we had radio music coming through the walls and could hear all the lyrics and artists and specific songs like we were playing them in our own room. Hope they enjoyed their salsa lesson. From BELOW us (we were on the second floor), we had to endure the boom boom hip hop dance reception of the evening's wedding and got to enjoy Chris Brown, the Black-Eyed Peas, and Rhianna, among other favorites - just like they were in our own room.
I had called the front desk earlier in the day (due to the TV and radio noise mentioned above) to ask if we could be moved but was told we were definitely on the 'quietest' side of the hotel already and that a move would be to a downgraded room. That evening, I went to the front desk and got some ear plugs - again complaining about the noise. Within moments, the front desk clerk came out with a "bag-o-plugs." Interesting that she had them so readily available. This time I was told that the wedding would be over by 11pm and to hang in there. I finally went down again around 10pm saying we couldn't stand it anymore and what could they do. We did get a bit of a discount on the room, that helped us not be so angry.
DIRTY GLASS: At the wine reception, the glass I received had lipstick all over the rim. While I was assured the glass was "clean" (?!?) the server exchanged my glass.
LACK OF FOLLOW THROUGH:1) Like I mentioned, everyone was as friendly as could be, but the cable car passes in our package weren't included in our check in envelope and the front desk had to send someone out to buy them. It took a couple stops back to the front desk over several hours to actually obtain the passes.
2)The waitress in the restaurant billed our room incorrectly, said it was fixed, and then at check out, the incorrect billing was still there.
3)The front desk had called to welcome us and say she was there to help us however we needed it, but it took 3-4 calls/trips to the front desk to get anything done about the loud noise.
4)We had been told by the front desk in the welcome phone call that we had a $10 mini bar credit on our account, but the credit wasn't there when we checked out and we had to prove we were entitled.
5)We called the front desk, based on our on-screen checkout bill to have these issues addressed, but when we got to the front desk, the changes still hadn't been made.
I might sound critical, but we travel a lot and spend a bit more to stay in nice places, and I just want to receive what I'm promised. This hotel promised a few things they didn't completely deliver on, but I still give them good marks overall.
If you need to sleep, don't recommend. If you want a fun, cute, up-beat place to hang out, definitely go. -
Review from Rich O.
Walnut Creek, CA
9/9/2011
I recently had the pleasure of joining the world of the married. and my wife and i decided that the Argonaut hotel was where we wanted to do it. and let me tell you, staff at this place was top notch.
Over the course of the last year we worked very closely with Sean and David to nail down every aspect of our big day from the simple stuff as to what kind of fabric we wanted at the ceremony to a special bottle of wine we wanted to share with only the bridal party.
Let me tell you they nailed it. knocked it right out of the park. considering all the other things that we were stressed over that day Sean and David made sure that everything went off without a hitch.
Webster's defines bad ass as " of formidable strength or skill". Urban Dictionary defines it as "A person who defines supreme confidence, nearly divine ability". Based on these two definitions i have to say that both Sean and David are bad asses. seriously if it wasn't for Sean's planning and David's attention to detail, and frankly ninja like ability to hid in the shadows of a brightly lit room i don't think our day would have been as amazing as it was.
oh and the bridal suite it AWESOME! nuff said. -
Review from Duane H.
Chico, CA
11/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Trendy (they go out of their way for pets).
EXPENSIVE.
Great decor.
In the heart of the worst of Fisherman's Wharf.
Uber helpful, Uber nice staff. -
Review from Brittany R.
Antelope, CA
9/1/2011
From the brick building with trailing ivy, to the elegantly achieved nautical theme, The Argonaut is a great retreat from the bustle of the wharf and Ghiradelli square.
Two queen room, November 2010, $160'ish.
Hotel:
The brick adds a special charm the this hotel, the staff was very helpful. the hot chocolate bar was a welcomed treat, the hallways did not do the rooms justice in my memory, but that is forgotten when you enter your room. We had a view of Ghiradelli square, and a distant Golden Gate bridge, with enough people watching capabilities to last a lifetime. beds, additional chairs and sitting area, standard but very clean bathroom, the nauticul theme is very obvious but not annoying. They have done an excellent job of staying away from a little kid version of the sea :)
Location:
Blue Mermaid is of course pricey, but has a great chowder, fun ambience, and it is attached to the hotel, the end of the trolley line is directly across from the hotel, on the way to the square and I would reccomend taking it at night, when crowds are less, the wharf is literally right down the street. starbucks attached to the backside of the hotel, near the square.
Bottom line: While I would not pay the $350 asking price during the summer, I will ABSOLUTELY be back when the winter prices take effect. Location is perfectly situated, decor fun but not overwhelming, close but not too close to the wharf, square and beach.
Is it November yet? -
Review from Courtney K.
Carlsbad, CA
9/15/2011
I made my reservation at the Argonaut Hotel based on my sister's recommendation. Later when I read reviews about this being a kid-friendly hotel, I was a bit worried. I had images of children running rampant inside and I knew that this hotel sat in the very touristy (cheap and tacky souvenir shops abound) Fisherman's Wharf. However, my concerns were unfounded. I love this hotel!
Location: Even if you want to skip pursuing the collections of Made in China souvenirs that are plentiful in this neighborhood, this is still a great location. With the Powell-Hyde cable car terminus and F-Line Streetcar stop right outside the door, you're already in a good position to get around town. The hotel is walking distance to many restaurants and some of the most popular attractions in on San Francisco. If you've overindulged on Sourdough bread at Boudin down the sweet or are on a complete sugar high from Ghiradelli's around the corner, you can express your guilt with a walk, run or ride the seven mile roundtrip path to the Golden Gate.
Ambience: The Argonaut Hotel was once a cannery and the building has been renovated with a not-over-the-top nautical theme that exudes casual elegance. The ambiance is wonderful and the "mandatory" complimentary wine tasting in the lobby each nice is a nice addition. I love the original exposed brick that is visible in many places and the rooms were well appointed and comfortable. I remember my sister telling me that the beds were comfy...that was an understatement. The rooms were clean and the décor was attractive.
Service: The customer service here was outstanding. Everyone I encountered was very friendly. Check in and check out was easy, the concierge was super knowledgeable (I asked her some tough questions), the Doorman had magic powers in hailing a cab and one of the Bellhops was very good looking. ; - ) -
Review from Amy R.
9/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
The service here is top notch. From the moment I walked into the hotel, I felt welcomed and comfortable. Everyone was friendly and willing to help with any request.
Here's a tip: Sign up for the Kimpton InTouch and you'll get free internet access during your stay as well as a welcome gift.
Also, the daily evening wine reception is great. There's red & white, but it looked like there was also sangria and/or mimosas.
The hotel has a nautical theme...right down to the room door swinging open into the hall like they do on ships. At least, that's what I think. The last time I was on a ship was a long time ago and much booze was had.
There is only valet parking and I haven't a clue where they actually park the cars. I was told it would take 15 minutes to get the car, but it took less than 10.
You can walk to Fisherman's Wharf (actually, you are right there by the Hyde Street Pier & Aquatic Park) or if you are feeling up to the trek, Pier 39 or North Beach. -
Review from Pete D.
San Diego, CA
4/8/2012
came here with my girlfriend from san diego and booked on hotwire and was given this hotel. was a biut sceptical at first because thought may have been a bit tacky - but they pull it off seamlessly. the rooms are great and you are right amongst fishermans wharf and really get the sense you are "in" san francisco (in that sense dont stay here if you want complete peace and quiet). but it really adds to the atmosphere. check in was super easy, the rooms are massive and the wine tasting each night from 5-6 (more like free wine for an hour!) is a great way to wind down or meet other people. close to everything, parked nearby in the shopping mall ($25 a day, best you will do).
but i would say stay here if you want a real san fran experience and even if it is a little more pricier than others factor in the 2-3 glasses of wine you will get free each night! -
Review from Henry L.
8/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
First off I love Kimpton Hotels - they have a very good eclectic vibe that makes it fun to stay in their properties.
The Argonaut - definitely has that vibe, but the nautical theme felt much more dated than felt at other Kimpton properties.
One of the things I did not like was that the room door opens out to the hall rather than inward, it felt a little less secure than the traditional way a door opened. -
Review from Lynn C.
7/19/2011
We stayed here on our first leg of our elopement/honeymoon extraganza! It is a bit pricey but given the occasion, we were ok to splurge. We opted for the "Bike the Golden Gate Package" because it gave us a better room and a few extras. With this package we got a deluxe guestroom with a view, breakfast at the Blue Mermaid Cafe and a bike rental from Blazing Saddles (next door). With the breakfast, you could pick anything from the menu...it wasn't one of those continental only deals.
The hotel has a lot of charm - exposed brick, windows that open so you can get fresh air and a comfy bed. They offer wine tasting every evening and refreshments during the afternoon. The staff was really friendly and helpful. The nautical theme was great given the location (Fisherman's Wharf). The Blue Mermaid Cafe was pretty good too! Lots of breakfast options and gratuity was included with our voucher.
It's also right next door to In-and-Out Burger. It's a perfect location for all things touristy in Fisherman's Wharf and close to public transit. We were there Thurs-Sun and it was more crowded on the weekend because it's also a popular wedding spot.
The only bad thing was that overnight parking was $45!!!!
One last helpful hint - you get free wi-fi if you sign up to be a member of Kimpton Hotels. It's FREE and basically Kimpton Hotels just sends you emails. -
Review from Courtney O.
Honolulu, HI
8/18/2011
I love this hotel!!
Free wine tasting every day? Free hot chocolate every day? Yes, please!
My husband and I stayed here in December last year with four other friends. Everybody loved this hotel. The location is right at the warf and right next door to ghirardelli square. The rooms are very comfortable and the staff were very helpful. The end of the trolley line is also right across the street so you can always find your way home (even after you have had a little too much to drink!).
We go to San Fran often and have stayed at other hotels but I think this will be our go to hotel from now on. -
Review from Corey Tess T.
Phoenix, AZ
5/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
I stayed here on my birthday trip weekend and it was really cute! It is right on the waterfront and close to the trolley station and with in walking distance to Pier 39, Ghiridelli Square.
The lobby has some great big comfy furniture and a fire place. I had to get some work done when i arrived and they let me use the internet free of charge, that was great. We got there really early, so the room wasn't ready, they checked our bags while we waited and we had breakfast at the attached restaurant The Blue Mermaid.. it was very good.
Everything seem well maintained and new. No yucky carpet detergent smell in the halls, no musty smells either..
The room was so cute, very nautical... it totally went with the location. The bedding was nice - they had a throw blanket that was dreamy.. i wanted to take one home.
I really enjoyed my stay... -
Review from David C.
Clovis, CA
7/10/2011
What a joke this place was. While the room was very nice, and the view of the bay and Alcatraz was out of this world, the other events definetly lead me to never stay here again.
We spoke in person to the concierge and the valet asking for our car to be brought around at a very specific time so that we could head to a dinner reservation. When we walked downstairs to the valet station both persons looked at us like we were complete strangers and asked what we needed. We explained that we had just spoken to them 45 minutes before about our car. They looked at us like we just pulled a gun on them. Not registering any recognition at all. Ended up taking them 20 minutes to find our car.
The next morning we called to ask for our car to be brought around as we were checking out. When we walked out front, our car was not there. I asked the valet where our car was and he pointed towards a brand spanking new Porsche. While I love a good Porsche more than anyone I explained to them that this was not our car. They asked for our ticket, matched it to the tag on the key and responded that yes, this was our car. I explained that NO, it was not that we had a GMC Acadia. 30 minutes later they managed to find our car. All in all, not worth the time or effort.
I actually wrote a letter of dismay to the Kimpton Corporation as I am a member of their In Touch program, and have not had any response telling me that my money is not worth their time.
I think next time the Fairmont or University Club will be better served. -
Review from Mary R.
Carmichael, CA
4/21/2011
I didn't stay here. I'm a teacher. I can't afford to sit in the lobby and wait for my friends. But I did.
However, I'm writing the review because the people here were SO NICE. Everyone seemed sweet and happy. HAPPY. IN SAN FRANCISCO. Do you know how difficult it is to find happy people in that city?
I sat in big comfy chairs by a warm fire after getting out of the misty rain and sipped lemon water (after glancing in the toy box at the pirate rubber duckies little ones can take... how I fought the urge to take one home!) The lights on the sails changed colors and I was transported briefly to... to... not there. How do you get a mini-vacation in a lobby? I'm not sure, Argonaut, but thank you. -
Review from Katy K.
Phoenix, AZ
6/21/2011
Seriously cannot put into words how much I LOVE this hotel! My new husband and I were fortunate enough to be married at the Argonaut, followed by our reception there! UNREAL - from beginning (planning process) through the last dance.
The staff is VERY well organized. I just read another reviewer who says otherwise, but take it from a bride who plans events for a living...this group knows what they are doing and does it better than most. From the first meeting until the end, every person does their job very well. The planners are terrific at the details, offering options and being super responsive. The staff who make the magic happen the day-of are so calm (very important) and know your event better than you do.
The ceremony space was outside and gorgeous! I got to make such a grand entrance for our 60-person wedding that we even had strangers crying (true story) - big staircase! Not a single stranger stepped anywhere near our ceremony or cocktail hour - people have more respect that that. The beautiful brick courtyard was just perfect and very private for being a public space. The hotel blocks off your space so others don't wander into your cocktail hour.
The food - delicious!! I wish I could have had seconds! Our reception was in the Maritime Room which was so cool. Dark brick and very old doors decorate this room. We had a dance floor that worked perfectly and EVERYONE danced the entire time. Nobody cared that there were wooden pillars throughout the room. I don't even remember them! It didn't stop anyone from having a blast.
Lastly, all of their vendor recommendations were awesome! Planning an out-of-state wedding is tricky! They made is much easier.
Bottom line - I am an event perfectionist and this team exceeded my expectations. Imagine your perfect wedding day....then select the Argonaut and your perfect day will be 100 times better than you could ever imagine. We will forever be thrilled that we had the most important day of our lives here. We were lucky to be there! -
Review from Bronwen T.
Austin, TX
3/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
The only - and I do mean, ONLY - reason I am giving 4 stars instead of 5 is the outrageous price of parking. It's in the nation's most touristy city in the most touristy area of said city, and they charge $45 a fracking day to park your undoubtedly touristy car (ours was a Ford Focus). It's insanity, especially when you realize there's a city garage behind the hotel that charges half as much. But, of course, one doesn't realize that until you're walking around... or, until the front desk woman tells you. You know, after you've already given the valet your keys.
But, with that little bit of negativity out of the way, I literally cannot say enough good things about the Argonaut. My bf and I ended our trip to SF with a splurge on this hotel and it did not disappoint. It's in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf, a block away from a cable car into the city and is literally surrounded by good smells and good vibes. I think they go a touch overboard on the nautical theme, but who am I? Certainly no hotel designer. Let's get down to brass tacks:
Service: beyond reproach. We seemed to have a lot of contact with a doorman named Steven, who was beyond awesome. We were ragged and kinda broke after several days of debauchery, a drive in from the San Joaquin Valley, and an unexpected $6 toll road on the Bay Bridge. And did I mention we likely reeked of In-N-Out Burger? But he whisked away our bags and immediately welcomed us. He disappeared for about 20 seconds and returned with two glasses of wine -- they have a complimentary wine reception every night, from 5-6 in the lobby. He instinctively knew we weren't down to mingle, so he gave us two to go.
AWESOME SAUCE. I immediately loved this man. And he was no less attentive when I explained apologetically that we didn't have any cash for a tip (damned toll).
The front desk staff was also highly attentive, and downright friendly (forget 'simply polite). I'd only booked for one night, but we already knew our flight had been cancelled, so we booked another night on the spot. No hassle, no fuss. Then we headed to the elevator and our bags arrived less than 5 minutes later. That guy - Kevin - was also awesome, despite our lack of benjamins.
Food: We only had one meal here, room service on the final night. The hotel itself - being a boutique - doesn't have a kitchen, so everything comes from the Blue Mermaid Chowder House next door. Typical SF pricey given the fact that it's room service (two people w/ a burger & fries, cup of soup, and crab sandwich/fries was $54, incl tip), but it was our final night and I didn't care. The sweet corn and crab chowder was obscenely good, with some sort of green aioli (basil?) on top. The crab salad sandwich was fab as well, and the bf reported his $14 cheeseburger was wonderful. He did a little dance of glee when his medium rare burger arrived still alive. My only disappointement was the cold, slightly limp french fries. Still, we ordered at 8:40 and dinner officially closes at 9pm, so I forgive them cold fries. They had our food to us in 20 minutes, with a smile.
Lodging: The bed is second to none... we wanted to figure a way to haul it back to Texas with us. There's plenty of space in the room, the bathroom was amazing, and the bf - who never pays attention to anything - was duly impressed by the Aveda products. For some reason, I love that they had a pocket door to the bathroom; saves so much room. Why don't all hotels do this? Oh yes, because all hotels aren't a Kimpton.
And speaking of Kimpton -- the Argonaut charges $10/day for wifi, but if you're part of thei Kimpton rewards program, it's free. While I'd only joined a few days prior to visiting for that exact reason, they also give you the opportunity to join ON THE SPOT and receive the benefit. Yeah yeah, so I'll be bombaded by emails and coupons. Does it matter? I actually had work to do - fairly unexpectedly - and even jumped in on a Skpe conference call. The strong wireless and writing desk came in super handy (which is something I never really thought I'd have to say during a vacation review).
All in all, 4 1/2 stars. When I catch other deal on http://Hotels.com, I'll be back. I love thee, Argonaut. Tell Steven the Taylors say hello. -
Review from Leala V.
11/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Very nice hotel in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf. You are close to multiple tourist attractions. Hotel is quite pricey, even with a AAA discount. I don't recommend this place for someone on a tight budget. I have friends with Champagne taste so we stayed here.
First of all, if you get annoyed with crowds and crowds of rude tourists pushing you on the sidewalks, do not stay in the fisherman's wharf area. I would pick another neighborhood. Cow Hollow has some decent budget hotels and it gets you away from the craziness.
As for this hotel, yes it is nice. It has nautical decor and really clean. Every afternoon has a happy hour where you get to choose from either a white sangria, cabernet savignon or a malbec wine. It was nice after the first day or two but I got soon tired of the limited wine choices and would have preferred to pay for a different wine.
Rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated. My only complaint is that if your room is on the complete opposite side of the building as the elevator, you will be walking what seems like forever to get to and from your room to the lobby.
Most of the staff was nice and friendly but I can think of two exceptions. The concierge was not very informational other than telling you that there is no way you are going to get Alcatraz tickets at the last minute. We also asked her for recommendations of a good place to dine in the area and her response was that any place in the area was good. Really??? Any restaurant in the tourist trap area of San Francisco is going to be good? Come on. Good thing I had yelp to help. Finally, it was hard to get someone to get my bags from bag check so I could get to the airport. I felt like they were too short staffed as far as bellmen were concerned.
Other than that, it is a nice place to stay if you are willing to pay. -
Review from Christie S.
Lynnwood, WA
1/1/2012
We were only spending one night in San Fran so the boy splurged on a room here. It was beautiful. Great location, staff was very friendly.
We really didn't spend much time in the room since we were out exploring the area, but it was great while we were there.
The only reason I couldn't give this five stars was because of the thin walls. Lucky us, we were roomed next door to a cranky baby. That was annoying, but not worth complaining about to the staff, as we were mostly just sleeping in the room. -
Review from Olivia L.
6/12/2011
This is a review of the hotel as a wedding venue only. We didn't have our reception here, so it's a review of the sales service and the rooms ONLY (not the banquet service).
The sales staff were disorganized. We had a million emails, and we kept on getting handed off from one person to another on the day of our on-site visit. That is, X isn't going to be able to make it, you're going to see Y. And then we show up, and we're seeing Z.
There are three primary wedding spaces. The Maritime room has a gorgeously high ceiling and a fantastic rustic barn-like (in a nautical way) door. The door is decorative, however, so it's not like you can come in that door for your ceremony. The Maritime room also has these awkward giant wooden pillars everywhere. It's not clear that there was room for a dance floor because there would have to be a pillar at each corner and possibly in the middle too. Ergo, most people use the Maritime room for their ceremonies.
There's a patio off the Maritime room that you can use for the cocktail hour. But, this is a very public patio. There will be a bajillion people taking a shortcut through that patio to get from Fisherman's Wharf to the 30 Stockton bus stop on the other side.
After the cocktail hour, you'd have to walk back through the Maritime room, then through a service corridor to get to the Golden Gate Ballroom -- which has an abysmally low ceiling and screams "conference room" to me, personally.
You'll share bathrooms with the lobby (which is super cute, but aggressively nautical). So as a wedding venue, I'd give it 1 star.
However, as a hotel, it has a great location (cable car and 30 Stockton bus, Fisherman's Wharf, Ghiradelli Square, Pier 39, and North Beach / Chinatown within walking distance) -- and they had hot chocolate in the lobby in the afternoons, which is exactly what we needed for the freezing day outside. So +1 star. I'd like to stay here sometime, but not for our wedding. -
Review from Ange T.
San Antonio, TX
5/11/2011
Planning a birthday party for five men is no easy task, but I have to say Sean McKean, the Director of Catering at the Argonaut Hotel makes it so easy! He is the most patient man on earth! After sending him multiple harassing emails, he has always been kind and pleasant to me despite the fact that the birthday boys are still in the midst of debating on their location. I recommend this hotel for any event or occasion!
The staff is amazing and not to mention, the pricing is incredibly reasonable!! -
Review from David K.
Sacramento, CA
2/3/2011
Love the Argonaut Hotel. It is where I try to stay when I am in San Francisco. Short walking distance to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39. Yet away from the crowds. Service was friendly from the valet to the front desk.
The hotel is large enough to be a full service hotel. Yet, small enough to have personality. The hotel has a full service restaurant but I did not check it out because there are plenty of restaurants nearby (from upscale seafood to In-n-Out).
I prefer staying in the Fisherman's Wharf area because it is away from the hustle and bustle of downtown San Francisco and is within a 15-20 minute walk to Chinatown and North Beach. And just a little further to downtown San Francisco.
Join the Kimpton rewards program before you make your reservation because members get free wi-fi. The rewards program is free to join and a link is on the Argonaut and Kimpton websites. Argonaut is part of the Kimpton hotel chain.
Every room I have stayed in has been very clean. The walls between rooms seem to be thick so you don't hear your neighbors.
The hotel from the lobby to the rooms appears upscale.
The hotel lobby has a free wine reception in the late afternoon (I can't comment on it because I don't drink wine but it was very popular with the other guests).
Many basic cable channels on the television but no premium channels such as HBO.
Coffee maker in room with Starbucks brand coffee.
Only valet parking is available at the hotel which is pricey. However, this is the situation at most better than average hotels in San Francisco.
There is a Walgreens about a block away for snacks, toiletries, medicines, etc. Plenty of very good restaurants for different budgets nearby. However, if you are a foodie and want to experience the best of San Francisco restaurants, you'll want to do some research or ask the hotel concierge because the best San Francisco restaurants are outside of the Fisherman's Wharf area. The restaurants in Fisherman's Wharf are geared towards tourists. -
Review from Kyle M.
5/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
I give this place 5 stars as a GREAT option for those traveling with pets.
Location: Literally in the middle of Fisherman's Wharf, Gheredelli square, and Maritime Park. Also within steps is a cable car turnaround. If you are looking for a place in that area you can't beat their location. It is a bit of a pain to drive to if you are getting there during daytime hours given you likely will drive on Embarcadaro which goes at a snails pace much of the day.
Hotel: The whole place has a bit of a nautical theme going on. They keep to the "boutique" hotel feel. Our room was on the 3rd floor which is their "pet" floor and overlooked the cannery area. Not a great view, but I didn't pay for the "view" rooms and didn't expect much. The service at this place is also top notch. From the valet, to the bell man to the front desk staff everyone was very happy, pleasant, and very attentive. Their concierge was also very nice; however, I was a bit bummed by her dinner recommendation which I will explain.
Concierge: Okay, I did have a bit of a very specific request (dinner at a decent place within walking distance and good for kids AND a dog); however, I later realized that she sent us to a place that is actually in another hotel that is owned by Kimpton hotels. That in itself isn't a big deal, but I think her sending us there had more to do with it being part of the hotel chain than actually being a great recommendation. (Maybe it was due to the "dog" request???). She ended up sending us to Cafe Pescatore which did meet all my requests except for the place wasn't that great and there are much, much better restaurants in this town which I have been to in the past.
So overall, I can't complain at all about this hotel and would definitely stay here again. This is our second Kimpton hotel to stay in and have been very happy with both.
