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Cova Hotel
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin
655 Ellis St
(between Hyde St & Larkin St)
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 771-3000
655 Ellis St
(between Hyde St & Larkin St)
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 771-3000
- Price Range:
-
$$
12 reviews for Cova Hotel
We were a little apprehensive about the area and who is the first person we see? A guy wearing cds and aluminum foil to ward off alien rays...Oh, well, harmless enough.
Nice modern decor, from the vessel sink to the choice of colors and carpeting. No cheesy art on the walls. Nice new smell, no old hotel aroma. Really quite nice.
No AC, so the sliding window to the City is the only choice for cooling air. The good part is that there IS a big sliding window with a view.
There is a modern flat screen monitor, but it doesn't get HD. Kind of silly these days.
The valet parking with in and out privileges is fine and really makes a car trip here so much nicer. It is a little crowded and it sometimes takes a lot of time for them to retrieve your car.
Everyone seemed to like the pretty decent free breakfast on the 8th floor. Super view and a deck.
Note that the Chinese restaurant in the photos is closed for remodeling (7/09) and will reopen as a Vietnamese place. It will be pretty snazzy, much different than the many Little Saigon places up the block.
Oh, and the water pressure is good and you can actually get hot water for your shower. They haven't adjusted the valve to save money.
The staff was exceptionally nice and helpful. Not a stuffy bunch with their hands out.
Really, I wouldn't worry too much about the area. Lots of "normal" people, many women, were walking their dogs, walking to work and all. The merchants were washing up their sidewalk areas. We walked through the area to Union Square. It was all more interesting than scary.
All in all, a good hotel. We did not feel we were in a cheap place at all and can recommend it to all but the very most nervous traveller.
Comment from Simon S. of
Cova Hotel
8/31/2009
Carlos B--thanks for the review! Glad you enjoyed your stay.…
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This review is for the public valet parking only.
Edit: They've contacted me via Yelp & Twitter offering to have the parking company review surveillance to determine if the valet did damage the car. I'm pretty impressed. We'll see what the parking company comes up with.
I've parked here several times over the last month because I'm often in and out at odd hours.
The good: The have 24hr valet public parking. It's $10 for 12 hrs.
The bad: Service is sometimes very slow in the mornings for no apparent reason.
The ugly: They've scratched my car, twice!!! These weren't little scratches either--they're very visible from a distance. One runs the entire length of the passenger side.
I know it's the valets doing this because both times the scratches were on the side of the car that was against the wall (i.e. it wasn't someone side-swiping my vehicle as they pulled out).
The location, price, and hours are great for me, but I can't afford any more damage to my car. Twice in a month isn't a fluke, it's a pattern. I'm finding some place else to park.
Comment from Simon S. of
Cova Hotel
9/21/2009
We're concerned about the service you received with the…
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Being a native Los Angeleno, I didn't know what I was getting into when I was booking a hotel in the Tenderloin area- when I booked it, I was only concerned about being within walking distance from the SF Courthouse for work.
Shady area aside- it's between some missions and a Hostel International- is is a fabulous place to stay. They've adopted a very modern look to the whole place. They're undergoing a lot of reconstruction, though, so if you're a light sleeper, you might wake up from the drilling work etc.
Rooms are super, super comfortable- those beds were wonderful to sleep in, and I'm always happy when beds have more than just two pillows on there. Bathroom is really modern-looking as well, I love those above the counter-style sinks. There's complimentary WiFi and you can get a complimentary breakfast where they've got waffles, eggs, toast, bagels, yogurt, etc. There's a complimentary shuttle service they have that takes guests to the Convention Center area and Fisherman's Wharf every hour or so- I didn't use it, but I saw a lot of other guests waiting for it.
The staff was excellent here and that's why I've gotta give this place 5 stars. Check in time for this place is at 3:00 and I had the bad timing of getting to San Francisco at 7:30 AM without checking earlier for what check in time was. Front desk guy, Armando, helped me out tremendously by giving me the comp. breakfast card to kill some time, and got me a room by noon while others still had to wait till the normal time to check in.
While I don't think I'd book here again because of the unfortunate shady location, I'd definitely recommend Cova Hotel it to anyone who does need to stay in this area or for anyone who wants to stay in a an excellent and fairly priced hotel in downtown and has a car they can use to get in and out of the area easily.
This is a nicely decorated and modern hotel if you can overlook the fact that it's located in the worst part of San Francisco - the Tenderloin. This area is notorious for crimes, drugs and prostitution. The staff advise guests to not walk on Ellis St (the street the hotel is on) or just to take a taxi when they leave the hotel. Overall, great customer service as the people that work here are nice and accommodating. The hotel offers free breakfast and shuttle to Union Square & Fisherman's Wharf, however, the negatives are 1) unsafe location, 2) no A/C (usually not a big deal in SF but the room can get stuffy) and 3) price. For what they're charging for their rooms, you can easily find a comparable nice/modern hotel in a much better location (ie. Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, etc.) I know we did!
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Comment from Simon S. of
Cova Hotel
10/29/2009
Hi Alice W, Thanks for staying at the Cova and for your…
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I came across this hotel while doing an Internet search for a decent hotel for a fair price. I knew I wouldn't be in the hotel too often because I was going to be on vacation and wanted to experience the city.
It turns out the hotel is in an area known as the Tenderloin -- one of the most notorious areas of SF known for crime, drugs, and prostitution.
The hotel itself is nice and sufficient. Clean rooms, comfortable bed, good size. The staff, for the most part, was friendly and helpful. The free breakfast was average. I wish the hotel offered free shuttle service to the airport. The do provide free service to Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square.
As other reviews have pointed out, there is no A/C. During my stay (Sept 09), the city experienced record heat. However, it got cool enough at night so it wasn't too big of a deal.
Back to the neighborhood. I didn't feel safe walking in the area at night. Hell, at times during the day it felt uncomfortable. If you're staying at a hotel, while trying to enjoy a vacation, you shouldn't have to worry about your safety. The staff tells you to avoid walking down Ellis (the street the hotel is on!) and an area to the South of it. I ended up spending extra money on cab rides just to avoid walking in the area at night. One other gripe: all 3 nights I was there, I heard people screaming down below at all times of the night and early morning. My room faced Ellis so traffic was also a problem but moreso the inconsiderate people threatening each other on the street over stupid stuff. They were yelling so loud I could hear their conversations. After 3 consecutive nights, it got old and caused some sleepless nights.
In summary, the rooms and staff are fine. The neighborhood is trouble.
Comment from Simon S. of
Cova Hotel
9/27/2009
Dear CP, Thanks for choosing the Cova Hotel and thanks for…
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It is the best hotel for the price in San Francisco. I hate comforters that are polyester and has flowers. This place was modern, the biggest bathroom ever, breakfast is free and serve in a beautiful room overlooking the city.
The beds are so nice, I can't tell you how well I slept. The neighborhood is jenky, but the food around the corner makes up for it. Cheap eat, cheap sleep.
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Comment from Simon S. of
Cova Hotel
10/29/2009
Thanks for choosing the Cova Hotel and for your great…
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This hotel was GREAT on the inside. Our room was spacious, there is free wi-fi, we had a new flat screen tv with lots of channels, there is a continental breakfast, etc.
HOWEVER, it is smack dab in the middle of the Tenderloin--a bad neighborhood. Also, it was under renovation so the entire facade looked pretty terrible while we were there, and our windows were covered with black mesh. Yuck!
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So I walk in here a few weeks ago, expecting to find the Air Travel Hotel of old that I knew - only to discover it's gone! Sad - it was right in the middle of the legendary Tenderloin - is no place safe from the scourge of gentrification, sweeping over even the most steadfastly grimy neighborhoods? Very sad. The new hotel is nice, clean and completely boring.
A toast, I say, to the memory of the Air Travel Hotel - a disgusting deathtrap example of a hotel. I stayed here several times, paying dirt cheap rates. The rooms were filthy - I distinctly remember seeing toenail clippings and a Twix wrapper under the bed. The elevators sometimes stopped working. The staff didn't speak English well and played hardball Chinese rate negotiation. I loved it! Not to mention the adjacent restaurant was some of the best Sichaun I've had. Authentic.
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If you can ignore the TERRIBLE neighborhood - this hotel couldn't be a better value.
For under 100 bucks it was very clean inside - completely renovated. The staff was EXTREMELY friendly - willing to help you find your way around. To give you an idea of how accommodating they are - while we were checking in a couple from out of town was trying to check in - but come to find out Travelocity messed up their reservation and canceled it on them. The guy at the counter called hotels all around the city to find them a place to stay since the Air Travel was already completely booked. On top of that - he made sure they didn't pay a single cent more than their reservation was for.
Did I mention the neighborhood is terrible? DO NOT - for any reason - walk out of the hotel on foot to see the city. Have the front desk call to get you a cab.
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Considering our last minute reservation my boyfriend and I were pleased by the price of the room. We opted for a room in the non remodeled section of the hotel. It was straight out of the 70's, but super clean. The bed linens were a crisp clean white on a very comfortable bed.
They had free wireless internet and an incredibly friendly and accommodating staff. The lobby was hip and re done.... i over heard a staff member saying to someone that by next year the entire hotel will look like that. Its totally headed in the boutique hotel direction.
Th part of the city its in is not the best; prostitutes around the corner and everything. I appreciate busy urban setting so I really liked it... I wouldnt go wandering around after 8pm but I certainly would cab in and out.
Its walking distance to Union Square. The Chinese restaurant on the bottom floor was delicious and easily accessible from the hotel.
Dont stay here if you want to see the san fran from post cards or travel magazines at your door step. Its a true slice of San Francisco, clean, seemed safe with a friendly staff and inexpensive.
BTW, the 8th floor lounge for the free breakfast was beautiful and well decorated.
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Last minute New Years Eve Reservation led us to this hotel. Unlike most other hotels for that weekend there was no 2-night minimum, which was a plus.
We stayed in the remodeled room. This is the best $100 hotel room I've seen. Everything was clean and state of the art. Very impressed by the furnishing - bed, sink, alarm clock ipod docking station, flat screen TV, etc.
Caveat: the neighborhood. Didn't know at the time that it was in the Tenderloin. Walked from Civic Center Bart station to the hotel in broad daylight and felt slightly uncomfortable carrying a small suitcase through the neighborhood. Got a bunch of "what the hell are you doing here glances."
Morning after: walk to Bart station was equally as eventful...and sometimes downright uncomfortable (never felt more relieved to get to Bart). If you're accustomed to this type of city living - then this hotel is wonderful! If you're a baby like me...stay in the room, it's nice there!
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Ignore the seedy neighborhood - it'll be gone in five years. Yes, Mission-trification is coming to the Tenderloin, too - I'd wager my whole free box of V-day chocolates on it (nice touch, actually). Ignore the remnants of the place's 1970s heritage - you know you have the equivalent of a fake rock facade buried somewhere deep in your psyche, too. Once you get past the little exterior details, take comfort in the fact that the crackwhores are turned away at the door (I promise - I saw it happen) and the newly-remodeled rooms are GORGEOUS, clean, quiet, spacious, and a total steal for San Francisco. Also, DO NOT miss breakfast - amazing view, 360 rooftop, and darn good coffee (this coming from a Seattle barista, thank you very much). Oh, and full disclosure and an FYI re: the review from 2006 - ownership has changed since then and it's now in the much more capable and respectful hands of a friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend.
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