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Hotel Monaco
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin
501 Geary Street
(between Shannon St & Taylor St)
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 292-0100
501 Geary Street
(between Shannon St & Taylor St)
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 292-0100
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95 reviews for Hotel Monaco
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One of the Business' Favorite Reviews What's This?
I love this hotel!!! It is so unique and not like any other hotels I have ever stayed in. The french decor and paintings will really make the experience special. Me and my boyfriend stayed in the Monte Carlo Suite one weekend we decided to play tourists in the city. The room was very spacious, very clean, and very romantic. The bathroom was huge and extravagant with marble and mirrors surrounding you. The large whirpool tub and glass shower was luxory at its best.
Although room service can be expensive and overrated, theirs was actually really good. We ordered oysters and filet mignon. Everything was cooked just right.
Aside from great room service, the hotel hosts a free wine and cheese reception during the evening. The best thing about this place (besides being right smack in the middle of Union Square) is that you can bring your pets with you! This is one of the only hotels that you do not have to pay an extra charge to bring your furry little friend. We got a good rate when we stayed but the suite is generally $329 which I think is very much worth it.
Of all the hotels I've stayed at in San Francisco, this is so far my favorite. The staff is friendly and helpful and the rooms are very nice. Our bed even had a 4 post canopy :D. Bathroom was completely stocked including a hair dryer.
The Grand Cafe (the attached restaurant) is pretty pricey though. I got a killer deal through Priceline's name your own price thing, too.
Haven't stayed here...and I'm sure that it's a great place, but I just tried booking with the Yelpers discount and realized that the 20% off is actually the opposite!!
It is cheaper to book directly online WITHOUT the discount code!!
One star for unethical business practices...shame on you.
Mmm, daddy like! The first time I stayed at a Hotel Monaco, I was in Seattle and galavanting around the city like I was a pop star. The room was huge, the service was great and the hotel couldn't do enough for me. These days, rather than living the pop life, I am more like Drew Barrymore circa Charlies Angels. You know, the public, cracked-out era is over and people are starting to come around and reck-a-niize. You know? Like that. I am in my Drew 2.0 era.
That means that, while the hotel is still rockin', the room is a little smaller. It's still perfectly sized for me and my needs, so there are no complaints. The bed was comfortable, but I felt like a giant in it. My feet kept hanging over the edge. Usually, I am psyched to feel tall. But, when I am resting, I want my body parts in/on the bed. I was really digging the gigantic mirror opposite my bed. Again, if I knew weight rooms like I know bakeries, I could have gotten some good use out of it. Whatever. Pass the muffins. The bathroom was nice sized and comfortable. Bathrooms, like song choice, are key important. I need mirrors that don't stay fogged, makeup mirrors that capture my best angles, floors that are kind to my bare feet and showers that stay hot. Check plusses all around.
My biggest complaint is that the walls are paper thin and I was surrounded by freak nasties. On one side was the woman from Vivid. I hope she was getting paid with all the hollerin' she was doing. On the other side was the 1:30 am furniture mover. Like clockwork, every early am, I awoke to the sounds of someone moving/knocking furniture. Not fun. Lastly, there were some wake up call snafus. One morning was fifteen minutes late. The next morning was TWO HOURS early. I'll let you guess how that played out. My court date is in two weeks.
I'd gladly stay here again after I do my time, hit the gym and buy my own alarm clock. I 'liked it' liked it.
I got out of the taxi in front of the hotel and was greeted by the utmost helpful gentleman sporting a purple velvet get-up. He was a prelude to the kiss that was the Hotel Monaco ... with its amazing staff, amenities, décor and overall services that make this place both heaven and home away from home.
Walking into the lobby, you are met by more service-focused staff, marble floors, a gorgeous natural plant arrangement and a bronze tree with little hidden bronze monkeys hanging from its branches. A grand stairwell sweeps up to a portrait of a ghostly siren beckoning guests to see what awaits above. (I resisted the temptation.)
When I opened the door to my room, shocking stripes and bright colors made me laugh out loud, but not in a bad way but in a generally amused and tickled ... orange (green, yellow and chartreuse) kind of way.
The gym here is small but nice with weights, new equipment, yoga balls, mats, and all of the towels, lemons and filtered water you could want.
They also have a steam room!!!! I did not actually get myself down to use it, but if it's anything like the rest of the hotel, I bet it's awesome.
Other Touches/Amenities:
Zebra and leopard print robes (great for impromptu photo shoots with your friends so I've been told.)
Complimentary gold fish (in the event you had to leave your own pet behind - something they don't encourage)
A really big umbrella for rainy days
The only thing I wished were different is the fact that they charge for laundry service and that their in dining menu was expensive ... but this is a 4 diamond property so that's just wishful thinking on my part. The bathtubs also could use an upgrade.
My time with Monaco will be remembered fondly and I will definitely stay here again!
n
Hotel Monaco is centrally located in the Union Square area. Watch out, going up the hill, you are just on the border of a sketchy 'hood. Not an area to go wandering about- though there are some prime restaurants worth checking out up there. So, be sure not to look like a tourist as you leave the front door.
Like all Kimpton hotels, there is a wine hour every evening from 5-6pm. This one is actually quite nice and offers palm-readings, massages, local beers and snacks. There are event spaces in this hotel which makes for lots of wedding guests trying to get in on the action, too.
Rooms are small- the bed is actually backed up into the wall to make enough space for a circular ottoman, desk and the bathroom. Wacky- circus print wallpaper may be a little garish for some, but I like the whimsy.
Actually came here today for a seminar. Due to the bridge being closed, I had to take bart... I got off on Powell station and walked 5-10mins to Monaco. It's between Geary and Taylor for those who didn't know, right next to Grand Cafe. They were serving breakfast in the peacock room (2nd floor) only for those who were attending the seminar. There's a small balcony that overlooks into Grand Cafe's lounge and dinning area. We had two personal servers that accommodated with all our needs both breakfast and lunch. After breakfast we relocated to the South Vienna meeting room. Everything was well organized and prepared. They even came in right on time when the seminar was over to serve our apple cider toast lol what ! we were working....can't have alcohol beverages...although i'd wish we had at least champange,but hey ! all and all great experince here. ^^
The ability to order a goldfish for your room is one of those charming extra touches that really ramp up a place for me. If only they delivered kitties, too. Le sigh.
These rooms are a little on the small side if you're in any city other than SF. For this area the digs are pretty, pretty nice I'd say. The bathroom in my room was gargantuanly large - almost the same size as the area the bed was in if you can imagine it. The beds were comfy and the people working there were quite friendly.
Big pluses in my book were the free Wi-Fi (which worked really well for me even though I heard from others they were having troubles) and the wine happy hour. I even showed up as they had packed away all the wine and glasses and the man was nice enough to go in the back and bring me out a glass so I could join my fellow peeps in a quick drink before heading out for the evening. Now that's service.
Would you like a goldfish for your room mam?
Umm, yes. Yes, I do. At 2am. Just send it on up, thanks!
And they did! The first hotel that I've ever been to where they will bring you a goldfish in a nice little bowl to accent your room. Or keep you company. Whatever the goal is, I like it!
After a whirlwind few days leading up to my trip to San Fran, I was relieved to get a few moments to re-gather that Sunday afternoon before heading over to our next destination. I walk into a room that was just the right size for me - spacious, but not extremely airy and empty. Like most Kimptons, the room was cozy yet modern.
This location was extremely convenient. There was a nail salon and a Walgreens directly across from the hotel and the surrounding streets were lined with restaurants.
The lobby was rather grand and somewhat regal. There were plenty of couches and chairs to lounge in next to the fireplace and in the side reception room where the complimentary wine was served every day at 5pm.
On my last day in San Fran, my check out was at noon but my flight was late at night. The hotel staff were super accommodating and made sure to make me feel "right at home" although was roomless. I was able to store all of my luggage away and come and go as I pleased until evening came and I took my cab to the airport.
Overall, a lovely experience and a pleasant welcome to San Fran!
Just like SF it's kinda funky and I dig. Located precariously close to the seediest depths of The Tenderloin, this hotel feels like it was decorated and built to please a troupe of Cirque du Soleil performers. It's decidedly French, quirky, colorful, striped and looks incredible so long as no one brings the house lights up too bright.
Among the many things I liked about staying here... the close proximity to everywhere I needed to be (including a great dive up the road), pleasant and attentive service, the canopy bed room I requested, the iHome iPod clock just like the one I have at home, the Aveda bath products and complimentary travel toothpaste, the evening wine hour in the lounge (with chair massage, passed nibbles and summer sangria) not to mention being offered a glass in my room when I came just when it ended; finding the NY Times at my door every morning, and, last, but not least, my little friend -- the goldfish companion I requested be sent to my room. Not quite as warm and fuzzy as my kitties at home, but it did the trick. Oh, and they passed the bed bug check! Can't forget that.
Back to the canopy bed. Had I been traveling with my man it would not do since it was just the right size for lil ol' me and me alone and not nearly roomy enough to accommodate two. It was situated in the corner of the small room so the canopy was entirely closed on two sides with little lights on dimmers inside and fabulous brocade pillows padding the borders that I liked so much I would have snagged them if I could. The white linens and comforter weight were just right The whole thing was like the perfect girly cave to climb into every night, and as a result, I slept incredibly well. Much better than I ever do when I'm anywhere other than my own bed. The only drawback being that it wasn't exactly conducive to making me want to get up early after a late night, but there are worse things to contend with in a hotel bed... to say the least.
Praises sung, a few things did boggle my mind. Why there were clunky old teles everywhere and no flat screens? What was up with the keys that stopped working every time I left the room? Windows that opened would have been nice on the lower inner facing rooms like mine. And for cryin' out loud, what was up with all the noise upstairs? Thankfully I was so cozy in my princess cave I couldn't have cared less.
Oh, was I pleased when we pulled up to the Hotel Monaco after a long cab ride from the airport. Like their sister hotel in Denver, Hotel Monaco offers a complimentary happy hour (wine and sangria at this location)
and a masseusse was there every afternoon during our visit. That's what I call a way to wind down.
Feeling like you need a companion in your home sweet hotel? Just ask for a goldfish to be delivered to your room. Serious. (Although for that person down my hallway - it was a little rude to leave your goldfish bowl on the floor in the hallway. Really? It's not like an empty room service tray.)
High points:
- Colorful deco and nice amenities. It was difficult not to raid the mini fridge and snack tray.
- Free wifi. It was spotty at times, but I appreciate not being forced to pay a daily or package rate.
- Helpful staff. The night of my second stay, I got a serious infestation of cigarette smoke from a neighboring room. They moved me the next morning, to what they said was going to be a "nicer" room, but it was really just a different room. That's ok though. I'm not a diva.
- On site spa. Not like I had time to use it or anything.
Yep. It'll do. Bed, TV, shower, A/C. All the basics are here. ...oh, not to mention a 7' round mirror facing the bed...how could I forget a neccessity like that?
And, sure the bed is comfy. The front desk staff are swell. But as far as Kimpton hotels in SF go, i'm sticking with the Hotel Palomar. That's good stuff.
Here's the part where I get to he a diva and bitch about teensy, irksome things: I'm sure the room service would have been stupendous...had it ever showed up...even calling and reminding them. I'm thinking it was for the best though. Lord knows my drunk ass didn't need a grilled cheese sandwich at midnight...and obviously the staff knew that too. Also..no blackout curtains? WTF! How am I supposed to sleep with this foreign concept of sunlight all around in the morning?
Ok, so I'm a tid bit spoiled...last time I was in San Francisco, I stayed at the Westin and rolled all around in that magical bed like it was my last few nights on earth. F'real.
But, truly...the Hotel Monaco is not bad digs. Not bad at all.
Highlights:
1. Kimpton Hotel.
2. This means wine hours! 5pm-6pm nightly.
3. Friendly staff.
4. Walgreens right across the street.
5. Easy walking distance to downtown
6. Close to Edens (go gyros!)
7. Easy to catch a cab.
My room was smallish, but quite adequate for one person who was really just there to conk out, and replay the next day. I slept fine and had a fantastic view of some sexy brick buildings about 3 feet from my window, and if I was lucky enough the people across the way would be watching something I liked and I could just imagine the dialogue? Ok, not so much...I did have my own TV. ;)
A lovely stay, actually...clean rooms, but holy hell avoid room service...I had a $36 yogurt parfait + coffee. No kidding, $36. It's just yogurt, granola and a pot of coffee...no money in there or anything. Hmmm. Ok, so that's the drawback.
This past week was CM Week at Yelp HQ. CM Week is when all of the community managers from all around the world come to San Francisco to share ideas, brainstorm new ones, discuss our communities, meet other employees, learn about what our future holds, and oh so much more. What does this have to do with the Hotel Monaco? Well, we all stayed there this week... it was a home away from home, a place to hang our hats, catch a few zzzzs, and in my case, get a few workouts in too!
I was familiar with this Kimpton owned brand from years ago (pre-Katrina) when I stayed at the Monaco in New Orleans. I remembered the boutique feel of the hotel there, the fun, colorful décor, the friendly staff, and of course the leopard print bathrobes. All of those things I remembered from New Orleans are still part of the Monaco culture I guess, and when I arrived at the SF Monaco, I was extremely comfortable.
While I didn't spend much time in my room, I enjoyed the amenities of the hotel: Aveda products, decent fitness room, wine happy hour with massage therapists, hot shower, comfortable bed, friendly bell men and front desk staff, and of course, those leopard print bathrobes! Unfortunately, the room was on the small side and it was missing a place to unpack my clothes that don't necessarily get hung up. But I can deal... I'm actually a live out of my suitcase type of girl anyways!
We've stayed at a variety of hotels for past CM Weeks, and Hotel Monaco is for sure a top pick (in addition to the Westin) for places I'd love to return to in the future... It's great location makes it a fantastic choice for anyone seeking a comfortable place to stay when you visit SF. And now, I see there's an special 25% discount Yelp rate too? Hotel Monaco, you're so kind!
If seeing Jack White in the lobby, with fellow The Dead Weather bandmate Jack Lawrence wasn't enough, than I don't know what will please you.
Aside from that, this hotel has been great the two times I've stayed. The hotel staff is so kind and accommedating and they're always very pleasant in a "real people" sort of way. They're not sugar-y sweet, they're just good peeps.
The rooms are nice. Clean with Aveda products and A/C that just won't quit.
I really, really appreciate their compiimentary coffee in the am (readyt o go for me at 4:45 this morning) and their afternoon happy hours in the lobby. It's a nice touch.
The gym is on the smaller side, but it still provides the basics if you're looking to work out.
I'd highly recommend Hotel Monaco to anyone who was looking to stay downtown in a reasonably priced hotel. Plus, it's super close to Union Square and lots of shopping on Market, and the BART.
This place is ok but too many things went wrong on my visit to give it higher than 3 stars--especially with the rates being as high as they are. I worked in hotels for a couple of years and felt the wrath of angry guests whenever something went wrong so I was able to let quite a few things go without complaining. Still I have to Yelp it.
Checkin was smooth sailing. The front desk attendant was prompt, friendly and I was in my room without any problems lickety split. The actual room itself is pretty small, but I expected a SF hotel to be a bit on the tiny side. The decor is lavish with many unnecessary decorations in my opinion. The bed was decently comfortable, but had way too many decorative pillows that I had to toss off each night before I laid my head to rest. They were not great for sleeping although if a pillow fight broke out there was a cylinder shaped pillow that would have knocked some mofos out.
For being as highly rated as it is there were too many minor things broken with this place. My toilet did not work correctly so every time I went to flush I had to hold the handle for about a minute. The remote for my TV was broken so when I wanted to flip back and forth between Sportscenter and Worlds Wildest Police Video's I had to get up and change it manually. Also, the thermostat was broken, so it was a steamy nights sleep every night I was there. This is acceptable for college apartment standards but not for a Kimpton hotel.
Room service was also struggling big time. Even though they say it is 24hrs, some friends and I ordered grub at about midnight and it never came. We just fell asleep after about an hour waiting for it. On the flip side of this they do deliver goldfish (the pet not the snack) to your room if you desire, which I hear the service was spot on. Several friends who were staying at the property ordered them and they were delivered post haste. I don't think they have their priorities straight in terms of deliveries to rooms. If you have a late night food craving you better have a taste for finding Nemo.
Overall my experience with the Hotel Monaco was not good. I will give an extra star because the service was rather friendly and they had a free happy hour everyday, but all in all there are much better properties to choose from for the rates that this place charges.
A metronome of comfortable consistency, there's lots to love about the Hotel Monaco. Let's start with the most amenable: the room itself, garnished with a giant circular mirror, comfortable bed (an absolute necessity if you're running about with hyper-kinetic pals from all parts), friendly (eager without waxing twee) staff, and plenty of amenities.
I hit the gym on a couple of mornings for a quick kick-start and while I was able to make it work for me, the offerings in that particular part of the hotel were somewhat limited. Oodles of cardio machines, super limited on the free weights or nautilus side. Regardless, there was much to be had in the way of other more relaxing pursuits, from the great service we found in the bar area to fun extras like the wine happy hour available each late afternoon. I don't always book my own hotel when I come to the city, but if I end up back here, I definitely won't complain about it.
What's not to love about this hotel?
Friendly bellman, swift check in, knowledgeable and welcoming front desk service, on site French restaurant, lobby area offering complimentary wine, massages and Wii on a giant big screen 5-7 every day. Book my stay for another week, please.
The room was a good size, with a desk to catch up on my work, an entertainment set (no flat screen, for you TV freaks out there), a big, marshmellowy bed, fluffy pillows, spacious restroom with a vanity mirror, decent lighting, and Aveda bath products.
I was awaken each morning at 6am to the sound of dumpstrucks and recycled glass bottles, but that took a positive spin, as I got a jumpstart on my workout in the downstairs gym (which is small: 2 treadmills; 3 ellipticals; free weights).
I only had one issue with my room the last night. It started to smell like cigarette smoke. Not sure if it was coming from another room - not sure if smoking is allowed in the hotel - but it made sleeping in impossible. Ah, and there was no vertical, floor-length mirror to give my outfit a glance before stepping out on the scene. This is a must-have, Monaco. (I will say that the giant round mirror infront of the bed was a sweet surprise. Hey, yo!)
Other pluses to staying at Kimpton hotels: No need to pack hair straighteners and steamers - you can borrow from concierge; complimentary NYT paper each morning; and free Wi-Fi (though it was acting a bit wonky during my stay, so I used my Verizon card).
We were friends from the start.
Coming off a 4-hour flight from Chicago yesterday afternoon, I was warmly greeted upon entry and asked if I cared for a glass of wine or sangria while checking in. Why yes, I would!
My room looks a bit like a summer candy cane with it's thickly-striped lime and lemon walls, but it's well-appointed and quiet. The bathroom is large and the Aveda bath amenities further boost the tranquility factor (rosemary mint, take me away!). I have a thick head of hair and really appreciate good water pressure in the shower-- Hotel Monaco's has the best I've encountered... ever!
24-hour room service and free Wi-Fi. They could upgrade the hair dryers from 1600 to 1875 watts, but otherwise no complaints. Best part of my stay so far? Seeing Jack White in the lobby this morning. I'd call that 'good location'!
Why, hello there, bedhead-ed self!
If my vision weren't so blurry, this would likely be my first thought upon waking these past few mornings. Luckily, I'm ridiculously nearsighted, so I can't freak myself out with the reflection of my rumpled state immediately upon waking.
If my eyesight were naturally 20/20, the giant (seriously -- about 5 feet in diameter) mirror at the bottom of the bed might startle me. It makes the room feel much more open, but it's so big (and clean) that I keep thinking that I could just step right through!
But enough about the Alice-in-Wonderland mirror. My real wish is that the room could borrow a play from another classic story -- Peter Pan. Specifically, Captain Hook. The one thing that seems to be missing in the somewhat fancifully decorated rooms is a place to hang things. Even some hooks on the back of the door would be useful.
When staying in a room without a closet, it seems key to be able to hang up dresses, sweaters and other items that show the wrinkly signs of the suitcase.
But hey, hooks are a minor complaint. The Aveda bath products (I'm a sucker for rosemary + mint), lively decorating, and luxurious beds more than balance that out. The staff go above and beyond to help out, and seem genuinely happy...and the free wine hour with mini chair massages? Yes, please! Kimpton knows how to revive a weary traveler.
This is actually a 3.5 star review, but as I like to be positive, I've rounded it up to 4.
First off, I'm a huge fan of the Kimpton chain. I've stayed in a couple of Monaco's and other hotels in their group, and have always enjoyed myself. They keep it boutiquey, reasonably priced, and friendly.
I think that this might have been one of their firsts, as it's starting to show a little age, as in they don't have flat screens in the rooms, and the decorating isn't "all out" as it has been in the other hotels I've stayed. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, really, I'm not. It's just not as "fresh" as the other ones, and that's simply because they are newer. But, damn, can't beat the price....especially for San Fran.
It's official. The color yellow is out to get me.
I hate yellow. Not just a little, but kind of a lot. It makes my skin crawl, I feel nuts, muy loca, bananas, I feel as if an Easter egg ate my soul and spit it back out. Yes, I really hate the color yellow.
So imagine my sheer delight when I walked into my room to find... yellow. And not just a little here or a little there, we are talking yellow and light green stripes everywhere the eye could painfully see!! Insane asylum, party of 1?
Man, it was awful. Thankfully I was just crashing in this room and not spending time rolling around in the nekkid sense, because this design scheme could kill a libido faster than a penis on a woman. Yeah, that fast.
Other than that, the room service was tasty, bed comfy, temp control on point and the bathroom was nice. The exterior hallways and lobby were tremendously cute as well, I just wish they would have carried those warm tones into the rooms, instead of designing from the candy aisle at Rite Aid's After Easter Sale.
For being steps away from some of the sketchiest parts of the Tenderloin, Hotel Monaco is a pretty swanky joint.
From the moment you walk within 10 feet of the front door, their bell desk guys are already ready to open the door for you. Between the 3 or 4 different guys working the area, I consistently encountered a great, friendly vibe. Really puts you in a good mood.
The hotel rooms themselves are pretty comfortable for a single person. Pretty standard: queen size bed, small desk area, TV, etc.... Size-wise, it's not much bigger than your run of the mill Motel 6, but this place is a lot snazzier.
I love the fact that they have tiger-striped bath robes stocked in the closet. Instead of a stark white garment upon arrival, you're greeted with a faux wild animal... awesome! They also have tiger-striped boxers that you can purchase. Didn't go that far, but I suppose I'm down with having the option.
Though I wouldn't recommend walking around too much late at night in the area, there's a ton of cool stuff to do around the hotel as well... which makes is a pretty solid choice for a hotel stay in the middle of SF.
Beware of the WiFi, though. It sucks! A total waste of money.
It's kinda tacky, but I kinda like it. My cab pulled up and I was warmly greeted by an eccentric doorman in a bright purple suit. I then checked in with a nice man and his cute well behaved dog, who apparently joins him for work everyday.
He (the man, not the dog) promised me a very nice and large (rare in SF) hotel room. And he made good on his promise. My room had tons of bright colors and I couldn't help thinking it would be an interior designer's worst nightmare, but I felt quite comfortable there. While the bathroom was spacious my unimpressive shower looked like it belonged more in my high school gym, rather than a nice hotel. However, I think I got a special bathroom because my colleagues raved about the bubble baths they took in their room...and there was no baths for bubble baths in my room. Sad.
My bed was quite comfortable, when I actually had time to sleep. The gym wasn't very large, but had some nice new equipment. I had the gym to myself both days, which is always nice.
I've stayed at my fair shares of hotels in SF by now and while I think I may prefer the Westin, Hotel Vitale, or Harbor Court (also Kimpton), I'd come back for some more tacky fun at The Monaco. And I will be back in a month thanks to the kick ass corporate rate they gave my company.
Let me breakdown the *only* reason this hotel gets 4.5 stars rather than a full 5.
We got off on the wrong foot, Hotel Monaco and I. I had a personal rec from a close friend bragging on the Monaco, so I was super excited to call and book a room for my stay in SF to participate in the SF marathon.
Upon calling to book my rezzy, I was addressed by the most pretentious guy ever to work in a hotel lobby on planet earff. You know the kind: the kind that totally hates his life and obviously his job. Executing the reservation was a major buzz kill, and felt like it was painful for both me and the employee. Look guy, I'm sorry you got voted off SYTYCD or Brooke Hogan show or whatever, none of us like our job, but if you are in customer service for a well-known, San Francisco boutique hotel... can't you fake it? Yes I remember his name, but he doesn't have to be put on yelp blast. Maybe he was having a bad night. Maybe my friendly and eager-to-spend-major-cash-on-your-place-of-employm ent irked him. Who knows, over it.
Well, over it now, not over it at the time. Upon arrival I was vigilantly looking for my Monaco Dream Crusher at the front desk or lobby, and he was not to be seen. Things are looking up. Things beginning to turn around. Excitement back!
The lobby is beautiful; impeccable decor that makes you highly anticipate seeing your room. The staff on hand were WONDERFUL! The husband and I took our fur-baby, and his (puppy's) name was on a big chalkboard at the front desk. Such a small detail goes a long way with dog freaks. I also requested a 5am wake up call to get me up in time for race day, to which I was assured would be no problem.
The room was gorgeous. Love the striped wallpaper/circle mirror combo. Bedding was lovely AND there was an adorable doggy bed, bowl and treats for doggy boy. Awwwwww! Loves.
Bellmen were *so* helpful in directing us to nearby dog parks and restaurants. It seemed I had a million questions regarding food and directions and taxis... everyone was very helpful and patient. Thank you.
We missed the complimentary wine hour (rats!), but what a nice amenity!
I set my alarm for 4:50am the next morning on the off chance the wake-up call fell thru (anyone remember the Seinfeld episode where guy kept bugging hotel front desk about his marathon wake-up call?). Anyhoo, wake-up call was right on time. I could have trusted Monaco.
Though this review is long-winded, the bottom line here is that Hotel Monaco IS gorgeous, staff IS wonderful, and overall hotel CAN be highly recommended by me! Don't be deterred by snobby young men.
I'm watching a fish named Jo. No, it's not a sequel to A Fish Named Wanda. And no, when I say fish, I don't mean a yelper who's a lush. I mean a real goldfish is swimming around in its tiny fish bowl that's sitting on a table directly across my bed. Adorable!
Hotel Monaco is a lovely boutique hotel from the Kimpton group, conveniently located at the cusp of the TrendyNob. Right next to the Clift Hotel and across from Hotel Diva, I must say this is just as fabulous as the other two (both of which I've stayed in). It's just two blocks away from Union Square and a block away from my favorite bar, Rye -- what an ideal location! I also love that if I feel like getting a cocktail from Redwood Room, I only have to cross the street back to my hotel if there's an influx of douchebags there.
I adore the tropical/safari theme. What a coincidence that I'm going to Safari West on Wednesday. There are animal print camis, boxers, socks and robes in the closet -- I can just shop in there for an outfit! Love the white on white zebra print bedding too. Speaking of the bed -- it's so comfy you feel like you're laying on clouds! And how can I not give anything less than 5 stars to a hotel that offers complimentary WiFi, morning coffee and tea in their cafe, hosted wine happy hours in the living room every evening and Aveda bath products? Not to mention that if you forgot your toothbrush, toothpaste, straightening iron, curling iron and fashion tape -- they've got you covered, literally!
People may gripe about not having coffee makers in the room, but since I'm not a coffee drinker, it doesn't bother me. Plus they have complimentary coffee at their cafe in the mornings anyway! AND right now they're offering an "I Love Yelp" 25% off rate for yelpers. Sweet!
I'll always consider SF my second home, and the hospitable staff here truly make me feel right at home.
PS. Here's Jo: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I wasn't kidding about her!
I loved this hotel! The location was a little wierd...the view from my gorgeous room was a Walgreen's & some kind of happy endings massage place...but other than that this place it truly top notch.
The room was really nice, we had originally reserved a room with two double beds but when we got there they had upgraded us to a corner suite. The only catch was when we got up there, there was only one bed & a pull out couch. That's because the bathroom was about the size of another bedroom! Gorgeous jacuzzi tub that could have fit about 3 people & spacious sink. I wasn't willing to sacrifice this bathroom for a lousy bed...so I made my 14 year old sleep on the pullout couch.
One of the main attractions here has to be the staff, they were amazing. You get that luxury hotel feel but the staff makes you feel right at home every time you walk in the door.
They have a free happy hour every night from 5-6pm with free back massages ...and word to the wise..get down there early to stake out a spot, because this place is the pre happy hour hot spot!
Back to the location, honestly..it's a weird spot..I really couldn't tell if I was diggin the seediness...but you walk two or 3 blocks & your in union square or the theater district.
For as much as I love this hotel..I can deal with the seediness!
As with all Hotel Monacos you will find this place really ascetically pleasing. The decoration is 5-star, and the staff is very friendly. However, the rooms are undersized and somewhat cramped. Otherwise a decent hotel, look for deals through Hotwire and Priceline from this chain.
I stayed here at my last stay in San Francisco, and I have to say I was pretty impressed - especially for the local (Tenderloin-ish...) But as soon as you walk-in - with the doors held open for you, of course - I guarantee you'll be impressed as well with the lavish design and work put into the interior.
When I checked in, I was running late for a meeting that morning so had to dash before I heard about all the complimentary biz-nass they offer (though I did catch something about free Happy Hour and a town car if I'm not mistaken). But of course, like every Kimpton Hotel, they offer free Wi-Fi which makes me very happy and you better believe I took full advantage of! The service is top notch - everyone I ran into or spoke with was so genuinely helpful whether it was getting me a new room key, ordering me a taxi and offering to print out my boarding pass. The rooms are clean, and impeccably designed. I actually laid in bed wondering who thought to use leather belts to hold back the curtains. Aveda toiletries - again, standard at The Kimpton - in the bathroom and other bits and bobs to keep you entertained in your room.
My only complaint, and if you've read my reviews this is pretty consistent, I need coffee in-room! I am not naturally perky. In fact, I am down right mean in the morning and for my sake - and your sake - I don't want to walk down the lobby to get my fix. I want to roll over in bed and press a button and be able to transform into a relatively normal human being before having to exchange formalities, words, even looks, with anyone else.
But, yeah, other than that, GREAT hotel. And I'm actually really looking forward to going back (I had no idea there was an "Official" Hotel Monoco Dog?!)
This one of my favorite places to stay in SF. Great location, full of charm and the service is impeccable. I'd say the style is "French Eclectic Chic." Everyone who works there is so friendly and helpful and goes out of their way to make you feel welcome. The 5 pm wine service with *free* massages is not to be missed! My son felt really special too - the second we walked in one of the bellmen gave him a really cute goldfish keychain - and of course he loved that we got to have our own little goldfish "pet" stay with us in the room for the night.
Rooms are small but given the location and the great lounge area you don't spend much time there. Love the Aveda bath products. Beds are comfy although I did get a bit chilly at night so I could have used a fuller comforter. The room service from Grand Cafe is delicious and unlike your typical room service fare.
I ended up leaving my brand new flip video camera in the room, I called when I got home and realized it was missing. Sure enough, they found it and shipped it back to me. Super Service - thank you!
I have stayed here 5 or 6 times and have had a good experience each time. I like the neighborhood, I like boutique hotels, and most especially: I like cocktail hour. Hotel Monaco encourages all of the nice feelings of a small, friendly hotel. They have nice soap and they gave me free wine and it was walking distance to Farallon. Can't complain one bit.
This is the hotel that I stay at when I am in San Francisco. I love this boutique hotel that is just outside Union square toward the Tenderloin. The staff is friendly and amazingly helpful. Rooms are clean and attractive, with nice furnishings, very comfortable beds, stereo, and DVD player, though small, but isn't that what you expect at a hotel like this. For business travelers there is a desk and ergonomic chair in every room as well as free wifi.
In the evenings guests are invited out of their rooms to the lobby for a wine tasting. Their gym has just been redone with new equipment and the restaurant downstairs is good, but there are plenty of options nearby for culinary exploration.
The hotel is dog friendly, so you can bring your pooch if you like and Zac, a chihuahua hangs out at the front desk. Stay here to enjoy the atmosphere, friendly help and make your stay in San Francisco as pleasant as possible.
I like this place. It has a feel of a larger hotel wit the charm of a boutique. The rooms are small but what do you expect. They are reasonably priced, clean, the staff are friendly. I would recomend it if you're in the city.
I stayed here for the Memorial Holiday on my first visit to San Francisco.
We enjoyed our stay at this romantic boutique hotel. They made our weekend by including a complimentary wine reception for all guest in the evening. We met really cool and fun people while drinking wine, We met two sisters from Australia celebrating their brother's birthday and a couple who were in in town for Latin parade, and a local from San Francisco, and they all had such great conversation. The hotel also offered free mini massages from Relax and Rejuvenate during the wine reception, which were amazing. The hotel is within walking distance to Union Square-(shopping). The Staff were helpful and knowledgeable about the city and what attractions to do while in San Francisco. They were responsive and even printed our boarding passes for us free of charge. Our first night they left us cold Water and almonds for a snack. The rooms are a bit small, but very clean and cozy.
The Monaco is a sub-brand of the Kimpton Hotel chain, for my money one of the best hotel chains in the country that combine interesting properties, nice rooms, great service, all at a good price. This is a lovely old hotel that has been refurbished. Comfy beds and nice bathrooms. A wonderful location in the theatre district. Free wine in the evenings. The service was excellent. A great place to stay in SF!
Note: I'm writing this three months after my stay. My posting activities fell off drastically in November and December. So, take this more as directional recollections than a highly focused critique.
The Monaco was a solid option. Maybe a little pricey @ around $400/night (including taxes and such). But it provided decent space and amenities along with a helpful staff.
Room 714 was comfortable. Neither huge nor necessarily luxurious, it got the job done. Nice bed, reliable internet connection, good bathroom.
One nice touch that I was glad to see and have wondered why I don't see it more often was a recycling bin. Wish every hotel would provide these.
And while I didn't take advantage of them on this trip, perhaps on another occasion (or, more likely, in another lifetime), I'll hit the mini bar for everything it's got and bust out the zebra robe, head down into the lobby for some of their complimentary drinks around happy hour time and see where things lead.
Last but not least, they do have a gym. Not the best or most modern gym around, but it's better than nothing. I was in there maybe around 8 or 9pm and there was no one on duty, which was only a bother because I couldn't figure out how to change the channels or get any volume going on the TVs. Small nuisance, really, but it would have been nice to get them onto some news rather than the Rock of Love-esque crap that was being featured.
See this review with photos @ http://travelcasserole...
The hotel is unique, the rooms are setup very nicely and tailored in a way where you don't mind they are smaller. The staff was very friendly, and their restaurant has one of the best eggs benedict i've ever had the privilege of enjoying.
Coffee and tea in the morning downstairs in the lobby as well. :)
We were there for the weekend and I really liked this hotel. Great location in Union square. I have stayed at numerous hotels in the city since we end up coming here for weekend trips. San Francisco is awesome and has so many things to do and is just a 40 mt drive. We got a good deal on http://hotels.com. The service was very good. Very attentive staff who went out of their way to help us with our questions and gave us good recommendations. The room was clean and not too big. I really liked the happy hour. They have wine and sangria and free massages!! They even had a Wii and the kids were clearly having a good time. I would have liked to play too but did not want to find them for a remote.
The decor in this boutique hotel is fabulous. Very eclectic, fun and funky. There's lots to look at and places to kick it just in the lobby itself. The service here is pretty fantastic too, friendly staff, quick to bring you what your asking for in your room. No room service after a certain time though, that's the only down side =(
There are 2 lounge areas in the large lobby, both with fire places and cute couches for you to chill out on. The rooms itself (unless your paying for a huge suite) are tiny, but very cozy...ask for a room with the canopy beds!! (last i went, they were saying something about weeding out the canopy beds...) i really hope this isn't the case 'cause those canopies are awesome!! perfect for crashing after a hard night out partying and you just want to block out all the sun coming in!! Very comfy beds, with the coolest zebra print lasered sheets ever!!
Room is fully stocked with a mini bar and snacks, great selection of movies,etc to peruse, and these fabulous animal print robes for your use and to purchase!!
I love this hotel and would definitely stay here again.
My husband and I stayed in the Monte Carlo Suite for a week for our honeymoon. I was pleasantly surprised at how big it was after hearing horror stories of the tiny rooms in San Francisco. We had a living room area and a separate bedroom with a king sized bed. The bathroom was huge too and there was a tub with jets.
The service at the hotel was impeccable and the staff was always friendly and helpful. I think the value we got for the price of the room was very much worth it. I would definitely go back the next time I'm in San Francisco for vacation.
