Hotel Carlton, a Joie de Vivre Boutique Hotel

All of the staff we dealt with were very friendly and accommodating to our specific situation. We needed to check out in the morning but had a conference until the afternoon and needed to leave our car with the valet service, they told us no problem and waived the additional fees. We were very happy until we got into our room and found out the next […] morning that our floor was under construction. Our room had paint peeling on every wall and the room next door had drilling and loud banging first thing in the morning. It will be a great hotel once construction is finished, until then they should give you a heads up it will be loud. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Overall, I was satisfied. It is located in an old building, so there's some issue with soundproofing (I could sometimes hear the people in the room next to me talking). Price and service were good. I was told by a friend staying locally that it is only a few streets from one of the more dangerous areas in SF, so be wary at night. I had an odd issue […] with my toilet flushing pretty violently and spraying out, but otherwise, everything was clean and tidy. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I love this hotel and have stayed a few separate times now. The staff are really helpful and attentive and the hotel has a great style to it. The rooms are small but not tiny and they are modern and clean. The neighborhood is one of my favorites in SF, right in the middle of everything. This is a great place to stay!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

There is a nice feel to their hotel... from elsewhere. Valet parking was $39.00. I was on a business trip and didn't get to my room until really late. Early morning, they were fixing the elevator... I did not get any sleep.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This hotel was great for a week working in various parts of San Francisco. Staff is very friendly, rooms are cozy and stylish, and the restaurant inside is great. There were even wine tastings at happy hour (unfortunately I wasnt able to take advantage most days due to timing). Parking was a little annoying as I had to wait probably half hour for valet […] to bring my car around, but there is a great garage for much cheaper across the street. Good proximity to lots of good restaurants and amenities. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I only stayed for one night but the hotel staff were super helpful and accomodating. The hotel is clean and has an old school vibe to it yet it is comtemporary/updated in the common areas. I'm not sure if there is AC/Heat but I did notice a celiing fan which would be great for the summer or warm months. The area was a little further away from Union […] Square from where I normally stay but not a bad walk. It's really evident that the surrounding area is going through a transformation...so stay here while it is still affordable! Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The staff was great. The ambiance was cool. Towels and linens were high quality. Room decor was cheery. No coffee before 730 am (beside in-room coffee maker) was weird and a bit irritating, as was lack of room service. But now that I know that I will plan accordingly on my next stay (several cool cafes close by).

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Could not figure out how to operate the antigue heating system. No room to place anything in the bathroom. Clock radio broken. Almost all electrical switches hard to operate or flickering. Elevators not for the faint hearted. Clean with some mold in the corners of the tub. Clean sheets and firm bed. Uneven floor makes you think you;ve been drinking. […] When I asked for a luggage cart I was told they would get a attendant. Later I found the carts tucked around a corner. Noise level typical for SF. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This was a business trip, but I personally hate the standard business hotel. This one was a lovely surprise. It had all the comfort, cleanliness and amenities you expect in a business hotel - except a gym, and the room size was on the smaller side of acceptable. Yet the ambiance was totally different - with African masks behind the front desk and a […] colorful decor in the rooms which is nicely illuminated through wooden slates. Service was excellent. Also they have free wifi in the rooms which is very nice. Highly recommended. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

was great, but room had heat only and no clear way to shut it off. So, needed to open window to very loud street below. not a deal braker, but annoying. super nice helpful front desk, convenient for sure.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I was greeted with enthusiasm and a glass of wine! Excellent and friendly customer service at the front desk, especially in the evening. My room was slightly on the small side, but worked for one person. It is typical for a boutique hotel in SF. I did like that I could open my window and get fresh air. I would definitely stay here again.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I stayed here before and you get a lot for the money. Front desk staff are very helpful and nice and rwine eception with music (on days when the keyboardist is working) is nice. The superior rooms are naturally a bit nicer than the standard ones. I stayed at both. Some rooms are quieter than others, I was near the elevator and could definitely hear […] it but it wasn't horribly loud so maybe it just doesn't bother me. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

San Francisco has an interesting downtown. About a block away from this hotel is a "rough" neighborhood but its easily avoidable. At the same time walking a block can get you to some of the best nightlife in the city so it's very give and take. The Hilton's In a pretty bad neighborhood too so I wouldn't hold it against this place. Really nice staff […] take the cake against all competing hotels. Free wine evening with music! Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

"city view" meant an exclusive view of the construction site across the street, which was active even on Saturday morning, so definitely not worth an extra charge! everything else about the place was great, especially complimentary wine hour featuring the mind-blowing futuristic performer "SNAZZ".

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This was a perfect hotel for my needs. Within 6 blocks of the office and everything I needed. Clean, though it is a bit older, but well appointed in the room. Will definitely stay here again.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Room was small. Neighborhood was a little sketchy.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

City-view room was nice, very little city noise. Cleaning and maintenance staff made a fair amount of noise in the morning, but nothing bud. Kind of far from most tourist areas.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

My room was away from elevators and ice machine as I head requested. 10 minute walk fr union square the location was great

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Front desk staff were extremely helpful and willing to work with you. I booked a queen room, asked for a high floor and they gave us a corner room with a king bed! Rooms were spacious, however the walls were paper thin. You could hear everything that happens in you neighbors room. Hotel is walking distance from union square and close to major trans […] port. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I really appreciated the staff's friendliness and dedication to service. However, in this typically urban hotel, my window faced the adjacent apartment building, which meant I was kept awake late by garbage disposals and other noise, and awakened early by a crying baby. I would recommend that the hotel install double paned glass or noise reducing shutters […] on the rooms on this side. Had my room been on another side of the hotel, this would have been a great stay. One word of warning: the most direct route from the Civic Center BART station to Hotel Carlton goes through the Tenderloin, which is definitely not a neighborhood for tourists. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The hotel staff and accomodations were great. Unfortunately, there was a construction site across the street. Loud construction noise started at 5:00 am.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Good location (close to Union Square), decent amount of parking on surrounding streets (at least on the weekend), friendly staff, and clean facilities. No minifridge in the room, but other than that no complaints or gripes at all.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Fairly quiet neighborhood, for a major city. Room was small but clean and quiet. Staff was exceptionally helpful and friendly. About a mile to financial district, walkable. A few uphill blocks to Nob Hill or Van Ness Ave.,We will stay there again.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The hotel was in a great location and I thought the size of the room was decent, but as others have said, it's a little run down. There is a nice bar/restaurant right next door and the location convenience was key. Keep in mind that parking in that area is either difficult or expensive and I recommend parking in the garage across the street above the […] Jeep dealership ($20 a night vs $35 in the hotel parking). Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Very friendly staff and the rooms were nice. Great location!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The hotel is on a good street, above the Tenderloin. It is close enough to everything if you don't mind a short walk. My room was comfortable, with the downsides being that the bathroom door did not open all of the way (it actually hit the sink) and there is a bit of street noise even on the 9th Floor. The staff seems friendly enough, although when […] I asked to reserve a taxi to the airport they pushed a limousine service which was more money than a taxi. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Every single person that works at the Carlton from the front desk to the cleaning personell to the wine pourer at the free tasting went above and beyond to be genuinely friendly and accommodating to every request. It is a warm, comfortable charming hotel with the only downside being the sirens that passed by the hotel all night long - might be near […] a fire station or police station? Hard to sleep because of that, but everything else was perfect! Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Great location and good price. Was there on busines and it's a bit funky for business--loud music, etc. Has a folk art theme, which is interesting. Would enjoy it more for pleasure but kept business costs low because I could walk everywhere. Note: no room service. Would have liked to order breakfast, but there was a coffee maker in the room and I had […] bars with me so I survived. Bed was comfy--and that goes a long way! Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The staff couldn't be more helpful. Very nice greeting - wine reception. I went there for a party I was going to nearby, but it's very close to transportation anywhere in SF. The hotel is very clean, very safe. Again, the nicest staff you can ask for. It's not your Mark Hopkins or Fairmont, but for the price, it's a gem.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This is a cute hotel in the heart of San Francisco, walking distance from Van Ness St., Nob Hill, and Union Square. The rates can't be beat, free wireless, comfortable rooms. It's on the border of a somewhat sketchy neighborhood, but definitely not dangerous. I stay here on every trip to SF and love it!

Genuine Expedia guest review

If this hotel description had said "budget accomodations" instead of "boutique hotel" I would have been significantly more satisfied.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

My stay at the Hotel Carlton was a nice one, and the staff are extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the surrounding area. The only negative is that there is no AC in the rooms, though with a ceiling fan and a window or two open it was bearable.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

After so many years of being strictly starwood, I have recently seen the light and come to appreciate boutique hotels for their charm and service. Hotel Carlton is this type of hotel. A funky neon sign from the outside fools you into thinking it will be a version of the dodgy roadside inn, but the exotic interior is more reminiscent of morocco than […] middle america. The staff was incredibly friendly. Do not walk from the Civic Center BART station. It's a scary walk. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Does not meet the typical standard of this hotel group at all. The room was so run down and very dirty. All the furnishings were so run down. The sheet had holes and there was no way I would even walk in the carpet without shoes on. I stayed only one night of the four I had booked because it was too late to change when I checked in the first night. Please […] do yourself a favor and take this hotel off any list. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I'd stay here again. Felt right at home - from decor to people. I missed AC, but loved the view and location. Great for business and pleasure travelers.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Great stay a couple of short blocks from Polk St. Wonderful, friendly, helpful hotel personnel, especially Jonathan. I know times are tough, but do you really have to charge for use of the computer to print a boarding pass?

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Nice hotel, within walking distance of great resturants.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Not new, old dirty carpets in Hallways, in neighborhood that felt uncomFortable at night. In fact, hotel staff instructed me to avoid the four blocks immediately behind hotel. No rom service, unclean room, needs paint, rbasically needs an entire makeover...they don't even have a soda machine or bottled water machine in hotel. AVOID this one like the […] plague.q Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Very disappointed in my visit, had been looking forward to staying at a Joie de Vie property since I heard owner speak at a conference, bought his book for my son who is in the business and had heard from others they were great. Only redeeming quality only the friendliness of the staff, who served terrible wine at free cocktail hour and recommended […] I stay away from the "bad" tenderloin neighborhood two blocks away. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

expected more of a regular hotel but this is more a budget hotel place. only recommended for budget travellers. hotel doesn't come with aircon, though weather in san francisco is cool during the time i was staying. pictures on wall is creepy but hotel staff removed upon request. walls are thin and activities outside room can be heard clearly

Genuine Expedia guest review

I was disappointed in my stay at this hotel. I love old hotels that are fixed up with the modern conveniences, however; this hotel was very dirty. The tub bottom was black and I felt I would need to take a shower with my shoes on. The carpet was very dirty as well. The walls looked liked they needed a good scrubbing. I asked for a new room and was given […] one immediately (which was a slight improvement). Everybody was extremely nice and the service was good. I don't mind old but I must have clean. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Very friendly staff, could not have made check-in more pleasant. Room and bathroom very clean and comfortable. Would have given it five stars if the Internet wasn't so slow. Seriously, it was worse than dial up for me.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review