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Hotel Palomar San Francisco - a Kimpton Hotel: Traveler Reviews

4.0 of 5
12 Fourth St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (SoMa)
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Hotel Palomar San Francisco - a Kimpton Hotel
Ranked #8 of 235 hotels in San Francisco
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904 reviews from our community

Traveler rating
    519
    279
    68
    22
    16
See reviews for
Families
115
 
Couples
289
 
Solo
78
 
Business
235
 
Rating summary
  • Sleep Quality
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Location
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Service
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Value
    4 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    4.5 of 5 stars
Date Rating
Bloomfield Hills
1 review
“Our favorite hotel in San Francisco”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 10, 2012

The Palomar has it all - great location; spacious, comfortable, well lit rooms, with ample places for 2 people to plug in their electronic gadgets, to relax or to work; great amenities including complimentary local and national newspapers, coffee,tea or hot chocolate in the morning, and wine tasting each evening; a very friendly, welcoming and helpful staff. There is also a high end fine dining restaurant on the 5th floor.

Room Tip: Rooms facing the inner court (garden) are quieter; rooms facing Market street are noisier but have m...
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  • Stayed December 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Renate S about Hotel Palomar San Francisco - a Kimpton Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Michelle W, Guest Relations at Hotel Palomar San Francisco - a Kimpton Hotel, responded to this review
December 11, 2012
Hi there! Thanks for the kind review of the hotel and staff. We like to think of the Palomar as your home-away-from-home, and it sounds like we may indeed be just that. Whether you are traveling for business or leisure, we wanted to make sure we had everything today’s traveler needs and wants. And who doesn’t want hot chocolate when they are away from home? I am thrilled to hear you had great stay, and next time, you must try the Fifth Floor Restaurant, the Chefs menu will change your life ! Safe travels!
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Auckland Central, New Zealand
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
“Hotel Palomar Rules”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 7, 2012

My recent stay at Hotel Palomar was perfect in every way. The location was brilliant for my trip which was a Christmas shopping mission. The hotel is in the thick of the shopping action and close to everything I required. After my 12 hour flight I was fortunate to be able to check into my room early which was very much appreciated. On reception was Lauren who was very welcoming. My room on the 8th floor was quiet, tasteful and spotless thanks to my meticulous room cleaner Jan.
I didn't eat at the restaurant except for breakfast but the staff I encountered were cheerful and efficient. I did attend one wine reception and enjoyed chatting with Josh Frizzell, Guest Services Manager who was knowledgable and charming in a professional way.
The Hotel ordered a town car for me to go to the airport and my driver Meena could not have been more helpful. I had 3 large suitcases and she kindly helped me while I wrangled a cart from the rack!
All in all the Hotel met every expectation and more, location, quality of room and customer service were all excellent. I will be returning with my family next July and I can't wait.
Do join the Kimpton In-Touch programme, the free wi-fi is so useful and you get a credit on your mini bar, I used mine to get a great fold out map of San Francisco but aside from the usual drinks and snacks they also have cd's.

  • Stayed November 2012, traveled solo
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask RJStevie about Hotel Palomar San Francisco - a Kimpton Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Michelle W, Guest Relations at Hotel Palomar San Francisco - a Kimpton Hotel, responded to this review
December 11, 2012
Greetings from San Francisco! It sounds as though your Christmas shopping mission trip was a success! I am so delighted to hear we met, or even exceeded your expectations during your stay. Indeed our staff is pretty awesome, and we are so incredibly lucky to have them here at the Palomar. We can’t wait to see you and your family next July ( just remember to bring a sweater!) See you then!
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Vancouver
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
“California Screamin'”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed December 7, 2012

My boyfriend and I stayed and Palomar San Francisco last summer.
Overall it is a nice hotel. Our room had a lovely street view. The layout of the room was great, lounge and the restaurant very enjoyable. Unfortunately, I had to bring down my overall rating of our stay due to the “screaming” incident.
One night we decided to tuck in early and were peacefully asleep before I was woken up by a sound of someone trying to open the room door with a key. Assuming it is a confused guest who would try a couple of times and be on his way, I quietly waited for him to go away. Then to my surprise door opens and a guy with a trolley luggage enters the room.
As I was still half asleep, and as this chain of events was rather unexpected, I decided (probably not the most rational decision, I agree) that the best reaction is to start screaming. So I did. My boyfriend wakes up (of my screaming I am sure) and in sudden awakening shock started screaming as well. I heard his screams and feeling that screaming is now fully justified started screaming louder. At this point our midnight intruder, that just entered a dark hotel room that I am sure he assumed empty, and was greeted by screaming started screaming back. After few minutes of all three of us screaming, he apologized and left the room.
We laughed it off, and were ready to fall back asleep, when someone knocked on the door. It was a security manager, who told us that front desk checked someone else into our room by mistake.
Next morning we went to get some coffee from the lounge and upon return we discovered that our keys no longer open the room door. I went to the front desk and asked to fix the keys. Front desk lady reactivated the keys and commented: “Next time keep your keys away from the credit cards so they don’t deactivate”. “Solid advice” I said “However, this particular time, I believe the key problem is caused by Front desk checking in another guest into our room by mistake in the middle of the night last night”. “Weird” was the response.
“Weird” indeed. I kind of expected and apology…. But oh well….
I generally like Kimpton, because of the boutique feel and nice amenities, but since the incident I tried to stay away. I guess “Weird” was not a reaction from the hotel staff I was expecting in this situation.

  • Stayed January 2012, traveled on business
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
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Ask il_penguino about Hotel Palomar San Francisco - a Kimpton Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Michelle W, Guest Relations at Hotel Palomar San Francisco - a Kimpton Hotel, responded to this review
December 10, 2012
Greetings from San Francisco~ Indeed that is an unusual situation and reaction from our Front Desk. I would love the opportunity to speak with you about your experience personally, as this is not a common incident. If you could kindly contact me directly at 415-344-3346 or email me directly at Michelle.Lewis@hotelpalomar.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Rockingham, Australia
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
22 hotel reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Great Location & Even Better Staff”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 7, 2012

This hotel lives up to the standard you would expect but what makes it such a enjoyable place to stay is the staff. Only a 2 minute walk to Union Square and right in the middle of everything you need downtown. The rooms were of good standard but most of all its a great location and even better staff.

  • Stayed November 2012, traveled with family
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Axell33 about Hotel Palomar San Francisco - a Kimpton Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Michelle W, Guest Relations at Hotel Palomar San Francisco - a Kimpton Hotel, responded to this review
December 10, 2012
Hi there, thanks for the nice note on our hotel and staff! Our location certainly makes visiting this city so convenient. A short walk in any direction and you’re in the middle of the fun! As far as our staff is concerned, we take a lot of pride in making sure we have the right people on our team, and it sounds like we exceeded your high expectations. Can’t wait to see you back at the Palomar, safe travels!
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Medford, Oregon, United States
1 review
“Another Great Stay!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 5, 2012

My hubby and I love staying at this Kimpton property. In general, we are big fans of Kimpton Hotels, but this one takes the cake. The customer service is excellent, rooms are plush and the design is amazing. We usually eat at the restaurant (possibly the best in SF!?!) but didn't have time this go around. The location is a HUGE bonus. Right where you want to be (corner of fourth and Market, above Old Navy store). We will be back when we are in the SF area, thank you for making this another great trip!!
Side note: we recognized the manager from another property in San Diego, she also remembered us... AMAZING! She was so sweet and brought us cookies for the Thanksgiving holiday. Love the customer service, did I mention that already?

Room Tip: View of Market street is best for us.....
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  • Stayed November 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask Holly D about Hotel Palomar San Francisco - a Kimpton Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Michelle W, Guest Relations at Hotel Palomar San Francisco - a Kimpton Hotel, responded to this review
December 10, 2012
Well, we are big fans of you too! Thanks for the kind words about our staff, our Restaurant, and of course the hotel. You are so right, our location just can’t be beat! The shopping, the restaurants, and just about anything you need is right outside our doors. What a nice surprise to have an old friend who remembered you at check in, I am delighted to hear she made your stay even more fantastic! Safe travels, we can’t wait to see you again n in the future!
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Additional Information about Hotel Palomar San Francisco - a Kimpton Hotel

Also Known As:
Hotel Palomar San Francisco
Kimpton San Francisco
Address: 12 Fourth St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone Number:
Region: United States > California > San Francisco > SoMa
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Business Center Fitness Center Free High-Speed Internet Pets Allowed Restaurant Room Service Shuttle Bus service Suites Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
#6 Luxury Hotels in San Francisco
#7 Business Hotels in San Francisco
#9 Family Hotels in San Francisco
Price Range: $$$
Hotel Class:4 star (4*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
Named one of the world's top 500 hotels by Travel + Leisure, the centrally located Hotel Palomar San Francisco offers a sophisticated urban sanctuary. This luxury boutique hotel occupies a beautiful historic building five floors above the bustling city streets. Showcasing the acclaimed Fifth Floor restaurant, the hotel is within easy walking distance of Union Square, Moscone Center, the Financial District, the thriving SOMA district and the best of San Francisco's theaters, shops and galleries. ... more   less 
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