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The Fairmont San Francisco: Traveler Reviews

4.5 of 5
950 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
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The Fairmont San Francisco
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Ranked #44 of 235 hotels in San Francisco
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Most recent review
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 15, 2012
dirtmodified3b Burlington, Canada
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1,563 reviews from our community

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Rating summary
  • Location
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Sleep Quality
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    4 of 5 stars
  • Service
    4 of 5 stars
  • Value
    4 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    4.5 of 5 stars
Date Rating
Burlington, Canada
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
4 hotel reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“Great old hotel-agree with the thin walls”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 15, 2012

I agree with most of the reviews-staff was great. Just wish the room had an en suite coffee maker. The Great Little Centro Cafe is only open from 6am-6pm. Wish it was open until midnight.
I would recommend getting a MUNI transit pass as soon as you get there as the location on Nob Hill is hard on the legs-easy going downhill though. The pass is only $27 for 7 days (one and three day passes are also available) and is good on all buses, streetcars, and cable cars (single fare is $6.00 alone for cable car otherwise). It is easy (and almost necesssary) to use the cable cars for regular transportation as a result (the Powell Line to the Warf and Market St.) and the California line down to the Embarcadaro-Ferry Terminal (e/b) or Polk St restaurant area (w/b). The #1 California trolley bus is also great to get from the hotel down to the Embarcadaro via China Town (runs w/b on Sacramento St. at the north edge of the hotel and runs e/b one block north). Passes are available at the Muni booth adjacent to the cable car turntable at Market and Powell. The historic street car F line is great too going from the Castro district to the Ferry Building and then to Fisherman's warf. Muni maps are $3.00 and well worth it. We also went to a hockey game at the Cow Palance on the #8x bus and out to the ocean (Cliff House) on the 38 Geary. Sure got our money's worth. Ps-the hotel is about a $42.00 cab ride from the airport.

Room Tip: ask for an outer room-otherwise you are looking at the inner courtyard but there is a beautiful roof...
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  • Stayed November 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
FairmontSF, Online Marketing Manager at The Fairmont San Francisco, responded to this review
November 16, 2012
Dear Guest,

Thank you for taking the time to comment on your recent stay with us. It sounds like you had a great stay in San Francisco and explored public transportation pretty thoroughly! We pride ourselves on service so I’m pleased to hear you found our staff great. I’m happy to hear you were able to cover so much of the city using the under-utilized Muni. It’s a great way to get around the city and simpler than most people realize. Thanks again for sharing your recent experience with us and we look forward to hosting you next time you visit San Francisco.

Sincerely,
Lucas Schumacher
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london
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
6 hotel reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Lovely place shame about the walls”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 14, 2012 via mobile

A delightful hotel with style and elegance. All very nice until you try to get a nights sleep. Everything from the room next door could be clearly heard and they were only talking. Did complain and was told the room would be vacated that day which It was. But the next night the noise from both sides was not exceptable for a hotel of this stature and cost. I suggest an insulation and noise reduction project should be undertaken .

Stayed November 2012, traveled as a couple
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Ask gafferneil about The Fairmont San Francisco
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Melbourne, Australia
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
4 hotel reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Lovely Old World Hotel”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 14, 2012

The lobby is magnificent and the rooms are well-kept however the room I was assigned was on the small side without a view (I overlooked the rooftop and the tower meaning my only view was other hotel rooms).

It's very close to China Town and North Beach however it isn't as convenient as a hotel in Union Square and is at the top of a very steep hill which seems insurmountable at the end of a long day exploring the city. The California Cable car stops outside the hotel and there is also the Powell St line one block away for when the walk is just too much.

It's a lovely hotel and I enjoyed my stay however I think I will seek something cheaper when I return to SF.

  • Stayed November 2012, traveled solo
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
London
Senior Contributor
28 reviews 28 reviews
22 hotel reviews
Reviews in 24 cities Reviews in 24 cities
43 helpful votes 43 helpful votes
“Slightly faded grandeur...”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 13, 2012

The Fairmont is a very old-fashioned hotel - not a bad thing in itself and the lobby in particular is magnificent. The room was not big but was comfortable enough although I was woken a couple of times at 2am by noise in the corridor. The location is very central but walkers be warned it's at the top of a succession of very steep hills.

Other pros: Pleasant staff. Good if overpriced food in the Laurel Court restaurant.
Other cons: Expensive for what you get. Terrible and overpriced food in the amusingly kitschy Tonga bar.

Overall it's a good hotel and I enjoyed my stay but would possibly seek something cheaper if I were to stay in SF again - I think there may be better value for money to be found.

  • Stayed October 2012, traveled solo
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Ask houndtang about The Fairmont San Francisco
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
FairmontSF, Online Marketing Manager at The Fairmont San Francisco, responded to this review
November 16, 2012
Dear Guest,

Thank you for sharing your recent experience at the hotel. As you mentioned we are centrally located with easy access to Chinatown and North Beach. We are also located at the only point in the city where the cable cars intersect! Thanks again for taking the time to share your feedback and we hope to host you next time you visit San Francisco.

Sincerely,
Lucas Schumacher
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EastCoast
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
8 hotel reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“Great stay. Feast for the senses.”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 12, 2012

I stayed at the Fairmont for around four days earlier this month. I enjoyed the stay immensely and was able relax and rest despite a busy conference schedule. The room was gorgeous and provided a partial view of the bay. The bed was comfortable and I sleep like a log. The only complaint I have is that it is a very noisy hotel because of the activity level (but this may reflect activities occurring at the time of my stay). The hotel is a visual feast and contains a variety of stores within its walls. The staff were friendly and festive as my stay concluded on Halloween. I'd definitely stay there again.

  • Stayed October 2012
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Additional Information about The Fairmont San Francisco

Also Known As:
The Fairmont San Francisco Hotel
The Fairmont San Francisco Hotel San Francisco
Fairmont San Francisco
Fairmont Hotel San Francisco
San Francisco Fairmont
Address: 950 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone Number:
Region: United States > California > San Francisco
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Business Center Fitness Center Pets Allowed Restaurant Room Service Suites Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
#3 Onsen Hotels in San Francisco
#4 Romantic Hotels in San Francisco
#16 Luxury Hotels in San Francisco
#21 Family Hotels in San Francisco
#32 Business Hotels in San Francisco
Price Range: $$$
Hotel Class:4.5 star (4.5*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
World-renowned, The Fairmont San Francisco hotel presents an awe-inspiring picture of historic San Francisco. The grandeur of the hotel coupled with its reputation for impeccable service promises a truly memorable experience. Known for turning moments into memories for leisure and business travelers alike this luxury San Francisco hotel has been host to some of the most influential meetings and events, breathtaking weddings and personalized special occasions of the century. Each of the San Francisco hotel's spacious guestrooms and suites have been elegantly updated including flat screen TVs, Frette linen ensembles, pillow top beds, and MP3 docking stations.In addition to its 591 guest rooms and suites this luxury San Francisco hotel offers fine dining with three renowned restaurants and lounges, as well as 55,000 square feet of spectacular function space. With a panoramic view of the City and the Bay from high atop Nob Hill, The Fairmont San Francisco hotel presents an unmatched blend of luxurious accommodations, elegant meeting spaces and superb services, which make for an unforgettable stay. ... more   less 
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