- stranger
- First Reviewer
- 4 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 18
- Reviews
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1
- Photo
"romantic, reasonably priced hotel in great spot"
- July 23, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
My wife and I stayed here for our annual getaway. It is only a few blocks from bustling Union Square, with all the shopping and restaurants. Others have commented on the street noise, but our room was very quiet. It was also very romantic, as was the entire hotel. The price was less that I would expect for such a nice place. Has a beautiful French restaurant and a nice spa.
Very Nice
- May 6, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
Hotel Monaco was very nice. I went for a business trip, but it was so close to public transportation and shopping, I was able to mix pleasure in too! Rooms were very cute and the "living room" where they have a nightly reception was very nice to relax in.
Editor Pick
Hotel Monaco
- March 11, 2007
- Rated 4 of 5 by
Little Ayun from Cambridge, Massachusetts
I love an expense account, don't you? The Monaco is one of several Kimpton properties in and around Union Square, and all of them feature what might be my favorite random hotel amenity ever: Goldfish on request (housekeeping will take care of feeding little Swimmy for you). I checked in and claimed my goldfish at noon, three hours before the official check-in time, with no problems at all.
Like the goldfish, everything about the Monaco that's great is in the details: L'Occitane toiletries, a book on Buddhism next to the dresser-drawer bible, a canopy over your bed that doesn't look like something ripped from a twelve-year-old girl's bedroom, Starbucks and Sugar in the Raw for the in-room coffee maker, a DVD player wired to the (LCD, natch) television (all in a Chinese-style armoire) so you don't have to watch movies on your tiny laptop screen, and a daily wine reception, complete with neck massages and tarot readings in the lobby. This is the rarest of things - a chain hotel that has all the requisite comforts, but feels like a boutique - perfect for the long-suffering frequent business traveler who is no longer charmed by a Hilton or a Marriott, but still needs to know that the dry-cleaning will be back on time.
The hotel's Grand Cafe restaurant is good enough to make it into most city guides as a recommended high end eatery in the Union Square area. Sadly, I was out and about so much I didn't have a chance to try the food there, or the hotel's room service (surprisingly affordable) or, tragically, the complimentary access to the in-house spa for a hot tub soak (my feet could have used it by the end of my trip!)
So, why is this not a highly recommended place to stay? I've got only one caveat for you: Union Square is a nice place to stay - high-end shopping, a lovely public plaza, lots of great places to eat - but it's only a few blocks from the Tenderloin, which is less charming. Walk a block in one direction from the front door of the Monaco, and you're looking at Picassos in the window of an art gallery. Walk a block in the other direction, and you're surrounded by dingy diners, transient hotels, and live sex shows. I walked in and around the Tenderloin at all hours during my trip and did not feel unsafe at any time. However, I realize that not everybody feels the way I do about less-than-picturesque neighborhoods, and the Monaco locks its front door to everyone but guests in the wee hours.
From journal San Francisco - On and Off The Corporate Dime
Great place to stay.
- February 28, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
I really enjoyed the hotel and the service. The location of the hotel is perfect. The services were very good. The room offered a great view, a comfortable bed, and a romantic setting. A+ all the way.
jersey boy stay
- December 15, 2006
- Rated 4 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
Great hotel, rooms small but delightfully decorated. Get room with 2 beds. Service great, staff very pleasent. convenient to theater and union square