Hotel Des Arts
San Francisco, CA 94108-3704
Phone: (800) 956-4322
- Cross Street:
- Grant Ave
- Specialties:
- Budget Hotel
- Best of Citysearch:
- Boutique Hotel 2007, Budget Hotel 2006
Editorial Review for Hotel Des Arts – by Joanna Currier
The Scene
Art lovers thrill to this unique concept hotel, where emerging local and international artists are given free creative reign. All but 10 of the hotel's 51 chambers have been individually reworked to feature atmospheric murals, cutting-edge design, energetic street art and graffiti, and even installation art. Guests range from students to businessmen thanks to the hotel's convenient, prime location.
The Details
Furnishings are sleek, comfortable and specially designed to offset the surrounding, explosive artwork. Modern amenities include a television, iron, and hair dryer in each room, contemporary pullout couches in suites, and dataports and wireless access throughout. The hotel was once a Victorian boarding house; accordingly, some rooms share hallway bathrooms. All bathrooms feature old-fashioned, claw-foot tubs. Complimentary continental breakfast available.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
The ExtrasThe hotel also lists as a gallery, and is the only one of its kind in the country. Walk-in visitors are welcome for tours.
Know Before You GoCall directly to reserve an art room. Guests can also choose to alternate rooms to experience the work of more than one artist.
User Reviews for Hotel Des Arts
06/14/2007 Posted by alexa101miles
I travel to SF about once every couple of years so I have a good idea what I like about the City, where to stay and what to do. This is now my favorite place to stay. I got one of there Suites. It was just me but I wanted to sprawl out. The rate for the Suite was still less than just a plain room at another Union Square hotel. When I got there I was very impressed. As a bonus the room had an unadvertised big screen lcd. My room had been painted by Sheppard Fa_ry who I've seen exhibit in LA. You can pick your room on their website. All the rooms are different - painted by different artists. I recommend you book directly with the hotel so you know you're going to get the room you want. The hotel is small and full of quirks. As one of the other reviews said this isn't a chain hotel by a long shot. If you want Marriot or Hilton this may not be your place. But I like unique experiences and this is definitely that. Plus, the location can't be beat. Just a block off of everything: cable car, chinatown, Union Square, Moscone center, etc. Add a free breakfast included with the room, free wireless Internet and I can't see what anyone would ever complain about.
Pros: unique, art, location, staff
Cons: not good if you like a plain vanilla chain hotel
04/16/2007 Posted by rbadin
I have to agree with mikelee09. I just came back from a long weekend up in San Fran with a close friend. We were really looking forward to staying at this hotel, partly because of the high rating on Citysearch and other favorable press reviews and partly because of the cool concept and well-presented website. Every member of the staff we met was totally unresponsive, humorless and unhelpful. They would barely say hello or good morning let alone smile. My friend and I joked that perhaps they are all part of a real life post-modern art project to explore just how rude they can be to guests before the guests pack up and leave (it took us one night). When I first arrived, it took about 5 minutes or so before anyone responded to the buzzer to let me into the building. When somone finally did respond, I couldn't tell whether he was a member of staff or a frustrated guest. He opened the door, pointed to the ancient little elevator in the back of the building, and walked out. Our "suite" was a fraction of the size of anything you would expect from the website. The bathroom, a dismal little corner of about 10' x 5', was tired and grungy. When I opened the window and looked outside, I saw a pile of discarded shampoo bottles and half used soap on the roof of the adjacent building. The door would only shut with a lot of crafty cajoling (unlocking the main door to the suite was also a feat requiring 2 keys). Had we gotten any sleep that night, perhaps we could've maintained our patience and sense of humor. Unfortunately, the old heater near my friend's bed howled to life at about 4 am waking us up from an already fitful night sleep from the constant street noise. The very next morning we booked ourselves into another hotel at the same price (it was fantastic). The only good things about the hotel: the beds and the art. The ultimate irony: when we tried to find out how to buy some of the artist's work, the receptionist had no clue where to suggest we go.
Users Like You Also Viewed
Clift Hotel - Book Direct
495 Geary St
San Francisco, CA 94102
Hotel Vitale
8 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94105
