Hotel Palomar - San Francisco Review
Hotel Palomar is another of the many high-quality Kimpton Group hotels in San Francisco. Like other hotels of its caliber, the
Palomar offers luxury accomidations with contemporary styling and a smart finish. While less playful than others in the Kimpton group, like the
gorgeous Hotel Monaco on Geary Street, the Hotel Palomar excels in sophistication and simplicity. Renovated
and comfortable rooms in a pleasant atmosphere make this hotel a great choice with a price estimate of approximately $300 per night plus tax.
The hotel itself really begins on the fifth story, above all the hustle and bustle of the city. Hotel Palomar employees call the
place an “artful urban retreat,” and there is certainly something to be said for the M.C. Escher-like flooring, and the sophisticated Fifth Floor
restaurant. The style of décor throughout the luxury hotel is contemporary, simple, but elegant enough. The emphasis here is reminiscent of the nearby
W hotel, a lot of dark tones and earth colors softening the austere finish. Service is attentive, but sometimes cold, which seems to fit exactly with
the overall atmosphere of staying at the Hotel Palomar.
The 198 guest rooms in the Hotel Palomar are pleasing to the eye and uncomplicated, featuring comfortable beds with down comforters
and pillows. Some of the best rooms have great views of San Francisco’s downtown, and the rest look down onto a quaint zen roof garden in the hotel’s
interior patio. All the rooms come standard with many luxurious features, including plush bathrobes, video games, DVD player, in-room safe, and Aveda
bath amenities. Complimentary newspapers, coffee, and wireless Internet access are available throughout the hotel. There is also a fitness center and
business center at your disposal, and the hotel is pet-friendly, although you’ll need to let the staff know in advance.
Located right on 4th Street at Market, you really couldn’t ask for a better location than the Hotel Palomar. It is literally next door to
the best shops in the city, a few paces away from Union Square, and in the absolute center of all public transportation in the city, including Muni, BART,
and the cable cars. It provides easy access to three SF neighborhoods: South of Market (SOMA), the Financial District, and San Francisco Union Square. It is
especially convenient for those in town for the Moscone Convention Center or great art museums, which are only seconds away from the front entrance.
Just a few blocks away is Union Square and the theatre district. In the other direction you’ll find the SF Museum of Modern Art, the Yerba
Buena Gardens, the Sony Metreon, and a host of other smaller museums. The hotel is in a very safe part of the downtown area, which makes it nice to walk
around and enjoy the sights. You will find that anywhere you want to go that is not within walking distance is easily accessible by bus or train. You’re also
only one block from the world-famous San Francisco cable cars, which can take you to North Beach, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the Marina district. The SFO airport
is just 14 miles away and easily accessible by shuttle or the BART train system (exit at Powell station).
The hotel also houses an award-winning French restaurant. The emphasis here is on local ingredients, which makes it as much a
California-cuisine restaurant as French, but you’ll notice continental cooking styles are certainly the main accent. Next to the restaurant is the Fifth
floor lounge, a nice place to relax and have a cocktail or two and enjoy splendid views down below.
With its unbeatable location and simple elegance, it’s hard to be dissatisfied with the Hotel Palomar. If you want to be in the thick
of the action, but still enjoy the quiet of escape, this is the place for you!
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