Lukewarm On The Grant Hotel
I recently stayed four nights at The Grant Hotel in San Francisco and found this hotel to have both positive and negative things going for it.
On the positive side, the location simply can’t be beat: the proximity to cable cars, attractions, Union Square and restaurants is outstanding. The hotel’s public areas and the room I stayed in were kept absolutely spotless. Clean sheets were provided every couple of days, and plenty of clean towels were supplied and changed daily. My room had been renovated at some point; there were newer furnishings and new fixtures in the bathroom (the medicine cabinet was a nice touch), but occasional spots of water damage high on the walls and ceilings could clearly be seen.
There was a safe in the room, which is always a nice feature. Also provided was a clock radio, phone and television. There was a huge closet in the room and lots of storage space in the dresser and cabinets. I was lucky enough to get a room at the back of the hotel so if you want some peace and quiet I would recommend requesting a room that is not fronting on Bush Street. There was free Internet access on a computer in the lobby but good luck in trying to use it – there was always a lineup of people waiting to use it and the same people seemed to monopolize the system during the entire time I stayed there. There is a free “breakfast” at the Grant Hotel which basically consists of muffins, coffee or tea. This will keep you going, though, until you hit the streets and find a real breakfast location (there are plenty of these on the surrounding streets – Lori’s Diner is always a good bet).
That “funny smell” mentioned by other reviewers permeates the building – lobby, elevator, hallways, rooms; from the moment I first stepped into the lobby I could smell it. It’s a strange, slightly unpleasant odour that is hard to describe, and it seems to be masked by some kind of deodorant spray. I found that by the second day, though, I had simply become used to it and it was not that noticeable unless I really paid attention to it.
On the negative side of things, the customer service at the Grant Hotel is simply atrocious. I can forgive a lot of unpleasant things while staying in budget hotels, but there is no excuse in any class of hotel for bad customer service. When I arrived (very late at night), I was met at the front desk by a man who would initially only respond in grunts and monosyllables at best. Throughout the check-in process his manner alternated between indifference, rudeness and arrogance. Obviously it was a great imposition that I was checking in. After a few more grunts and slurred conversation from this guy, I finally got checked in and found my room. This was the last kind of attitude I wanted to be greeted with after a much-delayed and problematic 12-hour flight to San Francisco. If I had not already pre-paid for my room prior to arrival I would have sought out another hotel, even though it was well after midnight and I was in an unfamiliar city. The front desk day staff did not fair much better during my visit; there was a VERY crabby woman on duty throughout the days who would never exchange any greetings except for an icy cold, hostile glare. I abandoned any thought of asking this staff for assistance in getting around the city, as I could only imagine the response I would have received. I know the Grant Hotel is rated a 2-star hotel and one shouldn’t expect too much when staying at 2-stars, but all the same it is inexcusable to treat your guests in this fashion. The only bright spot in the front desk staff was the younger Asian man who was on duty a couple of afternoons and one evening. What a contrast to the others – he was very friendly, helpful and had superb customer service skills. Only when I spoke with him did I feel like a welcome guest at this hotel.
In general, the Grant Hotel is a little worn and tired here and there, but this can be expected with an older building such as this. The pictures on their web site are very deceiving and were probably taken several years ago after the renovations were completed. Would I stay at the Grant Hotel again? – I don’t think so. For the same (or possibly less) money I’m sure there are plenty of other good budget hotels in San Francisco where the guest is treated with the respect they deserve. For a little more money, one could stay at either the Cornell Hotel or the Golden Gate Hotel (each a few doors down in opposite directions from the Grant Hotel) and, I’m sure, would be greeted (and treated) with a lot more respect.
Visited: March 2008
