San Francisco: Hotel RIU Plaza Fisherman's Wharf; hotel review

San Francisco

Hotel RIU Plaza Fisherman's Wharf 

2500 Mason St./Beach St. 4 stories; 531 rooms. Heated pool; fitness room. 1 restaurant; 1 bar; full breakfast buffet included. Self-parking; fee. Resort fee. No pets.

lobby of Hotel RIU Plaza Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California

Featuring a superlative location for tourists near the main street and Pier 39, this hotel takes up an entire city block and is the biggest on the Wharf. Owned by a Spanish company, the hotel attracts many European visitors.

Public areas have a contemporary style using local hues—fog-gray, sea blue, and green—and playful modern art adds a touch of mirth. Just outside the spacious indoor lobby is an outdoor lobby with fire pits where guests can also gather.

RIU's proprietary beds have pillow-top mattresses and triple-sheeted duvets with a foam insert.

guest room at Hotel RIU Plaza Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California

The hotel's low-rise construction limits views, but a few rooms look out to Russian Hill and the South tower of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Dining facilities include a large sports bar with TVs in the lobby; a grab-and-go shop stocked with snacks, pastries, salads, and sandwiches; and a complimentary full buffet breakfast served each morning in a large room equipped with various dedicated stations that dispense egg dishes, pastries, and way more.

More hotels in San Francisco.

Way more things to do in San Francisco. 

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images c2024 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

San Francisco: Kimpton Alton Hotel + Abaca; hotel + restaurant review

San Francisco

Kimpton Alton Hotel

2700 Jones St./Beach St 5 stories; 248 rooms. Restaurant. Wine hour. Resort fee. Valet parking, fee. Fitness center.

This well-located, stylish hotel is painted a dark charcoal on the outside. Inside, the expansive lobby features contemporary furniture and art and is a comfortable place to relax.

exterior of Kimpton Alton Hotel at Fisherman's Wharf
in San Francisco, California

Guest rooms are attractive with tasteful, artful touches, and beds are made with duvets and white all-cotton linens. Old-time Victrola record players and vinyl albums are an unusual bonus in all guest rooms, with extra records available at the front desk. Upper rooms on the south side are quietest, and some have a limited city view featuring Coit Tower.

guest room at Kimpton Alton Hotel at Fisherman's Wharf
in San Francisco, California

Victrola and vinyl record albums in guest room at Kimpton Alton Hotel
at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California

A complimentary wine/beer hour is scheduled daily (it is not a tasting, and no snacks are provided). In the lobby, urns dispensing fruit waters are available, and complimentary coffee and tea are provided there each morning. Also, a small bodega sells snacks and drinks.

lobby at Kimpton Alton Hotel at Fisherman's Wharf
in San Francisco, California

This hotel is named for Alton Kelly, a San Francisco psychedelic poster artist during the 1960s.  One of his works is the “skull and roses” poster for a Grateful Dead show at the era’s Avalon Ballroom.

Abaca

Under separate management, the Filipino restaurant Abacá operates in an airy, light-filled space off the hotel’s lobby. Convincing, but artificial, green plants drape down from a vaulted, sky-lit ceiling. In the morning, counter service is available for pastries and espresso drinks as well as full breakfasts.

dining room of Abaca at Kimpton Alton Hotel at Fisherman's Wharf
in San Francisco, California

The kitchen uses old family recipes and traditional flavors. I enjoyed the Filipino Breakfast, which includes tasty, tender pineapple-cured pork belly, flavorful garlic rice topped with two sunny-side-up eggs, and delicious, addictive pickled cucumber Atchara. My partner opted for the Alton Breakfast, a good old American combination of eggs, potatoes, and sausage. I additionally chose an unusual Yuzu white mocha coffee. Presentations are lovely.

Filipino Breakfast at Abaca at Kimpton Alton Hotel at Fisherman's Wharf
in San Francisco, California

The restaurant serves brunch on weekends and dinner some evenings. Items I’ve heard to try include tsokolate with an ube marshmallow, loco moco, and buko pie. A 20% gratuity is automatically added to each bill.

More hotels in San Francisco.

Way more things to do in San Francisco. 

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images c2024 Carole Terwilliger Meyers