Hotel Carlton, a Joie de Vivre Hotel

We really enjoyed staying here and would do so again. The room was very clean and comfortable. A nice urban grocery store is conveniently located just down the street and it offered most everything you would want or need. We spent most of our time downtown and usually walked back and forth both morning and night. The walk typically took 15-20 minutes or so and was a great way to get the feel of the city. The hotel is in a decent neighborhood and we felt safe. Gio, who works the front desk, is very funny, friendly and helpful.

This place is adorable, fun and in the perfect location.

We chose this hotel for convenience to our son's apartment in Nob Hill, good reviews and for price point. It was about a 5 block walk to his apartment, a 5 or 6 block walk to Union Square and 2 blocks to the shopping and restaurants on Polk Street. The location was great for us and we liked that it was an older, boutique hotel. My husband and I got in around 1:30 on Friday afternoon and we were able to check into our room early. It was clean and sunny with a nice flat screen TV and coffee/tea maker. There was a hair dryer in the closet and shampoo/soap/conditioner dispenser in the tub/shower combo. The staff poured wine from 5:30 to 6:00 pm in the lobby. It was a great way to relax in front of the fireplace before going out to dinner and to meet some other travelers; they even had music. The staff was great, helping with directions and restaurants and had a great sense of humor. We didn't eat at the hotel restaurant (Saha), but I heard it was good and nice to have that option available. There were some reviews about noise, but we did not experience any problem. That said, if there was a noisy neighbor, the walls would not have been that sound proof. We also did not need heat or air conditioning, since temperatures were in the high 40's to high 50's. They do post quiet hours from 10:00 pm until 8:00 am. Beds and linens were comfortable and the room had a desk, sitting chair and small table. Enjoyed our stay there. If you like blues, definitely check out Biscuits and Blues near Union Square on Mason. Great show (Earl Jones), intimate venue where you can see from every table and good food (Southern influence). Coffee shop on Polk street-- Quetzal Internet Cafe had great fair trade coffee and a nice selection of breakfast and lunch items (order at the counter), though I just stopped for coffee. Indian buffet for lunch hit the spot- also on Polk--Darbar.

Stayed 5 days in January 2013. For the money, the hotel is well located, adequately clean and comfortable. In fact, were it not for what happened at check out, I would give the hotel ffour stars. Even though pre-paid, checking in I was told policy is to charge a refundable $50.00 to cover possible additional charges. I did not use any amenities during my stay, so staff suggested I apply the $50.00 on car fareto the airport. The driver, definitely a friend, possibly a relative of one of the staff members seemed fine until drop off. At the last minute he demanded $50.00, saying he knew nothing about the arrangement with the hotel. There was a lot of traffic at the drop off point so no time to work out with the hotel. My credit card is opening an inquiry for me. Possibly I will win. Win or lose is not the point. You expect this garbage visiting the third world. Absolutley no place for it from a big San Francisco hotel.

I really enjoyed staying here. The room was comfortable; the location was great; the staff was very helpful. I'd stay here again.

Staff is excellent! Knowledgeable, friendly, helpfull and courteous. Omg it was so noisy in room: condensate from steam heat banged all night, noise from outside was very loud especially for Saturday morning, housekeeping was knocking on door at 9:00 even though we were checking out by NOON

liked my stay only bad parts is across the street there are bums and hookers

The staff were all wonderful but the location was on the edge of a bad area. I felt unsafe walking to and from the hotel from Union Square. The room was dated, smelled of disinfectant and had stains all over the floor. The tiles of the bathtub were lined with black mold. The walls are thin and you could hear construction and even voices from closed windows. The heat is not regulated by each room and does not turn on until late into the evening.

Good hotel, good location, only the room is not very spacious.

I have to say that this place is a great location! However, I would not stay here again. The staff was friendly enough but it is very near The Tenderloin, a very bad part of town. It is also the thinnest walled hotel I have ever stayed in. We could hear every noise of every guest inside and everyone outside as well!