Nice aesthetics, poor service
by A TripAdvisor Member
The Argent Hotel in San Francisco was recommended to me by a business associate, I will most definitely not extend a recommendation for the Argent Hotel. I stayed at the Argent for two nights, 8/14 & 15 and the problems commenced upon check in. The rooms were reserved on a company American Express card and were supposed to be pre-paid. Upon check-in, the clerk insisted that I give him one of my credit cards; which was fine because I was under the impression that since the rooms were pre-paid so my card would be used to cover service items such as valet parking and meals. But even after I told him that the rooms were pre-paid, he continued to charge the rooms to my card. After registration was complete, I noted that I was charged twice for the room, I tried to resolve this issue with the clerk but he assured me that there was nothing he could do. I than asked to see the manager. The manager had to double check everything that the clerk had already done, and asked me all the same questions, she than saw that the room was indeed pre-paid. After check-in, everything seemed to be quite nice. The rooms are well appointed and the public areas are very pleasing. The next morning I went to retrieve my car out of valet; after I got in the car I had realized that I was missing all the keys off the ring except a valet key. I asked the valet attendant what had happened to the two master keys to my rental car, and he said that he had no idea and I should check my bags. I told him that when I arrived the day before, the hotel entrance was very busy and a different valet attendant told me to leave the car running (thus the key in the ignition) and my bags and car would be taken car of. He assured me that I was lying and had no idea what I was talking about. I know that when I received the car at the airport, it had two Cadillac master keys, and a plain gray valet key. I don’t park cars for a living, and subsequently have no use for a valet key. After the valet attendant had raised his voice to me, I asked him to call the manager so we could get this issue resolved, he replied that he was the manager. So, I asked him to call the hotel manager, the same woman who had to take care of the billing issue the day before. After about 10 minutes passed, the manager came out and got my and the valet attendant’s versions of the story. After she had spoken with both of us, she gave me a breakfast coupon, and said that they would look for my keys. A breakfast coupon…I would at least expect a refund on the parking ($39) but I suppose you have to pay that much, plus tips, just to get your keys stolen and get called a liar. Now because it was a rental car, I can’t hold too much of a grudge on them for stealing the keys, but if it were my own car, it would be a different story. I can however say that the service was much under expectations, and should have been more professional for a hotel in this league. If you have stayed at the Argent and had noticed lost items from your vehicle (ex: keys, cell phones, etc.) you should try calling the valet booth; while speaking to the valet attendant, he opened a drawer full of keys and phones. If you’re looking for a comfortable, convenient, luxury hotel…try the Four Seasons.
Great Location
by A TripAdvisor Member
Overall, I was very happy with the hotel. The rooms are clean and comfortable and the location is great - easy walking distance to Union Square, shopping and excellent transit access to all the tourist sites.
I was attracted to the the hotel by the great internet deals, however, it did come at a price. Our first night was fine but night two our floor was mobbed by a group of high school atheletes likely on the same internet deal. The kids were rowdy and, needless to say, we hardly got any sleep. The hotel did resolve the problem by moving us to another floor for the remainder of our stay.
If you are planning a tourist adventure to San Francisco, I still believe that this hotel should remain as one of your top choices. If you are contemplating a hotel around Fisherman's Warf, don't. It is an overated tourist trap. Besides, the warf is accessible by a 15min transit ride from the Argent.
Bravo!
by A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed two nights at the Argent in Aug 2004. The location is great! Cabs regularly stop for hire. We had rented a car but quickly realized that a car is more of a liability! Parking at the Argent is $36.50 per night if you don't get the 'park & play' rate. The rooms are tastefully decorated with one of the most comfortable beds I've slept in. They have down comforters and crisp sheets. The bathroom tub/shower does need a little work though. Ours had some minor mold in the grout. Other than that, the hotel is great and we will definitely stay here again!
An excellent option in the Union Square district
by TripAdvisor Member John987654321
I regularly attend conferences in downtown SF and I've tried a lot of hotels over the years. I spent a week at the Argent last time and -- as long as I can get a good discount on the rack rate! -- I'll stay there again. I've been lucky to stay in hotels elsewhere with an even higher standard of service, but I could find nothing to fault here. Stylish decoration, large comfortable beds, spotlessly clean, spectacular views, helpful staff. I didn't eat in the hotel restaurant at all, but the food at a reception we held was excellent.
disappointed
by TripAdvisor Member kittykatBoston_Ma
The only thing going for the Argent as judged by my 3 night experience last week are the Concierge and parking staff. After checking the website and reading all the preview emails from the Argent before our arrival, I was excited towards our stay for our first trip to San Francisco. In my mind, the floor to ceiling windows left me with a beautiful vision we would see of the beautiful skyline of San Francisco. Since we arrived from Boston at close to 2 A.M., I somewhat brushed off the aloofness of the front desk clerk who checked us in thinking he may have been as tired as we were after our journey of 11 hours to get there. A "good morning" would have been appreciated. We found our room assigned to us on the 7th floor, rushed to draw the curtain to take peak at the lovely view described of the skyline. Gee, we had a dark and vacant office building to our left, a parking garage to our right, and the vents(?) to the building below us. Not quite the view I was expecting. Being exhausted, I just crashed to get a few hours of good sleep. (I must admit the mattresses were very comfortable.) That good night sleep was impossible.......our room was abutting the elevators!! Well, In the morning, I expected to see quite a busy lobby,"perhaps booked to capacity"... maybe justifying the worst located room.. Well, I didn't see the overabundance of guests floating around the quiet lobby, so at this point I was very disappointed and felt very misled by the Argent's website and the front desk clerk. In all the 5 hotels we stayed during our California vacation, every one offered a friendly courteous greeting and an option of room choice except the Argent. So for three aggravating nights, we put up with the elevator shafts and the not so lovely view. The "customer service" just was not there. Sorry to say, when I do a return trip to San Francisco, I will not stay at the Argent. I wish the ene- mene-mine-mo landed on the Hyatt.
Forum Posts
Rent A Car in San Francisco downtown
by karimi1
I am staying at Westin San Francisco Market Street in May. I need to rent a car for day while staying there, and would like to return the car late at night (around 10-11 pm) to avoid $50 parking at the hotel.
Most of the rent-a-car companies that I have checked, are not open for returns this late in the evening.
Please let me know if you know of a company that will take returns late at ngiht.
Thanks
Re: Rent A Car in San Francisco downtown
by virtual786
Probably be best thing for you to do is to take BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) from downtown San Franscisco to San Francisco Airport. It doesn't take very long and is cheap.
Renting a car at the airport is less expensive than in the city and most of the car rental companies are open 24 hours a day. BART runs probably until midnight; better check.
Re: Rent A Car in San Francisco downtown
by nomad7890
Not sure why you want to rent a car in SF - ? You will be paying parking anywhere you go during the day. SF has good transportation.
If you *must* have a car, you could always drop it off at the airport (SFO) and take public transportation back to your hotel - however you may want to check how late the Hertz on Mason street is open.
Re: Rent A Car in San Francisco downtown
by nomad7890
Hertz on Mason Street is the closest to the Westin - I have stayed at that Westin many times. I usually fly into/stop in San Jose for personal reasons, so I pick up a car, run my errands in SJ and drop it off in SF by the Westin. Normally there's no drop off between SJ and SF, but it is best to check as different rental companies or contract types may incur drop off charges.
Re: Rent A Car in San Francisco downtown
by karimi1
Thanks for all the help.
I am thinking about a day trip from SFO to somewhere nearby, where BART does not go.
Hertz at Mason is the only that I have found that takes returns till 1000 pm at night.
I will check Avis and enterprise as well
Re: Rent A Car in San Francisco downtown
by nomad7890
Well, do the SFO dropoff ... or maybe stay overnight where you're going instead of doing a daytrip, if feasible - you can return the car the next day.
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