More about Columbus Motor Inn
Great little hotel!
by A TripAdvisor Member
My hubby and I and our two teenagers spent 5 days at the Columbus Inn in August of '05, and would definitely stay there again. It is clean and comfortable, and the staff were wonderful to us. Although there is no restaurant attached, there is a great little place around the corner where we had all our breakfasts. It is very central to Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown, and the cable car station is a block away. The bus literally stops outside the door, which was very convenient to get to the beginnning of Chinatown, and then we just walked back. The popular Italian restuarant area is about a mile away, an easy walk or cab ride. Parking is free, which was great. We didn't even move the car for the first 2 days until we had the hang of the city!
If you're travelling with kids, I highly recommend staying in one of the suites. Ours had a queen bed in one room and 2 double beds in the other, for $180/night. Quite a bargain for San Francisco! Just make sure to book this well in advance in the high season. I booked this hotel on the testimony of the other reviewers on this page, and I sure wasn't disappointed!
Excellent hotel for the money
by A TripAdvisor Member
Picked this hotel based upon other reviews on this trip advisor site.
The location is within walking distance of most of the major tourist spots (Wharf, Pier 39, Ghiradelli Chocolate, China Town, etc.) and close to trolleys and buses. The hotel price for this location was lower than most in the area, and there is no extra charge for covered parking.
The hotel size was roomy enough for two queen beds, a sofa, table, and dresser. The beds were comfortable and the room was clean.
This is a great basic no frills hotel in an excellent location at an affordable price.
Great Little Motor Inn
by TripAdvisor Member 14adam67
My wife and I stayed at the Columbus Motor Inn on Sunday and Monday August 29 & 30 2005 during our recent San Francisco trip. The motel is in an excellent location in close proximity to Fisherman's Wharf. The free covered underground parking was the best benefit in my opinion.
Our room was located on the third floor and was quite spacious for San Francisco standards, and very clean. We had a queen-sized bed, and the room overlooked Columbus Ave. with a nice view of the Coit Tower, and a panoramic view of the bay and Alcatraz Island. Even though the room overlooks the street, the noise is minimal. (Expect a little noise, afterall this motel is located in the heart of an urban city.) The staff was professional and friendly and answered all of our questions and provided us with restaurant tips. We practically left our car parked the entire time and used the Muni Buses, Cable Cars, or simply just walked around. We felt safe walking around town during the evening, and ate at a great Italian restaurant one night named Capp's Corner (Powell & Green Sts.)
The best tourism tip we can offer is to order your Alcatraz tickets online, prior to going on your trip. If you don't, you will risk the tour selling out, especially on weekends.
If you are looking for a high priced, full service, high-rise hotel-this is not the place for you. However, if you want to stay in clean comfortable rooms, in a great location, and save a little money for other things on your trip, this is the place for you.
I would highly recommend this motel, and would not hesitate to stay here again.
Family Suite plus location made the Inn a BIG winner
by TripAdvisor Member SomewhatSelective
Our family of five spent a week at the Inn, but because of limited availability when we booked, we spent three days in a suite, two days in two double rooms, and then the last two days in a suite a floor down from the original one, exposing us to more rooms than a traveler would typically stay in during a single visit. The individual rooms we were given were fine, although they faced the side/rear of the motel and thus could not compare to the bright, extremely spacious suites. The suites, which like some other rooms face Columbus Avenue, have large windows that afford lovely views of North Beach and Coit Tower in one direction and Fisherman's Wharf in the other. They are very comfortably appointed and very very clean--housekeeping does a wonderful job here. It's the location, however, that clinches the deal: the Inn is an easy walk, bus or cable car ride to just about anywhere we wanted to go in San Francisco, and we took great advantage of its proximity to the terrific cafes and restaurants of Columbus Avenue. The border of Chinatown, too, was only a few blocks away. We would definitely stay here again on an eagerly anticipated return visit.
Another Satisfied Stayer!
by TripAdvisor Member tvlmimi
Just returned from a 2-week trip that included 3 nights at Columbus Motor Inn, which I chose after extensive searching on the net and the positive reviews on this site. We were very satisfied with this property and agree with other posters as to the value and cleanliness. And--location, location, location! Our room with 2 queens (3 adults) was also on third floor at the back but we had a great view of downtown, Pyramid, Coit Tower and P&P church, which is beautiful, expecially at night! We had a great time, left the car in the free parking the entire 3 days and enjoyed the city. Front desk staff very helpful with directions and restaurant suggestions. They said Empress of China was still good (ate there 15 years ago) and it was indeed excellent! Also, Mama's at Washington Square for breakfast was worth all the hype (and the long line on Sunday morning)!
Great city and great hotel for our needs.
Can't Say Enough Good Things!
by TripAdvisor Member crony
We also chose this hotel after extensive search and use of this website. We were looking for something more off the tourist beaten path but in a reasonable price range. The Columbus Motor Inn fit our needs to a "T". The location in the ethnic neighborhood YET only a block from Fisherman's Wharf and access to Alcatraz, etc. was just what we were looking for. Rooms were basic, but VERY clean. The free parking was a huge plus. Desk staff was very helpful. Housekeeping was friendly and very competent. MANY very good restaurants withing walking distance...Walgreen's, grocery, and liquor store nearby...Perfect! Would stay there again when in S.F....
Now everybody knows....
by A TripAdvisor Member
I wish people would stop writing positive things about the Columbus. That's like telling the whole world where you found those wild mushrooms. Well, now you know anyway; so, yes, it's a real find. Basic, simple, clean, good value, and terrific location that invites walking around.
Arrived in SF with no place to stay, found this hotel.
by A TripAdvisor Member
My friends and i drove up from Los Angeles (i was there from Canada visiting friends) in July to see a show at Cobbs Comedy Club down the street from this hotel. We had decided to play it by ear, and not book a hotel, and just find one when we go to the city.
The first hotel we walked into, was this one, and we got a two double bed room for the 4 of us. It was clean, quiet, and we had enough room for all of us, and all of our stuff that we brought for the one night that we stayed in the city. The Front desk staff was very helpful in assisting us with directions etc.
I recommend this hotel, i will be back in SF next year, and i will stay here again.
Great Place - Great Staff - Good Location - Fair Price.
by A TripAdvisor Member
We recently visited San Francisco and stayed at the Columbus Motor Inn. We thought the rooms we reasonably sized and quite comfortable. Judging by other reviews I've seen about other San Francisco motels they might be considered large. The bathroom was nothing special but it was clean and well maintained. The location is great. It's about a four block walk to the Fisherman's Wharf and just a short block to the cable car line. Buy a MUNI pass and ride the cable cars, streetcars and buses to just about anywhere. Finally, the staff was great!! They were happy to arrange transportation, tours, etc. and were very pleasant and informative. If they are not too busy you can learn a great deal about the city. We will stay again.
Bad point for columbus
by TripAdvisor Member phil5
After reading good reviews about this motel on this site I decided to make a reservation for this hotel.
I made a reservation request through their web site and had no reply. I tried again sending a fax and no reply again...
The point I'm concern about is that they ask for your credit card number at time of request (on their web site)...
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