Out of the way but still convenient
by TripAdvisor Member nitenurse412
It isn't in a touristy area but the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway was clean, the staff helpful and I felt safe there with my niece. Our view from the 19th floor was great! You are right next to the end of the California cable car line so you can always get on (not true coming the other direction) and the #47 bus line in front of the hotel takes you directly to Fisherman's Wharf or to Market street where you can catch the streetcar to the shopping near Union Square. There's a great coffee shop across the street, too. I would absolutely stay there again.
tolerable
by TripAdvisor Member bp4559
I got this place on Priceline for $59 and it wasn't bad. The room itself was clean and there were no real flaws with the room, but there was nothing that stuck out as being incredible about it either. One thing I found to be an annoyance more than anything else was you had to swipe your keycard everytime you entered the elevator, granted this is a saftey percaution, but if somebody wants to go to a certain floor they will find a way around this without much difficulty. The biggest problem with the hotel is it's location, it is not within walking distance to many attractions. On the map it doesn't look like the pier is too far but the steep hills of the SF streets can wear you out rather quickly. There really isn't much within walking distance as far as good, reasonably priced restaurants go either. The parking garage can be difficult to get around in. I don't really know why they have a pool, it's outside and it was too cold to go swimming in the middle of the day in August. The food from the restaurant was okay, it kind of reminded me of Applebee's food actually. The staff here was just like the rest of the hotel, no real problems with them, but nothing special about them either. This place is decent if you get it off priceline and are able to drive places, if not I'd look elsewhere. Allof this adds up to a rating of 3 out of 5 stars for the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway.
Pleasantly Surprised
by A TripAdvisor Member
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, Van Ness Avenue at California Street. Newly renovated and inviting lobby, attentive bellman service, great customer service at Reception Desk. We were here for the bicycle race on Labor Day Weekend. Rooms extremely clean. Cozy and functional bathroom. Roof top pool in great condition for a morning or afternoon dip. This is an above average Holiday Inn, with a noticeably sophisticated and international clientele. We are bargain travelers, so from the airport, we took BART to Civic Center station, then took the #19 bus up the hill to California, and walked one block to the hotel. Do yourself a big favor, and buy the Muni pass at the airport, or at the foot of the cable car line at Powell Street. It's good for all MUNI transportation, including ALL cable car lines. The per trip fare for the cable cars just went up to $ 5.00 each, one way, no transfers. The Muni Pass is $ 11.00 for a 1 Day Pass, unlimited access; $ 18.00 for a 3 Day unlimited; $ 24.00 for a 5 Day unlimited. The California Cable Car line is a few steps from hotel- take it to Chinatown. Take the # 19 bus on Polk, around the corner from the hotel to Fishermans Wharf. Lots of great shopping on Polk. Caution - don't travel too far south on Polk or you'll find yourself in the seedy Tenderloin area. Polk Street north of California towards the Wharf is perfectly safe. Hint: everyone who visits San Francisco wants to ride the cable cars. The crowds and lines dwindle in the late evening, say after 9 PM. There is a potential to wait upwards of one to two hours at the foot of Powell or at the Wharf during peak tourist periods.
If your time is limited I suggest you wait until then. Also - the very pleasant
"F" Street Car runs along Market Street, and will take you to the Fishermans Wharf, and to the Castro District. Take the MUNI # 71 HAIGHT-Noriega bus from Market Street to the Haight-Asbury District. Take the MUNI # N train to the San Francisco Zoo. You don't need a car in this city, don't be foolish and pay an additional $ 29.00 a day for hotel parking and high parking lot prices.
Good Location
by TripAdvisor Member Theresehols
Our problems started at the reception. Firstly there was a permanent queue there and even to ask aquestion you had to stand in line behind people checking in. I had booked 2 rooms , one with 2 beds for my 2 sons. The reception told me they could only provide one bed and a rollaway bed for an extra $20. I refused to take it. They kept me waiting while they consulted computers and managers. In the end I settled for a smoking room for the boys with 2 beds and they did'nt charge the extra money. But it is a pity they have not heard about air freshners as the room and even the corriodor stunk of stale tobacco. My advice to travellers is to stand your ground at the reception and demand what you have booked.
Watch out for the windows!
by A TripAdvisor Member
Just a warning, we were surprised to find that the window opened up on our 22nd floor. Imagine if a kid managed to pry it open!!! That was not safe feature there at all.
No fan in the bathroon and no vent that worked for us. Room was an ok size but nothing special at all. Really old and basic. It was also noisy there. Parking was expensive too.
View was great and so was the breakfast buffet.
Would not stay again.
Good location
by A TripAdvisor Member
We obtained the room through Priceline[-], and the rate ws excellent, however it was the worst room of our whole trip. Also, the most expensive parking, not sure why it cost $28.50 here and only $15 at Fisherman's Wharf. However, it was great to be able to open a window and not have to use airconditioning. It had a pool that our seven year old loved. The room was small and dated, but as it is only for sleeping that was okay. The location was great at the beginning of the California cable line, and the restaurants behind the hotel and on the side streets were excellent value. Would stay again for the location at the priceline cost.
Great views from nice rooms
by TripAdvisor Member NeilBelfastN/Ireland
Stayed here the first two nights of our tour, rooms were good size very clean and well equipped. Breakfast was pricey but very good.
Hotel is at the cable car start , making it very handy for getting around all the sights and taxis are very cheap and if you get the right driver exciting, jumping the intersections etc. We enjoyed our short time in san fran so much we are heading back later this year, might even stay at the golden gateway again.
Forum Posts
how to get from SF airport to Holiday Inn Golden Gateway
by oana2
Hi Everybody,
any ideas how to get the easiest from the airport to Holiday Inn Golden Gateway?
Of course, except taxi. :-)
Thanks a lot,
Oana
RE: how to get from SF airport to Holiday Inn Golden Gateway
by YVRDave
You can take BART to Powell or Montgomery Sts. and walk the 8-10blks or cab from there. I don't know the MUNI routes , maybe someone else can help there.
RE: RE: how to get from SF airport to Holiday Inn Golden Gateway
by brotherleelove
The "Super Shuttle" van is easy and much less expensive than a taxi (taxi=$35, Super Shuttle=$15), and will take you right to the hotel. Also, the Airport BART train will take you to the Civic Center Station, which is a short taxi ride to the hotel on Van Ness. From the Civic Center Station you can also walk a few blocks left on Market Street to Van Ness and catch the #47 or the #49 MUNI bus going up Van Ness, and get off at the Pine Street stop in front of your hotel.
Quote from Super Shuttle: "SFO - Claim your luggage on the lower level. Proceed to the upper level and outside to the outer curb. Follow the blue SuperShuttle signs to our uniformed Airport Guest Coordinators in teal green jackets. They will arrange SuperShuttle transportation to your destination."
RE: how to get from SF airport to Holiday Inn Golden Gateway
by pmerryman
The shuttle is probably your best bet on this. I can also recommend the hotel too you, as i stayed there 2 years ago. If possible ask for a high floor (ours was the 26th), what a view of the city and your close to the cable car on californai street. Enjoy your visit
RE: RE: how to get from SF airport to Holiday Inn Golden Gateway
by oana2
Hello All,
great advice!
Just came back from SF and realized how fortunate I was with your tips.
When I arrived, went directly to the shuttle without searching too much (15USD), when I left, the same.
Used all the comments on virtualtourist regarding what to visit in SF.
And yes, the hotel I chose was based on your quotes and I was lucky. :-)
Thanks a lot for your wonderful support,
Oana
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