If you like hotels that enjoy standing out among competitors because of their personality, chances are good you’ll be a fan of the Kimpton Alton Hotel. Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood, the Kimpton Alton Hotel’s location makes exploring the City by the Bay on foot simple and straightforward, allowing you to park your car and forget about it.
Photo Courtesy of James Baigrie
The Kimpton Alton offers 248 guest rooms spread across five floors; lodging is offered in a variety of room categories, and along with city views, a number of rooms offer views of Alcatraz Island. The lobby was hopping when I arrived, but check-in was fast and efficient, and staff were friendly and outgoing.
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As part of the Kimpton brand’s Plant Pals Program, when checking-in at the Alton, guests can request a plant be delivered to their room to enjoy for the duration of their stay. The service is complimentary and focuses on native plants, sourced by neighborhood florists and garden shops, so the plants available in San Francisco will likely be different than greenery offered in other parts of the country. It’s a one-of-a-kind amenity meant to boost guests’ moods and reduce stress.
The Kimpton Alton has taken the idea a step further with its Sanctuary Suite. Located on the second floor, the spacious guest room is a smile-inducing, plant-filled oasis. Filled with lush potted plants at every turn, the room is also stocked with a collection of records to play on the in-room Victrola record, and a selection of books written by Black authors such as “Brown Bohemians” by Morgan Ashley and “Illustrated Black History” by San Francisco-based George McCalman.
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Room amenities are consistent, regardless of what room category you book. Vintage-inspired furnishings, Frette linens, Victrola record players, yoga mats, and plush gray hooded bath robes are standard in all accommodations. Kimpton’s exclusive line of Atelier Bloem bath amenities are supplied in eco-friendly, refillable bottles.
Along with complimentary morning coffee and tea service, the Kimpton Alton also holds a nightly social hour that includes complimentary wine, beer, and sparkling grape juice.
Located steps off the hotel lobby, Abaca serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Opened in 2021, the Filipino restaurant has earned a number of accolades in its short history including a spot on The New York Times 2022 Best Restaurant List, a Michelin Guide New Discovery, and a 2023 James Beard Award Nominee. Expect offerings the likes of pork lumpia, a Niman Ranch crispy pork chop, chicken satti, and seafood palabok.
If you’re craving something different, or the restaurant is packed, there are an assortment of dining options surrounding the hotel ranging from popular fast food chain In-N-Out Burger, to San Francisco’s sourdough go-to Boudin, to Italian eateries like Pescatore Trattoria.
The Alton offers a 24-hour fitness center, well-stocked with strength equipment and Peloton bikes. Like a majority of San Francisco hotels, the property does not have a pool – the city’s weather simply doesn’t make it a desired offering. When you’re not sleeping, most of your time will likely be spent on the move, exploring the city.
Popular tourist attractions including Ghirardelli Square, (a must-do for chocolate lovers) Aquatic Park Cove, (with stellar views of the Golden Gate Bridge) and Pier 39 (a good sea lion view spot) are an easy walk from the hotel property. The Powell Mason cable cars cover a handful of neighborhoods including: Chinatown, Downtown, the Financial District, Nob Hill, North Beach, Russian Hill, and South of Market (SoMa). The Powell/Hyde cable cars cover the same sections of the San Francisco, via a slightly different route. Both routes are equally scenic and enjoyable.
Rates for a standard 1 King room start at $229. Rates for the Sanctuary Suite start at $489. Be sure to budget for the daily $32 daily Guest Amenities Fee. It includes Wi-Fi, the in-room record players and vinyl lending library, and among other things, a $10 restaurant credit. You can make your reservation online at the IHG website, or an online booking site like Expedia.
Valet parking is available for a fee. Self-parking is not available. Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are not available.
Kimpton Alton Hotel is pet-friendly and there are no pet restrictions regarding size. However, pets must be crated or out of the room during housekeeping service.
Review and photos (except where noted) by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Kimpton Alton Hotel, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
