Great
location overlooking San Francisco Bay and the Bay Bridge
Elegant
guest rooms with 32-inch flat-screen TVs and iPod docks
On-site restaurant serves American-style food and provides room
service
Eco-friendly
bath products, pens, and stationary made from recycled materials
Free
morning transportation service to the Financial District
Business
center plus boardroom with private terrace
Free
Wi-Fi throughout
Guest access to off-site fitness center
Valet parking available
Some
guest rooms are cramped, with small bathrooms
Breakfast not included in room rates
Rooms lack min-fridges or minibars
Elevator is tiny
Hotel Griffon is an elegant, upscale
hotel with a prime location on the Embarcadero waterfront on the edge
of San Francisco Bay. Some of the 57 guest rooms and five suites have
views of the Bay and the Bay Bridge, but many do not have a view at
all, and most are very cramped and have small bathrooms. Throughout, decor is elegant and tasteful, and
rooms have 32-inch flat-screen TVs and iPod docks, but no mini-fridges or minibars. Travelers may also want to consider the InterContinental - San Francisco,
which offers bigger rooms and large bathrooms, an on-site spa, a fitness center, and a lap pool.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Upscale hotel with elegant and sophisticated atmosphere
The Hotel
Griffon is located in an upscale area well-known for its many
high-end restaurants. The hotel is housed in an elegant black-and-gray building, with a fire escape running up its exterior facade. The
lobby sets the mood of the whole property, with wooden floors,
leather couches, exposed-brick walls, and framed black-and-white prints
creating a sophisticated atmosphere with an understated contemporary
look. A doorway leads to Perry's restaurant adjacent to the lobby.
Many couples visiting the city as leisure travelers choose to stay
here, and the hotel also has its fair share of business guests.
This neighborhood gets a lot of traffic, and street noise can consequently be an
issue in street-facing rooms. Be aware that the elevator is tiny and may be a challenge to negotiate with luggage.
Location
On the edge of San Francisco Bay along the Embarcadero waterfront
Hotel
Griffon is located on San Francisco's stylish Embarcadero waterfront
on the edge of San Francisco Bay and with a view of the Bay Bridge.
Market Street is a four-minute walk away, and it's a 10-minute walk
to the Financial District. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art takes five minutes to reach by car, while Chinatown takes seven minutes and Union Square takes around eight minutes by car. It's about a 10-minute drive to Fisherman's Wharf and a 20-minute drive to the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park. San Francisco International Airport takes around half an hour to reach by car, depending on traffic.
Rooms
Small but elegant and comfortable guest rooms
The guest rooms at Hotel Griffon are elegant, with striped wallpaper in beige and cream tones and dark
furniture. The color palette is made up of soft browns and beiges, with dark-brown headboards and bed covers, brown patterned curtains, and tan carpets. All have air-conditioning and are equipped with 32-inch flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, coffeemakers, and irons along with eco-friendly bath products, pens, and stationary made from recycled materials. However, they lack minibars or mini-fridges. And some of the rooms feel cramped, as do the beige-tiled bathrooms, which
feature shower/tub combos vanity areas in the main rooms. Many of the rooms have cozy window seats, while the Suites have separate seating areas. A few rooms have views over the Bay, but
many overlook an uninspiring post office instead. Street noise can be an issue for street-facing rooms; those
who want to be sure of a peaceful sleep can consider requesting an
interior room.
Features
On-site restaurant, business center and boardroom, and free access to off-site fitness center
As a four-pearl property, Hotel Griffon manages to hit some of the expected features while falling shy of others. Perry's,
the hotel's American-style restaurant, is located just off the lobby area, and
is open throughout the day for meals, drinks, and bar snacks.
Breakfast is served here to guests for an extra fee, and room service
is also available. There are a few public computers available for
guest use in the small business center in the lobby, and a boardroom
on the top floor with a private terrace can seat up to 14 people.
Guests staying at Hotel Griffon have access to the fitness center at
the YMCA next door, which is equipped with workout machines and free
weights. Other services available here include laundry, valet
parking, free Wi-Fi, and a free car service to the Financial District on weekday
mornings. Guests are also free to help themselves to the free coffee,
tea, and fresh fruit available in the lobby.
