Hotel Griffon – A Greystone Hotel

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.

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.

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.

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.