Located near City Hall, the Federal building and the Theatre District, this San Francisco hotel has an international vintage style that offers an eclectic and relaxing haven accentuated by exotic travel photographs. The charming public spaces showcase a cross-cultural design that incorporates one-of-a-kind objects and fascinating treasures. Hotel Carlton is also a non-smoking and pet-friendly San Francisco hotel.
The Hotel Carlton is one of the few hotels in San Francisco to be equipped with solar panels and is proud to be certified by the City of San Francisco as a Green Business and LEED EB GOLD. Green businesses help reduce waste and protect our environment by employing pollution prevention practices, minimizing waste and conserving energy, water and other natural resources
Star Rating:
Local Attractions:
San Francisco City Hall, Federal Building, Hastings Law School, Regency Center, AMC Van Ness Theater, Fisherman's Wharf, Japantown, Civic Center
Hotel Reviews for Hotel Carlton a Joie De Vivre Boutique Hotel
4.0out of 5Based on 1405 guest reviews, Very Good
Based on 1,484 traveler reviews
Value
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Excellent
603
Very Good
595
Average
197
Poor
59
Terrible
30
Most Recent Traveler Reviews:
“The Carlton - International Flair”
May 20, 2013
Lesley R, Laguna Beach, California | Trip type: Solo travel
The Carlton is adorned in a warm yet chic style with an international flair. If World Market-Cost Plus had a hotel, this would be it. The staff treats you professionally...
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The Carlton is adorned in a warm yet chic style with an international flair. If World Market-Cost Plus had a hotel, this would be it. The staff treats you professionally while caring for you like family. Any questions, they are more than ready to give you good advice, and how to well spend your money is this great bay city. There is an area where guests can retrieve board games on an honor system for those with kids. There are lots of great world books sitting around the lobby for those waiting or sitting to browse through. The rooms are very clean and with lively colors in cotton sari type fabrics mixed with clean whites. Gives a travelling feeling, but with cleanliness. I would recommend this chic hotel to anyone visiting the city. Also, the location is fabulous. About six blocks from Union square, a great walk. Also, there is a really great restaurant on location, and a cool bar next door to the hotel. The women who run it are very friendly, serve an interesting style of drinks, along with the traditional ones, and also serve gourmet style bar food. Lots of room for larger parties, or comfy seats for those singles who want to sit at the bar. Overall, the place the location, the nearby places - it's excellent. « less
“Nice, friendly boutique hotel”
May 19, 2013
David50226, Columbus, Ohio | Trip type: Couples
My partner and I had stayed many times before in the Beresford Arms in SF, a comparatively priced hotel nearby. Since their rates had gone up 20% in one year,...
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My partner and I had stayed many times before in the Beresford Arms in SF, a comparatively priced hotel nearby. Since their rates had gone up 20% in one year, we decided to switch to the the Carlton, and we found there were many advantages in doing so.
The location is very good. People who say it's in a bad neighborhood should probably not go on vacations to large cities. As many have said, the staff is extremely helpful, friendly, courteous. Our room (a queen bed) was clean, more than large enough for two, and offered a beautiful panorama of the city. It could have been quieter, though, and we were concerned that if there had been people staying in the room next to us, we would have heard noise through the walls. As it was, people slamming doors all night was sometimes a nuisance, but you have to expect that sometimes in older hotels.
The evening wine reception was a disappointment. For one thing, it only is a half-an-hour, and the noisy entertainment often drowns out any possibility of conversation. Having snacks to go with the wine would help, too. The lobby, though, is wonderfully comfortable and inviting, and makes the reception more pleasant than it would be otherwise. Breakfast in the restaurant seemed expensive, and you have to walk a few blocks to find any other decent place to eat breakfast.
Overall, the hotel is a good value--but if we can, we'll return to the Beresford Arms. If not, we would gladly stay here again. « less
“A friendly place to stay”
May 19, 2013
emmanuel l, Paris, France | Trip type: Friends getaway
This is a really nice place to stay when you come to San Francisco! The staff is very nice and very helpful, the lobby is very convenient for meeting the...
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This is a really nice place to stay when you come to San Francisco! The staff is very nice and very helpful, the lobby is very convenient for meeting the other clients while having a glass of wine, the atmosphere is very relax (in a good way that is!!) The only thing I could reproach to this hotel is that the rooms are not at all the same and it will affect your stay! For example we've been there for four nights first and one night before leaving SF. The first room was wonderful (I was travelling with a relative) and we felt very comfortable. But on our way back we had a room facing the street (so nosier but not that much) that looked really sad actually! But i would recommand for sure this hotel to anyone who is looking for a nice and friendly place! « less
“Friendly, helpful front desk”
May 15, 2013
MaryJo1534, Waukesha, Wisconsin | Trip type: Family
I will stay at the Hotel Carlton again. It is clean, the people are friendly, they offer free wine and entertainment at happy hour and the location is very good....
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I will stay at the Hotel Carlton again. It is clean, the people are friendly, they offer free wine and entertainment at happy hour and the location is very good. I would say the value is great for the rpice. « less
Read management response to this review.
Management response from Hotel Manager, Manager
Thank you for a terrific review! We are so pleased to hear how much you enjoyed your stay. We sincerely appreciate your comments and feedback. Be sure to check out the Saha Restaurant next time, it is delicious! Please join us again soon, we would love to see you!
« hide
“Excellent location”
May 14, 2013
melanie992, Wrexham, United Kingdom | Trip type: Family
Stayed at this Hotel May 2013 on a family trip to San Francisco. The Hotel Is in an excellent location for shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants and a short taxi drive...
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Stayed at this Hotel May 2013 on a family trip to San Francisco. The Hotel Is in an excellent location for shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants and a short taxi drive from the airport. Walking distance to Pier 39 and Fishermans warf (20 mins). My room was spacious with good size bathroom and closet with safe facility. The Hotel is doing up some rooms at present, but I have to stress that the work did not spoil our stay at all, workmen were very polite and clean. All the staff are very pleasant and more than helpful, they make you feel very welcome and always address you politely when coming and going from the Lobby. They will organise taxi's for you and also carry out your check-in 24hrs before departure and print boarding passes. Bar next door called FLY is worth checking out for food and drinks, nice atmosphere both in the day and evenings. « less
Read management response to this review.
Management response from Hotel Manager, Manager
Thank you for a fantastic review! We are thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed your stay. Our team is definitely the heart and soul of our operation, and we are happy to hear that you enjoyed our service! We look forward to your return to San Francisco, and we hope to see you soon!
« hide
These reviews are the subjective opinions of individual travelers and not of TripAdvisor LLC nor of its partners.
Superior King Bed
1 king bed. 375 square feet. Desk. In-room safe (accommodates laptop). Cable television service. Premium television channel(s). Pay movies. Voice mail. Clock radio. Coffee/tea maker. Shower/tub combination. Designer toiletries. Hair dryer. Iron/ironing board. Ceiling fan. Climate control. Window opens. Daily housekeeping. Non-smoking only.
Deluxe One King Bed
One King Bed
Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and the 32-inch flat-screen TVs offers premium TV channels. A coffee/tea maker is provided. You will have a shower/tub combination, as well as bathrobes, designer toiletries, and a hair dryer. A ceiling fan, a laptop-compatible safe, and a desk are among the conveniences offered. This room is Non-Smoking.
Amenities - Hotel Carlton a Joie De Vivre Boutique Hotel
Alarm clock
Baggage storage facilities
Central location
Concierge service
Credit card accepted: Mastercard/Visa
Credit card accepted: American Express
Credit card accepted: Discover
Dinner available
Electronic key card
Elevator
Hairdryer available
Internet - wireless
Internet is Complimentary
Movies in room
Non-smoking rooms
24 hours opened
Office or business center
Pets allowed
Private bathroom in room
Radio in room
Restaurant
24 hours room service
Safe in rooms
Shower
Tea and coffee making facilities
Telephone
Telephone in all rooms
Telephone - Free local calls
Television
TV - Free Cable
Travellers cheques accepted
Valet Parking
Voicemail
Pet Friendly?
Yes! Pets are allowed.
Show Pet PolicyPets allowed free of charge
Airport & Shuttle Information - Hotel Carlton a Joie De Vivre Boutique Hotel
San Francisco International Airport 15 miles
Oakland International Airport 30 miles
San Jose International Airport 45 miles
Airport Shuttle? Sorry, no airport shuttle available.
Local Shuttle Info: Accessible to Muni, Bart, and Caltrain
Testimonials: Why use Hotel Planner?
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"Our hotel stay was wonderful. The hotel was very accomodating and well organized. We appreciate all that every one did for us. I have already told other groups about your service and plan on using it again myself." C.V. - Suwannee, FL
Based on 1,484 traveler reviews 
Value
Rooms
“The Carlton - International Flair”
Superior Two Fulls
City View Queen