Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf

With its rounded tops, tall and narrow windows, and classical columns, this Holiday Inn Express Hotels & Suites shows hints of much of San Francisco’s distinctive Victorian-Italianate style architecture. The entrance, painted in lime green against the rest of the building’s gray and white brick, is a playful homage to the iconic, multicolored “painted ladies” Victorians scattered throughout the city. Inside, the spacious, spot-lit lobby is more modern and snazzy in its decor, a reflection of the hotel’s full renovation in 2014. Its new furnishings give the chain hotel some unexpected flair, thanks to sleek details like granite tiled floors and a mahogany paneled check-in desk are spruced up by bold, abstract-stripe carpet, a few royal blue and orange armchairs, and solid tree-stump side tables. While there’s plenty of functional seating available throughout the common area thanks to the business center, breakfast tables, and work desks, casual lounging options are limited -- though this might not be a bad thing, as the space can get noisy with the volume of tour groups and vacationing families flowing in and out. 

Like its name suggests, the hotel is adjacent to one of San Francisco’s biggest tourist attraction areas, while still being distanced enough from the bay front to block out major street noise. It’s a five-minute walk at maximum to the lively Fisherman’s Wharf, which encompasses the famous Ghirardelli Square chocolate shop and ferry boarding point for Alcatraz Island, and skims the edge of the Pier 39 shops and arcades. There is no shortage of eateries nearby, either, but most are chain restaurants, and guests may have to walk outside the immediate area to find local cuisine. The nearest BART stop is a 10 to 12-minute walk away, so the best bet for getting to major attractions beyond the Wharf is the streetcar line, which is a three-minute walk from the hotel and gets business travelers to the financial district within 30 minutes, and tourists to popular sites like the Ferry Building Marketplace in 20 minutes. Access to hot spots beyond the tram loop, like Chinatown and the Golden Gate Bridge, can be reached by bus in 20 to 25 minutes. It’s much more of an obstacle course to areas like the Castro, which takes 40 minutes by public transportation. Transport to San Francisco International Airport is a 10-minute cab ride from the hotel, or 15 to 20 minutes by bus. 

Rooms at the Holiday Inn Express Hotels & Suites San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf are neat and comfortable, but not as vibrant as the lobby. Gray-and-white striped carpets offset black leather bed frames, nondescript wooden side tables, and stainless steel accents on floor and table lamps. One or two vintage art prints in each room lend a small pop of color. All beds come with the Holiday Inn Express’s signature Simply Smart mattresses and linens. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, 42” HDTVs, work desks, safes, and Keurig coffeemakers. The overall vibe is clean and modern, but not exciting. While Fisherman’s Wharf may be next door, guests shouldn’t assume a bay view from all rooms; while some windows feature a stunning lookout onto Alcatraz (when the fog clears!), others face brick walls at the back of the hotel. Bathrooms are simple, with light slate gray walls and granite sink countertops. All have fixed showerheads with shower/tub combos, and include hairdryers and Bath and Body Works shampoo/conditioner products. Some guests have found standard King Bed, Queen Bed, and Two Queen Bed rooms to be on the small side along with the bathrooms, and the lack of mini-fridges to be inconvenient. For larger rooms, the hotel offers Mini Suites Family Suites. Both include fold-out couches plus kitchenettes with sinks, microwaves, and mini-fridges, but Family Suites go a step further, with separate living areas. Accessible King or Queen rooms for guests with mobility issues may also be requested. 

The hotel provides a small but decently equipped gym, a free three-computer business center open 24/7, free Wi-Fi throughout the building, and same-day laundry service. However, for a full range of amenities, including a pool, travelers will need to combine the offerings here with those at the Holiday Inn San Francisco - Fisherman’s Wharf across the street. While guests have full access to the facilities at both hotels -- and the sister property does feature an on-site bar and restaurant, unlike this one -- some may find the schlep back and forth to be more of a bother than a perk. This hotel has no room service, but offers a free daily continental breakfast bar which includes standard hot and cold items, from eggs and sausages to pastries and biscuits. Limited healthier fare like fruit and yogurt is also offered. The hotel takes security seriously, requiring a key card for access to elevators, restrooms, and even ice and snack machines on any floor above the ground level. Both self-parking and valet service come with hefty per-day fees.