By Contributing Writer
Hotel Whitcomb in San Francisco
is one of the top U.S. tourist destinations, offering a charming combination of sophistication and casual West Coast vibe. The Hotel Whitcomb offers serviceable and inexpensive accommodations for Bay City visitors looking to stretch their travel dollars. Located on Market Street near the Civic Center, the Hotel Whitcomb is proximate the theater district and is conveniently located near several public transportation routes to get you around the city economically and with ease. If you fly into SFO, the excellent BART system will take you right to the hotel door. Built over 100 years ago, the Hotel Whitcomb retains a certain vintage charm and is listed on the Historic Hotels of America registry.
Insider Tips
Hotel Whitcomb Lobby
The Hotel Whitcomb straddles SoMa, or South of Market, the Civic Center area and the fringes of the once-notorious Tenderloin District. The lobby and the adjoining Market Street Grill are splendid examples of Victorian excess. The lobby is huge with marble columns, elaborately carved wood and chandeliers galore. Be sure to check out the killer stained glass at the front desk. The hotel also houses a piano bar and a Starbucks. Room service is available; however, most visitors are more interested in exploring San Francisco's world-class culinary offerings. For a fast, cheap lunch, pick up a binh ma, a classic Vietnamese sandwich, at any number of places in the Tenderloin. The Whitcomb is proximate to the vibrant SoMa art scene, and the Market Street F-line trolley makes getting to the Embarcadero, Fisherman's Wharf or the Castro District a snap. Check the hotel website for special promotions, and be specific about your accommodation needs when you make your reservations. The Whitcomb has a handful of parlor suites available for travelers wishing additional space.
Pros and Cons
Like many hotels built in the same era, the Whitcomb has an enormous, ornate lobby and small, spartan rooms short on decorator details. Amenities are basic: telephones, televisions with cable, private baths and excellent maid service. The rooms are clean and the beds are comfortable; however, the bathrooms can be problematic. Some only have shower facilities and plumbing problems occur. But the helpful folks at the front desk will get the problem solved or find you another room. Market Street can be noisy, so request a room in the rear if you are a light sleeper. Valet parking is expensive and the complimentary Wi-Fi is not reliable in the rooms. The surrounding area has a fair-sized homeless population that locals insist are harmless. However, use common sense when walking in the area after dark, and be assured the security in the hotel is excellent.
Bottom Line
Visitors flock to San Francisco for the views, which you won't find at the Hotel Whitcomb, but you will discover well-located accommodations for an affordable price. With over 400 rooms, the front desk/concierge can get overwhelmed, but they are also helpful, friendly and are a good source of insider information about street markets, cheap eats and good music. Because of the inexpensive rates and proximity to the Castro District, the hotel jumps during Pride Week in June and during the Castro Fair and Halloween festivities in October. Don't be surprised to see high-school kids on a class trip mingling with business travelers in the elevators. And on a foggy evening, if the fireplace is going in the Market Street Grill, it is a cozy, retro place to have a pre-theater dinner or nightcap. For the budget-conscious traveler, the Hotel Whitcomb is a good value.
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