Argonaut Hotel, Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco (Part II)

On our first night here at the Argonaut Hotel, we were on the second floor.  The room was small and no view.  It had a nautical theme, with a porthole-like mirror dominating the center of the room.  The bathroom had wooden nautical-themed wood as detailing on the area near the sink; very tastefully done.

Unfortunately, none of us slept well; something in the room triggered an allergic reaction in my husband and son.  The second day, when my son was trying to nap, we heard banging above us.  My son thought it was "Santa on the roof."  Santa or not, it scared him a little!  I called the front desk and told them about the noise.  The hotel was renovating above us on the 4th floor, and said they could move us, we just needed to come down and get a key.  We went to the front desk, my son charmed them and they gave them a sailor hat, rubber ducky, and a ball.  Plus, the costumed attendant really put on a theatrical show for William, it was fun.  We got the new key to a room on the 4th floor, and got help moving our stuff to our new room.  It was a hassle, but they were really kind and helpful!  My recommendation would be to ask for a non-pet friendly room if you have allergies, and also to be away from renovation noise (sounds like it will probably be done by January 2012, but you may want to ask about it; we're looking forward to seeing the updated new rooms).

For breakfast in the morning, we walked up the street to Starbucks, just around the corner on Bay Street.  My son got a hot chocolate with whipped cream and a protein bistro box.  I got a gingerbread soy decaff latte with one pump of syrup ( I love the gingerbread lattes at Starbucks, but they are too sweet with their normal flavor).  Unfortunately, I couldn't find a local (non-Starbucks) coffee shop walking distance to the hotel, as I usually like to give places like that my business.  The Buena Vista, birthplace of the Irish coffee, is just around the corner (but we're not up for Irish coffee with our 3-year-old early in the morning).

The biggest asset to this hotel is clearly the location.  It is right along Fisherman's Wharf, just beside the cable car and only a very short walk from Ghiradelli Square (also just a few blocks away from Pier 39)  It is a wonderful jumping off point to explore San Francisco.

Argonaut Hotel, Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

We stayed at the Argonaut Hotel at Fisherman's wharf in San Francisco for two nights.  It is morning, we haven't checked out yet, and I'm writing this in the lobby.

The lobby is decorated beautifully with a nautical theme; sails lit by slowly changing-colored lights are on both sides of the room.  The colors and theme triggered memories for me of the book, Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak.  A well-proportioned fireplace with a decorated mantel is at the center of the room.  A Christmas tree stands nearby.  It is hard not to feel festive!

I've been wanting to stay here for awhile.  Timing is the key to staying here at a reasonable price.  At this time of year, one night in a king room with no view was $224.00 during the week; the same room on Friday night was $139.00!

I looked on Expedia, hotels.com, etc.  But, I finally got the best rates by just calling the hotel directly and asking for the best rate.  The attendant was really nice and gave me the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park museum rate.  The museum is next door, and you can see it through windows walking down the hall from the entrance of the hotel to the lobby.  is run by the U.S. park service, and is open daily from 9:30AM to 5:00PM.

We brought my 3 1/2 son with us and we found this to be a very family friendly hotel.  They are also pet friendly!

My son loved the bell desk uniforms; they are dressed in a nautical/sailor theme.  When we arrived, the bell captain dramatically and theatrically greeted our son, and our son was captivated.

Across the street from the hotel is a tourist store.  They have pirate statues out front (climbing the building), and so our son thinks of it as the "pirate" store.   He got a toy boat there, which he loved and played with in the room.  The hotel has free hot chocolate for children each day at 4:00PM and wine-tasting for adults at 6:00PM.  The lounge is really comfortable for hanging out and relaxing (and blogging)!

San Francisco Fisherman's Warf - Restaurants

Tourists visiting San Francisco invariably come down to Fisherman's Warf.  Stretching from Ghiradelli Square down to Pier 39, this is a main tourist thoroughfare.  Many hotels.  Many places selling jackets and sweatshirts to tourists not prepared for the weather.  Amazing views of the Bay and Alcatraz, and of the sublimely beautiful fog-shrouded city.

In terms of restaurants, however, the Warf can be hit or miss.  Really, mostly miss.  Of the places to eat on the Warf, only a few stand out.

*  Gary Danko is, literally, the best restaurant in San Francisco.  Be prepared to make reservations there 2 months in advance.  Despite the reputation, I've been impressed by the friendly and unpretentious five-star (plus) service.

*  Scoma's is a large seafood place down an alley, sitting right on the water.  It is "one of the Warf's oldest institutions."  The food is pretty good, and locals have been known to eat there.

*  The Buena Vista has been at the corner of Beach and Hyde forever.  This is where they invented the Irish Coffee.  The dinner isn't much to write home about (the burger is safe, but just a burger), but the Irish Coffee is worth a try.  They also have very good breakfasts.  Great atmosphere, if you don't mind it a bit loud.  People-watching.  Views of cable cars.  An important cultural experience.