SAN FRANCISCO CAVALLO POINT HOTEL: well meaning but lacks attention to detail..
There is one main issue with Cavallo Point Hotel at Sausilito San Francisco, and that is the lack of attention to detail and the enthusiastic but not very slick service across all aspects of the hotel.
Overall the hotel ends up providing a stay that is “fine” but not special. This is such a pity as the location is special and historic (an old army base at the base of the Golden gate bridge in a national park) and has stunning views of both the bridge and across the bay to the city of San Francisco.
The place is slightly surreal and odd, as it is a concerted army base and the old buildings and barracks have been converted into rooms. They are set in a large horseshoe shape around some open ground, with newer (what they call contemporary) buildings built up on the hill. The new buildings look nothing like the old and do not follow the same colours and so looks like a hotel in 2 parts.
The bar (Farleys) and the michelin star restaurant are attractive and busy. The food is good. And this seems to be the most successful part of the venture.
There is a good spa, but very expensive and so most people seemed to use it to hang out and use the small heated pool. There is a few buildings down a good sized fitness room with good range of cardio equipment and small weights section.
Our room (we had a king) in the contemporary buildings with good view of the bridge. The decor was quite Swedish like and fine, but not spectacular. It was large though and the bed was comfortable. There was a huge flat screen TV with good range of channels. The bathroom was large.
But overall service was mixed and for example:
Overall the hotel ends up providing a stay that is “fine” but not special. This is such a pity as the location is special and historic (an old army base at the base of the Golden gate bridge in a national park) and has stunning views of both the bridge and across the bay to the city of San Francisco.
The place is slightly surreal and odd, as it is a concerted army base and the old buildings and barracks have been converted into rooms. They are set in a large horseshoe shape around some open ground, with newer (what they call contemporary) buildings built up on the hill. The new buildings look nothing like the old and do not follow the same colours and so looks like a hotel in 2 parts.
The bar (Farleys) and the michelin star restaurant are attractive and busy. The food is good. And this seems to be the most successful part of the venture.
There is a good spa, but very expensive and so most people seemed to use it to hang out and use the small heated pool. There is a few buildings down a good sized fitness room with good range of cardio equipment and small weights section.
Our room (we had a king) in the contemporary buildings with good view of the bridge. The decor was quite Swedish like and fine, but not spectacular. It was large though and the bed was comfortable. There was a huge flat screen TV with good range of channels. The bathroom was large.
But overall service was mixed and for example:
- although the hotel was very empty we were put in a room (knowing we had travelled from london) that was next to a suite lounge where a party was booked.
- there were 5 empty beer bottles on our veranda that never were cleaned away, and a dead bird after the 1st day that also did not get cleaned
- no service at all one day
- our key had only been programmed for part of our stay
- they would bring all courses ordered at once And so on.
So just lack of detail. People were entusiatic and nice, but not so efficient.
I would not recommend this place to friends, as although nice to be just outside the city and quick to get in, it was not special enough for the money.
To see my photos: click here
Read more about San Francisco on Tips for Travellers:
Hotels I stayed in San Francisco and surrounds:
- Le Meridien Hotel San Francisco
- Cavallo Point Hotel (across the bay)
