Kimpton Buchanan Hotel San Francisco Review
The Kimpton Buchanan Hotel is one of two (soon to be three) Kimpton properties in San Francisco. The building was originally a 4-story office building before they added on an additional 4 floors and converted it to a 131 room hotel. It reopened as a Kimpton in 2016.
Location
The Kimpton Buchanan Hotel is located in Japantown in the heart of the city. It is definitely not a tourist area, but if you want to see the sites they are a quick Uber ride or 25 minute walk away.
The area feels safe and quiet, though I visited during a three day weekend. It meant I got an incredible deal of $90 + tax for my Sunday night stay.
Parking in the onsite garage is $40 per night. Ouch.
Check In
I arrived a bit before noon, and not surprisingly, my room wasn’t ready. I was told I would receive a text when it was ready, but I never did. When I returned after a day out and dinner, my room was ready.
The lobby is small but comfortable. There are only two elevators so you have to wait a bit at times.
In the morning they have coffee available in a corner of the lobby.
I had booked a standard King and was upgraded to a Balcony King (Room 702). I also mentioned the Secret Social Password and received a bottle of wine and chocolates.
I was disappointed that the Buchanan doesn’t participate in Raid the Bar; likely because there is no mini bar in the room or bar on site.
Room
Once you step out of the elevators, you have a nice view out over Japantown.
My room was at the end of the hall on the Buchanan Street side.
The room is small but comfortable. As you enter, the bathroom is on your left and the rest of the room straight ahead.
Opposite the bed is a wardrobe and TV set up on an art easel. Two chairs and a table are in front of the sliding glass door.
Inside the wardrobe is iron/ironing board, safe, empty mini fridge, yoga mat and kimono style robes.
Out on the very small balcony is two chairs and a small table.
Bathroom
The bathroom is divided into two areas; both of which are separated from the rest of the room with a solid door. The first area is the sink with a closet area opposite.
Through a second door way (without a door) is the toilet and bathtub with shower.
The bath products are Atelier Bloem in large bottles (there is a sign that offers you can buy a full bottle for $38 at the front desk). The only single use items are a bottle of lotion and one bar of soap.
Onsite Amenities
The property is small. The only restaurant is Mums located on the 1st Floor (lobby is located on Ground Floor). Also on the 1st Floor is the small gym, conference room, and outdoor patio. Some rooms have direct access to the patio.
Overall I my stay at the Kimpton Buchanan Hotel was fine. The price was fantastic; my guess is typically Sundays are the lowest day for hotels in San Francisco. Don’t stay there thinking it will be a top notch Kimpton like the La Peer in Los Angeles, but it is a nice property with some character away from the tourist areas of the city.