Carlton Hotel is reasonably priced, older, yet clean and centrally located. The staff are nice and the food in the small restaurant is tasty. It's a less expensive way to visit SF.

The hotel is in a decent location, though it is kind of close to the Tenderloin. The rooms were a bit on the small side and had no A/C. I'm sure that's normally not a big problem in San Francisco but I was actually there when it was unseasonably warm so it was slightly annoying. The rooms look a bit outdated and the TV in my first room was from the 1990s. It had a view of an alley. The hotel did (nightly?) wine tastings that were free. There's also a restaurant attached that is supposedly pretty good.

I had bed bugs, however. The first night I was a little itchy, and I suspected bed bugs, but I didn't see any so I wasn't sure. The next night, I caught one in the act! It didn't even seem ashamed, either. This was about midnight and I didn't want to go through the rigmarole of getting a new room because I was tired and had to get up early, so I just tried to sleep.

The next night I asked if there were any rooms available. I was told there were not. When I explained I was a guest at the hotel and that there were bed bugs in my room the night before, the concierge asked why I hadn't said anything before. I explained my reasons as above. Eventually she said she'd send someone up. I got up to my room and someone was there to do something (clear the room of bed bugs? I have no idea how he would accomplish this in a few minutes), when I got a call saying I could switch rooms. The new room was much higher up and had a great view, as well as a modern TV. Overall a very nice upgrade - and no bed bugs!

I do wonder about that room, though. Originally, before knowing I was a current guest, the concierge said there were no rooms available. Does that mean all rooms were reserved but not all guests had arrived? And that, by my taking another room, one of those guests was assigned my bed-bug-infested room? I can only speculate, but I do wonder.

I'd only give this place 3 stars normally, so I'm only docking it a star for the bed bugs. I understand these things happen, but when they do I think it's incumbent on the concierge to not question why I waited a night to report it (I understand the curiosity, certainly, but they're in a service business).

Where to begin...

1. GREAT customer service. The people at the front desk were outstanding, helpful, had a great sense of humor and really know the city. For being a small boutique hotel they really offer a lot.
2. Ambience. Every evening there is a cocktail hour where wine is served. The wine was quite good and on one evening they had a string quartet playing. Even though the lobby is small, it is cozy, has a cool vibe and feels like what travel must have been like long ago: where you mingle with other international travelers and wind down the day.
3. Parking. The valet parking was effortless. You do need to park your car directly in front and then take the keys to the desk - but after that it is in-and-out parking for the same evening rate (which was reasonable, I think $35 per night).
4. Neighborhood. This is in the "TenderNob" which is between the Tenderloin and Nob Hill. I liked the energy of the neighborhood and found it very walkable with fantastic restaurants close by.
5. The room. The rooms are small, with the original bathroom and windows. If you want a sound proof room, this is not the hotel for you. At the Carlton you experience the city. I felt safe in my room and thought the bed was fabulous. It is no frills, but it is stil chic and comfortable.

I am looking forward to my next trip to San Francisco. I will be staying at the Carlton!

Sadly I was taken in by the hotel's deceptive description as "boutique hotel with sophisticated interiors" and per- booked 4 nights at the Carlton. On arrival we found it to be a somewhat tatty and worn-out old hotel with more of an ambience of a backpacker's hostel than a smart hotel. The first room we had adjoined another room and noise and light from the other room came through the unsealed area around the door all night long. Not that that was the only thing to keep us awake, there was also light coming from the hall, and through the ancient wooden venetian blinds at the window as well as the constant scream of sirens of ambulances and fire engines. The mattress of the bed was way too soft and my husband and I rolled together into the valley of sleeplessness. We moved rooms for the next 3 nights and although we didn't have light and noise from an adjoining room all of the other problems were the same. We would definitely have moved hotel had our credit card not already been debited on arrival. Do not be deceived that paying the price of a good hotel room you will receive one at the Carlton. To be avoided!