User Reviews for Monarch Hotel

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May 12, 2007 by Anthony from Long Beach, CA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[3] • Staff:[4] • Location:[1]

• Quaint room with great view of street life action on corner.
• Location is extremely bad with hookers, crack heads and crazies outside.

“First of all, you'll be happy to find out that the elevator has updated their permit. The features of the room included: a deep bathtub, high ceilings, a city view and the newest Panasonic TV (tube not plasma). The nightlife outside of the room is filled with hookers, pimps, homeless and drug users. Once in the hotel, you feel safe; however watching what goes on outside of your room is disturbing, yet entertaining. Being from Southern California, we were not scared, however in such a bad part of S.F., we were careful where we parked our car. Speaking of parking, we did find metered parking on the street, which is free until 9 am. Check the street signs, because street sweepers come everyday on opposite sides of the street. Parking is offered from the hotel for $21; Overall we would recommend this hotel for people on a budget staying one night for the noises of the cars at night and street sweepers in the morning would not be nice to listen to another night.”

May 6, 2007 by Sharn from Provo, UT
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[9]

• Good location to public transportation. Met all our needs.
• Na

“If you walk on the wrong street, it might be dangerous. But if other then that, I loved my experience.”

Apr 25, 2007 by Jeff from Hampton, NH
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[6] • Location:[4]

• The bed was comfortable.
• The wireless internet service didn't work in the room, necessitating frequent lobby visits where it worked, but poorly.

“This hotel has been my biggest disappointment. The diminutive bathroom was in a poor state of repair (shower valve handle not attached, loose lavatory faucet rotated in the hole in the sink when you used it) and they had installed a water saver device that made the shower lethargic. The Monarch hotel's location in "the Tenderloin" district is directly across the street from an "Adult Superstore. "The wireless internet service didn't work (despite getting a 5-bar signal) in the room 99% of the time, but a trip to the lobby would fix that problem "most" of the time. The elevator was so slow (remember, this is a "boutique" hotel) that it was quicker to climb the stairs to my room on the fourth floor. ”

Apr 25, 2007 by Zachary from Worcester, MA
Overall Rating: 2
Cleanliness:[2] • Staff:[1] • Location:[1]

• It was reasonably priced in a historic building.
• Building was largely unrenovated, seemed dingy.

“The Monarch Hotel, while once a destination in a nice neighborhood, has gone largely unmaintained and retains the aura of the 1970s remodeling of an even older building. Though there was nothing mechanically wrong with my accommodations, the feeling inside the hotel was one of uncleanliness. That said, it was economical and there was free wifi.”

Jan 30, 2007 by Mortimer from Kenmore, WA
Overall Rating: 4
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[8] • Location:[2]

• Helpful staff at desk.
• Unsafe neighborhood. Pan-handlers. Heard attempted rape in the hotel.

“An ok place for the money in san Francisco, but that's not saying much, since san Francisco is so expensive for hotels. This hotel is in a dicey neighborhood, with homeless street people begging, especially at night. For a city-wise budget traveler, the monarch is ok. Mel's diner just up on the corner is a good place to eat - and open late.”

Jan 27, 2007 by Bill from Chicopee, MA
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[2] • Staff:[5] • Location:[2]

• Nothing at all.
• Location in bad area outside front door and everything inside.

“I had sent something out on this hotel earlier. We actually left with three days left (prepaid) in order to save our vacation. We went to Tuscan at the wharf which was great. This hotel is the worst I have ever been in my lives is usually easy to please.”

Jan 23, 2007 by Mike from Ann Arbor, MI
Overall Rating: 3
Cleanliness:[6] • Staff:[6] • Location:[4]

• Cheap.
• Chintzy.

“They were so cheap the lobby wasn't heated with employees wearing ski jackets; no plastic bags, pen or paper in the room; we will not stay at this very depressing hotel again.”

Jan 14, 2007 by Tung N. from Nashville, TN
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[7] • Location:[5]

• Room was clean; comfortable.
• No free parking. To park in commercial garage.

“I'm a new traveler and never expected to pay for parking after booking so hotel. However, when I came, I couldn't find a place to park. You have to pay -22 to park at one of nearby commercial parking lots. If parking isn't an issue, this is one of the better hotels I¿ve been to. It's kind of old, but clean.”

Dec 4, 2006 by Yong from Pullman, WA
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[1] • Staff:[2] • Location:[2]

• N/A
• Everything.

“This is the worst experience that I have ever had in the past 3 years. The wall is extremely thin. You can hear people talking just upstairs. The room is not clean. It has a kind of strange smell. The towel is also not very clean, with some slight yellow color on each. The nearby area is not pretty safe.”

Nov 19, 2006 by John from Moultonborough, NH
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[7] • Location:[8]

• Location.
• Extra charges.

“When I asked for a cot they did offer a room with two beds at an additional charge of $10.00.”

Nov 15, 2006 by Fang from Atlanta, GA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[7] • Location:[8]

• Location is good, very near to the center of SFO city. Room is clean.
• The heater is really noising and the neighborhood is not very nice.

“It's OK, for the price I pay. But have no wifi is really inconvenient.”

Nov 13, 2006 by Caroline from Felton, CA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[6] • Location:[4]

• The hotel was very clean and located near union square, moscone center, and the convention center.
• The neighborhood was a little seedy and my TV did not work very well.

“The monarch was good hotel for people wanting an inexpensive, clean, and comfortable place to stay. The hotel was located on the outskirts of the tenderloin, and though I wouldn't take my young children vacationing there, I didn't feel unsafe in the neighborhood either. The hotel is perfectly safe though spars on amenities (no lobby computers) but I got more than I expected for the very reasonable rate I paid. I had a little trouble with the TV. The staff was nice and even held my bags for about 12 hours until I could come and pick them up. If I needed a cheap place to stay in the city again I would stay at the monarch.”

Sep 21, 2006 by Walter from Winnipeg, MB CA
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[6] • Staff:[6] • Location:[7]

• Good value for money.
• A little shabby.

“Simple but clean accommodations at a reasonable rate.”

Aug 23, 2006 by D A. from Port Byron, NY
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[8] • Location:[6]

• The hotel was a great price , clean room and bathroom.
• Noise from across the street at night.

“Our vacation stay was pleasant at the Monarch. We wanted a inexpensive hotel that was clean and safe. This hotel worked out fine. The hotel was not why we went to San Francisco hotel was a place to rest and shower. Feel that it worked out for our needs.”

Aug 23, 2006 by Diana from Conroe, TX
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[10] • Location:[2]

• It was clean and the people were nice.
• It was in a very shady neighborhood and had no A/C.

“The hotel was very clean and the staff was very helpful and polite. It and was not very convenient for walking to local sites.”

Aug 18, 2006 by Chen from Lawrence, KS
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[5] • Location:[6]

• You can get a bus in a short walk.
• Streets are still very noisy in the midnight.

“The hotel staff are not very friendly. The location is easy to go every by bus. There are many restaurants near the hotel. The worst thing is there are lots people shouting on the street even in the midnight.”

Aug 8, 2006 by Jerry from St Petersburg, FL
Overall Rating: 2
Cleanliness:[4] • Staff:[7] • Location:[2]

• Nothing.
• TV didn't work -no air -tenderloin area in sf.

“Motel 6 would be a great upgrade. Vagrants and beggars populate the area. Half way house shelter across the street. wouldn't be a good last resort.”

Jul 23, 2006 by Leon from Middletown, CA
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[6] • Staff:[4] • Location:[5]

• Close to Van Ness bus stops, Mel's Diner, Tommy's Joint.
• Close to tenderloin, homeless hang out at front door.

“Convenient for the knowledgeable traveler needing nothing more than a room in the city at a good price. Front desk is aloof but helpful when approached. Just a half block off Van Ness on Geary, great location to theaters, opera, local digs such as Tommy's Joint. Free coffee in lobby. Conveniently located across the street with an abundance of homeless/panhandlers and nightlife salesmen and women.”

Jul 21, 2006 by Becky from Surrey, BC CA
Overall Rating: 6
Cleanliness:[6] • Staff:[4] • Location:[6]

• Close to Bus route and Union Square.
• The white towels were a dirty grey tinged color.

“The Monarch was a decent place to sleep. It wasn't luxurious, but was clean and comfortable. It had all of our basic needs met. This is a great place for the traveler who just needs a place to sleep after a fun filled day of exploring the city. Its not a place for fussy people who want to sit around and get manicures and a tan.”

Jul 13, 2006 by Colleen from Boulder, CO
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[8] • Location:[4]

• The price was excellent for SF. And the quality was fine considering the price.
• Hotel is between a bad section and a fine one. If I had been alone, I would have felt less safe.

“The thing most seem to complain about is the location which is on the edge of a bad section of town. But a block away is a brand new movie theatre and a much safer area. You sort of need to know how to navigate to avoid the less safe areas. Once you solve that riddle, the hotel was clean and perfectly accommodating.”

Jun 21, 2006 by N from Portland, OR
Overall Rating: 4
Cleanliness:[5] • Staff:[4] • Location:[6]

• Location and price.
• Across the street from a very loud club, playing loud music till early morning. I needed ear plugs to sleep. No air conditioning.

“Good: location and price. Bad: no air conditioning and very noisy at night due to a loud dance club across the street.”

Jun 21, 2006 by Ronald from Saint Louis, MO
Overall Rating: 3
Cleanliness:[4] • Staff:[4] • Location:[6]

• 15 minute walk to Civic Center.
• In dangerous Tenderloin District. Many police on streets necessary at night.

“Reception was not friendly (lethargic, unresponsive). Was charged for key to room safe. Killed roach in room one night. Vanity counter in bathroom slanted so that every time you used either faucet, water ran down the length of it, making it impossible to place anything, like a kit bag, on it without items getting wet. It's just a run down, seedy hotel in the infamous Tenderloin district. There were, however, police on most corners of Polk Street at night. No a/c, either, just a fan overhead in room. And no ventilation in bathroom.”

Jun 20, 2006 by Corinne from Antioch, CA
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[7] • Location:[7]

• Not much.. I guess I am spoiled and hotel was a disappointment.
• Staff not willing to give 2 beds - said would need to pay $10.00 more.

“Hotel location is fine if want to be on in this area of town. Parking was expensive $21.00 with in & out privileges. Could get package direct with hotel at better price then I paid, and package included continental breakfast and parking. I was disappointed, but the room was clean. Bring your own shampoo as hotel did not offer any amenities. They did however have fresh coffee 24hours in the lobby. Cool old fashion elevator.”

Jun 7, 2006 by Judy from Sunnyvale, CA
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[2] • Staff:[1] • Location:[1]

• Nothing!
• Horrible, noisy, bad location, dangerous.

“Hotel was located in an unsafe location of the city. No parking garage available near the hotel. No A/C, loud & noisy ALL NIGHT. Hardly got any rest. My vehicle was vandalized!!! Smashed window, property stolen. I would NOT recommend this hotel to anyone EVER!!!I would appreciate a reimbursement as well.”

May 9, 2006 by Kenneth from Ca, CA
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[8] • Location:[7]

• The price was very good.
• It was difficult to sleep, because the room was exposed to loud street noise..

“The price was very good but, you get what you pay for, the noise from the street made restful sleep impossible. It may be only a matter of rooms, but business travelers needing a good nights rest should not "Price Line" this hotel.”

Apr 20, 2006 by Lori from Hazel Park, MI
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[1] • Staff:[1] • Location:[1]

• There was nothing to like.
• The hotel was in a drug & porno zone. We were terrified to stay.

“I travel for short periods, but almost every two weeks therefore I am very familiar with the level of hotels. The Monarch was in a drug and porno area of town with not one building with windows nearby. Every building on that block was all boarded-up with iron bars. Bums and the like were the only people we saw on that block and the hotel's front doors were wide open welcoming anyone & anything into the building. There was no one to supervise the doorway either and I had to shout from the lobby desk for assistance over the cries of a baby in a nearby room! Being Easter week and all, and still needing accommodations, we had to pay full price at another hotel for those two nights so that we could at least have a safe place to stay. Expenses of $340.00 USD that we were not prepared for!!! We are requesting a complete investigation of this situation and demand to have our money reimbursed for the cost of the stay we were supposed to have at a 2-star hotel, but instead ended-up at the Monarch which probably rents rooms by the hour!!! Our reimbursement should be US $156.92. We await your response and reimbursement. Dissatisfied Customers,Lori Horvath - Cellular:(248)504-9931Jean Trudgen”

0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Apr 12, 2006 by Sandra from Redwood City, CA
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[7] • Location:[7]

• Cheap clean room.
• Parking $22/night.

“Clean, hostel-like environment. Best for those who do not have a car, or need business equipment, room service, pool, movie channels, or other extras we have come to expect. Bare bones but clean. No hair dryer or coffee maker in the room but the shower works. Very close to public transportation to anywhere.”

Dec 6, 2005 by Chantana from San Leandro, CA
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[2] • Staff:[1] • Location:[2]

• Free coffee.
• Very rude.

“The staff there was very rude to us from the get go. I hate to say he was racist but I think that played a factor in it, my mate and I are a interracial couple but we are just like any other people. We weren't allowed guests and that I felt was rude, they had turned our guests away. When we where there visiting the city and our family. The over all experience was not good at all. I would never want to stay there again.”

Nov 16, 2005 by Bob from Ft Lauderdale, FL
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[3] • Staff:[7] • Location:[1]

• Nothing.
• Room smelled bad, noisy night club, The Element, across street.

“Remodeled recently, nice plantation shutters, but non smoking room smelled like smoke, no central heat, air, just old wall heater, extremely noisy night club across the street kept us awake very late. Not recommended.”

Nov 11, 2005 by Michelle from Kettering, OH
Overall Rating: 6
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[6] • Location:[7]

• It was decent for a quick overnight stay in the city.
• It was on a noisy corner across from an "adult theatre", did not sleep well, the rooms were clean but a little dated.

“The hotel was fine for a quick stay , parking is not included and costs $22. Did not care much for the locations and will not stay there again.”

Nov 10, 2005 by Don from Minneapolis, MN
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[7]

• Refurbished interior is grandiose for a two star hotel.
• The neighborhood around it is a little slummy.

“I was immediately impressed with the Monarch's interior. Mirrored lobby wall makes the room look spacious. It was also within two blocks of the Great American Music hall. Standard clean room. The free coffee was a good French roast. Only downside is it's location across the street from an adult bookstore in a grafittied neighborhood.”

0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Oct 17, 2005 by Julie from Edmond, OK
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[1] • Staff:[1] • Location:[1]

• We didn't feel safe enough to even stay there, we stayed somewhere else.
• It didn't seem safe to us, nor did it reflect their website at all, so we didn't stay there

“This hotel put off that it was something that it was not. We didn't feel safe enough to even stay there. ”

Oct 13, 2005 by Scott from Moscow, ID
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[10] • Location:[7]

• Great location.
• Traffic is very loud, it was hard to sleep.

“Very friendly staff, parking wasn't too bad, location is right downtown, lots of bars within walking distance.”

Oct 11, 2005 by Shannon from New York, NY
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[8] • Location:[1]

• Hotel was extremely clean, the rooms were large and well furnished.
• The hotel is right in the center of the Tenderloin district, can be very dangerous.

“For the price range the Monarch hotel was excellent. The quality of the room was much better than I expected. Of course, for the low price there has to be some draw back, and in this case it was the location of the hotel, right in the Tenderloin. I had no specific problems, but walking to the hotel at night was not something I would do. However, an extra $10 per night for taxis made the hotel still quite a bargain. I asked for a quiet room, and although the walls are very thin (can hear the next rooms and any activity in the hallway easily) we had no problems sleeping or being disturbed.”

0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Oct 5, 2005 by Terry from Portland, OR
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[3] • Location:[6]

• The cleaning help was excellent, friendly and helpful.
• The front desk help was surly and short in answering questions or responding to requests.

“The hotel is clean and pleasant. There is a porno house across the street but no one from there ever seems to come out or across the street. There is an active street life around the hotel but that is true because this is the edge of the Tenderloin and this is the character of the place. It is a tremendously convenient location as far as the transit system and proximity to the museum, movies and other special interest points.”

Oct 5, 2005 by Robert from Fishers, IN
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[3] • Staff:[2] • Location:[1]

• Some of the staff were pleasant.
• Fire hazard wiring.

“This hotel is in the middle of the red light district in San Francisco, the O'Farrell theatre is just around the corner and an all night sex shop is across the street. Very noisy at night and definitely not a family destination. The rooms are small; there is no air conditioning which can be a problem on warm days in rooms that face the south. The biggest problem I encountered however was the fact that there were three light fixtures wired together with wire nuts and old tape and plugged into the outlet. This is a definite fire hazard and safety issue. When I pointed this out to the desk clerk he was unwilling to do anything about it. I then reported it to the fire department who said they would be issued a citation and forced to comply with code.”

Sep 29, 2005 by Ting from Forest Hills, NY
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[5] • Staff:[4] • Location:[5]

• Relatively clean, well-furnished.
• Surly staff, no ESPN.

“This is an okay place to stay for fairly low price. Location is decent, the neighborhood isn't the greatest, but coming from New York, I've seen far worse. Public transportation (train, trolleys) require walking a few blocks. No ESPN. Front desk allows storage of luggage after checking out. Not great, but okay.”

Sep 28, 2005 by Justin from San Diego, CA
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[5] • Staff:[4] • Location:[6]

• The location was very convenient.
• It had very thin walls and took advantage of every situation to make a dollar.

“The Monarch hotel at first looks charming and inviting. After a nights stay, if you were able to get any sleep you will be highly disappointed. The walls, ceiling and floor are all very thin and you can hear all of your neighbors in their rooms and in the hallway as they walk by. The hotel borders an apartment building that is not maintained and is disgusting and down right filthy. Pigeons are everywhere cooing louder than ever and even with the windows closed you can hear them over everything else. The rooms can not hold a constant temperature so you find yourself cold most of the time unless you figure out how to work the old heaters then you find yourself sweating like a pig in about 10 minutes. There is no way to balance the air. I won't get into the quality of the television set that looked like it was ready to die with its bad picture and loud hums. Besides all of that it was a great stay, thanks to the city and the nice water pressure in the shower. (seriously) Oh yeah, listening to the neighbors through the vent was enjoyable as well.”

Sep 23, 2005 by M.A.S. from Gallatin, TN
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[6] • Staff:[5] • Location:[4]

• The rooms were clean.
• The staff was not very engaging. The area around the hotel was not very nice, we did not feel very safe.

“I would not stay at this hotel again. There was not enough parking available at the hotel, the staff was not friendly, and the area directly around the hotel did not feel very safe.”

Sep 17, 2005 by Sue from Auburn, CA
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[7] • Location:[7]

• It is close to Union Square and the Cable Car Line to Fisherman's' Wharf.
• The location of the adult bookstore directly across the street.

“For the price it was an excellent value!”

Sep 16, 2005 by Abdul from Costa Mesa, CA
Overall Rating: 3
Cleanliness:[4] • Staff:[1] • Location:[1]

• There is no parking, that area is very noisy even at 2 am.
• It seems like those people lure to that hotel and try to charge more money, $23 for parking , $10 for a 2nd bed, $ for a roller bed.

“The hotel is old but clean as a one or two star hotel. They are very eager at that hotel to charge more money. The owner kept threatening to charge more money if more than two people stayed at the room. I did not see any restriction anywhere about number of people staying in one room. The owner threatened to cancel the reservation and I told him to please do, but he did not.”

Aug 29, 2005 by Maria from Chicago, IL
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[5] • Location:[5]

• Paper thin walls; only ammenity was coffee

“Decent clean room for the price. You could hear everything through walls. Only ammenity was coffee. Hotel located in rugged side of town but near bus routes. Great if all you want is a clean affordable room to sleep.”

Aug 27, 2005 by Julie from Minneapolis, MN
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[10] • Location:[8]

• Very clean, quiet, helpful staff, good value
• Neighborhood is a bit dodgy. Expensive parking but all SF is that way.

“Clean basic accomodations in downtown San Francisco. Nothing too fancy but very quiet place to stay, very helpful staff. Hotel looks a bit dated but is very well kept up. Got a good's night sleep here.Be aware that the neighborhood is a bit dodgy; it's on the boarder of SF's tenderloin. Just use commom sense. Don't go walking around after dark. The staff is very happy to call you a taxi and give advise. It is close to Union Square, Cable Car lines. A reasonable alternative for budget travelers that don't want to stay in a shared hotel type setting.”

Aug 27, 2005 by Erik from Grahamsville, NY
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[2] • Staff:[8] • Location:[7]

• still thinking....

“Not a recommendation...It's an old hotel that has been remodeled but so I do expect modernization.There were somebodies hairs in the bathtub, burned out light bulbs, old scary elevator, and no one around to speak some what decent English.”

Aug 18, 2005 by Pam from Cambridge, MA
Overall Rating: 2
Cleanliness:[5] • Staff:[2] • Location:[3]

• convenient location for catching bus
• environment, very noisy, and facing dirty streets

“It's located in the noisy area, many drunk people scream at night. It's not a good area to stay with children. Adult viedo store is right across the street. The room itself looks clean. Afterall, the public transportation is easily accessible.”

Aug 18, 2005 by Josh from Minnetonka, MN
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[3] • Location:[6]

• cleanliness
• service, friendliness of staff

“I wouldn't go back”

Jul 31, 2005 by Susan from Colorado Springs, CO
Overall Rating: 2
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[1] • Location:[6]

• the location was pretty good
• would not give us a room with 2beds had to pay 20 more a night

“The location is fine,however quite noisy if you want to leave a window open. No air conditioning. Clean room. The staff was not very friendly or helpful. Parking is $21.00 a day extra unless you find a meter on the street. They would not give us a room with 2 double beds unless we paid $20.00 more per night.”

Jul 28, 2005 by Mark from Plano, TX
Overall Rating: 4
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[8] • Location:[1]

• Friendly staff & clean room.
• Location. Hotel was in a rough part of the city.

“Decent Hotel for the price. Would likely not stay there again because hotel was in a poor neighborhood and too far away from BART & Muni. Staff was friendly & helpful.”

Jul 20, 2005 by Jonas from Gadsden, AL
Overall Rating: 3
Cleanliness:[4] • Staff:[7] • Location:[6]

• Convenient
• No Air Conditioning ,noisy,and bums laying in front of doorway constantly.

“The hotel is in a good location and has potential to be a nicer hotel if they would add air conditioners and get rid of the bums.”

Jul 18, 2005 by Lee from Lawrence, KS
Overall Rating: 3
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[6] • Location:[9]

• No parking lot at all !

“I had to spend $32 more for my car parking in the neighbor parking place because the hotel doesn't have its own parking lot. It was very awful and terrible!”