Hotel Julian — Hotel in San Francisco

I usually don’t leave reviews, let alone bad ones, but the experience I had at Hotel Julian wasn’t as good as the reviews cracked up to be.

I booked myself a room for 2 nights through Hotels.com at Hotel Julian. Things went smoothly checking in, and I was looking forward to a positive experience because all first impressions were good! The building is a bit rickety, but it didn’t bother me, as I knew the rooms would be better!

Upon entering my checked-in room, I was hit with the stench of bleach. Being an optimist, I decided that I would air out the room by opening the windows, putting on the fan, etc.- no luck. Only until did my throat and nose started burning that I decided to call the front desk and ask to change the room. They were very accommodating and assigned me to a separate room.

Unfortunately, I had a similar experience in the new room I was in. The chemical smell had improved, but if I breathed in deep, I could feel it burn my throat. I went back and forth with myself to decide whether it was worth calling, until I realized there was no other choice (for my health, safety, and comfort) to change rooms.

I decided to call the front-desk and ask for a possible refund or if there was a way we can find a solution to being placed in rooms that might have a similar smell. I addressed that my concern was that my throat was hurting from the strong smell.

The manager (Lama I believe was his name) who had helped assign me to my new room said “You’re the only person who has complained about a bad smell- no one else has”. I explained that I understood the smell is a clean scent, but that I might have some issues with it being a strong fragrance. The manager goes on by saying it’s on me for not liking the smell, and that all hotels use the same detergents and that other hotels don’t clean their sheets like they do. I said I understand several times and that it wasn’t their fault, but it was burning my throat. He goes on to say “Do you need a doctor to check you out? Do we need to call an ambulance for you?” In a very passive aggressive and disingenuous tone. I found it very offensive and having a manager that wouldn’t address a customer’s needs in a professional or appropriate manner spoke volumes for the type of way they like to run things here.

He also kept repeating to me several times that I couldn’t get a refund, even though I made it clear to him that I understood that, I just wanted a room that would suit my individual needs (and health)- because honestly what’s the point of getting a smoke free room if breathing in bleach is going to hurt your throat worse?

To make things even worse, he said he would come up and hand me my new room key once I made it into my room. Turns out, he had a security guard do it 🙃

It’s the plight of always being overlooked and never being understood that I struggle to understand. As someone that’s worked years in customer service, I would have never said half the things he said to me, which I know were only said out loud because I was a woman and a solo-traveller 😭

I knew it was these rooms that were causing sinus inflammation because as soon as I stepped out and took a minute to refresh, the pain would subside. I felt so crazy they didn’t believe me that when I went back in a second time (and after my sinuses were refreshed), I made a decision to take note of what I smelt. To my unsurprise, it was exactly what I felt the first time around 😭 any person would have been rightfully upset, and the fact that they’re not willing to accommodate the possibility of someone not being able to handle strong smells is ridiculous.

Also supposedly they’ve only been around since October, so I don’t understand their point of defense being that I’m the only one to ever complain about that? As if you wouldn’t stumble across that issue generally if you’ve been around long enough? That was really frustrating.

If you’re the understanding and kind type of customer, your needs will be overlooked and you will be taken advantage of (or treated like crap) especially if you’re a...

If you're popping into the city for a few days on a budget this hotel is totally fine! I booked on reserving dot com, there was a mix up with the booking and it took 1.5 hours to check in while they troubleshooted it on the phone, I had to wait until that was solved before they gave me the keys. The manager although polite was initially reluctant to troubleshoot even though I showed my booking and payment receipt. It seemed it was a first for us all! Staff are friendly, the area seems ok, Golden gate bridge is a one hour ish lovely walk away. I was a single woman on my own, I found street parking easily, I never drove around the block more than once. Metred parking is free in the evenings and before 9am. Look out for a a broken metre opposite "cup of joy" on sutter street for all day free parking hack. Pay attention to early morning street cleaning signs, I noticed some started at 6am 3 days a week. The local parking lots seem highly expensive ( and I live in LA!) They charge $40-70 a day subject to whether you'd like in and out privileges and car size, personally I would say take the streets! The room was clean, and the lobby too, sizeable (I had a king delux) I didn't take my free breakfast so I can't comment on the food. The entry way, lobby and bar area are cute, the staff always smiling as I came in. I stayed on the top 7th floor, the walls are incredibly thin. I don't wear although would highly recommend ear plugs as I could hear my neighbours every movement and he was very loud and didn't sleep! These are all observations, I would book again if I was on a budget, I would just ask for a front facing top floor room, and if possible request to be...

Checked in on Sunday night after long flight across the county, elevator was down (they said it will be fixed next day). They gave me a key for one room (with one bed), but the houseman who was helping me with taking my luggage to the 5th floor, walked me to another room (with two beds), which I pointed out and we went the the room that was listed on the key holder. My key did not work, his master key didn’t work either. He let me in to that other room with 2 beds. Then the guy from the front desk knocked on my door apologizing, he said that other room is the correct one but it seems as the lock is not working, also they couldn’t let me stay in this room with two beds, he asked for five minutes so he can see what he can do. In a few minutes he called offering two options: room on the same floor near elevator or room on the 6th floor. I chose 6th floor and I did not want to hear elevator coming up and down once it’s fixed. Of course it was not fixed so I was climbing to the 6th floor for the next 4 days after exhausting day at Workday Rising event.

Aside of this, the building is old and doesn’t smell well.

Noise was also an issue - I was waking up each night from police/ambulance sirens from outside or steps from the room above.

At least mattress and pillows were okay.

Overall, the staff was polite and tried to be helpful, but the experience fell short due to maintenance issues and the building’s condition. I wish they offered to make up for inconvenience by providing complimentary dinner, breakfast or at list some snacks, or offered a...