Kenmore — Hotel in San Francisco

This is a memory of a long time ago. It was dirty, there were few amenities and many of the residents were less than savory. Kjell below is pretty accurate to my memories and I never had such a great time in my life.. || I moved into a notable San Francisco institution that embraces the young and near destitute, called a residence club in 1972, of which there were three on Sutter between Gough and Octavia. To my amazement they are still there. I lived in all three and the pictures of the Kenmore, the first one I lived in show that it has changed little in the intervening 46 years. You could take a group of 20 somethings from 1972 and a few students from the Morticians School on Van Ness and set them down in the lobby today and they would be right at home.|| Eventually I ended up living in all three, the Kenmore, the Lodge and the Majestic over the next five years.|| As I recall you got a room with a roommate, bath down the hall, and two meals a day for $40 a week. I just checked their web page and the current rate is (OMG) $1180/Mo for a shared studio with the bath down the hall. For the young and restless bachelor it was great. Women would move in, stay a month or two and move out... A guy had a constantly rotating choice.😍||My roommate was asleep when I first walked in the door and woke up with a "Who the hell are you?" I introduced myself and walked over to shake hands, he said "Far out!" and reached over shaking hands then lit up a joint and offered me a hit. Tom (and I forget his last name) drove a taxi and was making a little extra on the side.|| We were all either nearly broke, conning someone and underemployed but there was scrabble or chess in the lobby and a six pack or a bottle of wine was cheap at Abduls.. Now called A&M Liquors on the corner of Octavia across the street from the Lodge. And it was easy to get up a group for a day in GG Park if the weather was decent.|| Who else out there has memories of these clubs? I still consider them some of the happiest years of my life. Karen? Bobbie? Sue? Doug? McCurdy? Stan? Maggie? Terry Kramer? Are you out there?|| The Lodge next door was much cleaner and the food better then. Stayed in the Majestic again (actually in my old room!) about ten years ago when enroute to London which had been greatly upgraded it could almost considered a boutique hotel now.||My wife and I were on the way to London where I stayed in a B&B near Kings Cross that was similar but the rooms were smaller even though private and had a WC amd sink. Impossible to compare prices.||Frankly wife would divorce me If I got us reservations in anywhere similar to the Kenmore today. If I were 25 and single? I'd move back in...

I really wasn’t sure what to make of this place, but in my eight days there I grew to recognise it for what it really was. Stick with me while I take you on an adventure…of sorts.||||When you first role up to the hotel (for me it was late at night), the door is locked and you have to buzz to get in, inside it looks a little shabby, but clean. So I buzzed in not really knowing what to expect, I’d never stayed in somewhere long stay like this. ||||I was greeted by an extremely friendly receptionist (who it turns out mostly live here too), after signing the paper work I was directed to my room. The room was basic, and old fashioned, although there was a flatscreen in the corner. The heating system (something you need in San Francisco was a single small radiator, but which belied it’s size by belching out heat like a mini sun. The floorboards squeak, but honestly, this adds to the charm. This hotel is not shiny and new, and thats exactly why I grew to love it. ||||The staff are fantastic, the wifi was fantastic and the food was included in the price. (not always to my taste, but always tasty and hot) and served by a woman who reminded me a little of my nan (in her younger days). If you’re looking for luxury, then the Kenmore isn’t for you, but if you’re looking for basic comfort, friendly people and decent food at an amazing price for SF then you can do a lot worse.||||I think the best thing about this kooky big hotel was by the far the location. You are 3 blocks from Van Ness, where you can get a bus to just about anywhere in SF. There is an amazing cinema on Van Ness to if you fancy a trip to the movies. Three are shops and all manner of places to eat in the blocks surrounding the hotel. In fact there’s a liquor store thats open until 11, but seems so much more (it’s like a mini mart really).||||I spent 8 nights here and I could start to see how people could spend months at a time here, it’s comfy like...

I stayed here with my daughter for a few weeks in the summer. I read all of the reviews through various websites so I knew what to expect. This is not a luxury hotel. It is an old Victorian that has been turned into a residence inn for those staying for an extended period of time. The rooms have a European feel (mismatched furniture, clashing colors, etc), BUT you can't beat the price for what you do get. There is maid service, 2 meals a day (breakfast and dinner), a secure entrance, and a great location! The food: breakfast is usually eggs, a meat of some sort, maybe potatoes, or you can choose from cereals, oatmeal, yogurt, bagels, fruit, etc. Dinner was a pleasant surprise! There is always fresh fruit, salads, soup, a choice of 2 entrees (one vegetarian) and dessert. The food was good-very good. Dinner is served between 5:3-7:00 daily. The location: the neighborhood felt very safe (near Japantown), there were many stores close by, and the hotel is within walking distance to MANY bus stops. ||||The only downsides were the lack of wifi in the rooms (you have to go down to the common area) and our room was located at the front of the hotel - with seriously old windows, the street noise was incredible at times.||||All in all, if you are looking for a safe, decent place that is budget friendly and offers worthwhile meals - this...