Hotel Kabuki, part of JdV by Hyatt

We had a weekend away with a friend visiting from LA, and booked a two-double room on the 16th floor, the top floor. It faced Geary and Twin Peaks, and we loved the view. The room and hallway decor, as well as the lobby, were chic. The beds were clean and comfy, the shower was large and luxurious, and the robes were a nice touch. The Garden-level gym was honestly the biggest hotel gym I’ve seen, with tons of machines, free weights, a punching bag, Pelotons, a rowing machine, mirrored mining barre studio, and more. There were plenty of fresh towels and a tasty water dispenser. Breakfast buffet had a great variety: hot food, fresh fruit, pastries, traditional Japanese hot cereal, juices, espresso, and more. We found a spot in the public lot under the hotel for $30 for the night, so parking was a dream. Digital checkout was convenient, and the staff were delightful. We’ll definitely stay again.

I booked this because of the Hyatt association and regret it. I’m Hyatt loyal, and the other Hyatt hotels were full, but I wish I’d chosen somewhere else. This doesn’t feel like a four-star hotel. The building has the feel of a retrofitted motel, with cheap-looking rooms and poor finishes and furnishings. The walls crack and creak all night, and the thin windows let in street noise. Even cars sounded loud from the 14th floor. The bathroom felt like a hospital, and the bedding was stiff. Breakfast wasn’t worth $33. The spread looked like a cheap airport lounge, and the breakfast staff were even worse. I didn’t know the price until the waiter dropped the bill on the table. I’d only had tea, a tiny croissant, and eight blueberries. The Japanese theme felt cheesy and inauthentic. I won’t be back.

The room photos online were misleading, and what we got for the premium price felt dated and below the quality expected in this price range. Hotel Kabuki was a huge letdown; I’d expected a high-end boutique stay. Breakfast was another disappointment: nearly $32 per person for basic scrambled eggs and yogurt, with very few options. It was worse than the free spread at a Best Western. That’s highway robbery for such low-quality food. There are plenty of other places in San Francisco where your money will be valued, so save it and stay elsewhere.

Kat and Michael made my one-night stay. Kat got me checked in, helped me settle into the room, and brought water. She was so accommodating, and Michael was just as helpful, staying overnight to handle requests even though it was very late. They both went out of their way, which you don’t see at hotels as often these days. I was really glad I chose Hotel Kabuki. The decor and how everything was put together reminded me of my time in Japan. I’d be happy to stay here again.