A word with ties to the sea, the term “argonaut” is used to describe both a small floating octopus with sail-like arms and the group of heroes from ancient Greek mythology who sailed in search of the Golden Fleece. It evokes a sense of wonder and adventure, something travelers will find they very well may feel when they visit the property by the same name in sunny San Francisco, CA. Want to learn more? This was my experience staying at the unique hotel.
The Vibe
Nautical. A perfect complement to San Francisco’s rich maritime history, the Argonaut Hotel instantly transports guests into a seafaring state of mind with its sailing-inspired decor, clever word-play and unbeatable location just footsteps from Fisherman’s Wharf, Lombard Street, Ghirardelli Square and scenic Aquatic Cove.
How I Felt
Welcome and eager to explore. From the doorman who was the first to greet me to the friendly front desk staff who worked to quickly find a new room when my original wasn’t ready, everyone at the Argonaut was kind and attentive. As mentioned above, the Argonaut has an incredible location, and the property’s proximity to so many iconic attractions had me eager to explore Fisherman’s Wharf and the surrounding area. Luckily, I had a little downtime to do just that!
The Digs
With its spacious layout, comfortable beds and modern bathroom, I found my “City View Two Queen” room to be quite comfortable. While I didn’t dip into the well-stocked supply of snacks and beverages that awaited me upon arrival, I thought they were a nice — and tempting — added touch. My room did indeed boast a “city view” with San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and the Powell & Hyde Cable Car Turntable just outside the window. Despite being so close to big attractions, my room remained quiet and comfortable throughout my stay which I appreciated.
The Agenda
I was visiting San Francisco to attend TravelAbility’s Emerging Markets Summit, a conference dedicated to “(Providing) travel industry professionals with a big-picture view and concrete strategies for tapping the growing market of accessible travel,” according to the event’s website. The event proved to be incredibly valuable, and I had a great time sitting in on informative sessions and learning how VAX VacationAccess and The Compass can better support travel advisors as they seek to serve their disabled clients.
The Eats
In addition to exploring the area’s wide variety of bars and restaurants — I highly recommend Cafe de Casa, a neighboring cafe with excellent Brazilian coffee and pastries — visitors can embark on an epicurean journey without ever leaving the hotel when they visit Blue Mermaid, Argonaut’s onsite restaurant specializing in succulent seafood dishes and fresh sourdough bread. Alternatively, if they want to stay in, guests can take advantage of the property’s large room service menu, something I utilized my first night to get in a serving of protein and veggies after a particularly long travel day.
Why I Would Go Back
Argonaut Hotel would definitely be in the running if I find myself back in San Francisco. The hotel was safe and clean and its location is hard to beat. Pair this with the fact I was never far from a Ben and Jerry’s scoop shop, Irish Coffees or mouthwatering Brazilian baked goods and I’m sold!
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