Hilton HHonors - Embassy Suites San Rafael - Marin County

I've done a search but can't find any reviews of this property. Anyone have comments about the place, good or bad? Is parking free? Do they have the usual manager's reception and made to order breakfast? Are the rooms in good condition?
Any input is greatly appreciated.

I'm thinking of using a GLON in the Napa area and this property seemed to fit the bill. The ES Napa requires a GLONP, so that is not an option. If you wanted to stay in the general area of Napa for a week, would this be a good choice for a hotel? I don't mind taking day trips to Napa and Sonoma or other places, I'll have a car so the "commute" doesn't bother me. If I'm going to be in a hotel for a week, I though ES would be good because of 3 things, 1. Guaranteed to get a two room suite with microwave & fridge; 2. Won't have to argue with front desk about getting free breakfast; and 3. Free booze at the manager's reception is a bonus. I'd consider other properties in the general area if they have a good exec. lounge and good rooms. I've looked at the ES Sacramento, which was reviewed here by several kind folks, but the $18 parking is a bummer. However, the hotel does sound nice, so it's one I haven't ruled out yet. Any suggestions?



[This message has been edited by hhonorman (edited 05-31-2003).]

hhonorman:

I've had 2 one nighters there. Nice place, cool atrium. Free booze and bfast. I have another trip to the area in late August and will probably stay again. BTW, there is a decent Basque restaurant about 5 minutes away that has some tastey dishes http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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Sheldon

I've stayed there and grew up nearby.

Parking is free, and one can enjoy a nice walk around the Marin Civic Center lagoon next door, and another dirt walking path to the slough. [McInnis County Park at the Smith Ranch Road exit 2 miles north, taking the road to the left from the park past the sewage treatment plant, has a much better pathway for bird watching, though.] The Civic Center cafeteria for weekday lunches is a secret gem with an outdoor garden near the top of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed masterpiece.

Hotel is well-maintained. Nice spacious rooms. The only negative in my experience was the tiny very warm indoor swimming pool positively overrun with rambunctious youth until late hours of the night.

A couple of years ago, a child fell out of an open window and died, so be careful about that.

If you are going to stay there (it is a long drive to Napa), you might want to consider some of the sites in Marin, keeping in mind that commute traffic (south bound in the morning, north bound in the evening) is very bad.

Sacramento is too far for the "goals" of your trip. While the hotel isn't quite where you want to be, and while I wouldn't want to stay in that location for a week, it still should suit your needs pretty well. Its not that far up to Santa Rosa (where you can then take Hwy12 and do the Sonoma wine thing), and also Napa Valley isn't terribly far away. Further, there are lots of things going on in Marin Co., and you can also get to SF (for daytime activities) by taking the Larkspur Ferry if you don't want to deal with a car in the City.

Dear Hhonorman:

I really like this hotel. For YEARS, and I mean years, you could never stay here as a state worker because they would NEVER have state rates. Recently, they have had state rates and we were pretty excited. I enjoy this hotel. Yes..it is not in the "mix" of things...but that never bothered me. Parking is free. But they have a cool reception area (free booze place). You can get your free booze and walk around the corner to the REAL bar...as long as you get the drinks from the comp window. Good wine..not just that crappy Copperridge (yuk-pooey). I like it there and I'd go back in a second.

Dawn

Anything to add to the above?

Any new experiences, suggestions for local dining etc?

FTer Mileage Maniac had inquired about this hotel in March, but has not posted since then, so the last post was HHonorman's above.

Appreciate insight on a drive Sat. mid-morning up to Geyserville -- how long time-wise, and whether one can drive back from there via Bodega Bay and a coastal road, if any?

Thanks!

For general travel questions on the bay area and points north, the San Francisco or Travel Buzz fora would be VERY helpful w/ lots of knowledgable folks...
and of course THIS will be a great forum to learn about recent ES Stays..

thanks

squeakr
MOD Hilton

For general travel questions on the bay area and points north, the San Francisco or Travel Buzz fora would be VERY helpful w/ lots of knowledgable folks...
and of course THIS will be a great forum to learn about recent ES Stays..

thanks

squeakr
MOD Hilton


Moderator --

Please re-read my post above. I do not ask for general travel questions of the Bay area or the Wine country.

I only asked how long a drive it would be from THIS SPECIFIC HOTEL to the town of Geyserville and a detour back via Bodega Bay.

In addition, I only asked for dining recommendations near to this hotel, and I hardly think that this question qualifies as a general travel question as you have discussed above.

Many other threads mention good eats, in fact, this very one does, as well, and I was just asking in that vein what other choices there may be.

I just don't see the necessity for your post, above. :(

Any opinions, tips on this hotel? I'm looking to spend 10 nights there on a biz trip this summer.

I didn't find anything on a search.

Thanks,
Marcia

Nothing unusual here...gets worn out faster than other brands due to the above-mentioned influx of kids.

Thanks for all the replies.

I have 5 days of business in Novato followed by 5 days in Berkeley. I've been debating on whether or not it would be worth it to change hotels for Berkeley, but since it sounds like a nice hotel and I've got a great rate, I think I'd rather deal with the commute than move hotels and pay more money.

Marcia

I would stay at the ES for all the above reasons and your stated needs. But there might be two other viable options. Seeing that you're a Marriott Silver, there's a Courtyard at Larkspur Landing that's walking distance to restaurants and ferry (to The City). I don't remember if silver gets you breakfast. Seems to me it did when I stayed there. And I just saw a brand new Extended Stay Suites on 580 near the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. They're not much (no breakfast or drinks) but if brand new appeals...

Both are about 10-15 minutes closer to Berkeley, considering commute traffic.

Another place to find advice is TripAdvisor.com's forums and reviews.

My experience at the Courtyard in Larkspur (I had training to provide at nearby San Quentin State Prison the latter half of last year, so I selected the the closest property,) was that it has run down quite a bit, was noisy and almost Ramada-like.

I've stayed at the ES San Rafael and would recommend it over the Courtyard for space, breakfast, etc. I've stayed there for Marin County, hq'd next door at the still-striking-on-the-outside Marin County Civic Center, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (completed by tohers after his death, and definitely dated on the inside.)

The Courtyard is close to the ferry landing, restaurants and a few shops, and on the road to the Richmond Bay Bridge route to Berkeley; the ES isn't too far from it, and there's a back way.

Well, the Courtyard is going to be about $40 more a night with no breakfast and so-so reviews.... Embassy Suites it is!

Thanks again,
Marcia

I stayed there last week (one night).
Was upgraded to a 2-bedroom (king/king) suite.
(Figures...traveling without the family and for only 1 night).

The property was recently renovated and still "smelled" new.

Very nice staff at both the manager's reception and breakfast.

Would definitely stay there again.

It's a great hotel -- nice rooms, good reception, great breakfast. Just beware of the outrageous $20 a day for internet. When I complained to Hilton, the Embassy Suites manager called and said they would be getting rid of it soon, but check before you go.

Marcia