The Axiom hotel review, San Francisco

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This was published 7 years ago

The Axiom hotel review, San Francisco

By Kylie McLaughlin
Updated
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The Place

The Axiom, San Francisco

The Location

Right in the heart of San Francisco's CBD, with Powell Street Station directly outside for the historic cable car, BART or bus, you couldn't really ask for a better location to spend a few days in San Francisco.

The Space

The former Powell Hotel occupies a heritage building dating from San Francisco's 1906 earthquake. While some historic elements of the building have been kept, inside lies a very slick modern hotel with high-end technology such as free fibre-optic Wi-Fi and an admirable green initiative. Two young friendly staff run a tiny reception desk to the rear of the building, and lobby space is given to a large library of books which contain travel information and an area from which to drink or dine from the hotel bar cafe. Upstairs, a mezzanine level dubbed the "Cloud" has more room for work or play, for either business travellers or casual entertainment with retro arcade games and a coffee station. The basement features a gym, a decent sized area with new equipment and music blaring and neon pink "work it out" signage, which is the most pretentious thing in the whole hotel.

The Room

Spacious and stylish, with clean lines, hardwood floors, a two seater couch and a coffee table. Large windows allow for lots of natural light to filter in but are also soundproofed to keep the noise out. My meta-queen room contains two queen beds and two smart TVs, which have a multitude of uses from streaming content via your smart phone to ordering food to your room. New hotel perks include lots of huge soft plush towels, luxurious beds and large fluffy pillows. The bathroom has a huge shower, and a long marble bench with plenty of space. The hotel's green initiative means toiletries are in non-removable pump packs and there's no disposable items such as cotton buds. There are no water bottles either, instead you have a "hydration station" on every floor for water and ice.

The Food

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From a tiny little bar located at the front of the hotel lobby area, The Turn cafe churns out breakfast to late night snacks from 6am until 10pm. The menu is surprisingly extensive, hinting at a large hidden kitchen space, and you can order food to go, have it delivered to your room, or take advantage of the mingling space downstairs. The bar serves cocktails and has happy hour drink specials in the late afternoon.

Stepping Out

The hotel is one block away from BART trains, buses, and trams on Market Street. Three blocks away is the main shopping precinct, Union Square. Practically out front is the stop for the cable car that takes you over Nob Hill to North Beach, where you can hire bikes and ride across the Golden Gate Bridge or wander around Fisherman's Wharf. There's no shortage of shops, restaurants and bars in the immediate vicinity. But if you're going for dinner, head to Liholiho Yacht Club. It's one of the best new restaurants in the city and it's only three blocks away. For a bit of fun you could head to the Fairmont's Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar, a famous tiki bar open since 1945 where the bowl-sized cocktails are served strong around large lagoon and it rains inside.

The Verdict

Tech-savvy guests looking for a centrally based stylish hotel that's also quiet will love the Axiom. There's no better base for those looking to explore San Francisco's shopping and dining precincts.

Highlight

Quiet and modern, the rooms feel like a sanctuary. Especially rooms in such an ideal central location.

Lowlight

If I am going to be hyper-critical I'd say I'd prefer coffee facilities in the room. And if you're driving via San Francisco, valet parking will cost you a whopping $55 plus tax a night.

Essential

28 Cyril Magnin Street, San Francisco, info@axiomhotel.com; axiomhotel.com

From $US144 a night.

Cycling San Francisco

Hire bikes from Bay City Bike Rentals & Tours, baycitybike.com. Electric bikes are also available for those who don't fancy riding up San Francisco's notorious hills. They have an outlet at 501 Bay St, San Francisco, which is a tram ride over the hill from the stop outside of the Axiom. From here, you can take the popular cycling route over the Golden Gate Bridge and across to Sausalito.

Eating and drinking

Liholiho Yacht Club

871 Sutter St, San Francisco, liholihoyachtclub.com

Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar

Fairmont San Francisco, 950 Mason St, San Francisco; tongaroom.com

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