I've stayed at lots of Kimpton Hotels, but rest as...

I've stayed at lots of Kimpton Hotels, but rest assured, I won't stay at the "Drake" again.

Safe, old, fascinating property. Excellent location. Staff efficient, nice, helpful. That is the good.

The bad----this hotel advertises high speed internet, as it should in 2013. However, off the four devices I brought (laptop, iPad, and two smartphones), only the laptop could even see the Kimpton WiFi signal. It was that weak. I could connect to either the San Francisco Visitor Center free WiFi from across the street, or the Marriott on the other side, but not the Kimpton. I asked about a wired connection, but this location has wireless only. For a wireless only internet solution, it was totally inadequate. I could not maintain a connection. Reminded me of dialup, it was that bad!!! Again, my iPad could not even find the Kimpton signal. I called the front desk twice, but nothing changed while I was there. It was really no different outside my room. Waiting for the elevator, my smartphone could see the signal, but too weak to connect. Unacceptable in 2013.

Then there is the room. I reserved a Grand King room. This is described as airy and spacious, with extra conversation seating provided. The only picture online showed the bed, and a couch with coffee table. Looked good.



I know this is standard in the industry, but it has been my experience with Kimpton that the rooms as pictured and described are what you get, which is why I continue to stay at Kimpton properties. That is not true for the Sir Francis Drake. Very disappointing, and frustrating. Shame on the SFD.

Other issues that could be corrected include the amazing amount of street noise that could probably be dealt with (double pane windows anyone?), especially on the lower floors. The cable cars scraping and dinging (okay, that's what San Fransisco is know for, I can deal with that), the whistles from every doorman within 4 blocks starting at 5 am, and the sound of delivery trucks running over the steel plates covering the cables, beginning at 4 am.

I know that San Francisco hotels probably make their living from single, one time visitors, so my claim to never stay there again really has no power. But I hope this review does prevent others from falling into this beautiful trap. Beautiful, but treacherous....beware!!!! (BTW, I had to wait to write this until I was home, since I had no internet while there!)