Sofitel San Francisco Bay Hotel

, Redwood City, United States
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Sofitel San Francisco Bay Hotel

, Redwood City
4 star
223 Twin Dolphin Dr - Redwood City - California - 94065 - United States Hotel Website | 650 598 9000
323 Traveller

Reviews - Sofitel San Francisco Bay Hotel

Historical Traveller Reviews of Sofitel San Francisco Bay Hotel

Agreed - very good

from quentinsf
The downside of this hotel is that it isn't really close to anywhere; nothing much within walking distance, or even a cheap taxi ride.

But if you have a car, I found everything else about it to be excellent. I paid $150/night on Expedia, and it was among the most comfortable rooms I've had in that price range. Definitely recommended.

Not bad for being so close to the airport

from mrswh
My husband and I stayed at the Sofitel for one night on our way home from Hawaii. We had done this before at other SFO airport hotels and found them all (the Westin, Hyatt, etc.) to be below average quality and not so clean. So, we thought we'd try something different this time. The hotel has its pros and cons, but overall I think we'd choose it over the other airport hotels next time we have a quick stopover.

The hotel advertises free shuttle service, but it's not like the shuttle service you get at the other hotels. You have to call from the airport to get picked up, and the woman we spoke with refused to send the driver until we actually had our luggage in hand. When we did, we were told to go outside to the center island and the driver would be there in 20-25 minutes, which was obviously kind of annoying. In any event, 50 minutes and three phone calls later, the van finally showed up . . . we were a little peeved especially since it was now 10:40 p.m. and we had a very tired toddler with us. The driver (who was nice enough once he got there) explained that he had stopped to get gas, waited and waited and never did get any. Thankfully we had enough to get us to the hotel which was all we cared about.

When we checked in, we asked about the return trip to the airport in the morning via shuttle, and were told that the shuttle leaves for the airport every hour on the hour (vs. every 15 mins for most airport hotels), and to be there 5 minutes early. This was a little inconvenient since it meant we'd have to spend 2 hours at the airport, but no big deal. We showed up for the 9:00 shuttle at 8:55 as instructed (after waiting 10 minutes for the bellman to help us with our luggage and finally giving up). We waited and waited until 9:15, at which point I went inside and asked what was going on. It seems the valet (whom we had told we were waiting for the shuttle) was actually the shuttle driver, and was too busy parking other cars to bother with the shuttle. Luckily we had plenty of time, but again, it was a waste of our time and just poor service. I'd say next time we'll just catch a cab to and from the airport and pay the $10 or whatever.

Aside from the shuttle service, our stay at the hotel was nice and uneventful. The staff was friendly, and the rooms, though very small, were clean and reasonably well furnished. No 5-star hotel here, but the beds were very comfortable - aside from the fact that there was no top sheet on the bed, which we found odd - maybe it's a French thing?? The bathroom was OK, it was small, had a shower/tub combo, one sink and toilet all in one small room. It was very clean, though, and the upscale toiletries were pretty nice.

We did not eat at the hotel other than popping into the little pastry shop in the lobby for a very tasty chocolate croissant on the way out.

Overall, I'd say it's a fine place for a quickie stay - the lobby was very nice, the rooms were clean, the staff was friendly, and the bed was luxurious. Next time I think I'll see if I can find a lower rate - we paid $195 which I think was too much. Still worth it given the other choices near the airport, but pricey for what it is.

Great value

from sfrunner
I booked a last minute room for New Years' Eve after our original trip to Napa was spoiled by the rain and flooding. In my reservation, I requested a room on the upper floors away from the elevators with a view of the lagoon. I was pleasantly surprised when I got to my room that I got exactly what I wanted! Service staff were extremely friendly, fast (I ordered an extra bathrobe and it arrived within minutes!), and efficient. I would definitely stay here again for a quick "getaway" (we only live 20 minutes away in SF).

Pretty and affordable

from LoveMinus0
I had a wonderful stay at the Sofitel in Redwood City. While the location is not ideal in terms of beauty, they definetely make the best of the situation and the rooms are fabulous.

Room service was top notch, within 20 minutes after my order. The beds were exceptional and the room was spotless. Even though it is designed as more of a business hotel, I was simply getting away for a night with my girlfriend and we could not have been treated better.

Exceptionally beautiful, comfortable, and - on weekends - affordable

from spidersilk
My husband and I have stayed in this hotel several times during the past 4 years, our most recent stay being this past October. We chose it initially because we were looking for 2 things: proximity to SFO (it's an easy 15-minute straight shot down 101) and full wheelchair accessiblity. What we found in this lovely, somewhat hidden hotel, was both these things, as well as courteous and attentive staff, a location on the edge of a large lagoon, and a room of unsurpassed comfort. The lobby/bar/dining room area is sleekly modern and has a European feel to it - nothing ornate, just open, elegant spaciousness. Recently remodeled, it is a blend of blues and aquas and greens - one entire wall is windows that look out past the terrace to the lagoon. Check out the chandelier in the lobby, a swirling cloud of blown glass incorporating all those blues and greens. Our room was light and spacious (king bed, small sofa and coffee table, comfy reading chair and ottoman - lots of light, by the way - and still plenty of room to move around). The bed, with its fluffy comforter and pillows, is luxuriously comfortable. It was only the prospect of going downstairs in the early morning to bring back a hot latte and a warm brioche that got me out of bed at all. We thought the quality of the food this time (we had dinner there twice) was a little uneven - our first meal was a little heavy and salty, but the second was delicious. The food isn't cheap, so it ought to be good. This hotel's location, in an office park behind Oracle's great glass towers, is clearly designed to accommodate business travelers (hence the great weekend rates) but it's a terrific place to stay even if you're not on business. A little far out to be convenient for sightseeing in San Francisco, but that would certainly be possible. And a word on the wheelchair accessibility. The lobby is on 2 levels but is artfully ramped, so there's nowhere you can't get. The bed is a normal height, so transfer is easy (the current trend seems to be to raise all the beds in hotels - something ridiculous about people sleeping better when they're higher - making it literally impossible to get into them from a chair). And the bathroom design is ingenious. You walk into a perfectly normal bathroom (nice: big mirrors, marble, lots of light and vast counter space). At the far end of the bathroom is a door that you won't even notice unless you're looking for it - it leads into a second, huge, totally accessible bathroom. I've been in whole hotel rooms smaller than this. It has a roll-in shower and plenty of space for a lateral transfer onto the toilet. All in all, this hotel is one we will return to as often as possible.

Amazing Beds!

from A TripAdvisor Member
Arrived late and self-parked with ease. Lower level parking height restriction is too low for most SUV's, but upper level has easy 8-foot clearance. Doorman greeted us with friendly hello. Checkin was fast and efficient. Room very clean and warm European decor. If you like windows that actually open, ask for a room on the third floor. Beds and goosedown comforters are AMAZINGLY SOFT! Room service was on time for morning breakfast service. (Ask for LARGE pot of coffee if you like coffee.) Only criticism was that Front Desk did not answer quickly the two times I called. However, it was Friday night and several wedding parties were in the hotel. We went down to bar off lobby for a nightcap. Stepped outside to the pool patio. October in the Bay Area is chilly so bring your jacket. Nice hotel. Well-priced. If staying in the Bay Area, easy access to freeway.

Excellent room service, perfect location

from A TripAdvisor Member
My boyfriend and I were pleasantly surprised how nice this hotel is. Although large we found our room easily and had a lovely view overlooking the man-made lakes that are very popular in that area. First thing we did was order room service because we were starving after our mid-morning early check-in. It was absolutly THE BEST, looked like it came right out of a fancy restaurant, so good we decided to call room service back and get a couple milkshakes. As it got later we wanted to go into the city and shop, see a movie, do something fun. We were just amazed how convenient and close downtown SF is. We thought we'd have 30 minutes at least, but we were downtown in no time. Travel was easy there and back, making it easy to get to the zoo the next day (although the concierge gave us wrong directions from yahoo.com-NEVER trust those) The bed was sooooo comfortable and it truely is very Euro, no sheets just a down comforter. The bathroom was nothing special, but the toiletries are nice, especially the mints, nice touch. Great lighting I'd have to say, not like some hotels. Overall, we will probably make this hotel our home base when traveling to SF again for baseball games.

Hotel Sofitel is my new favorite

from HayRan
Hotel Sofitel was a pleasant surprise. The hotel is conveniently located next to the freeway. The lobby, bar and restaurant area are very modern and swanky. The food at the restaurant was good and the wait staff were all French. Service was great, the rooms were clean, and the beds were very comfortable. The only drawback is that there are no coffee makers in the room. I would highly recommend this hotel.

Ideal Hotel Near SF Airport...

from JackSD
The Sofitel in Redwood Shores is ideally located if you have business or other plans anywhere on the Peninsula, since it's located only 10 minutes south of the airport and only about 15 minutes north of Palo Alto. This is a very comfortable, sleek, recently renovated property with extremely good food quality at restaurants and through room service. Bedrooms are bright, classically designed, and have Roget y Gallet amenities in the bathrooms. It's also an extremely quiet hotel...parking is free, steps away in the hotel's garage...and it is not particularly expensive, certainly not in comparison to the boutique luxury hotels further down in Silicon Valley, which are pricier and less reliable. As a frequent business traveler, I have no hesitation in recommending this hotel. (Ask for a room in the new wing for the optimum experience here.)

They Suck

from A TripAdvisor Member
This hotel has lovely beds, but that's about it. The managers, the service -- incredibly infuriating -- the stereotypical "French" at their worst.

(Although the bellmen and new dinner hosts at the main restaurant are lovely).

We have stayed there twice -- same thing BOTH times. Loud rooms near humming a/c machines, rooms not ready at check-in (you might wait as long as 2 hours after the 3pm check in), late room service DAILY (often with lukewarm or cold food), no late checkouts even if you are a Sofitel member (which guarantees such), etc.

If there is a large group at the hotel, which there often is -- YOU ARE OUT OF LUCK.

The folks at check-in can't do a thing to help you -- so always bypass them for a manager. Some managers are decent, others not so good. They are more than willing to bend the truth in order to explain their bad service.

Also -- watch your bill. They break every detail down, but this in turn, makes your bill more difficult to confirm. They like to slip in extra charges. If they credit your breakfast because it came an hour late, watch how they will still charge you for the service charge and delivery fee -- for something you didn't have time to eat. That's the attitude here.

I would NEVER stay at this hotel again.

Top Local Tips for Redwood City

Bargain with your cab driver. I got a great deal with the cab driver who I booked to take me to the CalTrain Station. He convinced me to let him take me to to my next hotel destination in San Francisco, but he wanted $100 dollars for the trip. I let him know that based on the distance and the time of day, I wouldn't be willing to pay that full price for a quick 25 minute trip with no traffic, and I offered him the equivalent of the ride in NYC ( $50). He bargained me up to $55. He got a $10 dollar tip and I got to my next hotel in style, and with much less hassle than using CalTrain.

Walking near Sofitel Sofitel is located in a big campus-like business park with lots of well-lit, well-maintained walking trails. One trail borders the lagoon. There is a lot of bird life on the lagoon and makes walking a treat for a bird watcher. Seasonal blooms (lilies, and roses) are planted along the paths and the mostly-shaded paths run under weeping willows. There are benches and other places to sit and just contemplate. Bring some walking or running shoes and the right jacket. A 15 minute walk gets you to a shopping center with suburban amenities.

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Other names for Sofitel San Francisco Bay Hotel

  • sofitel redwood city
  • sofitel hotel redwood city
  • redwood city sofitel
  • Address: 223 Twin Dolphin Dr - Redwood City - California - 94065 - United States
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