09/27/09

What a charming place

by Ricardo Valle

When business or pleasure call you to Phoenix, and you are not hungup on %stars, San Carlos is the BEST. Clean, quite and loaded with character, I loved it. In a city where everything is new, the San Carlos is like stepping back in time. Walk in and your in the 1940's. The recent renovations have not destroied the charm and grace of a hotel that was the once the stopover for folfs like Spencer Tracy and Marilyn Monroe.The San Carlos will be my my first choice in Phoenix.

• Pros: Charm and atmosphere on a budget.
• Cons: OK, the shower was a bit small.

05/08/08

Great Location for Convention Center, don't plan on sleeping in

by toeknee22

I liked the way this hotel looked-classy for sure. The downstairs was lovely and The food in the restaurant was fantastic-the waitstaff were ok but the bartender was a big sweetie and gave us 5 cent margaritas. Great location-just blocks from the convention center, and within walking distance for great restaurants-though you might have to ask a local-not your behind-the-deskers. Strange-the pool was shaded by a canopy thing so it wouldn't get too hot....The beds were comfy and the rooms clean and spacious enough. The water pressure though-horrible: 2 out of the 3 days we were there. The walls were saran wrap thin, and we were woken up every morning by our neighbors giving some sort of presentation. My friend was paying for my stay so I didn't check out myself-as she was planned to pay for my room with her room, but I ended up getting charged for it. We'll see how their customer service is when call them and have them erase the charge. Overall, it was a pleasant experience, despite the walls and water pressure. I suppose i could have spoken up about the water...

• Pros: great restaurant, historic setting, 5 cent margauritas for guests
• Cons: thin walls, poor water pressure

04/19/08

The Breakfast Buffet is really great when they aren't running short on food and plates and having to wait in a long line for more

by DBratt

I would not recommend this to anyone (weather it was weekdays or weekends) unless you have no issues getting up at 4 am or earlier to bath before everyone else to keep from being scalded with hot water suddenly, or having your tush freezing from sudden cold water or just not having any hot water to take a bath at all... After 4 days and nights, I decided never again, they even took out maid gratuities for maid services that had never even been done the whole time we were there, go figure huh!!! I asked why hot or cold water all of the time, they said this is an old hotel... The rooms look nothing like the pictures you see in here... No air conditioning and windows are painted shut from getting fresh air... There was a ceiling fan, but no controls for heat or air and the pool was being painted around it and could not even use that, there is 1 ice machine on the 3rd floor... The beds were uncomfortable and not one of us slept well the whole time while visiting in Arizona... I will say one good thing I liked about the whole place, there is this bell boy named "ADAM" he is an asset to the whole hotel and very nice and helpful, the rest of the crew could learn how to treat the customers through him, he is a pro at it and made you feel welcome... We talked to others staying there and there apparently is no set charges to stay there for the same services, another couple paid a great deal more for the same thing we had and we paid too much if you ask me... The location was great, and the Irish Pub was good as well, but I would never stay or recommend the "HOTEL SAN CARLOS" to anyone, period... What a joke, on anyone that stays there and wasn't warned first...

Thank You,

Diana Bratt

This is the one I am rating, be aware and watch your charges, they added more after we left...

Hotel San Carlos

202 N. Central Ave.; Phoenix, AZ 85004

(866) 253-4121 | (602) 253-4121

Fax (602) 253-6721

• Pros: The Bell Boy (Adam) is wonderful and gave good service with a smile...
• Cons: You name it, it was the worst place I ever stayed in and paid so much for...

04/07/07

Not as great as you'd think

by italiangirl1975

For lovers of boutique-style hotels, this is NOT one that you want to stay at. Though the building's restoration is nice, there are some things to note. Walls are so thin that you can hear your neighbors' conversations as if you were in the room. It was miserable, especially late at night when people are talking in "day-time" voices. I heard another guest mention that it felt like staying at a hostel. The water pressure in our shower was weak the majority of our 3 night stay. The restaurant and cafe are pleasant and the food is actually quite good. As to customer service, though noone was rude...noone had accurate information about nearby shopping and restaurant options. From the valet to the front desk attendant to the waitress. We were told that there was nothing in walking distance for a late evening dinner. We eventually figured out that a block north was a lovely restaurant, Nick's Deli, and about 5 blocks away were a number of mexican and italian restaurants too. They didnt even mention the Starbucks 1 block east. When we asked for a cab since we needed to get to a drugstore (there's none in walking distance in downtown Phoenix, by the way) the front desk called a car service instead and our 10 minute run to Walgreens ended up costing us $20 round trip (it's an $18 flat rate from the hotel to the airport which is a 20 minute drive). A one night stay might not be bad but I dont recommend this hotel at all for long stays.

• Pros: Location is right downtown with close proximity to a number of restaurants/cafes.
• Cons: Hotel staff had no knowledge of local information.

06/20/06

Old-World elegance in the center of downtown bustle.

by Contributor

In Short
Built in 1928, this historic hotel accommodates the conference crowd with old-fashioned charm and Italian-Renaissance decor. Patrons are transported back in time when witnessing the chandeliered lobby and copper elevators. The hotel is also supposedly haunted by the ghost of a woman dressed for dancing who jumped to her death from the rooftop years ago. The in-house barbershop and shoeshine service are handy for pre-meeting primps, and the rooftop pool and sun deck are great for relaxation. Another bonus is the location: The hotel is just a short walk away from several theaters, a symphony hall and Bank One ballpark.