Kimpton Alton Fisherman’s Wharf

After a wonderful day exploring Northern California, I was really looking forward to my stay at the Kimpton Alton Fisherman’s Wharf. I had a tight turnaround – just enough time to check in, drop off my bags, and then head to Oakland to meet Jessica. So, I wanted things to go smoothly. Easy valet, quick check-in, comfortable stay.

From the moment I pulled up and tried to find a valet to let them know I’d be parking temporarily, things started to feel off. There was no one there. And honestly, from there, my stay at the Kimpton Alton Fisherman’s Wharf was underwhelming. So underwhelming that all I could do was shake my head and marvel that I used IHG points on this one night stay.

This hotel looks nice. It’s been updated, styled to feel chic and modern. The lobby is long, housing the restaurant and plenty of lounge space in the lobby. However, I’m a person that notices – details. And once I started to notice the service issues… sigh.

Check In

It all started when, during check in – I heard a front staff member tell a guest “I don’t know. I don’t normally work in the evenings. I guess – maybe you can see for yourself.”

It was then that I knew this was going to be one of the most underwhelming experiences at a Kimpton I’ve ever had.

Minutes earlier, when I’d pulled up to the valet, I noticed one valet get into a car and drive away. I sat in my car for a few moments, confused as to what to do. I needed to drop my car off and check in. But, I also needed my car in 15 minutes, when I was to drive to Oakland to meet Jessica. I looked around for another valet – and saw none. I looked again – confused as to what exactly my $75 was buying me. Nope. No one was there. So, I parked the car and went inside to check in.

Which is when I heard:  “I don’t know, I don’t work evenings” answer to a question.

Immediately, I felt – a way. Knowledge of what is happening at the place you get paid to do a job should not be dependent on when you work. What matters is that you are working that job – that day – at that time. If you’re on the clock, and you’re interacting with guests, then you are the face of the space. And most importantly, you are interacting with guests.

Room + Stay

The room was a room. It looked decent and updated and I enjoyed the aesthetic touches.

Also, I did like the design of the bathroom.

There’s a record player in the room – but no records. I opened up one of the faces that looked like a cabinet –  and the face fell off. I understand and get the design aesthetics. But, it should have been glued on and not able to be removed.

Parking

Arriving to the hotel, I pulled up to the valet. Valet is $75 a night. That’s the first wtf. The second is that there was no valet when I arrived at the hotel.  I sat there for a moment, waiting for another attendant. No one returned. I needed to check in, drop off my bags, and still have my car ready in 15 minutes to drive to Oakland to meet Jessica. I waited some more and looked around – there appeared to be no second valet. Just me, sitting there wondering.

When it was my turn to check in, I asked about valet. The woman told me the valet was “probably switching cars.” Okay, fair. But my concern wasn’t why he was gone – it was that my car was sitting there unattended, with my keys in my hand, and I just wanted to make sure it wouldn’t cause any kind of issue. Instead of just saying that everything was fine, we went back and forth for what felt like too long. Finally, she said “It’s fine” and radioed someone to say, “The blue car is fine – guest will move it shortly.” Perfect. Why couldn’t we have just started there?

Later, when I came back to actually drop the car off from a delicious dinner at Tay Ho Oakland Restaurant & Bar, a valet was thankfully there. When he asked if I was checking in, I explained I already had, that no one was there earlier, and I just needed to get my parking tag.

What followed was… sigh.

He asked for my name. I gave it. He asked again. Then again. Then he asked for my room number. I told him I wasn’t sure – and gave him what I thought it was – and he asked for my name again.

By the end of that exchange, all I could think was: I’m paying $75 a night for the privilege of incompetence.

The Fork situation

Letting the earlier parking situation slide, I took a Lyft to Bar Crenn and had a fantastic time. Upon returning back to Kimpton Alton Fisherman’s Wharf, I wanted was a fork. One fork so that I could come back to my room and snack on my delicious leftovers from Tay Ho while writing my notes from the day. Because, I really – truly – wanted to have a better experience at the hotel.

All. I. Wanted. Was. A. Fork.

When I asked the solo front desk agent at the front desk if they had a fork – he looked around, shrugged and said “All I have are spoons.”

If anything could sum up my experience at this Kimpton, it’s that statement.

I sigh and asked – still hopeful –  “Would housekeeping have any forks?”

“I’m housekeeping” he responded. “Would you like a spoon?”

Since you can’t eat vermicelli noodles with a spoon – no.

I then tried to salvage my frustrations experience by looking at the record collection that guests could check out at the front desk. That was a dusty ass bust of music that – was not of my taste.

Again, I’ve noticed the trend of hotels offering records to play in rooms over the years. The Andaz Mexico City Condesa, by Hyatt and the Ace Hotel Kyoto do this extremely well. But, even when I had no standards, I still was underwhelmed by the selection.

Overall

Needless to say – like my stay at Mar Monte Hotel – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt – I do not take lapses in services lightly. Money and time are important. Especially, in this day and climate. After a direct conversation with the hotel manager, my concerns were properly addressed in an appropriate manner.

Again, the hotel is pretty to look at. And, its location close to Fisherman’s Wharf, which was perfect for my walk to Board and Drink and breakfast with Margaret the next day.

But, if service is of the utmost priority – save your money and points.

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