San Francisco Hotels: Acqua Hotel in Marin
An Updated Motel on 101 Offers Comfort, Value, and Easy City Access
Sep 27, 2009
Tourists or business travelers seeking best value San Francisco hotels often wind up stuck in cramped rooms and dealing with traffic that at times can crawl very slowly through the city by the Bay. Comfortable, convenient, secure hotel rooms in San Francisco often come at a steep price.
Here's another option, though. Book a room at Acqua Hotel in Mill Valley, which when reserved through online travel sites such as Expedia can come out well below $200 per night.
Located 10 to 15 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge on Highway 101, Acqua Hotel is part of the style-conscious, value-driven Joie de Vivre hotel group, which specializes in dynamic renovations of already-built hotel properties. Guests staying at Joie de Vivre hotels can count on very comfortable, convenient, stylish rooms that offer outstanding value for the money.
Comfortable Bargain Hotel Rooms Near San Francisco
Acqua started life as a run-of-the-mill old motel just a side street away from six lanes of rushing freeway traffic on Highway 101. Sounds hardly inspiring as an ideal place to stay for a visit to San Francisco, doesn't it?
But Acqua Hotel really is a terrific hotel option following the transformation Joie de Vivre brought about. The three floors feature 49 surprisingly spacious, high-ceilinged guest rooms furnished in muted earth tones, with very comfortable beds, fine bedding, large desks with free Internet, flat-screen digital TVs, and well-appointed bathrooms with deep soaking tubs. Rooms this comfortable in the heart of San Francisco are rare unless a premium price is paid.
Inside the rooms, it can be hard to believe that the freeway is so close. Most rooms face away from the traffic, looking northwest towards tranquil estuary waters, grasslands, and majestic Mount Tamalpais. Thick glass panels lining the exterior walkways, which face the highway, provide very good sound baffling, too.
Great Hotel Values for Bay Area Visitors
Staff at Acqua Hotel is consistently gracious and eager to please. Check-in is fast and efficient, and guest needs are met in a timely and genuine fashion.
The small lobby, off of which are rentable meeting rooms, is comfortably designed with a low-key Pacific Rim look. Outside is plenty of free parking.
One of the best features of a stay is the free breakfast, served in a second-floor dining area that opens to a beautiful outdoor terrace. In addition to excellent freshly brewed coffee and tea, offerings include cereals, baked goods, breakfast breads, hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruit, and a self-service waffle-making bar.
Easy Driving Access for San Francisco Sightseeing
The result of such amenities is that guests can start the day feeling well rested and ready to face the day. That could mean business or sightseeing in the city, less than 30 minutes away by car, including a breathtaking drive over the Golden Gate.
And other Bay Area locations are also within easy reach of Acqua. That includes nearby Sausalito and Mill Valley, Mount Tam, Muir Woods, the Wine Country, or a beautiful drive up the Pacific Coast Highway, Highway 1.
Pros: Reasons to Stay at Acqua Hotel
Value, comfort, and convenience are key reasons to stay at Acqua Hotel. Consider:
- Price. Room rates can be surprisingly reasonable.
- Location. The location is incredibly convenient.
- Views. Be sure to ask for a room facing towards Mount Tamalpais, preferably on the second or third floor.
- Comfort. Superb beds and bedding provide outstanding sleep comfort.
Cons: Reasons to Think Twice About Acqua Hotel
As appealing as Acqua may be, it could be considered disadvantageous by some people for the following reasons:
- Noise. First-floor rooms and those at the far end of each floor, which look parallel to rather than away from the freeway, can't quite shut out all the traffic sounds.
- Distance. Those who really want to experience San Francisco city life and have closer access to its restaurants, offices, and tourist sites, will want to stay in the city.
- Amenities. A lack of room service and lunch and dinner dining could be a drawback to some.
In short, consider Acqua Hotel for a budget-conscious but comfortable business or tourism trip that includes an automobile for access to the city or sightseeing destinations.
Contact Information
Acqua Hotel
555 Redwood Highway
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: 415-380-0400
Fax: 415-380-9696
Reservations: 888-662-9555
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