Kensington hotel guide. Red Lion hotel in Kensington, Oakland

"I stayed at this hotel for a business trip, and overall it was fine, though definitely not without quirks. The property was extremely crowded during my stay, likely due to the conferences onsite. Check‑in was quick, but only because I arrived early—something I really appreciated. My room itself was acceptable, but it was located far on the opposite side of the elevator area. The elevators were a consistent frustration: very slow, and at times they wouldn’t let you select your floor. I wasn’t the only one experiencing this; several guests mentioned the same issue. Staff interactions were mixed. Most were fine, but during the conference they came across as a bit unfriendly. At breakfast, I overheard a staff member complaining that guests were “taking too long eating,” even though we were still well within the posted breakfast hours. It created an unnecessary sense of being rushed. Checkout, on the other hand, was easy thanks to the card drop boxes in the lobby and the convenient pickup/drop‑off area outside. One thing to note: the walls are thin. Light sleepers may want to prepare for noise if neighbors are active. The surrounding area felt generally safe, though it’s still an urban part of San Francisco, with the same level of homelessness you’d expect in most major metro areas. Overall, the stay was workable for business travel, but there are a few minor issues worth being aware of."

"Easy check in/check out process! Clean and cozy room and great temperature control. Very thankful for easy transit access to all of my scheduled events 😁. Looking forward to booking again soon and this property!"

"Love the environment and the staff. Would definitely go back"

"Excellent!"

"Our stay was excellent from day one! Every staff member is great. So friendly, helpful snd attentive. Beautiful room and view. Never had an issue with the room and housekeeping was so prompt. The historical pictures on the walls really tell a story and transport you into the past! We loved our stay. Thanks Fairmont Staff!"

"Horrible hotel definitely outdated. Will remind you of the motel 6. Not worth the price. I recommend that you do not stay at this hotel. I’ve traveled a lot in my young life and by far this has been the worst hotel that I’ve stayed at. "

"Good location. Easy to get in and out. Perfect if you’re just sleeping. Amenities were almost non-existent."

"Very nice place to stay, I would stay there again!"

"Great location. Nice, older hotel. The concierge, Judi, was very helpful. Only one elevator was working and that just wasn't enough for the amount of guests. Our room was okay; nothing fancy but comfortable. We couldn't get the a/c or heat to move off 68 degrees. The shower was tiny and not easy to use."