Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [43]
King George Hotel ★ Built in 1914 for the Panama Pacific Exhibition (when rooms went for $1 per night), the boutique King George has fared well over the years with its mostly European clientele. The location—surrounded by cable car lines, the Theater District, Union Square, and dozens of restaurants—is superb, and the rooms are surprisingly quiet for such a busy spot (sadly, the interior noise is definitely audible through thin, old walls). The guest rooms can be very small (in the smallest rooms it can be difficult for two people to maneuver at the same time), but they still manage to find room for writing desks, private bathrooms, and king- or queen-size pillow-top beds with down comforters. A big hit since it started a few years back is the hotel’s English afternoon tea, served in the Windsor Tea Room Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from 1 to 4pm. Recent additions include a pub, a 24-hour business center, and an upgraded “executive” level.
334 Mason St. (btw. Geary and O’Farrell sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. www.kinggeorge.com. 800/288-6005 or 415/781-5050. Fax 415/835-5991. 153 units. $66–$188 double; $195 suite. Breakfast $9.95–$13. Special-value packages available seasonally. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $26; self-parking $23. Bus: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 30, 38, 45, 70, or 71. Cable car: Powell–Hyde or Powell–Mason line (1 block west). Amenities: Tearoom; evening lounge/bar; concierge; $12 access to health club 1⁄2 block away; room service. In room: TV w/video games and pay movies, hair dryer, free Wi-Fi.
Villa Florence ★★ Located a half-block south of Union Square, fronting the Powell Street cable car line, this seven-story hotel is in one of the liveliest sections of the city (no need to drive, ’cause you’re already here). The Villa Florence provides guests with a taste of contemporary Italian decor with cherrywood furniture, plantation shutters, windows that actually open, and perks such as flatscreen TVs with DVD players and CD players. In late 2008, a major remodel was completed, which translated to an upgrade in amenities for all rooms and suites. You’ll like the large, comfortable beds draped in down comforters with FeatherBorne Bed dressings, as well as such luxury touches as L’Occitane bath products and Frette bathrobes. The hotel’s ground-floor restaurant, Kuleto’s, is one of downtown’s most bustling and stylish Italian restaurants. That and Bar Norcini wine bar help make the hotel a worthy contender among Union Square’s boutique inns—as if the location alone weren’t reason enough to book a room.
225 Powell St. (btw. Geary and O’Farrell sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. www.villaflorence.com. 866/823-4669 or 415/397-7700. Fax 415/397-1006. 182 units. $117–$159 double; $249–$299 studio suite. Rates include evening wine. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $40, plus an extra $10–$15 per day for oversize vehicles and SUVs. Bus: 2, 3, 4, 30, 38, or 45. Cable car: Powell–Hyde or Powell–Mason line (direct stop). Amenities: Restaurant, Kuleto’s (see review); babysitting on request; concierge; access to nearby health club ($15 per day). In room: A/C, ceiling fan, flatscreen TV w/pay movies, CD player, fridge, hair dryer, minibar, free Wi-Fi.
Inexpensive
The Andrews Hotel For the location, price, and service, the Andrews is a safe bet for an enjoyable stay in San Francisco. Two blocks west of Union Square, the Andrews was a Turkish bath before its conversion in 1981. As is typical in Euro-style hotels, the rooms are small but well maintained and comfortable, with nice touches like white lace curtains and fresh flowers. Continued upgrades help keep things fresh, but large-bathroom lovers beware—the facilities here are tiny. A bonus is the adjoining Fino Bar and Ristorante, which offers respectable Italian fare and free wine to hotel guests in the evening.
624 Post St. (btw. Jones and Taylor sts.), San Francisco, CA 94109. www.andrewshotel.com. 800/926-3739 or 415/563-6877. Fax 415/928-6919. 48 units, some with shower only. From $59 double; from $139 suite. Rates include