Golden Gate Hotel

Loved Skittle the hotel cat! She came to stay with me for a night, jumped on my bed and walked on my pillow. In the morning she put her head under my hand trying to wake me up. She purrs when I pet her. This added so much to trip😍 Oh sorry, this is supposed to be a hotel review, not a cat review. So the hotel is lovely. I like the 1913 style very much. It is overall comfortable and cosy.

The lamp in the shared shower of the 3rd floor was not functioning at all during my 5 nights’ stay. I reported this to the reception and followed up on it 3 times, but this wasn’t fixed despite the staff already having notified their repair team. The water in the shower was very weak, ok to wash the body but challenging to wash long hair.

Everything was very clean and cosy, enjoyed the breakfast options and tea-time snacks. They have preserved many unique features of the original hotel, such as the antique lift and in-room sinks, which could be interesting to history buffs. Decor was very well done, really showed off the personality of the hotel. Staff were very helpful and welcoming, check in and check out were a breeze.

This is no fault of the hotel, but given San Francisco's hilly nature, you should be aware that the hotel sits at the top of quite a steep hill where the nearest public transport to get up and down the hill is the vintage tram that costs $8 to ride one way. Do not try to get to the accommodation via BART as you will have to push/carry your bags uphill amongst crowds of tourists. We had a room with a private shower, but we were somewhat surprised that the shower door was clear glass without any kind of curtain or frosting for privacy. This could be quite awkward depending on your relationship with the person you're sharing the room with, especially because the rooms can be pretty small.

The hotel is the best value for money, given the location. Within walking distance to/from the Powell BART station. It is a boutique old-timey hotel. I got a room with a private bathroom, which was nice.

There is no mini-fridge inside the hotel room, but I was allowed to use the staff fridge. However, this meant I needed to ask the staff to get my stuff from the fridge each time. The walls are also quite thin. This wasn't an issue for me as I had an early start and respectful neighbors, but this could be an issue if other guests are loud. The breakfast is also available only starting from 8AM, which is a little late for me.

Superfriendly staff who allowed us to play cards/hang out in the dining room in the evening and also let us store our luggage on our last day as we had a late flight. Super cute with the friendly cat running around. Simple but nice with a little breakfast included. Lovely that the hotel serves coffee and tee every afternoon.

Everything was great! The only thing which is a bit annoying is that you pay a deposit which is reserved on your card until you check out - and now a few weeks later that amount of around $100 is still reserved so technically I cannot use these money. I have not reached out the hotel though - I'm sure they'll solve it if I do.

Friendly and helpful staff, location, the cute cat, comfortable beds. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. My little dog was happy with the comfortable and cozy rooms. It's easy to get to from the airport via BART train and tram.

Breakfast croissants were warm and freshly made but required some patience because the staff served one or two people at a time. Our door broke/was unable to close, but we were upgraded to a new room right away! There were coffee grounds in the coffee pot but she made a fresh pot right away. The street immediately outside is a bit busy and I wouldn't walk there late at night. Our room didn't have a radiator and it was a cold night, but staff came and brought us a portable heater. So, a lot of little hiccups but they did their best to help, and I would stay there again!

I really liked this hotel because it was very old and therefore very beautiful, in addition it was restored but respecting the basic architecture. The rooms are small, with a single sink, a closet, and the bathroom / WC are outside the room (so we share this place with other people in the hotel but it did not bother us ) . The decoration inside is very cute, it feels like staying with our grandparents, there is carpet with flower patterns everywhere, as well as old photos of people who have certainly lived in this hotel or lived in San Francisco and does important things for the city. There is also a cat in the hotel, so it made the place even more pleasant and welcoming. Breakfast and afternoon tea are included in the price of the room, so it's very good value for money.

I did not appreciate the fact that the hotel staff left the windows open 24 hours a day in the hotel corridors, because in the spring it is cold in San Francisco as in Paris .

Breakfast included warm croissants with delicious jam and cream. The drawback is that it took awhile for service and they serve one or two people at a time, so something to keep in mind if you have to get going. The staff was very helpful and open to feedback. For instance, one of the batches of fresh coffee had grounds in it. As soon as I pointed it out the staff member made a fresh pot just for me. One one of the nights, part of the door to our room broke and was unable to fully open, and one of the staff was very helpful in finding a new room for me. He even gave me a room that had its own bathroom because it happened to be available! The rooms were fairly clean and the wifi worked well with no issues. One of the rooms we booked didn't have a working radiator and it happened to be a cold spring night, so the same staff member promptly found a portable heater for our room. I also liked that it was pet friendly and we had no issues with my little dog. Skittles mostly kept to herself except for the occasional staring match with the puppy and keeping a cautious distance. I also liked that the hotel was easily accessible by BART and then tram from the airport.

While the neighbourhood was relatively central to a few things (Chinatown, Union Square, and the tram could take us to a few locations), I didn't realize that it might not be the best place to take one's dog for a walk at night. The puppy himself was not interested in going for a stroll in that neighbourhood, simply did his business and was eager to go back inside. There were no violent incidents, mostly some intoxicated individuals on their way home. The hotel itself felt secure in that area. The building itself is older, a bit modest, simple but quaint and cozy in its own way, with an older-style elevator between floors, which I liked, but might not be everyone's cup of tea.

This hotel has the most friendliest staff I've ever met. It went beyond my expectations, I felt that I had found a home away from home. Matthew and Lucy were such a joy to talk with, the room was beautiful and comfortable, the bathroom was nice as well. The lounge area has tea time around 4:00pm, and their freshly brewed tea that they get delivered from someone who makes their own blends with a side of cookies was so heartwarming and fun. Guests interacted with each other, staff felt like friends, it was the absolute perfect stay. Not to mention, China Town was just a few blocks away and within walking distance, as were several cafes, restaurants, bars, and shopping centers. I will definitely be coming back here the next time I come to SF, it is truly a gem and such a wonderful place to spend a night or the weekend!

There wasn't a single thing I didn't like at this place

Booked for my daughter who was travelling alone.She said the location was ideal. Really easy to get to where she needed to be. Quirky original hotel with more warmth than you would find in a big modern chain hotel. Staff were really helpful. My daughter was quite unwell on her last day and the staff could not have been more supportive which we really appreciate. Good breakfast included. Central to everything

Nothing better based on price. Expected to be sharing a bathroom.

Such a cozy little hotel in the heart of the city, the beds were comfy, the shared bathroom was exceptionally clean and always smelled fresh, and the photos and art throughout the building were so endearing! The croissants for breakfast were warm and delicious, and tea time in the afternoon was lovely! It was really packed in the little dining area, but it was so lively and boisterous that you didn’t mind at all.

The elevator was broken but I do believe it says that somewhere on the website. Not something major to worry about but if you’re older or have lots of luggage, this might not be the place for you. Another thing, the concierge did say the building has lead pipes so I was unsure if the water from the faucets was drinkable, never got an answer on that. Also- it’s pretty standard protocol to not smoke in hotels but the fire escape sure did look welcoming - we refrained, but I do wish there were a smoking area somewhere in or around the building so we didn’t have to stand on the street to smoke. No problems with the hotel or service though, it was lovely.