Pros

  • Great Marina District location surrounded by shops and restaurants
  • The waterfront is a 12-minute walk away
  • Free garage and limited street parking
  • Clean rooms with large windows and flat-screen TVs
  • Priced well for clean hotel in Marina District
  • City tour bus stops outside, and tickets are available at reception
  • Free Wi-Fi
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Cons

  • Rooms are dated and some get street noise
  • No scene or lounge/restaurant area
  • Wi-Fi can be spotty
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Bottom Line

Situated on San Francisco’s busy Lombard Street, the two-pearl Chelsea Motor Inn appeals to budget travelers seeking easy access to the Marina District. This older, Victorian-style property lacks anything extra in the way of amenities, although does offer free parking. The 60 guest rooms are somewhat dated and basic, but clean and equipped with coffeemakers and flat-screen TVs. Some rooms get street noise late at night, and the Wi-Fi can be inconsistent. The hotel is well-priced for the area, though, especially with its free garage parking. For a similar Victorian-style two pearl hotel near Union Square, check rates at Nob Hill Hotel. 

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Amenities

Oyster Hotel Review

Chelsea Inn

Scene

Victorian-style building with office lobby in a parking garage

The hotel is inside a three-story, Victorian-style building with black-trimmed dormer windows and a charming shingled roof. It has a high-end mechanic shop feel about it, mostly because the lobby is located in the parking garage, which is easily accessed directly off the street, and has well-kept stone walls. Inside the reception area, three dark leather couches surround a small, wood coffee table. The wood-paneled wall, Victorian-style sconces, and large windows lend a comfortable feeling, but it's not really a place where guests hang out. There is no restaurant, bar, or additional lounge space on the property, as most guests -- typically budget travelers keen on the convenient location -- are out exploring during the day. 

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Location

On busy Lombard Street in Marina District, 12 minutes' walk to the waterfront 

The Chelsea is located along Lombard Street, a six-lane road leading from the city to the Golden Gate Bridge. In the immediate area there are fast-food restaurants and a car dealership. Chestnut and Union Streets, the centers of activity in the Marina District, are within a five-minute walk, and the waterfront is about 12 minutes on foot. It’s a 30-minute walk (or 15 minutes by bus/tram) to Fisherman’s Wharf, and 20 minutes' walk to Ghiradelli Square or Russian Hill. Buses traveling throughout the city are accessible within a five-minute walk of the hotel; the trip to Haight-Ashbury or Golden Gate Park is around 25 minutes. San Francisco International Airport is about one hour by bus, or 30 minutes by car. A large city tour bus stops outside the hotel, and guests can buy tickets at reception. 

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Rooms

Dated but clean and with big windows

The noise of busy Lombard Street below is audible in some rooms, which are somewhat old-fashioned with heavy wooden headboards, nightstands, desks, and entertainment cabinets. The mismatched bedding, frosted chandelier-style lights, and drab carpeting don't offer much in the way of style. Rooms are not musty, however, and all have large, wall-size windows. All rooms have free (but not always reliable) Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, safes, and individually controlled air-conditioning units; mini-fridges are available for a daily fee. Their striped wallpaper looks a little dated, but bathrooms are clean, with white countertops, free toiletries, and shower/tub combos.    

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Features

Free garage parking and Wi-Fi ... that's it

The Chelsea Motor Inn is a bare-bones operation. There's no breakfast offered, and the property lacks any real lounge area, save for the couches near reception. There are an ice machine and soda vending machine in a hallway. The property also offers free garage parking, as well as free, limited parking outside. Wi-Fi is also free, though inconsistent, throughout. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Chelsea Inn

Scene

Victorian-style building with office lobby in a parking garage

The hotel is inside a three-story, Victorian-style building with black-trimmed dormer windows and a charming shingled roof. It has a high-end mechanic shop feel about it, mostly because the lobby is located in the parking garage, which is easily accessed directly off the street, and has well-kept stone walls. Inside the reception area, three dark leather couches surround a small, wood coffee table. The wood-paneled wall, Victorian-style sconces, and large windows lend a comfortable feeling, but it's not really a place where guests hang out. There is no restaurant, bar, or additional lounge space on the property, as most guests -- typically budget travelers keen on the convenient location -- are out exploring during the day. 

See More Scene

Location

On busy Lombard Street in Marina District, 12 minutes' walk to the waterfront 

The Chelsea is located along Lombard Street, a six-lane road leading from the city to the Golden Gate Bridge. In the immediate area there are fast-food restaurants and a car dealership. Chestnut and Union Streets, the centers of activity in the Marina District, are within a five-minute walk, and the waterfront is about 12 minutes on foot. It’s a 30-minute walk (or 15 minutes by bus/tram) to Fisherman’s Wharf, and 20 minutes' walk to Ghiradelli Square or Russian Hill. Buses traveling throughout the city are accessible within a five-minute walk of the hotel; the trip to Haight-Ashbury or Golden Gate Park is around 25 minutes. San Francisco International Airport is about one hour by bus, or 30 minutes by car. A large city tour bus stops outside the hotel, and guests can buy tickets at reception. 

See More Location

Rooms

Dated but clean and with big windows

The noise of busy Lombard Street below is audible in some rooms, which are somewhat old-fashioned with heavy wooden headboards, nightstands, desks, and entertainment cabinets. The mismatched bedding, frosted chandelier-style lights, and drab carpeting don't offer much in the way of style. Rooms are not musty, however, and all have large, wall-size windows. All rooms have free (but not always reliable) Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, safes, and individually controlled air-conditioning units; mini-fridges are available for a daily fee. Their striped wallpaper looks a little dated, but bathrooms are clean, with white countertops, free toiletries, and shower/tub combos.    

See More Rooms

Features

Free garage parking and Wi-Fi ... that's it

The Chelsea Motor Inn is a bare-bones operation. There's no breakfast offered, and the property lacks any real lounge area, save for the couches near reception. There are an ice machine and soda vending machine in a hallway. The property also offers free garage parking, as well as free, limited parking outside. Wi-Fi is also free, though inconsistent, throughout. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Cable

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.