Central downtown location, close to Moscone Convention Center, museums
Stylish, spacious guest rooms
Impressive art in lounge and restaurant
Free Wi-Fi
Free morning coffee and tea
Pet-friendly rooms
In-room spa services
Half of the rooms overlook chain stores
Small fitness center
Expensive restaurant for a casual meal
Pricey valet parking
Room service only available for breakfast
A sexy 202-room property that doubles as a hip art gallery, the Hotel Zelos San Francisco (formerly Hotel Palomar) has spacious, comfortable rooms, free coffee and tea in the mornings, free Wi-Fi, and an upscale restaurant on the 5th floor. Other downtown boutiques may cost less, but the Zelos is a cut above for a hip, romantic getaway.
Scene
A romantic, hip boutique with an impressive art collection and swanky restaurant
Situated smack dab in the middle of Market Street's big box retailers, Hotel Zelos San Francisco has more in common with the Bay Area's art galleries than the Old Navy upon which it sits. The entrance and lobby are on the street, but the hotel begins five stories up. Impressive artwork can be found throughout the hotel, giving it a cool, hip atmosphere. Save for an unfortunate view from some rooms, the large standard rooms live up to the sexy-meets-classy ethos. For an urban hotel room, it's got ample space -- a comfortable bed, a large desk, and an easy chair fit without making the space feel cluttered or cramped. Add in attentive service and the fancy Dirty Habit restaurant, and the hotel is a good spot for a quiet getaway above the city masses.The hotel is centrally located -- the foodie heaven at the Ferry Building is a 10-minute streetcar ride down Market. Thanks to the art on the walls and dogs in the lobby (it was previously a Kimpton property), it's a hipper alternative to the similarly priced Marriott down the block. On the flip side, Zelos isn't quite as hip as the SOMA W (and doesn't have a pool), but it's got a cozier vibe than the chichi chain. Other Union Square area boutiques like the Serrano and Kensington Park generally cost less, but neither approaches the Zelos for sophistication. If it's just a place to crash between all-day or all-night sightseeing excursions, then it probably isn't worth the extra bucks.
Service
Limited services, but solid execution
Hotel Zelos San Francisco is a boutique, so the service isn't your-wish-is-my-command level, but it is always efficient and friendly. Whether it's changing a light bulb or explaining the routes on a jogging map, the staff is prompt and helpful.- Pricey valet parking fee
Location
In the middle of a major shopping area, but a great jumping-off point for exploring the city
The Zelos San Francisco isn't quite in any of San Francisco's well-defined neighborhoods, but it's centrally located and near plenty of transportation options. From the Palomar, it's a convenient walk to Union Square and the Financial District, or a quick streetcar ride down Market to the Embarcadero and Fisherman's Wharf. With the nearby stops for the Muni (San Francisco's transit system) and BART (for trains to surrounding communities), going further afield is also convenient.- One block from the Moscone Convention Center.
Rooms
Rooms are large for the area and borderline spotless. Now if something could be done about the view...
Rooms are modern and stylish, with artsy pillows on the wooden beds, framed prints, and crocodile-inspired carpeting. The large 350-square-foot standard "Deluxe" room is spacious enough to fit a desk, an easy chair, a small dresser, a bench, and a table. By comparison, the basic rooms at the nearby Palace and the down-the-street Marriott are 300 square feet.The biggest problem with the rooms are revealed when the curtains are pulled back. Some views are of the empty office building next door and, looking down, the glass atrium of the Container Store. The windows, ledges, and the atrium itself are caked with bird droppings. The hotel can't do much about urban birds, but it detracts from the overall romantic ambience. Many of the rooms overlook Market and 4th Streets, or the inner Zen garden, so ask for one of those. The rooms don't begin until the 5th floor and windows are soundproofed, so street noise shouldn't be a problem.- The standard room comes with either a king or two double beds with down comforters and pillows
Features
The hotel's amenities are limited, but offers a few freebies
All-Inclusive / Food
Dirty Habit is a great spot for an elegant evening.
Dirty Habit is the hotel's trendy bar and restaurant. It serves breakfast, dinner, and pricey cocktails. The indoor space is gorgeous and hip, with printed rugs, black leather booths, and a wall with rusted, metallic gears; there's also a heated outdoor terrace. It's bar-centric, with an extensive list of cocktails, liquor, beer, and wine, and a menu of shared plates. - Breakfast is served daily, with dishes like garden omelets, pancakes, and chilaquiles.
Corner King Room
Deluxe Room
Deluxe Suite
Executive King Room
Luxury King Room
René Magritte Suite
United States