King George Hotel – A Greystone Hotel

King George Hotel was built in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition and has an elegant European-inspired decor. The exterior is dark green and maroon with a Union Jack flying out front above a green awning. The lobby has a cream-colored front desk, printed maroon carpets, and a painting of King George. Some chairs are antique and dated, while others are contemporary but maintain an antique-flair. The bar area has red carpets with gold crown patterns and fading bar stools situated next to a wooden bar. There's also a cozy seating area with a hodgepodge of chairs and couches. Despite its attempts at a classic English style, there’s no denying that the public areas could use a refresh and makeover as there’s obvious signs of wear and tear. Still, the hotel is trying to add modern facilities with new keyless entry systems downloadable through smart phones and tablets for rooms. While it's a reasonable choice for business travelers, most guests are vacationing couples.

King George Hotel has an ideal location for tourists and business travelers in downtown San Francisco near the Financial District. It's just around the corner from Union Square, and there are plenty of shops, restaurants, and offices in the surrounding streets. Chinatown and Grace Cathedral are a 10-minute walk away, while Fisherman’s Wharf is a 14-minute drive away. The Golden Gate Bridge takes at least 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The closest cable car stop is a six-minute walk away, and the closest BART station is a five-minute walk. It’s a 38-minute drive to San Francisco International Airport. 

Rooms at the King George have a certain classical elegance, with a cream color scheme, wooden beds with pincushion headboards, red pillows with floral prints, and light gold-framed mirrors. The look is traditional, and entirely fitting for this historic property, but still functional, with ergonomic chairs at the desks. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, iHome docking stations, and coffeemakers, while Deluxe Rooms add air-conditioning. Superior Suites are larger and come with pullout sofa beds in the living rooms. Bathrooms are stylish, with black marble countertops and black-and-white tiled floors, plus shower/tub combos, Lather toiletries, and hairdryers. Note that there have been complaints of mildew smells and some cleanliness issues, and some rooms get street noise.

For a mid-range, urban property, King George Hotel offers a mix of amenities, though unfortunately there's no on-site restaurant, gym, or pool. It does have a cozy bar with a happy hour, and 24-hour room service is available from local restaurants in the area. A breakfast is offered each morning for a fee, but it’s a pretty minimal spread of coffee, juice, milk, and croissants or muffins. Business services include two fully equipped meeting rooms plus a pair of public desktop computers with a printer. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and valet parking is available for a fee.