Built in 1913, the hotel has been newly renovated. All rooms have hardwood floors, premium beds, 400 thread count linens, plantation shutters, ceiling fans, hairdryer, ironing board, in-room safe.Close to all major attractions.
Award winning restaurant on site.
Star Rating:
Local Attractions:
Union Square, Cable Cars, Theatre, Shopping, Dining within 3 blocks. Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge, Twin Peaks.
May 17, 2013
Tapa125, Beaumont, Texas | Trip type: Couples
My husband and I looked forward for months to our trip back to San Francisco in April. We decided to stay on Union Square. We picked Hotel California Best Western...
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My husband and I looked forward for months to our trip back to San Francisco in April. We decided to stay on Union Square. We picked Hotel California Best Western due to location and affordability. What we didnt know how small the rooms really were. We had a deluxe king and barely had room to move around or have anywhere to put our suitcases. The room was clean and bed was very comfy though. Just remember deluxe isnt a standard deluxe, it is much smaller. The resturant was vegan and that was a huge dissappointment to us. One of the main reason we didnt like our stay there were vagrants.They are everywhere . Outside the hotel, down the block, on your walk to and from anywhere to the Hotel. We were followed by one and had to go inside a business and get rid of him. Once we went into a jack in the box for a drink and one even moved his chair to sit and stare. He had plenty to eat as the man in front of us in line fed him. This was very uncomfotable for us. The hop on and off tour was terrific. We really enjoyed all of the stops on the tour. For us, the location of The Hotel California isnt a great choice. Overall, I would say small rooms, bad location and too many vagrants to make this a good place to stay. « less
“beautiful”
May 15, 2013
bernice m, Aston, Pennsylvania | Trip type: Family
Beautiful hotel. Staff was really helpful and were knowledgeable enough to give us local information. Rooms are very clean and with the right touch of retro antiqueness. Great breakfast. My...
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Beautiful hotel. Staff was really helpful and were knowledgeable enough to give us local information. Rooms are very clean and with the right touch of retro antiqueness. Great breakfast. My family really enjoyed our vacation in the city and our stay was wonderful. « less
“Nice hotel, but with some concerns.”
May 15, 2013
Yessica_W, Buckeye, Arizona | Trip type: Couples
We stayed here for three nights and I was very aware of the location, the older building and the noise that comes with it. So no problem, I brought ear...
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We stayed here for three nights and I was very aware of the location, the older building and the noise that comes with it. So no problem, I brought ear plugs. Just do keep in mind when people say it's noisy, it really is....noisy. People screaming, trucks, sirens, you name it. But you are in the middle of a city center so don't expect peace and quiet.
I loved the hotel room! Very charming, nicely decorated, the bed linen was super soft and I loved the bed. The view from our room on the 7th floor was very nice at night.
The hotel is bordering the not so nice neighborhood Tenderloin, so there are a lot of homeless people. This was my 4th visit to the city, last time was 8 years ago. I think things have changed but not for the better. I don't judge homeless people, don't get me wrong, but there were some mentally unstable folks walking around, with some unpredictable behavior. If I would visit the city with a girl friend, I would probably pick another location to stay.
The staff at the reception desk was very friendly, thumbs up! Always willing to help and greeting (if they were there).
So why does this charming hotel not get more than 3 stars from me?
* The breakfast in the morning was nice, especially for a complimentary breakfast, but you had to be there early! They are open till 10 am, but when we were there at 9.25 and my husband asked for more waffle batter, they said they were going to close and didn't refill it. I think with more than half an hour to go that is not a good service. I saw the same thing happen with a woman that asked for boiled eggs. So be sure you get to the breakfast area rather early. * I have read other reviews and saw some safety concerns, a mother and daughter were followed to their room by a homeless guy. The manager really handled the situation well, but if this is a concern and considering the location I guess it's an ongoing concern, I wonder why there is no security, or at least not all of the time. We came back to our hotel a few times when nobody was at the reception and everybody could have walked in and take the elevator up. This is not a good thing and I think the management could really improve this. * I thought the amenities in the bath room were quite limited, I have seen better in a Best Western.
I loved the atmosphere in the hotel room because of it's decoration, but next time I will probably try a different hotel. « less
“Good but small rooms”
May 14, 2013
geekgirl_11, Brisbane, Australia | Trip type: Couples
Despite the name, we booked here on the recommendation of a friend. For the price you are paying, the rooms are small but this is the norm for San Francisco....
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Despite the name, we booked here on the recommendation of a friend. For the price you are paying, the rooms are small but this is the norm for San Francisco. The hotel itself is lovely though and the rooms are nicely decorated (including song lyrics just below the ceiling and retro artwork) and very clean. It has both a lift and stairs and windows that open. There is a free wine and nibbles hour each evening and a good breakfast (continental) included in the price. We were initially given a room on the 7th floor (Room 709) and could hear a loud fan noise when we arrived in the afternoon but thought it must be building works. The noise continued all night, however. Then, at 2am, we had a couple open our door as they were checking in late and had been checked into our room - they were mortified of course (we were groggy and confused!). So, not a good first night! We went down the next morning and said we were not happy with the noise nor the late night visit and were very promptly and without any fuss moved to a room facing the street which was also a little larger. I would give this hotel 5 stars other than the noise we had in the first room, the late night intrusion and the price. « less
Read management response to this review.
Management response from PRTheHotelCalifornia, Front Office Manager
Hello,
I am excited to see the five service rating you gave us that was warm and kind of you. Thank you.
We appreciate all our great guests and you especially for allowing us to fix things for you. That said even though the issues were worked out and resolved, I do want to apologize to you for you having them in the first place
When ever you find yourselves back in San Francisco from Queensland please give us the opportunity to make your next stay run fantastically.
Thank you,
Lola
« hide
“We spent a wonderful time”
May 13, 2013
Jorge L, Buenos Aires, Argentina | Trip type: Couples
During our visit to San Francisco we stayed at The Hotel California for about two weeks in April 2013.We spent a wonderful time and everu in the hotel was specially...
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During our visit to San Francisco we stayed at The Hotel California for about two weeks in April 2013.We spent a wonderful time and everu in the hotel was specially helpful. They advised us with special care on how and where to go to all special places around the city. Last, but not least, the breakfast could be considered really a brunch. Our special thanks to Tim, Lola, Willy,Marcos, Ricky and Samuel.
Management response from PRTheHotelCalifornia, Front Office Manager
Hello,
THANK YOU, from all your friends that's everyone on staff!!! It was great having you and your wife stay and I hope that your long flight home to Chile was a good one!
Seeing both of you each day while you were here was a pleasure! I have said this many times but it's true, wonderful guests and people like you make our jobs enjoyable.
You both are charming so it was our pleasure to help you get around and about San Francisco. Please know that The Hotel California is here and we would be more than happy to see you both whenever you come back to see your son.
Thank you,
Lola
« hide
These reviews are the subjective opinions of individual travelers and not of TripAdvisor LLC nor of its partners.
Suite
2 king beds or 1 queen bed or 2 twin beds. Pillowtop mattress. Premium bedding. Desk. In-room safe (accommodates laptop). Cable/satellite television channels. Television. Pay movies. Video-game console. Voice mail. CD player. Clock radio. Coffee/tea maker. Shower/tub combination. Hair dryer. Iron/ironing board. Ceiling fan. Window opens. Non-smoking only.
Deluxe Queen
One queen bed with pillowtop mattress, 400-thread-count linens. 185 square feet. Located street side. Double-paned windows. Oversized vintage posters and mirrors. Ceiling fan. Clock radio/CD player. Cable TV with Nintendo games (surcharge). Desk, laptop safe, coffeemaker. Bathrobes. Nonsmoking.
Standard Queen
One queen bed with pillowtop mattress, 400-thread-count linens. 185 square feet. Street or courtyard view through double-paned windows. Ceiling fan. Clock radio/CD player. Work table, laptop safe, coffeemaker. Cable TV with Nintendo games (surcharge). Nonsmoking.
Amenities - Best Western Hotel California
Alarm clock
Baggage storage facilities
Car rental
Central location
Complimentary breakfast
Concierge service
Credit card accepted: Mastercard/Visa
Credit card accepted: American Express
Credit card accepted: Discover
Credit card accepted: Diners Club
Credit card accepted: JCB
Dinner available
Electronic key card
Elevator
Fax available
Fitness and health center
Free local calls
Hairdryer available
Central heating
Ice Maker
Internet - wireless
Internet is Complimentary
Ironing facilities
Licensed bar
Movies in room
Non-smoking rooms
24 hours opened
Office or business center
Pets allowed
Private bathroom in room
Private car parking
Radio in room
Refrigerator
Restaurant
Self controlled heating/cooling system
Shower
Tea and coffee making facilities
Telephone
Telephone in all rooms
Telephone - Free local calls
Television
TV - Free Cable
Travellers cheques accepted
Valet Parking
Voicemail
Pet Friendly?
Yes! Pets are allowed.
Airport & Shuttle Information - Best Western Hotel California
San Francisco Airport (SFO): 12 miles: $16 by Shuttle, $45 by taxi, $5.50 by subway.
Oakland Airport (OAK): 25 miles: $29 by shuttle, $65 by taxi, $8 by subway.
Closest Subway (BART) Station: Powell Station, 5 blocks
Airport Shuttle? Sorry, no airport shuttle available.
Testimonials: Why use Hotel Planner?
"First time experience was great. We are involved with a softball organization that support 5 teams. I will pass the word to the rest of our coaches." P.D. - Bloomington, IL
"First of all I'd like to say how easy this site has been to utilize. Secondly, it has taken hours off of my researching...That I sincerely appreciate." L.C. - Charlottesville, VA
Previously Known As: Best Western The Hotel California
Based on 501 traveler reviews 
Value
Cleanliness
“Just ok.”
Suite
Deluxe Queen