Queen Anne Hotel

We often visit San Francisco, where I was born, though we live in Southern California. This time I wanted a change and picked Queen Anne Hotel for its old Victorian feel. We loved it. The place is stunning, from the period furnishings to the sitting rooms off the lobby with their fireplaces. The cozy rooms have lovely tea and coffee, served with china cups and saucers, and around 4 pm there’s sherry and cookies. Beautiful paintings in ornate frames line the hallways. It all gives you a sense of what the late 1800s might have been like. The staff were warm and welcoming, and really seemed glad to have us there. The beds are comfortable, the bathrooms updated with marble, and the rooms impeccably clean. The furnishings are old antiques, which is part of what makes the hotel feel authentic and different. If you want to slow down and enjoy San Francisco’s Victorian charm, this is a lovely place to stay. Do a little research into the building and its past occupants if you visit. It’s fascinating. It was originally a finishing school for girls from high society, and it even has a resident ghost said to be the building’s original owner.

The Victorian atmosphere, coffee and tea bar, and little treats like sherry and cookies made our stay feel relaxed and special. The staff were wonderful too. It’s in a nice area, within walking distance of Japantown and its great shops and restaurants.

The breakfast could use more choices. For vegetarians who are also lactose- and gluten-free, the options are really limited. I’m not much of a breakfast person, but a few more things would’ve been nice. Still, this was a lovely stay that went beyond what I expected. The shared spaces and rooms were clean, and the decor gave the hotel real character and a Victorian-era feel. The sitting areas are so inviting, especially for settling in with a book by the fireplace. Our suite had lots of room and a huge bathroom. Late checkout was another plus, and we weren’t rushed out. The front desk staff on Sunday morning were so kind and friendly, and let us leave our bags while we went for a walk. For a San Francisco visit or a staycation, with family or without, it’s a great location and option. Sadly, we didn’t see any ghosts. Maybe next time!

We left after two nights even though we’d paid for four. When we told the front desk, the person just said “OK,” as if it wasn’t surprising. The rooms are dated and run down, and the mildew smell was strong enough to cling to all our clothes. Even after washing them several times, the smell had only eased a little. The lobby is mostly beautiful, and the Victorian style initially seemed right up our alley, but there was a hint of that same mildew smell there too. The location wasn’t great for getting around the city. Japantown and Fillmore Street are a few blocks down the hill, but most destinations felt like quite a trip. What we saved on this three-star hotel went toward Waymo and Uber rides. We tried taking the bus, but the concierge gave us wrong directions, and we ended up stomping up and down hills and through traffic. We’re 270 years old. Breakfast was lackluster, mostly the same sugary, carb-heavy stuff you’d find at a typical motel. At some point an owner must have had a good vision for this place and created a nice hotel, but the rooms haven’t been updated in many years. I can’t recommend it.