The Best Hotels for a Classic San Francisco Experience
The news may harp on San Francisco being a tech hub, but some of the city's finest hotels herald another era. Sure many of these properties might be housed in aged structures, but the majority of SF's historic hotels lather on the luxury. Searching for a classic experience? Here are our favorite tributes to San Francisco's rich history.
Chancellor Hotel on Union Square
Why it made the list
Constructed for the Panama Pacific International Exhibition of 1915, this property is still one of the last standing family-owned properties in the city. Rooms overlook Union Square and might be modest, but you can often score great deals.
San Remo Hotel
Why it made the list
Since 1906 this property has catered to the Italian immigrants who flocked to North Beach at the turn of the century. Decked out in an Old World style, this property manages to feel lived in and elderly without the staleness that often accompanies that designation. Plus rooms are a steal, especially for walkers eager to explore North Beach.
Hotel Majestic
Why it made the list
Built in 1902, this property is the longest operating hotel in the city (this designation is only because the Great Earthquake halted the service of some older properties). Ghost tales abound about this property. Many say the original owner's daughter haunts room 407. Also worth exploring is the Butterfly Lounge, a hearty collection of these majestic Lepidoptera.
Queen Anne Hotel
Why it made the list
Originally a girls boarding school, this 1890 Queen Anne Victorian might make you feel like you're staying in a storybook house. Also a member of the famed painted ladies architectural style, this property promises a a dash of class with its tribute to another era. Ghost hunters flock to the property--the former headmistress is said to haunt the halls.
Sir Francis Drake Hotel
Why it made the list
Celebs like Myrna Loy and Barbara Stanwyck once performed in this 1920s property known as a hub for prohibition era decadence. President Ford was almost assassinated as he exited this property in 1975. Today, bellhops dressed as Beefeaters welcome guests to the lobby that features original fixtures throughout.
Hotel Whitcomb
Why it made the list
The former San Francisco city hall--with a basement jail to boot--this 1910 structure has long housed government officials and visiting VIPs. Now the decor pays homage to the past with antique poster beds, and a fabulous chandelier guarding the lobby.
Palace Hotel, San Francisco
Why it made the list
Since 1875, this property has offered a posh glimpse into San Francisco history. The biggest news from the property came in 1891, when Hawaii's King Kalakaua died in his suite here. Today the luxe Garden Court Restaurant lures lunching ladies and celebratory diners to sit under this grand atrium and delight in the rich history of one of San Francisco's oldest properties. Check out Maxfield Parrish's famed Pied Piper of Hamelin mural in the Pied Piper restaurant.
Westin St. Francis
Why it made the list
Built in 1904, then destroyed by the 1906 earthquake and fire, this new version, often dubbed the "Paris of the west" has guarded Union Square since 1907. While the innards of the hotel have morphed over time, establishing itself as a sleek hub for techies and families, the hotel's signature Oak Room restaurant heralds another era (though woman are allowed to eat there now).
Fairmont San Francisco
Why it made the list
Opening in 1907, this Nob Hill hotel stands like a palace guarding the city. The UN charter was drafted inside this grand dame. Throughout the property, check out relics from the property's history, including parts of the building destroyed in the Great San Francisco earthquake, and an original prohibition bar hidden in the back of the lobby level. Stay in the original building (not the tower) for a more traditional experience.
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