PHOTO: Paul Dyer

Fodor's Expert Review Hotel Drisco

Name: Hotel Drisco
Address: 2901 Pacific Ave., San Francisco, California, 94115, USA
Telephone: 415-346–2880; 800-634–7277
Price range: $$$$

2901 Pacific Ave., San Francisco, California 94115, USA See on Map Fodor's Choice

Michele Bigley

Housed near both the Egyptian and Portuguese consulates, and House speaker Nancy Pelosi's mansion, this posh Pacific Heights property gazes down upon the city and the bay. Rich textiles, heavy dark wooden furnishings, and golden fixtures hint at the tastes of those who select this hidden retreat. While far from the city's action, complimentary town-car service, in-room dining, and plentiful continental breakfast and wine hour spreads allow guests to easily immerse themselves in the city's most upscale neighborhood.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Street parking is plentiful (and free). Give the staff your keys and they will move your car around to avoid street cleaning tickets.

room

Completed renovated in spring 2017, rooms are now seasoned with shades of cream and mahogany. Velvet black-out curtains, a pillow menu, Egyptian cotton sheets, and gold fixtures provide luxurious touches. DVD players, super speedy complimentary Wi-Fi, plush robes, slippers, complimentary water and bikes, Nespresso coffee machines, and nightly turndown service are just some of the long list of amenities.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Use the sound machines to cancel out the subtle city noise outside your quarters.

Photo: Paul Dyer

bathroom

Oversized marble showers with wooden seats hint at the Japanese onsen inspiration in the design. Heated floors, bowl sinks, and Bvlgari bath products elevate bathrooms. Fog-free mirrors and free toothbrushes up the ante.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Travelers can request a room with a bathtub since not all rooms provide them.

lobby

Understated, the lobby allows visitors discretion and privacy. Friendly staff guide you to guest rooms. For those wanting a social area, the small sitting room offers coffee and tea, snacks, newspapers, and comfortable sitting nooks.

dining

In the dining area, the hotel offers complimentary expanded continental breakfast of fruit, yogurt, cold cuts and cheeses, lox, coffee, and tea. At 5 p.m., they lay out a plentiful wine hour spread that includes meatballs, olives, fruit, bread, and cheeses. For those wanting in-room dining, the on-site kitchen can whip up vegetarian shepherd's pie, spinach tortellini, burgers, paninis, and short ribs. Those with a sweet tooth will appreciate the dessert menu's Marin County's Three Twins ice cream.

LOCATION

Getting Around

The hotel offers complimentary town car service to downtown and the Presidio. Walkers appreciate the ability to wander the northwestern slice of the city, with Pacific Heights, the Marina, Japantown, and Richmond districts, all easily accessible. Catch the Muni bus just down the hill to most any location in the city--if you're here for a few days, pick up a week-pass.

Restaurants

Reserve a table at Spruce (10-minute walk) for one of San Francisco's most upscale dining experiences. Chef Sullivan's duck lasagna, paired with vino off their award-winning wine list, is a must. Over in the Marina district, build your own macaroni and cheese at MAC'D (7-minute walk). In the inner Richmond, wait in line for the rainbow salad at Burma Superstar (20-minute walk).

Bars

Sidle up to the bar at the dark Swank Cocktail Club (5-minute walk). The Marina district's bars like the Tipsy Pig (7-minute walk) lure the fresh out of college crowd. More upscale is Delorosa's cocktail bar (10-minute walk), where Italian wines shine.

WHY WE LIKE IT

Few San Francisco hotels deliver this caliber of style, elegance and devotion to their guests than the Hotel Drisco. Beyond the high-class address, the interiors avoid flashiness and instead conjure a sense of simple style with comfort and class in mind. The staff goes beyond measure to cater to guest's needs without ever feeling doting.