Fodor's Expert Review Washington Square Inn

Overlooking the park and Saints Peter and Paul Church, the inn sits at the foot of Telegraph Hill in the heart of North Beach. Rich European furnishings, complimentary Continental breakfast, and a nightly wine hour offer a respite from the lively neighborhood.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Staff can sometimes seem a bit cold.

room

Gracious rooms feature Venetian and French accents. Beds come with high thread-count sheets, and up-to-date technological amenities (many include iPod docking stations). Ask for a room with a gas fireplace and bay windows.

bathroom

Oval counters hold shell-shaped brass-hued sinks. Soak in the bathtub, then slide into your plush robe.

lobby

A gleaming mahogany fireplace and brass chandeliers are the focal points of the lobby. Mix-and-match antiques decorate the lobby--grab a seat on the leather couch to read by the fire. From 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the inn offers free wine and snacks. In the morning, a complimentary Continental breakfast is served by the front windows.

dining

The hotel offers fruit, muffins, coffee, and tea in the morning. At 5 p.m., join other guests to chat about your adventures over complimentary hors d'oeurves.

drinking

The staff freely pours wine from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the lobby. Enjoy the convivial atmosphere as people chat, play board games, and relax in front of the fireplace.