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Frequently mentioned in reviews: hotel (55) room (42) stay (23) great (17) staff (17) pool (16) location (13) lobby (11) history (11) service (11)
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  • 3/5 Kapil A. 1 year ago on Google
    The rooms are small but cozy. Service is not great. Asked for a couple of things to the reception and was never sent to the room. Locality is great. You get a streetcar or a bus right in front of the hotel. The lobby is awesome. The mini hotel museum is cute. There are few old artifacts kept around the lobby which reminds you of the long lost glory of this heritage hotel. The in house swimming pool was awesome but the hot tub was not working. You have to walk a lot to reach the lift lobby or to go to the ice machine. Summary - Not worth the price tag.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kevin K. 4 months ago on Google
    Great location. Central to everything. They messaged me before I got there to tell me they upgraded me to a larger room with a market street view because we were celebrating an anniversary. But when we got there they downgraded us to a normal room with a view of an office building and alley. The restaurant is... Jaw dropping. Even if you don't eat there, go see it! Most beautiful ceiling in all of San Francisco. But to be honest the good isn't that great and very expensive
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jonathan N. 1 year ago on Google
    Stayed 3 nights here with my wife and kids. Wonderful stay. Location was fantastic. One day, we walked over to the Ferry Building for a great lunch at Hog Island. If you drive, get SpotHero and get overnight parking at a close by garage for a fraction of the hotel price. This hotel is iconic. 19 former US presidents stayed here and there is a drink dedicated to each one. The room we got was a double queen. Not the biggest I have had but had 12 ft ceilings and seemed quite spacious. Overall, fantastic hotel.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ailish R. 7 months ago on Google
    This hotel was just so unbelievably beautiful and to be honest, really made our trip to San Francisco. The decor in this hotel is exquisite, with marble and chandeliers throughout.. the breakfast/dining area is very impressive to behold, food was also to a very high standard. The beds were extremely comfortable and we got a terrific night sleep each night. The location is quite central and in a nice part of town with a subway station right outside. The staff could not have been more helpful, the manager, Michael was so welcoming, helpful and obliging and Diana at reception was super warm and friendly and gave us some great tips on arranging last minute tickets to see Alcatraz. We had an absolutely amazing time and would highly recommend the Palace Hotel.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 G. M. 7 months ago on Google
    This is a lovely hotel in a wonderful location in San Francisco. The hotel is very close to transit, restaurants, and shopping. I booked this hotel because of those things (transit, location, shopping, restaurants etc) but also because it has a pool. And we were very happy with the pool. It is the brightest, best maintained, clean, and serviced hotel pool we’ve experienced… possibly ever?! Very well-stocked with towels, beautiful bright light from the atrium ceiling. There was always a pool attendant who was very friendly and helpful and constantly tidying and refilling and replenishing the towels. (My one and only complaint is that the pool towels are so tiny!!) The room was very quiet- solid walls and door meant minimal noise disruption from outside the room. The room and the wide hallways have high ceilings which is also lovely. Good water temperature and pressure, comfy beds, lots of USB ports, well-lit bathroom, and the best mini fridge we’ve ever had in a hotel. Adequately cold without freezing anything! The elevators are fast but if you take the stairs at all, they are beautiful stone steps. Wonderful porters, all staff very kind and friendly. We’d stay here again and recommend it to anyone!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nick B. 1 year ago on Google
    Part of the reason why I’m rating The Palace so highly is due to the dedicated staff and overall services. I book the stay, for my birthday, in advance and corresponded with the Chief Concierge, Jose. He helped me find and book reservations for dinner and even picked up my birthday cake from a nearby bakery on my behalf. When I arrived to the hotel and checked in, the staff carefully transported my belongings to my room and placed it all in the right place. I didn’t need to lift a finger. Shout out to Ronald!!! My room was spacious, clean, and came with a decent view. The other reason why my rating is so highly is due to the preservation and usability of the landmark space. The Garden Court is breathtaking! I could sit in that area for hours. I love the hotel’s history room and even the antique mailbox. All of these area are accessible, which allows us to be a part of the hotel’s history. The Palace felt like a home away from home, a dreamy reality, and a relic of time. For the best experience possible: Please coordinate with the staff in advance, be kind, and let the team do the rest. And at the end, pay the tip and say thank you! It goes a long way.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Shanelle S. 1 year ago on Google
    Stayed here for the weekend and had a very pleasant experience in their suite. The pillows were plush and the blankets were very comfy. There’s paid garage parking across the street. The hotel is located off the BART line too. The staff were helpful in bringing up items to our room, although they did forget to bring our room service on time when we had ordered it the day before. The hotel space was luxurious. The atrium was gorgeous and you can eat/hang out there. There’s a gym located right next to the pool. They had cool towels as well as headphones and water cups with a dispenser inside the gym. There were few cardio machines (elliptical and bike) in addition to free weights and some lower body focused machines.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 onthegoboomer 2 years ago on Google
    I wanted to stay here because it is a registered historic hotel. Once the largest luxury hotel in the world, built in 1875, destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and rebuilt in 1999, the stories behind this beautiful piece of architecture were very inviting. What I loved: The history, the beauty, the Concierge, all staff were excellent, helpful and courteous. They have 4 Concierges, not just any Concierge, people who have achieved the highest level and wear the Golden Keys or Les Clefs d'Or, so I was very impressed!! Most luxury hotels may have one but to have this many in one location is excellent! I enjoyed the Garden Court very much. Breakfast was included as I am Titanium Elite so I only had to pay for the gratuity. The exquisite glass and Austrian crystal Chandeliers kept me looking up at all times. The in-room bidets were also amazing. What was disappointing: The rooms. They were challenging and I changed rooms twice to finally land in a handicapped room in order to have the size room I had reserved as well as a room in a quiet side. The windows are old so reheat did not prevent street noise from reaching you and I was in the 7th floor originally. The initial room was so small the door opened touching the desk chair. It definitely was not the room size I reserved. I moved to another room that was the right size but I could still hear the trolley so I ended up in a handicapped room facing a wall so at least it was quiet. The Pied Piper restaurant opened at 4 so from the time The Garden Court closed until 4 PM you can’t get a drink or snack in the hotel. The pool area was okay but the hot tub looked really odd and so I did not go into it, the water was an odd color and it did not look clean. Overall: I did not get the luxury feel from this hotel and I think they need to do more to restore the luxury factor. It could be that the pandemic has hindered their efforts but the whole neighborhood is somewhat sketchy. I know they can’t move the hotel but it deserves a new paint job in the rooms and updating the amenities to truly deserve the title “luxury.”
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Patricia R. 1 year ago on Google
    This is an amazing hotel! The architecture is from an era that exemplifies luxury and elegance. Truly a magnificent property that has maintained the historical significance of the property. Emma, the bartender in the lobby bar, is the very best example of a true hospitality professional. She went above and beyond to ensure that every guest felt special. The rooms are very well appointed and the staff does a great job of taking care of the hotel. Amazing on every level!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eye E. 4 months ago on Google
    Really beautiful lobby area. The rooms are on impressive and sort of dated. The locations good if you are trying to be downtown and walking distance to the convention center if you are a platinum member, you get a continental breakfast free but the warm food in the Buffay, such as eggs and bacon or extra. There is no coffee maker in the room which is pretty annoying.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Julien T. 5 months ago on Google
    What a stunning place ! The building is full of old charm with amazing decor. The room was spacious, quiet and very well put together. What was the highlight was the buffet breakfast which was absolutely amazing. Taking place under the canopy of the hotel. Only dark spot to the story: the valet service. The valet was not able to get our car so we add to ask several times, until he started changing tone and became impolite. I don't want to ding the hotel on that basis but the valet really does not make the experience fun.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Haley L. 2 years ago on Google
    The hotel is stunning. Absolutely breathtaking. However, the walls are very very thin (understandable because it is an old hotel, but we were able to hear everything our neighbors were doing). The water pressure in the shower was virtually non-existent, but that may have just been our room. I'd definitely stay here again, but for being a premium hotel it's worth mentioning the few things that could be improved.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Juanita M. 1 year ago on Google
    It was absolutely beautiful ! We loved the rooms and the bathrooms wow!! It had the antique look. Service was great! Breakfast wow! Pied piper was ok to be honest in terms of food quality but the room itself was wow! Beautiful hotel , great service and location is perfect !! They also provided complimentary coffee , nice touch to keep guests happy . Hot tub wasn’t working so that was a downer . Other than that def. Would stay again !! Thank you for the great service provided !!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jason H. 1 year ago on Google
    I was very impressed with everything this hotel had to offer. The dining, fitness center/pool area, opulent, plush rooms with modern bathrooms exceeded my expectations. They even had a scale in the bathroom. But it was the friendliness and eagerness to help/assist of the staff which made a profound impression to me. My stay was brief however I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to San Francisco because of the Palace Hotel.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Saksham B. 4 months ago on Google
    The location is great, and the lobby is incredible. The pool is clean. Beds are comfortable. Heated toilet seats with a bidet was a nice touch. Room temperature was perfect. The staff is ready to help and quick to attend to anything. Why 4 stars then? This is an expensive hotel, and I would expect some basic things from an expensive hotel. Like trash bins. Not a single one around. The room has tiny trash bins, have to call to pick up anything larger than 1 ft. Or worse, no business center. I was surprised when I was told there is not a single place outside the room I can work. The expansive lobby is not meant for working - it’s meant for dining. In fact I was questioned at length for being there while dining on their own food. Not a great experience for someone living in the hotel. Or even worse, no place to eat your own food. There is a tiny microwave in the lobby. Nothing in the room. A couple of other things I should mention - the TV would randomly turn off and on sometimes. Our room even at the 8th floor had no view. Don’t get me wrong-. I generally enjoyed my stay here. But it’s really clear to me that this is catered to only a certain kind of audience. For a luxury hotel, it’s sorely lacking in the basics. It is best suited for the solo traveler on a business expensed trip.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Matsuyama K. 1 year ago on Google
    The hotel was lovely. Spacious rooms, comfortable beds, nice and bathrooms, and the amenities were abundant. The location of the hotel is great, as it’s in close walking distance of Salesforce park (very worth checking out btw) and many restaurants. Service was good, and the food was even better. Definitely one of the best omelets I’ve ever had, and the pancakes were to DIE FOR. I really want to shout out the pool worker, Lidia. She was so incredibly friendly, provided me chilled water as soon as I went into the pool, brought me a new pair of slippers after mine tore, and even offered complimentary snacks. She was definitely a highlight of my stay and I urge everyone who stays here to thank Lidia for all she does. Overall a good hotel! My only complaint would be the menu options. While the food was delicious, I recommend (for people staying there longer than a night or two) to go out somewhere for dinner, as they only have 4 or 5 entrees on the dinner menu. However, what we ordered for dinner via room service was still delicious and came quickly. Great hotel!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sara R. 1 year ago on Google
    Great stay for 5-nights! Historical architecture, the room is spacious, and decoration is what I expect from historical hotels. The house keeping lady is the nicest. There was one morning I was rushed out for work and she folded all my clothes so nicely. Breakfast was a meh, but I enjoyed the atmosphere.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rachel U. 7 months ago on Google
    Very nice stay. The Pied Piper restaurant was perfect for an appetizer (ceviche was great) and cocktails before heading out for the evening. Service was unbelievably fast! The lobby is spacious and useful for socializing instead of crowding into a room. The room, however, was also nicely sized, clean. We will stay here again!

  • 5/5 Scott F. 6 months ago on Google
    This was a fantastic hotel. The old beauty and history of the Palace is preserved, from preserved artifacts such as the old mailbox, restaurant room ceiling decor, and aspects of the elevators (but they are pretty fast!) to the special room with photos of its century-plus history. Staff was professional, kind, and accommodating. Food at the hotel was amazing. I am a full breakfast eater and the continental was amazing. The one time I went for the full breakfast I was served the best eggs benedict of my life here. There were no "good, buts" here; everything was wonderful. The fitness center was well appointed.

  • 5/5 Alex Pelayo S. 1 year ago on Google
    This hotel is absolutely gorgeous 😍! A true lover of history and architecture will be in heaven. Sure some things are "well preserved", however, that is exactly what makes it a landmark and a true treasure of San Francisco. The location is amazing, perfectly situated near everything you would want to explore in the area. And all of it is in walking distance. Don't be afraid to explore people! Walk and take it in. The staff is outstanding, so welcoming, and accommodating.👏🏼🙌🏽🙏🏼 This was an interesting trip for me, because I was there work, for an event, and then enjoyed the hotel "on my own". I was able to see the many different ways that The Palace Hotel could be utilized. Whether you are visiting and want to be in the center if it all in Downtown. If you are there on business and have a special event, I can't think of a better place to hold it than in one of the first hotels built in San Francisco. The ballrooms are gorgeous and the Event staff is superb. Or if you just want to pop in for a spot of tea and take in the glorious Grand Court. I had an excellent experience ☺️ . The only thing that was missing, were the "secret passage ways"! Which I still believe exist, and am on a mission to find the next time I visit. 🤫 LOL! Honestly, like any place there are trade offs, and I was not bothered by them. I would highly recommend that even if you don't get the chance to stay here, you need to visit a piece of history. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

  • 5/5 Esteban N. 1 year ago on Google
    This hotel is a wonderful gem in the heart of SF. It takes up an entire city block of almost two acres, with a pristine glass dome, a pool, and the best location. The service is superb and the architecture is a reflection of luxury, opulence, and wealth from the era. The hotel has an entire room dedicated to its history, with many items from the time it was built up until now, and all the phases and events it’s gone through. The main court has imported Italian marble, Austrian glass for the chandeliers, detailed plaster work, 24 karat gold decorations, a gorgeous smell, and a cozy and rich ambiance. While it is an older hotel, you’re staying in and becoming part of, the history of San Francisco.

  • 5/5 Randall S. 1 year ago on Google
    Five stars is perhaps an understatement. A magnificent stay. Wowed by the excellent elite recognition, room and service throughout. Breakfast buffet is superb. Very high quality. The setting in the Garden Court is stunning. Felt like I was in one of the grand hotels of Europe, except the service here was even better. Very convenient location for shopping or conferences.

  • 5/5 Stephen w. 1 year ago on Google
    Five star all away around. Only complaint is that the jacuzzi is pretty small and there are young families that have loud children drowning out the chill music. Luxury yes, relaxing not exactly. The staff were incredibly efficient and support nice, often going out of their way to have you enjoy your stay. Parking at $70 a night is a nice assurance your car is safe in the city. The location was perfect to access Chinatown, union square, near the parade route of the Chinese New Year's parade.

  • 5/5 Cindy R. 1 year ago on Google
    The Palace Hotel is one of our favorite places to stay when visiting Union Square in San Francisco, we have stayed here several times (at least five) and each stay is very enjoyable. Definitely a 5 star experience each time. The hotel is gorgeously detailed and immaculate, the beds are very comfortable, the rooms are of good size, and the staff is always very accommodating. We have enjoyed the breakfast a couple of times, it was very good! We highly recommend staying at the Palace Hotel in SF! The valet/overnight parking can be costly ($75 per night in all SF hotels) but there are usually parking garages within a block away for $24 per night. It took us a few stays to figure that out, but it's a bundle of savings if you self park.

  • 5/5 Ryan S. 1 year ago on Google
    Stayed for 6 nights over the holidays, and not a single complaint. Everything and everyone was top-notch. They were kind enough to let us check in several hours early, and also accommodated a late check-out when we left - both of which made the travel days much easier. Room service one morning for breakfast, used the pool quite a bit, and the concierge found & booked a massage for us. The maid even left us a lovely note after cleaning - thanks Joyce. Everything was fantastic. The central atrium room was incredible!

  • 5/5 utmart321 1 year ago on Google
    Palace is gorgeous hotel with a lot of history and impeccable service. I booked via Amex Fine Hotels program and benefits were recognized without any prompting. The deluxe room was clean and well maintained and the extra high ceiling made the room feel more spacious. It was nice to have bath robes and slippers provided with our stay and housekeeping left us some chocolates when we returned in the evening the next day. This hotel is great value compared to other luxury properties and is ideally located next to many transit options.

  • 5/5 Lisa R. 1 year ago on Google
    I would consider my Husband and I very particular travelers. We absolutely loved this hotel. It is gorgeous and offers amazing service. The lobby is stunning and the pool area is terrific. The avocado toast selection for breakfast was absolutely wonderful and getting Aida as a Server on our last morning made it even more delightful. I would definitely stay here again if I’m in the area.

  • 5/5 Nicolas Ehrhardt (. 2 years ago on Google
    Very pleased with our stay. We used amex fine dining and have titanium status. Both gave us access to extra benefits (diner and breakfast credits) which were fun to experience. The pied piper restaurant turned out to be good for a hotel (everything cooked appropriately, american food), and has a really cool ambiance. Breakfast is the best. The great hall is a piece of history (food is just normal breakfast things). The pool & hot tub area is great and has extended open hours. We used the hot tub a lot... Some folks mentioned that it is small (true), and smells of bleach (not sure about that one), but it definitely produces some foam which is a little strange but fun to play with. A very relaxing stay overall.

  • 4/5 Roshá 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful hotel, that is well maintained...for a building built in 1909, I mean it's immaculate. The hotel staff are very friendly and helpful. The hotel amenities are very nice and clean. The 2 - Double superior room felt a little tight and though enough room to sleep 4, with only 3 of us, we really could've used another seat or bench and a larger side table in order to spread out. There is a mini fridge in the room; and microwave in the lobby, which was handy. We did have an issue at the Pied Piper; literally ordered the simplest item and they messed that up. Cookies and ice cream, with no ice cream? Very disappointing considering the price and inconvenience. They should've comped the order since we didn't realize the error until getting back to our room on the 7th floor. Otherwise, we enjoyed our stay and love the location; very walkable.

  • 5/5 Cassie D. 2 years ago on Google
    Honestly, one of the most lovely hotels I've stayed in. Our suite was spacious, though lacked much of a view. It was quiet, and the staff was accommodating and pleasant. They never brought an extra pillow either night I requested one, but they did make the beds each day which we very much appreciated. The hot tub was a little gross, with bright green algae, but the attendant was incredibly friendly- bringing treats to the kiddos. A great experience overall!

  • 5/5 kiwi C. 2 years ago on Google
    Stayed two nights. Everything is beautiful Everything is fully updated and modern. We were on the eight floor had a king size bed so cozy. The bathroom was simple but the toilet was heated and had a bidet. Had a small fridge. Such a nice place to stay. All the staff were friendly and attentive. Highly recommend.


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