San Francisco's

Palace Hotel Review

The Palace Hotel is one of the best and most beautiful hotels in San Francisco. Restored to its 1920's beauty, the hotel truly is a palace. The stunning and romantic Garden Court restaurant is covered by restored antique glass panels that allow the sun to shine in. The hotel includes a health spa, skylit lap pool, and shopping plaza. The Palace Hotel is located near the Financial District and Union Square in a very safe neighborhood.

This hotel has weathered earthquakes and fire with grace. The hotel opened in 1875 costing $5 million and driving its founder to financial catastrophe. The 1906 earthquake threw guests from their bed and fires gutted the hotel. Rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake for $10 million, the amazing 1989 renovation cost $170 million. Worth a visit to the atrium, even if not a guest.

The Palace Hotel is a truly beautiful part of San Francisco history. Originally opening in 1875, it closed down after an earthquake and the resulting fires tore through the hotel in 1906. It was restored and opened back up shortly, and has recently been renovated so that it once again exudes its historic elegance.

The Palace Hotel is most famous for one of its several restaurants, the Garden Court. Originally the carriage entrance, it was transformed into a stunning, light-filled restaurant during the restorations after the 1906 earthquake and fires. The Garden Court is made of a cavernous atrium topped with a stained glass dome, filled with chandeliers, greenery, and porcelain marble.

The Palace also boasts Maxfields Restaurant, which serves California Cuisine in a more relaxed atmosphere, and Kyo-ya, which is famous for its excellent sushi. The hotel also features the Pied Piper Bar, which was voted one of the "World's 7 Greatest Bars".

The Palace Hotel truly looks and feels like a palace, both in its decorations and the services it offers guests. Its entrance opens up into the Garden Court, and the lobby is filled with big flower arrangements, porcelain marble, and vaulted ceilings with gold finish. Recent restorations have not only refurbished its antique grace but also installed recent technological advances, making the Palace a mix of beautiful aesthetics and modern conveniences.

The Palace has a quiet atmosphere that is a bit intimidating but very elegant. It is located in a safe part of downtown San Francisco, within walking distance of Union Square, the Sony Metreon, Yerba Buena Gardens, the Cable Cars, SBC Park, and SF Museum of Fine Art, and a short distance from Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, and other attractions, events, and restaurants. While they do have a childcare center, the Palace Hotel may not be the best place for large families. The staff is friendly, and its location and services make it a great hotel for business travelers, active tourists, and guests who want to take a relaxing vacation. Its décor, ambience, history, and location make the Palace very grand place to stay when in San Francisco.

The Palace's 552 guestrooms and 34 suites are decorated in the style of the hotel's original historical elegance with mahogany furnishings and pleasant color schemes, and also include furnishings and services such as large desks for business travelers. The hotel offers a health club with sky lit swimming pool, spa, sauna, and fitness center, along with a fully-serviced business center and childcare center. Valet parking is available, as are shuttle service, car rental, and limousine service. Rooms have access to high speed internet, and the hotel provides express checkout for busy or rushed travelers.

While hotel prices fluctuate rapidly -- prices recently quoted ranged from $200-$775 with a median price quote of $285. You'll be staying in a living historic San Francisco landmark. Highly recommended.

Market @ New Montgomery Street