Fabulous - can't WAIT to go back!

My husband had to be in San Jose on business in July and we decided to take that opportunity for an early anniversary trip to San Francisco. I love boutique hotels and anything to do with ghosts and the supernatural, so finding this hotel was like a dream come true for me - and it didn't disappoint!

Walking into the lobby, I felt as though I had stepped back in time - dark hardwood floors, ornate decor and heavy draperies in the entrance to the sitting room (even an old fashioned phone booth near the elevator).

When we first checked in, they put us in a room on the first floor right on the front corner above the entrance. We had read previous reviews that said street sounds were something of a problem, so my husband went back to the front desk to see if we could get another room. They gave us another (even nicer) room up a few floors and toward the back. Contrary to other reviews, I found it pretty and light and extremely comfortable - not dark or dreary at all.

As for the staff, we found them very cheerful, pleasant and more than helpful. When we changed rooms, (which, I believe, may have caused a problem for a later check-in, and for this I truly apologize) the staff was very nice and pleasant though it all: the front desk clerk made the change without fuss and even suggested to my husband that in the future we request a quiet room to avoid any problems and the bellman moved our bags from the first room to the second for us. They offered suggestions on good restaurants and things to do and how to get around to different places - they even got us a limo to go down to the Pier one day.

The continental breakfast was above average, wide variety of cereals and breads (and not just the usual suspects here - a few unusual items in the mix, too), fresh fruits and juices, coffees, teas... and although we were too busy sight-seeing to actually join in on the afternoon drinks and refreshments, it seemed to be well-received by other guests.

I realize this is a LONG review, but the Queen Anne Hotel deserves every word. If you are looking for old world charm and good service, this is your hotel. (Just be sure to ask for the quiet rooms...)

Victoriana in spades!

I regularly attend conferences in SF and have stayed in quite a few hotels there over the years. Although those conferences are now routinely held at the Moscone Center (South of Market), I have stayed at, and always consider staying at, the Queen Anne and riding the bus to get downtown -- I prefer to avoid dealing with the appalling drivers that dominate SF's taxi ranks. The Queen Anne would certainly be my first choice for a tourist visit.

I live in a Victorian house myself, so for me the Queen Anne is a home-from-home. If anything, the decor is a shade heavy on the red drapes, but it's very quiet and comfortable. The staff are terrific -- always friendly and helpful. The district is quietly suburban -- not at all like Union Square or Soma. It's a short walk to Japantown; there are plenty of decent restaurants within a few blocks in almost every direction, and it's a moderate but relatively secure walk to the excellent restaurants on Union Street. The hotel's breakfast room offers an adequate buffet. There's even a decent piano which (competent) guests are permitted to play in the reception area.

Love Queen Anne

Absolutely loved the Queen Anne at SF. The lady on reception (i wish i had her name) was absolutely brilliant and so professional. The room we had was an absolute joy (although i know some of the rooms are smaller) we were extremely lucky. Everthing is so quaint. The lift is like something out of the Munsters and even the decor is shall we say odd but the total ambience of the place is come and enjoy. The continental breakfast is very good and the Concierge was totally helpful. All of the hotel seems to be in a kind of time warp which is so lovely. All of the staff were smiling and glad to see us We had an absolutely fabulous time. Cant wait to go back.

Loved the Queen Anne Hotel

We stayed at the Queen Anne for a week and were very pleased with the room. the continental breakfasts, the hotel staff and the location. It has a real charm of its own and we will recommend it to our friends.

Fantastic

Myself and a friend stayed at the Queen Anne for a whole week.The staff were fantastic our room was fit for a king and his queen,in a great location and very easy to get down town using public transport which was very regular.We had a fantastic time.Also there is a courtsy car to take you just where you want to be in the morning. We LOVED it !!

The other side of gracious

This old hotel has beautiful woodwork and some grand old furnishings that once must have smacked of royalty. These days they seem to be collecting dust or waiting to be repainted or refurbished. The rooms facing away from the street may be quieter but they also tend to be dark and unappealing. The location is somewhat convenient to downtown but the neighborhood has little to offer in the way of restaurants or interesting walking trips. at around a hundred bucks with a nice expanded continental breakfast, you'll be getting your money's worth in a town that is not known for cheap lodging.

Spooky

Dark and mysterious hotel in a great neighborhood. We parked for free on the street within a block away. We felt the house was haunted and strange the minute we walked in. Then later that evening we found a privately held "ghost tour" going on in the hotel and listened in. The tour was NOT for guests. We learned that the hotel is indeed haunted and there are numerous occasions of feeling, hearing, and seeing ghost.

The room thats haunted in #410. It made it kind of exciting to stay there. I would definately reccomend the stay.

Just the trick

I can't understand the other review on this site. We found the Queen Anne to be in a fantastic location (in a quiet and safe neighbourhood, perfect for two women travelling together, but close enough to the action), quirky and attractive (the lift seemed just like the one in the haunted house at Disney), with lovely furniture and great rooms.

Our room had a real fire that they set for you to light yourself every night, which would hae been romantic if I hadn't been travelling with a female friend.

It wasn't an identikit hotel, and you expect a few little quirks, but that is all part of the character.

The staff were extremely friendly and helpful, booking a table in a great restaurant nearby, arranging taxis, etc. We had a good few friends and family come to visit us, but they would check that there was enough coffee (and sherry in the afternoon) for us to entertain, and they never got cross with having to find us. I can't fault the place and will be returning again next year. Give it a try!

Thank you Queen Anne!

My stay at the Queen Anne was fabulous! The staff was so friendly and helpful, I felt like royaly. The hotel itself is beautiful and the rooms are so nice! I love the ambiance of the Queen Anne. The room rates are very reasonable. I would most definitely stay at the Queen Anne again and again and recommend it to my friends and family. Thank you to the Queen Anne staff for making my visit there a very pleasurable one!

Don't bother

I live about 100 miles from San Francisco and I often stay in the midtown area. Once, and only once I stayed at the Queen Anne. The rooms are small, cramped and dingy. I could almost live with them, except the staff is AWFUL! They were rude from the very beginning. They refused to honor the low rate I had been promised on the phone (squeezing an extra $40 out of me when other hotels were full) saying that there was a mistake and that rate was not valid. Even that I could live with, but THEY WERE FLAT OUT RUDE. Even when I asked for a wake-up call they were not nice. In my opinion the Cathedral Hill or even the Holiday Inn on Van Ness is a better deal than this sorry excuse for a hotel.