Review: Hotel Drisco

How did it strike you on arrival?
Pure charm. The hotel is in the tony Pacific Heights neighborhood, on a hillside tucked between mansions. Walking up the stone steps into the wood-paneled lobby feels like walking into a charming country inn—in the middle of San Francisco. It has a far more intimate vibe than so many hotels in the city, and it's clear they're paying attention to the details—inlaid wooden floors, chocolate cookies in the shape of the hotel logo, and even real metal keys tucked in cubbies behind the carved front desk.

What’s the crowd like?
At the hotel's complimentary breakfast, you'll see couples in athleisure wear and business men in suits. Guests skew a bit older, and the Drisco often hosts guests celebrating big occasions, like birthdays and anniversaries. Mention that's what you're here for, and they'll give you a bottle of wine to celebrate. About 80 percent of their guests come from the United States.

The good stuff: Tell us about your room.
The rooms are done in cream and white, from the patterned carpet to the drapes and the bedding. The hotel is serious about environmental issues, so each room contains a Brita pitcher and glass Hotel Drisco water bottles that guests are invited to take with them when they leave. They also feature Nespresso coffee machines, Ikaati tea, and a pillow menu.

We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?
The beds are king-sized, with pillow top mattresses. Request turn-down service, and you’ll return to find a white-noise machine and a chocolate shortbread cookie stamped with the hotel logo. In-room sound machines ensure that guests can get a good night's sleep despite noise from the street or other guests. (As I was hanging around in the sitting room, a guest asked if she could purchase the sheets, she liked them so much).

How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies?
The complimentary breakfast is a beautiful spread, with tiny, raspberry-topped fruit and yogurt parfaits, hot oatmeal, bagels and lox, wee jars of clotted cream, and trendy extras like celery juice and organic protein shots. The Drisco has done away with its mini-bars, because they weren't used much, but it does have 24-hour room service, and full place settings of china in room. There is also complimentary wine, and cold and hot hors d'oeuvres in the evenings.

Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.
At the Hotel Drisco, bathrooms are spacious and opulent, with white marble showers and black marble counters. Each room comes with robes and a pair of slippers, the bathroom products are by Bvlgari, and they even include Poo-Pourri, the, uh, "spritz the bowl before you go and no one will ever know" product. Bathroom floors are heated.

Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?
Wi-Fi is strong enough for you to stream movies from your room, and it's complimentary. The hotel also has Blu-ray players in each room, and a collection of discs for guests to borrow. Eventually, they will phase Blu-ray out for digital options, but families enjoy the convenience.

Room service: Worth it?
Soups and salads, like the big hearty salad with Humboldt Fog goat cheese and strawberries ($12) and grilled chicken panini ($12), are made fresh, while entrees like braised beef short ribs ($22) are made sous-vide by a chef in Sonoma, and heated by the staff at the hotel. Prices are very reasonable for food in San Francisco, where a takeout salad can run over $15. The best news of all is that it's 24 hours.

Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why?
The complimentary breakfast is a buffet, but hotel staff takes coffee orders. One made me a fantastic latte.

Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.
The hotel has a small gym with a Peloton, yoga mats, and TRX mount, but guests also can get complimentary passes to the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco or check out one of their complimentary bikes.

What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?
The staff—and the manager, John Spear—care a lot about details. After their Christmas decorator moved out of state, the hotel decided they loved his work so much that they would fly him in to decorate for the holidays.

Bottom line: worth it, and why?
If you want a big downtown hotel experience, this isn't it. Travelers looking to walk to attractions would be out of luck. This is more for those looking for an intimate experience in a beautiful, quiet neighborhood. It would be great for special occasions and staycations.