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 Nordaq filtered-water system for water bottle refills. Other amenities include Nespresso coffee machines, Ikaati tea, a pillow menu, and cocktail bars in the suites.
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. 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 spread includes panna cotta, a full yogurt bar with an array of toppings, fresh fruit and berries, hot oatmeal or quinoa porridge, bagels and lox, juice shots, organic protein shots, coconut chia smoothies, and made-to-order eggs served with bacon or sausage. Mini-bars are available in all suites, and there is 24-hour room service. The evening reception includes complimentary wine, cold and hot hors d'oeuvres, and a cocktail cart.
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, a pair of slippers, and a Dyson hair dryer; 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.
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.
What should we know about the food and drink?
Hotel Drisco got the memo: breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and the complimentary daily spread is as delightful as it is delicious (the scones with lemon curd and clotted cream are divine!). Drop by the lobby each evening (5 p.m. – 7 p.m.) for a reception with local California wine, artisanal cheese and charcuterie, olives, and hot hors d’oeuvres. For lunch, weekend brunch, or dinner, try neighborhood favorites such as Cote Ouest Bistro for superb French fare, or one of the Presidio’s newcomers, such as Piccino, for Italian specialties, or the Mediterranean delights of Dalida.
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, Dawn Agnew—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.
2901 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, California 94115
United States
https://www.coteouestbistro.com/
(415) 346-2880