We are moderate travelers, so when we stay at the same place 3 times, it's meaningful. The Hotel Boheme on Columbus Ave. in the heart of North Beach is the sort of place where you genuinely feel you have left "real life" behind and gotten away. it's not Shangri-La, but comfort, narrow corridors, color, "sherry at 5" and a sense of the past. We go to one of the cafes, then browse for hours at City Lights Bookstore - which IS Shangri-La for readers.

This hotel has character and I can imagine people will either love it or hate it. This family was split down the middle! Grown ups liked the location, decor and friendly staff (but not the stairs!), kids disliked the lack of a big TV and the "small and gloomy" room. We had good recommendations for food and really appreciated being in the middle of an historic SF neighbourhood. Would stay again (but on our own next time...)

I love the Hotel Boheme; it is steeped in history as well being in the perfect location. The staff are so pleasant and helpful. The only downsides are the lack of lifts so you have to carry your suitcases up the stairs and the rooms are quite small compared to the 'chain' hotels. But you can't beat it for location; there is a multitude of restaurants on your doorstep as well as bars which were frequented by the Beatniks. I would definitely stay there again.

The location couldn't have been better when we were dropped of by the airport SuperShuttle outside the door of Hotel Boheme...right in the heart of the Italian section of North Beach. Next door the sidewalk tables of Restaurant Calzone filled with relaxing,imbibing diners enjoying the afternoon sun...the neighborhood has a wonderful atmosphere.
Boheme has the personal touch of a boutique hotel. Pulling heftily from associations with the Beat Gen, it doesn't need to be modern. The rooms are perfectly adequate and comfortable...who needs a TV when you are just in this locale for a couple of nights. Could have done with a couple more wall sockets for charging the electronic paraphenalia though. A nice touch of complimentary sherry's after 5 at reception.
A really pleasant stay in a fabulous part of the city. We'll be back!