Hotel Boheme is a nicely restored building on Columbus Avenue -- the main street of the North Beach (Italian) section of San Francisco. It's a great area for urban hikers, especially if they don't mind some steep grades -- Russian Hill, the Coit Tower, and Chinatown are all fairly close, and may other parts of San Francisco are a long walk (or a cab ride) away.

Entrance to the hotel is tucked between patio tables of restaurants below, and you climb a flight of stairs to the concierge desk. Then, if necessary, another flight to your room.

"Stan" was our concierge, and he began making suggestions about where to visit before we even asked. "Charles" was equally solicitous on our way out. These guys really want you to enjoy your stay, and really know both the neighborhood and the city.

Rooms are small, cozy, and retro, with decor celebrating the "Beat" era of North Beach, and rooms painted deep colors. Our room was in very good shape save one patch of damaged ceiling.

Hotel Boheme does not try to be a full-service hotel. Room service consists of a limited menu of beverages only. Our room had a very small TV set (which we didn't need anyway). No fitness center or expansive lobby.

Complimentary sherry is provided from the concierge area in the evenings.

Here's the main thing: if you take a room fronting along Columbus Ave., you can sit near the window and watch the sidewalks below, which is fun. You also get a lot of street noise (Saturday night brought a lot of late-night revelry to the sidewalk cafes below; Sunday wasn't as bad). So either take the street-side room and be prepared (bring ear plugs for sleeping?) or else ask for a quieter room, or stay elsewhere.

We'll be back to Hotel Boheme -- with earplugs.

During our stay, we enjoyed a martini at the Beat-culture-soaked Vesuvio bar (next door to the famous City Lights bookstore), a focaccia sandwich and capuccino at Mario's Bohemian Cigar Shop & Restaurant, a decent dinner at Calzone's under the hotel, and a very nice dinner at Steps of Rome Trattoria. Nearby O'Reilly's Irish pub puts out a hearty brunch. Its hard to starve or get thirsty in this neighborhood. Don't worry, the hotel staff can point you to all these places & more; we also found the Lonely Planet San Francisco guide useful.

my wife and i stayed here for our first anniversary. we had a great time! the hotel is in a great location in north beach near most of the popular attractions, good restaraunts and nightlife. the staff is extra friendly and helpful with helping you choose restaraunts, making reservations, etc. the rooms are small because the hotel is in an old building. the rooms have cool decorations though. if you want something romantic and a little different this place is cool. if you need a full-service hotel like the sheraton this will not meet your needs. i'd stay there again.

This is the place for me! Personality, service, great location - the neighborhood is my favorite in SF. Service was REALLY GOOD, they are nice people that make you feel at home. Tasteful & unique decor - and the bakery downstairs makes the best cappucino ever. I will definately stay there any time I am in San Francisco. Don't miss North Beach Pizza nearby. I really don't want to share this hotel - but can't keep it to myself! The only downside is the stairs but the staff will help you in any way they can with that. Besides - its SF - get used to climbing!

This was my second stay this hotel The staff was extremely nice and the sherry evening reception was a nice end to a long day. The rooms are very small but the bathrooms are surprisingly large in comparision. I had a great time looking at all the photos in the halls. The hotel needs a bit of work, a bit more than the first time I stayed (oct 01). Be warned, there is NO elevator and the check in desk is up three flights of stairs and my room was another two flights up. It was my fault that I packed too heavy! Apparently this hasn't deterred me from coming back. It's not the Ritz by any means, but it's safe and it's a clean place to stay. Who stays at the hotel all day in SF anyway??