We were delighted with our experience at the Palace and would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a comfortable stay in a grand hotel with a rich history.

This iconic "Grande Dame" is centrally located, has stately public areas with wi-fi, comfortable rooms, helpful (if smallish) business center, lovely pool, and best of all, the service from all staff was superb! This included, providing: courier delivery to our room, a referral to a doctor on a Saturday night, excellent restaurant suggestions, tips for public transit to sites of interest, to name just a few.

We thought the hotel breakfast was a bit pricey, and so opted (as did other guests) to take out coffee and breakfast foods from one of the neighboring Starbucks (there are 3 within 2 blocks of the hotel). At the time of our visit, a Ghirardelli chocolate store had also opened in the building, complete with a rich, creamy hot chocolate more akin to its Spanish cousins, than the watery version found in most of North America.

Some North Americans might find the rooms a touch small, but for travelers familiar with hotel room sizes elsewhere, this is less likely a concern. For ourselves, we were there to explore the city, not spend all our time in the room. It had everything we needed, the beds were comfortable, the linens of quality, and it was well equipped technically.

When we were there, the hotel had a mix of businesspeople (including a number of corporate and industry events), families, friends and solo travelers staying there.

I guess it's silly that my review is somewhat tainted by the fact that there was no blow-drier in the room...but it is. Outside of that fact, the room was large, the beds very comfortable, the pressure in the shower great. I'm not quite sold on the fancier hotels that don't have the coffee set-up in the room, but rather set up in the lobby area. Sometimes a girl doesn't wanna put a clothes on before having a coffee. Tried to use the hot tub...after waiting several minutes after pushing the button...and nothing happened...I gave up. The pool area was beautiful however. i only stayed here one night, perhaps more nights would have revealed more positive attributes.

This is a beautiful Art Deco (I think) hotel, which has been around for over a century.
The courtyard where breakfast is served every morning is outstanding (see picture) and the breakfast buffet absolutely lavish. The gym is about average: mildly archaic with fewer machines than ideal but it does the job and there is an adjacent pool. My room was very spacious and had a high ceiling. Street noise was considerable but the front desk gave me ear plugs. Related to that: service was overall great. Would definitely return for the atmosphere.

I loved the grand feeling of the lobby of the hotel. I found the staff to be helpful and nice. I loved the location.....easy walking distance to many restaurants, union square, the BART and in the heart of the city. I did think that the rooms were modest and simple. But the bed was comfortable and slept well there. I did think that the grandness of the hotel lobby and restaurant were so lovely that when I walked into my room I was a bit disappointed.
It was quite expensive to stay at this hotel, but I think that most of hotels in the heart of San Fran are going to be expensive. I would definitely be fine staying here again, and mostly because of the location and because the rooms were very clean and comfortable (although modest).