I am typing this from the lobby now- sitting drinking coffee in front of the fireplace. Probably my favorite lobby in SF! Fireplace, lots of cozy chairs/seating, computer at a desk, water infused with fruit. 10 steps away is the SF Bar & Grill. IN fact check-in is thru the restaurant (probably saving $ on staffing front desk). GREAT beer selection on tap, good food- moderately priced. You do get 2 FREE drinks for staying here.
The room we got was on the 2nd floor (right above bar)- it was nice being steps from lobby/bar, but LOUD in the middle of the night- STREET loud. We heard people yelling at 1am, basic SF hustle and bustle. I would suggest asking for a room AWAY from the street. The ROOM itself is small, good for small children, but don't spend too much time in the room. The point is SF is amazing... walk to the trolley- 75 feet up the sidewalk! You need exact change! Hop on $7 a person, and take it over to Ghiradelli Square! The opposite direction is only 4 blocks down to the financial/shopping district! (just walk).
100feet in the other direction from the lobby is the GATE to ChinaTown and a STARBUCKS! The location of this place is amazing! We did MACY's Cheesecake on the roof yesterday - 5 min walk. We shopped the Disney Store (2 stories), checked out the 2 story APPLE store in Union Square. Got the Cable car yesterday over to Ghiradelli for ice cream!
My recommendation: Get a higher room, or one away from street. Beds are harder than I am used to. Rooms are small- so plan on being out and about more than in the room- especially since our 2 boys will FIGHT if confined too long in a small space! The breakfast is a GREAT basic spread. Hot food, coffee, cereal for the kids... WE WILL STAY HERE AGAIN!!!!

This is an older boutique hotel. While the rooms are smaller spaces in nature we found our room clean and in excellent condition and very nice. The location is excellent with easy access to public transportation to area places of interest. The staff at this hotel were exceptional. Eddie and Vincent were 5 star service and went above and beyond to provide assistance to make our visit memorable. The morning complimentary breakfast was nice and the food quality at the restaurant was very good. We were very pleased and look forward to staying here again on a future trip

As other reviewers have stated, there is no reception desk. You enter the hotel through the bar/restaurant and you can check in at one register by the door and another at the bar. What used to be the reception desk and lobby is just a space with tables and chairs.

The room I was given was updated, average size (for SF) and street side. For 2 people with luggage it might be a bit tight.

What there is:
An in-room safe (mine didn't work);
A Keurig coffee maker and 6 pods (only 1 decaf);
2 small bottles of complimentary water;
Fridge (it's full of their own drinks for sale);
Nice toiletries in the bathroom, a bathrobe (don't smuggle it home - they will charge you $85) and a hairdryer;
Alarm clock with 2 outlets and 2 USB ports to plug in phone chargers (yay).

What there isn't:
A dresser for long stayers. There is the wardrobe, but only the drawers are in the nightstands.
NBCSN on the TV in the rooms (you can only watch it in the bar - which was a bit irksome during the Stanley Cup playoffs);
Great food in the bar (it's just ok and expensive for what it is).