Chic, affordable convenience
Visiting a relative in San Francisco was greatly enhanced by staying at the Metro Hotel in the Lower Haight neighborhood where he lives. The staff are enthusiastically friendly, knowledgeable locals. The hotel itself has been recently renovated, and it somewhat reminded me of both the Ace Hotel in Belltown area of Seattle, and the Dolly Varden in Long Beach (which I have also reviewed on TA). The rooms are smartly decorated, and my favorite thing about them was the thoughtful lighting over the sinks and over the beds, eliminating the need for lamps. I stayed in Room 205 for 3 of my 4 days, and found it perfectly sized for one, quiet, and beautifully outfitted. A wedding party required me to move to a first floor room in the back, smaller and even quieter, but fine just the same. The price cannot be beaten. The backyard garden and patio is exquisite and a wonderful place to read, share a bottle of wine, picnic, etc.
Fantastic restaurant next door, Ragazza. Also, just a block away is a great deli/grocery. Golden Gate Park is less than a mile's walk, and Buena Vista park just blocks away. We had a red-tailed hawk swoop right in front of us on one of our walks there. The famous Painted Ladies view is likewise blocks away, as are the shops of the infamous Haight Ashbury. The Castro is easily accessible as well. This is my kind of San Francisco! Good job at the Metro!