Mike L.
Yelp
Despite how this is now my second time doing it, it doesn't feel any less weird to be writing about staying at a hotel in SF. However, there was no way I was going to pass up the chance to stay here when the opportunity came up. Not because Hotel Zelos was high on my list or anything; I actually didn't know much about this place before staying here, to be honest. Rather, it just seemed like a fun way to get an idea of what tourists experience when they visit the city I love so much!
Although I've walked by here numerous times over the years, I have to admit I didn't know that this was where Hotel Zelos was. Moreover, if you aren't looking for it (or Dirty Habit, which is located on the 5th floor), you might not even realize there's a hotel here, as the entrance isn't as overtly obvious as the Marriott Marquis down the block and is somewhat obscured by all of the folks going in and out of the Trader Joe's right next door. Along those lines, as more of a boutique hotel, Hotel Zelos isn't all that big (the front desk feels more like a security desk for an office building), However, despite its small footprint, it's got the basics covered, ranging from an onsite restaurant (Dirty Habit, which I've always heard good things about), fitness center, conference rooms, event spaces. and its own garage.
For our relatively short stay, we ended up getting a standard KING ROOM which had an interior view of the courtyard/Dirty Habit below. Walking in, what struck me first was how much brighter it was compared to the hallway and how it had a sleek and modern look (feels like it was renovated in the last few years). In terms of size, it's similarly modest compared to the rooms I've seen at other hotels in SF, but it's not cramped. Plus, it's got all of the amenities you would expect - safe, coffee machine, fridge, decent A/C, a lot of USB and power outlets, and in-room Wi-Fi that's decently fast and stable. Most importantly, it was very clean and the bed and pillows were super comfortable (firm, but soft).
Given their location right on Fourth and Market the best thing about Hotel Zelos just might be their location. Unfortunately, it's undeniable that you're probably going to see some homeless and panhandlers in the area, but it's still pretty safe and it's ridiculously convenient to so many things. Besides the Trader Joe's next door, there's a Target down the street, Moscone Center just two blocks away, Union Square a few blocks the other way, multiple public transit lines and the cable car turnaround within a block, and no shortage of terrific dining options within walking distance - Delarosa, Super Duper, Ippudo, Kin Khao, and The Cavalier, just to name a few.
As surprisingly slid of a place to stay as Hotel Zelos ended up being, the most unexpected thing about it was the nightly rate. Depending on when you stay, especially during major conferences, it can still be pretty expensive, but for the dates we booked, it was notably cheaper than nearby hotels of comparable quality. That being said, they do assess the dreaded "daily amenity fee" and a potentially pricey charge for overnight parking, though they also give you the option to save a few bucks for each day you decline housekeeping services (silver linings and all that).
All in all, while I likely won't have a reason to stay here again, I wouldn't have a problem recommending Hotel Zelos to friends or colleagues looking for a hotel downtown, especially if they're heading to a conference at Moscone. They may be far from the perfect hotel, but they're certainly a solid option for tourists and locals alike!