San Francisco Hotels|San Francisco, California, United States

Hotel Drisco Pacific Heights

Name: Hotel Drisco Pacific Heights
Telephone: 415-346-2880

An urban retreat that feels like home

VERIFIED LUXURY

Learn How We Inspect

The historic Hotel Drisco Pacific Heights has such an under-the-radar, posh vibe, you might mistake it for a private residence in San Francisco’s tony Pacific Heights neighborhood. And that’s the charm of this 48-room property that’s hosted U.S. presidents (like Dwight D. Eisenhower) and celebrities (actors Ethan Hawke and Ashely Judd).

Thanks to renovation in 2017, the classic Edwardian hotel has an updated feel from the bathrooms and linens to the silent water-powered heating and cooling system.

Bountiful in-room amenities include filtered water in glass bottles, Nespresso machines and a closet stocked with everything but a valet. Delicious extras await outside your room as well with the nightly wine reception from 5 to 6:30 and the abundant breakfasts with sheep’s milk yogurt, locally made jam and 17 kinds of pastries.

And you’ll find a wealth of attractions nearby, from the Presidio and the Palace of Fine Arts to boutique shopping and some of San Francisco’s best restaurants.

Our Inspector's Highlights

Hotel Drisco Pacific Heights dates to 1903, yet it feels brand new. A 2017 renovation added a state-of-the-art hydronic radiant heating and cooling system, new bed linens, carpeting and guest bathrooms.
Interior design and architecture buffs will appreciate vintage details in the Edwardian building, such as the original brass rosette on the front door that became the hotel’s motif, Ionic columns carved from Honduran mahogany, and a green and white stained-glass window.
Hotel Drisco is near the upscale section of Pacific Heights called Billionaire’s Row, where Gordon Getty, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and Oracle founder Larry Ellison own homes. It’s nicely situated for exploring high-end shopping, iconic attractions and some of San Francisco’s top restaurants.
Guests with a penchant for movies shot in San Francisco will want to inquire about Hotel Drisco’s DVD collection. Popular tiles include Bullet, Escape from Alcatraz and Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds and Vertigo.
The pampering doesn’t end when you check out: the Pacific Heights hotel sends you home with farewell mints, a cloth for cleaning your phone screen and a bag to cart away those Bulgari green tea bath products.

Things to Know

You may think your driver is mistaken when the car stops in front of Hotel Drisco. The cream and café au lait building doesn’t resemble a hotel, but if you’re at Broderick Street and Pacific Avenue, you’re in the right place.
While guests staying in one of 16 luxury suites enjoy a welcome fruit plate and more square footage, every other amenity is identical to those in the 32 smaller guest rooms.
High ceilings make the elevators feel spacious; however, the historic shaft is compact. Fortunately, you can use wide stairways to travel from your guest room to the breakfast room on the ground floor.
Partake in the complimentary breakfast buffet, which includes currant scones with lemon curd and clotted cream, oatmeal, local granola, smoked salmon, cold cuts and cheeses.
If you’re visiting from abroad and staying four nights or more, don’t be surprised to be greeted by your home country’s national flag flying out front. The luxury hotel has flags from more than 60 nations in its collection.

The Rooms

Swathed in pale tones of taupe, light gray and white, Hotel Drisco’s guest rooms are serene and elegant. Interior designer Glenn Texeira filled them with custom-made furniture and carpeting, accented by rich details like alabaster table lamps and botanical prints.
The sparkling-clean bathrooms feel spacious, with white natural stone and a matching no-slip, heated tile floor. You’ll find Bulgari green tea toiletries on the black marble vanity and inside the glass shower. Just seven lucky rooms have bathtubs, so inquire when you make your reservation.
You’ll sleep easy at Hotel Drisco in a king bed with a pillowtop mattress, silky damask cotton sheets and a choice of feather, silk floss or foam pillows. Bedside alarm clocks have dimmer buttons so the light won’t disturb your slumber.
Room service at the boutique hotel is available 24/7. Order locally inspired dishes like avocado toast, salmon filet with mashed potatoes and braised beef short ribs in red wine sauce.

Nearby Attractions

The Presidio is a former military base that’s now a mixed-use park complex full of stunning redwoods and pines, a golf course, restaurants and iconic buildings like the romantic Palace of Fine Arts — a selfie by the pond is a must. Movie buffs can choose The Walt Disney Family Museum, or perhaps the force will pull you to LucasFilm, where you’ll find memorabilia and a life-size Darth Vader statue.
No matter which direction you travel, you’re not far from some of San Francisco’s top tables. Luminaries include Spruce, A-16, State Bird Provisions, Atelier Crenn and emerging hot spot Sorrel. Pastry devotees will want to drop by B Patisserie for chocolate banana almond croissants.
If you’re in the mood for shopping, catch a ride over to Fillmore Street. Browse everything from trendy clothing brands (Alice + Olivia and Rag & Bone) to natural skin and body care (Aesop and Credo Clean Beauty) to handcrafted leather dog collars and crocheted cat toys stuffed with catnip (George).
Pack your sneakers; Pacific Heights is a walkable neighborhood that’s quite hilly. Peruse grand mansions and take a scenic stroll down the Lyons Street Steps, or squeeze in a workout at the San Francisco hotel’s fitness center — it’s outfitted with both Peloton and Lifecycle stationary bikes.

Amenities