Review: Inn at the Presidio

How did it strike you on arrival?
The location is incredible. Most hotels in the city are concentrated around downtown. The Inn at the Presidio is a small B&B in the Presidio, a 1,500-acre national park at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. When the Presidio was still an army post, the Georgian revival building housed unmarried officers; today the renovated space has 17 suites, five hotel rooms, and the nearby Funston house, with a suite and three additional rooms.

Walking up to the Inn, it's hard to believe you're still in the city, a short walk away from the Marina. The three-story brick building is lined with long porches with rocking chairs, and it's easy to imagine enjoying an afternoon with a good book, looking over the Presidio, with a view of the very top of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Inside, the lobby is bright and airy, with beautiful wood floors and a gas fireplace, and there's a patio in the back with a firepit. There's even a hiking trail right behind the Inn. It's cozy, and perfect for travelers looking for something a little different from a traditional hotel.

What’s the crowd like?
Because of the romantic suites, the Inn gets a lot of couples. It's also a favorite of venture capitalists, companies in the Presidio, brides, and those planning board retreats, thanks to meeting space in the basement.

The good stuff: Tell us about your room.
The majority of the rooms at the Inn are two-room suites with a living space and a bedroom. The rooms are incredibly cozy, with gas fireplaces, a pull-out couch, and framed images of different landmarks around the Presidio.

We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?
The mattresses are pillow top, with feather beds and a down comforter. If you have not slept in one, you should try it.

How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?
There's no bodega to grab a soda next door, so the mini fridge in the rooms has a nice selection of sodas and alcoholic drinks. The bottles aren't teeny-tiny airplane-style either, so if you're looking to make a few cocktails or have a few glasses of wine fireside, you're set.

Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.
The bathrooms are gorgeous, with amazing dark blue tile that goes to the ceiling in the shower. The striped bathrobes are particularly fetching, and feel like a bit of a throw-back to the Inn's earlier era. Bath products are by EO, a company that started in a garage on San Francisco's Potrero Hill, and now has a manufacturing facility in Marin County.

Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?
Wi-Fi is free for guests.

Room service: Worth it?
The Inn operates like a traditional B&B, with free breakfast in the morning, and complimentary wine and cheese in the evening.

Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why?
Terry Haney, the Director of Presidio Lodging, is a delight.

Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.
Location. The Presidio is a different kind of San Francisco experience, with so much to do, from hiking and running to the Walt Disney Family Museum. It's also very tranquil, and a nice change of pace from the pleasant chaos of the city.

What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?
The care they put into restoring original features of the building is amazing. Double-hung windows, original floors—it's gorgeous.

Bottom line: worth it, and why?
If you're looking to play tourist and be right by Union Square or in Fisherman's Wharf, this isn't the place for you. But it's an amazing getaway right in the city, a quick ride from so many tourist attractions. It would make a great staycation for locals, too.