Bay Landing Hotel

The elegant traditional decor in the lobby of the Bay Landing Hotel gives it a rather prim and proper ambiance, from the formal sitting areas and stone fireplace to the dark wood furniture and trim. Plenty of natural light prevents the space from being too dark and stiff, however, while a steady stream of travelers from the airport keep this popular hotel hopping and full of energy. The breakfast room has plenty of space but not enough tables to handle the crowds during the morning rush. Fortunately, a beautiful patio facing the bay offers additional seating in warm weather. A gas fire pit makes it a popular place to unwind and watch planes land in the evening. All in all, the affordable rates and handy features keeps the Bay Landing Hotel booked.

This hotel is located right by San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which is under a five-minute drive away. There are a couple of restaurants adjacent to the hotel, and several more are within a five-minute walk, as well as numerous businesses and other hotels in the immediate area. There’s a walking path along the bay right by the property that provides great views of planes landing and departing. Downtown attractions are about a 20- to 30-minute drive from here, or around 50 minutes by public transportation. Downtown Burlingame and its excellent array of restaurants and shops is a 10-minute drive, while the South San Francisco Conference Center is a seven-minute drive from here. Oakland International Airport is approximately 35 to 50 minutes away, depending on traffic, or close to two hours by public transit. 

The Bay Landing's tidy rooms are decorated in a traditional, colonial-style decor that feels dated and out of step in modern design-conscious San Francisco. From the wooden poster beds and traditional artwork, to the beige bedspreads and solid carpet, rooms feel like a throwback to another decade -- but they are clean, spacious, and comfortable. Large windows allow for ample natural light and brighten up the decor, and many rooms feature lovely views of the bay and/or airport. For an airport hotel, guests report the rooms to be surprisingly quiet, although air travelers arriving and departing at all hours can create some ambient noise. The bathrooms are perhaps the most distinctive and attractive feature, with roomy rose granite vanities and gray granite walls framing the shower/tub combos. Standard amenities include microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, magnifying mirrors, safes, and flat-screen TVs. Free Wi-Fi is also provided, but some guests report it to be spotty. 

With no pool, restaurant, or bar, this isn’t exactly a full-service hotel -- but it does offer many amenities that hold appeal for travelers passing through SFO, including freebies like parking, airport shuttle service, and a breakfast buffet that includes eggs and breakfast meats. Coffee and tea are free all day, and free cookies are available in the afternoon. The property also has an exceptionally large fitness center with a good selection of equipment, as well as a guest laundry room. Concierge services include valet dry cleaning and laundry. The lobby has a communal PC and printer, and there is a meeting room on-site as well. Other helpful amenities include a small shop that sells snacks and sundries, as well as ATM and vending machines.