1485 Bush St, San Francisco, California, United States | (727) 241-5756
Located in the Financial District, a 20-minute walk to Chinatown and Union Square
Five minute walk to BART Station and cable car
Clean, studio-like rooms with tasteful exposed brick and kitchenettes
Free fruit, cookies, and water in lobby all day
Eco-friendly focus for cleaning products, bed linens, and refreshments
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Airport transfers and area shuttles available (for fees)
No air-conditioning, safes, or hairdryers in rooms
Traffic noise can seep into rooms
No lounging areas or dining/bar options on-site
Off-site parking has daily fees
The lower-middle-range Calista Organic Hotel is simple and clean, though the exposed-brick property has little to offer aside from the 28 stylish rooms, all available in just one variety. Although they’re small and don’t have air-conditioning or hairdryers, they do come with kitchenettes with microwaves and mini-fridges. The hotel's located a 20-minute walk from tourist-friendly neighborhoods like Chinatown and Union Square, but is within fast walking distance from the Financial District. Other than airport transfers and off-site parking options (both for fees), amenities are extremely limited. However, the hotel is a relatively affordable option for travelers who are looking for a central location and don’t mind the lack of frills. For slightly higher rates, Hotel Cartwright Union Square’s historic property includes a cozy lobby, and it’s closer to downtown San Francisco.
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Scene
Historic exposed brick building with tiny reception area and few extra frills
With large windows and an exposed brick exterior, this boutique property makes a charming urban first impression. Front doors -- operated via security codes -- open to a tiny reception area without any seating. Instead, the space consists of just a flight of stairs leading to the rooms and a clunky, early 1900s elevator, making it feel even more like an apartment building. The simple setup is popular with travelers on a budget. Guests tend to keep to themselves, so the atmosphere is mellow and quiet, aside from the inescapable noise of traffic outside.
Location
20-minute walk to Chinatown, Union Square; other attractions within 40 minutes by public transport
On the edge of the Nob Hill, Fillmore District, and Pacific Heights areas, the hotel isn’t in the middle of all the action, but it’s not entirely out of the way from attractions, either. For travelers who don’t mind walking, Chinatown and Union Square are about 20 minutes away. Bus, cable car, and BART stations are within a five-minute walk from the hotel. Sites like the Golden Gate Bridge, Embarcadero Center, Lombard Street, and Fisherman’s Wharf are about 20 minutes away by public transport. Further out, the de Young museum, the California Academy of Sciences, and Castro street take 30 to 40 minutes to reach by public transport.There's a Whole Foods market just a few blocks away for filling up the in-room mini-fridge.San Francisco International Airport is about an hour away by public transport, or 30 minutes away by car. The hotel does offer airport transfers and area shuttles for extra fees.
Rooms
Stylish and small with microwaves, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi
Signature Double Guest rooms with queen beds are the only size and type of room available here. At 320 square feet, they’re on the tiny side, but clean, and minimally decorated in grays and whites, with light wood floors and dark wooden cabinets. The exposed brick walls are especially appealing, and windows -- especially in corner rooms -- are large enough to let in a decent amount of natural light. Street views are nice, but most guests do note that traffic noise is bothersome regardless of where rooms are located.Despite the rooms’ small size, they manage to fit in kitchenette features including sinks, mini-fridges, microwaves, and cabinets with plates and cutlery. Tea-and coffee-making facilities are provided, along with ironing equipment. Rooms also have desks, small flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. However, rooms don’t have air-conditioning or safes. Cribs can be requested. Bathrooms are also compact, and similarly decorated in shades of gray. Walk-in showers with glass doors and fixed showerheads, toilets, and sinks (with cabinets underneath) are all squeezed into the same space, but the areas are spotless. Bathrooms feature shampoo and shower gel, but no body lotion or hairdryer. An emphasis on eco-friendliness means that green cleaning products and organic cotton sheets are used.
Features
Fee Wi-Fi and a selection of lobby snacks
Even for a boutique hotel, amenities here are limited. Without a breakfast room, restaurant, bar, or even seating area, the property is strictly limited to its rooms. A modest offering of fruit, cookies, and fruit-infused water are available for free all day next to the front desk. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. While the hotel doesn’t have its own garage, parking is available nearby for extra per-day charges.
