Cow Hollow Inn and Suites

There are a few people living in this hotel, a four-story Victorian-style building with brown vinyl siding and a couple of pretty, leafy trees out front. However, as with the company's other motor inns on Lombard Street, this one lacks any homey ambiance. There's no lounge area for guests -- just a reception area directly beside the parking garage with somewhat old-fashioned wood-paneled walls, sconces, and wood-framed armchairs. A more modern gray couch with cheerful, red throw pillows sits against a street-facing window, but the room partially faces the parking garage, so it's not exactly guest-friendly. The hotel used to be a car wash and a hamburger restaurant, and then was combined into a single property. The suites have a separate entrance on Chestnut Street, while the main lobby and entrance are on Lombard Street. Guests are typically tourists, mainly couples and some larger groups of friends taking advantage of the affordable suites. 

The hotel lies along Lombard Street, a multi-lane thoroughfare leading to the Golden Gate Bridge, around the corner from the commercial center of Chestnut Street. The property is surrounded by restaurants, nail salons, and local boutiques. It's convenient to the Presidio area and the bridge, but somewhat isolated from the city center. Marina Green Park at the waterfront is a 12-minute walk from the hotel, while Ghiradelli Square is about 20 minutes' walk, and Fisherman’s Wharf is about 30 minutes on foot. The Presidio neighborhood, including Presidio Theater, is only a six-minute walk away. There are several bus stops within a 10-minute walk of the hotel, accessing all areas of the city. The Financial District is about 35 to 45 minutes away by bus. San Francisco International Airport is about a 30-minute drive in no traffic, or just over an hour away by bus.

Rooms facing Lombard Street feel more like they belong in a motor inn than those facing Chestnut Street, which can have views of the neighborhoods and the Golden Gate Bridge off in the distance. All rooms have a grandmotherly style of decor, with heavy wooden headboards, nightstands, desks, and dressers, combined with Victorian-style chandeliers, and plush beds with mauve-patterned comforters. Each room has a modern flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, safe, and coffeemaker. Large, two-bedroom suites are available, too. These full-fledged apartments have complete kitchens -- refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, and all of the necessary tools and appliances. Each suite also has a gas fireplace, and each bedroom has its own TV. Bathrooms in all rooms and suites are basic, but notably clean with hairdryers and shower/tub combos.

Cow Hollow offers free garage parking and Wi-Fi access in the rooms. The property's spacious suites -- complete with kitchens and gas fireplaces -- set it apart from nearby motor inns. The Marina District location is also a major draw for guests.