111 Mason St, San Francisco, California, United States | (415) 771-1200
Central location near Union Square
Traditional rooms with flat-screen TVs and writing desks
Casual breakfast room with a buffet table
Theater with nightly double features, large flat-screen TV, and free popcorn
Two meeting rooms, fitting up to 95 people
Valet parking (for a fee)
Luggage storage available
Pet-friendly rooms
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Rooms lack air-conditioning, safes, and coffeemakers
In sketchy Tenderloin neighborhood
Rooms right on Mason Street are noisy
The 65-room Hotel Bijou is a budget-friendly property with colorful and fun decor in San Francisco’s Tenderloin area, near Union Square. The hotel has old-time movie seats in a small theater, a casual buffet breakfast room, and two meeting rooms. Classic, no-frills rooms have flat-screen TVs and writing desks, and some have street views, which can make them noisy. Rooms lack safes, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. For moderately priced rooms with more perks, check rates at the nearby Hotel Abri.
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Scene
Trendy, budget hotel with quirky decor and a charming theater
Arched windows line the ground floor of the Hotel Bijou, a charming, small building that was built in 1911. burgundy awning hangs over the entrance of the six-floor budget hotel, which is filled with colorful theatrical designs and movie theater decor. Old photos of movie stars are mounted on purple and yellow walls in the lobby, which has colorful zigzag carpeting and comfy, classic furniture. Guests are welcomed at check-in with a drink. Interiors are well-kept, but there are some signs of wear and tear. A built-in box office is mounted near the charming Petit Theater, which is decorated in purple cushioned folding seats, velvet drapes, and gold details. There’s a flat-screen TV surrounded by purple curtains and a counter with free coffee, tea, and popcorn. The hotel’s value prices and location in the Tenderloin attract primarily budget-minded travelers.
Location
In San Francisco’s busy Tenderloin district
The hotel is on Mason Street in the Tenderloin, a convenient hub for business travelers and tourists, but also a notoriously sketchy area with a large homeless population. The hotel is right by plenty of minimarts, bars, and restaurants. The Powell-Market cable car turnaround is three blocks away, while Union Square is four blocks from the hotel. A mix of high-end and affordable shops flank Market Street, two blocks away. The Financial District is 15 minutes by BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), while Fisherman’s Wharf -- with Alcatraz boat trips -- is 30 minutes by cable car. The San Francisco International Airport is a half-hour drive away, traffic permitting.
Rooms
Basic, clean rooms with flat-screen TVs, classic furnishings, and writing desks
Each room is named after a movies -- examples include The Joy Luck Club, Harold & Maude, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Interview with the Vampire. The hotel offers rooms with one queen bed, two double beds or two twin beds. All come with irons/ironing boards, mirrored closets, writing desks, dressers, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms are classic, with light-wood furniture, neutral-colored decor, green carpeting, and black-and-white photos. Windows are arched and rooms facing the street can be noisy. Bathrooms are small and painted yellow with blue tiles, shower/tub combos and hairdryers. ADA-accessible rooms are available, as are pet-friendly rooms.
Features
Traditional breakfast room and two meeting rooms
The hotel’s bright, casual breakfast room is decorated in green carpeting, yellow painted walls and classic furniture, creating a homey atmosphere. There’s a large buffet table, newspapers, a microwave, a high chair and a flat-screen TV. Two meeting rooms are also offered: the Rialto Room, which fits up to 50 people, and the Alhambra Room, which has a kitchen and can fit up to 45 guests. Audiovisual equipment is available on request and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.
