Pros

  • 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
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Cons

  • Rooms lack air-conditioning, safes, and coffeemakers
  • In sketchy Tenderloin neighborhood
  • Rooms right on Mason Street are noisy
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Bottom Line

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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Hotel & Amenities Photos

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel Bijou

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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel Bijou

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.

See More Scene

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. 

See More Location

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. 

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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. 

See More Features

Hotel & Amenities Photos

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Airport Transportation

  • Basic Television

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pets Allowed

  • Smoking Rooms Available

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.