Hotel Zeppelin San Francisco

Hotel Zeppelin is housed in a seven-story beige brick building with top cornice details. While you might not know it from the exterior, the property went under a total renovation and name change in 2016, and now stands out as one of the hippest properties in the neighborhood. Open the doors, and The Doors might just be playing inside, or certainly the decor suggests it. The boutiquey property offers a modern take on psychedelic rock-'n'-roll themes -- think neon lit accents, velvet details, and mid-century modern seating. It’s not quite understated, but it’s certainly not over-the-top. The lobby offers a hipster-chic edge with wood-plank flooring, brick accent walls, and a few exposed beams, all paired with a grand gothic fireplace and leather chairs. Travelers, including lots of couples but some families who make use of the suites, are attracted to the casual-cool atmosphere and the funky decor, not to mention the location near Union Square.

Hotel Zeppelin is just a block and a half from Union Square, which is famous for its high-end shops like Louis Vuitton and Neiman Marcus. The area is also home to restaurants, bars, and plenty of other hotels. Nob Hill, Chinatown, and the gritty Tenderloin district are all within a 15-minute walk, but there are also public transit options nearby. The Mason/Powell cable car stops at Union Square, offering easy access to Fisherman’s Wharf (in 20 minutes). Other sights can also easily be reached by public transportation, such as the Ferry Building in 15 minutes or the Cable Car Museum in nine minutes. San Francisco International Airport is about 40 minutes away via public transit, including the eight-minute walk to the Powell Street BART station. Driving to the airport will take about 20 minutes.

Guest rooms are rock-'n'-roll chic with a black and white color palette accented by dark geometric wall-to-wall carpeting and velvety purple throw pillows on the beds. Faux leather headboards, funky light fixtures (like globe lights next to beds), retro band posters, and mid-century modern chairs lend a vintage feel. Rooms have either queen or king beds and maple-topped work desks. Bathrooms are a highlight: They may be narrow, but they’re funky, wallpapered with band names in psychedelic lettering, and they hold basin sinks and roomy gray tiled walk-in showers.

All guest rooms are air-conditioned and feature 48- to 55-inch LED TVs, Nespresso machines with free capsules, free bottled water, electronic safes, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. Toiletries come from full-sized dispensers and rooms also have robes. Suites add extra living space and vintage record players.

At just 200 square feet, entry-level Superior Rooms can feel snug, with upgraded rooms topping out at 250 square feet. Even entry-level suites are on the small side (320 square feet), though the namesake Zeppelin Suite is enormous with a living room, working fireplace, den, kitchenette, and roof deck. 

Common areas are chic and edgy, starting with the cozy lobby bar with a gothic fireplace and exposed-brick accent walls. It’s only a small nook, but it’s stylish and serves coffee and drinks from early morning into the evening. Plus, it’s only an outpost -- the real bar is in the attached restaurant, Rambler, a moody spot that follows decor queues from the lobby and is popular among hotel patrons and locals alike. The restaurant serves Californian cuisine with locally sourced ingredients plus cool craft cocktails. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with drinks available into the evening and weekend brunches. Hotel guests aren’t offered a free breakfast, but there’s an a la carte menu at Rambler, and welcome drinks are given to guests at check-in. 

Apart from dining and drinking spots, the Zeppelin also offers funky meeting and event spaces, which include “The Den,” a game room and lounge space open to guests when it’s not being used for private events. Spacious with lively decor, this room features lots of sitting areas plus games like foosball, pool, old-school skeeball, and more. 

What is lacking here are wellness facilities. There's no spa or pool (though the latter is rare in central San Francisco). There is, however, a small but decently equipped gym with several weight-lifting machines and a few cardio machines with individual screens. The hotel also offers free bike rentals, but they’re first-come, first-served and the supply is limited. 

Other features include free property-wide Wi-Fi, paid valet parking, and concierge and room service. Note that while amenities, such as use of the fitness center and Wi-Fi, are ostensibly free, the hotel charges a daily resort fee, whether you use those amenities or not. Pets are allowed for an extra per-stay fee.