Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf

Although Hotel Zoe is primarily marketed as a business hotel, its location in touristy Fisherman's Wharf makes it equally popular with vacationers, including families. From the outside, this hotel looks drab, with a retro Art Deco style in uninspiring hues of beige and pale rust. The lobby is considerably nicer, with a large fireplace and a mix of autumnal-hued furniture and decor pieces, including padded stools, retro mid-century modern love seats, and patterned carpets. Soft track lighting and a chandelier give the space a classy vibe, and there are black-and-white historic Fisherman's Wharf photos on the walls that create a sense of place. There's also a little table with information about pet services (and dog treats) right by the elevators, and pets are welcome here. Other common areas include Pescatore, the on-site bar and Italian restaurant. It offers a mix of indoor and outdoor seating, with cozy, casual interiors and a long open bar that makes the space feel more European than Californian.

Hotel Zoe is located in the Fisherman's Wharf area, where there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and grocery stores within easy walking distance. It's also within one block of the Mason-Powell Street Cable Car Line. The property is a seven-minute walk from Pier 39 and a 10-minute walk from Pier 33, where travelers can catch boats to Alcatraz Island. Ghirardelli Square is a 10-minute walk away, and there are galleries and museums (including the Wax Museum At Fisherman's Wharf and Musée Mécanique) accessible within five to 10 minutes on foot. It's a 20-minute drive to Haight Ashbury and the base of Golden Gate Park and it takes about the same amount of time to reach the Mission District. The Golden Gate Bridge is a 15-minute drive away. The Financial District is about a 10-minute drive away, traffic permitting. It's a half-hour drive to the San Francisco International Airport and about 40 minutes to the Oakland Airport, which sometimes has cheaper fares.

The hotel offers three types of smallish Standard room configurations (Standard Kings, Standard Queens, and two-bedded Queen Queens). Decor is elegant and consistent throughout rooms, with cream walls and off-white furniture, and Edwardian-style headboards and floral-upholstered chairs. Black-and-white photographs of San Francisco decorate the walls, while beds have patterned throw pillows atop white comforters and sheets. Cabinets hold 40-inch flat-screen TVs and minibars or mini-fridges. Glossy wooden desks are topped with coffeemakers and have leather-cushioned office chairs. Rooms have wall AC units, which can be noisy.King Premiers are larger than their Standard King counterparts and add sofa beds, making them a good option for families. The King Suites are an even better option for groups, with separate bedrooms and living rooms (also with pull-out sofa beds) plus gas fireplaces in some. Pet-friendly rooms are available across categories. Bathrooms have shower/tub combos and wood-and-granite cabinets around the basins. Ironing facilities and hairdryers are provided. Accessible Queen Rooms with roll-in showers are also available.

The on-site restaurant, Pescatore, offers a breakfast service every morning (for a fee), plus Italian food at lunch and dinner. There's also a happy hour every day and an extensive wine list. Guests are typically given vouchers for free happy hour drinks. There's also free coffee, hot cocoa, and tea in the lobby every morning for those who don't want to shell out extra for breakfast. A great perk for business travelers is the free town car service to the Financial District on weekday mornings. There's also a tiny 24-hour business center with an ATM, a printer, and a couple of PCs. The hotel offers three meeting/conference rooms, the largest of which can be split in half and fits up to 80 guests. Catering and audiovisual equipment are available. The hotel offers private dining services for special events, and hosts weddings. While the hotel lacks a gym or pool, guests get free access to an adjacent 24-hour fitness center. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. There are laundry and valet parking services (for a fee).