Free cookie consent management tool by TermsFeed

Palace Hotel, San Francisco

2 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA (show on map)

The Palace Hotel is a true icon of the Gilded Age. First opened in 1875 by financier William Chapman Ralston, it was originally designed by John P. Gaynor to be the grandest hotel west of the Mississippi. Although the original structure was lost to the 1906 earthquake and fire, the hotel was reborn in 1909. Designed by Trowbridge & Livingston, this second iteration leaned into Renaissance Revival elegance and remains a historic landmark today.

The hotel is world-famous for its stunning Garden Court, which replaced the original Grand Court. This breathtaking space features a massive glass ceiling composed of 72,000 individual pieces and is illuminated by Austrian crystal chandeliers. It is also the birthplace of the famous Green Goddess dressing, created by the hotel’s chef in 1923 to honor a visiting actor.

Another highlight is the Pied Piper Bar, which showcases a legendary 16-foot mural by Maxfield Parrish. Beyond its history, the hotel has played host to U.S. Presidents and international dignitaries, even serving as a key venue during the founding of the United Nations in 1945.

Its downtown location puts you in the heart of the action. You are just steps away from the upscale shops of Union Square, the vibrant art collections at SFMOMA, and the gourmet offerings of the Ferry Building Marketplace. Whether you are exploring nearby Chinatown or catching a game at Oracle Park, the Palace serves as a grand, historic gateway to the city.

Expert reviews

New York Times review:

“The refurbished Palace Hotel, reopened in June 2015, has gone through several iterations since it first opened in 1875. The latest renovation modernized rooms, the gym and the skylit swimming pool, leaving intact the early 20th-century neo-Classical ambience.”

CNN review:
“The Palace’s ceiling is worth more than some entire hotels. With a soaring stained glass ceiling, marble floors and mammoth chandeliers, the Palace summons the San Francisco of yesteryear.”
Frommers review:

“Enter the Palace Hotel and its stunning Garden Court and you might think you’ve stepped into a Parisian castle. Marble columns, massive chandeliers, crowned by an atrium of over 80,000 panes of stained glass, will take your breath away.”

Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in San Francisco.

Telegraph review:

“San Francisco’s most historic hotel offers luxurious lodgings downtown. Gorgeous Beaux Arts architectural details mix with contemporary style, and high-ceilinged rooms are elegantly designed for comfort. Afternoon high tea in the Garden Court and cocktails at the Pied Piper are beloved traditions.”

Guest rating

4.4 out of 5.0

Ranked 9th in San Francisco


This an aggregated guest review rating of Palace Hotel, San Francisco. We have taken customer review ratings from hotel booking sites, search engines, the official hotel website and other travel platforms. This is the average of all those ratings. We only list places that have a guest review rating of at least 4.0 out of 5.0


What guests liked


Value for Money

87.8 %

Ranked 6th in San Francisco


We use a smart algorithm to determine the value for money each hotel offers. The score is based on a combination of aggregated guest review ratings and the average nightly rate. The higher the percentage, the better the overall value you receive for the price you pay.


Location

Recent guest reviews

5.0
Rebecca

22 June 2025

One of the best hotels and stays of my life.

Everything was so incredible, we especially enjoyed the pool.

Nothing.

5.0
Robert

19 May 2025

Exceptional

The pool, gym and breakfast

All good

5.0
Bruce

8 May 2025

Everything about the hotel is great!

Great location and everyone…except one…of the staff was fabulous

A very surly and rude woman at the GC take out stand.

4.0
Dr

26 April 2025

Great but could have been a little bit better. Room for price was small

Pool, bar, friendly staff, beautiful facilities

I waited for over 45 minutes to try to get breakfast three consecutive days before giving up each time. They did not look that busy but long lines each morning discouraged me from waiting. They need to hire more restaurant staff. Major disappointment of never being able to eat in that gorgeous room!

5.0
Bonnie

13 April 2025

Great, but...

Everything except one important mistake.

This was a birthday present, and I (the guests' mother/MIL) specifically asked and received assurance from the hotel staff that ALL incidental charges would be placed on my credit card, which I registered in advance with the hotel. Unfortunately, that agreement was not honored by the staff. I am VERY unhappy. I have had to ask my son to get a reimbursement from me, which is like leaving the price tag on the gift. Tacky, but necessary.

5.0
John

16 March 2025

A quick getaway with the hubby.

I love the Palace Hotel for it's location. The hotel itself is spectacular in every sense.

4.0
Jillian

16 February 2025

My family enjoyed our stay at this beautiful, historic hotel.

Beautiful main entrance and dining area. Wonderfully spacious suite. Delicious (although expensive) buffet breakfast.

We had fun at the indoor pool but it was too cold! Consider heating it more please!

4.5
Johanna

2 February 2025

Fabulous

The location

The breakfast area was a little too cramped

4.0
Kseniia

1 February 2025

Lovely for a short weekend

The property and rooms are beautiful, the bed was comfortable.

Jacuzzi wasn’t working and the pool area didn’t seem very clean and wasn’t warm enough. We were promised a glass of champagne upon arrival but never got that

5.0
Alejandra

24 January 2025

Exceptional

I love the architecture, how clean it is and friendly helpful staff. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

NA

5.0
Alan

23 January 2025

Great family vacation

Rooms were great, hotel lobby was impressive, staff were helpful and friendly, pool was sizeable and kids loved it. Location was also within easy walking distance to anywhere in San Francisco CBD.

Nothing

4.5
Annette

21 January 2025

Fabulous

Everything

5.0
Jonasz

18 January 2025

Exceptional

Patio and pool :)

4.5
Ashley

16 January 2025

Gorgeous hotel. Would love to stay again.

Beautiful hotel and it’s history was interesting.

Breakfast buffet was pricey.

4.0
Victor

24 December 2024

Very good

Amazing hotel and very, very beautiful. Great location. The only annoying thing was the strike that the staff was doing so to go out it would be super duper loud and uncomfortable.

4.5
Angelica

24 December 2024

It was a great experience

The hall

The grand hall

5.0
Orsolya

13 November 2024

Very pretty , staff was soooo nice

Looks like as described ; like a palace

4.5
Finis

4 November 2024

Great

Need separate hours during day for adult swim and child swim

Pool loud with kids. I had a difficult time relaxing when swimming The gig horns with protestors: very loud and disruptive

5.0
Katherine

31 October 2024

Exceptional

Beautiful hotel

4.0
Marcel

28 October 2024

lovely classic hotel

friendly and service oriented

smell of food in the corridors

4.5
Joanne

18 October 2024

Fabulous

Building

Bed too soft

4.0
Timothy

15 September 2024

Great Staff. Comfortable Stay

Staff very helpful

Sound insulation between rooms could have been better

5.0
Bonnie

14 September 2024

Luxury at its finest!!

Gorgeous, clean, so lovely

4.5
Lorena

1 September 2024

Excellent hotel. Expensive parking

The location and the facilities are excellent

We had to pay 70Usd for the parking

5.0
Jayne

24 August 2024

Stunning hotel great staff

The Palace is a beautiful hotel from 1900’s superbly restored

Nothing

4.0
Cncbassano

17 August 2024

Comfortable, clean and best location

Location and the rooms were very comfortable

4.0
Matthew

15 August 2024

Would have loved to have had more time to explore the Palace and its ammenities

Quality and style of the property

5.0
Jane

13 August 2024

We had a great stay and facilities great.

Great location excellent facilities

Breakfast room chairs looked cheap and made the area look shabby . Doors going into the rooms looked shabby but pleased when we entered the room. Felt the door gave a poor impression which was a shame.

4.0
Andra

11 August 2024

Very good

The beds were super comfortable and the room although small, was very comfortable

The check în experience took forever.

5.0
Cunning

2 August 2024

Exceptional

Beautiful place!!

Nothing

4.5
Brett

24 July 2024

Good service, great location, we will come back!

History Room Pied piper Service

Bathroom too small in suite

4.0
Kamilla

19 July 2024

Pleasant

Grand and beautiful.

Felt a bit dated

5.0
Abdul

17 July 2024

It was very nice looking hotel and historical hotel place.

It was very nice looking hotel and Rooms were big beds were comfortable. Location was very good

Hotel people charge for the parking.

4.0
Debra

16 July 2024

Lovely hotel staffed by genuinely excellent staff

Amazing staff Genuinely kind and friendly Everyone tried so hard to be helpful Beautiful accommodations Loved Toto washlet

Had lots of trouble with paying for WiFi And odd No free coffee or fruit

5.0
Magali

11 July 2024

Exceptional

We had room service that was phenomenal. Food came just in time and the food was delicious. Also being in the pool my kids enjoyed watching a movie.

4.0
Thomas

9 July 2024

nice stay but for 350 $ per night should be more service

nice breakfast room

difficult to get a table in the breakfast room. not enough tables for breakfast in relation to the visitors late check out only until 1pm

5.0
Joel

8 July 2024

Wonderful and amazing

The property had a great location. All staff were amazing💯,

5.0
Lizbeth

1 July 2024

Exceptional

Loved that they had an indoor swimming pool

Didn’t like that room service ended so early

5.0
Mary

27 June 2024

highly recommended for family or couples getaway

great location

everything was great

5.0
Iwalani

22 June 2024

Exceptional

Loved breakfast.

5.0
Renee

9 June 2024

Lovely time in San Francisco and this hotel gave us the comfort and security we were looking for.

Location was great. Close to Oracle baseball park and a short Uber ride to Fisherman's Wharf. Hotel staff was professional and friendly. I highly recommend The Palace Hotel.

Nothing

5.0
Marty

31 May 2024

See you next time

Great location, dinner was amazing. Thanks

Everything was great

5.0
Julie

28 May 2024

Excellent Hotel great staff

Really beautiful Hotel staff were fantastic

4.0
Sohum

23 May 2024

Cool to try out once or twice but difficult for repeat visits.

History

Facilities and overpriced food. No issues on room rent.

5.0
Bruce

17 May 2024

Everyone friendly!

Friendly Clean Value

Concierge desk not always manned

5.0
Gb

17 May 2024

Awesome

Stylish and luxurious

Nothing

5.0
Gb

16 May 2024

Awesome

Fantastic room, great location and friendly staff

Nothing

5.0
Niko

30 April 2024

It was an unforgettable experience. We felt safe and had fun!

I love the ambiance you get from the beautifully old building. You feel like you've walked into a time capsule of the 50s.

How hard it was to pull in and find parking. Granted this is not the Hotels fault. The streets are all one ways so be mindful of surroundings.

4.5
Paul

28 April 2024

Spectacular

Simply beautiful old hotel, amazingly comfortable beds and helpful and pleasant staff

Closed bar too early at 11pm during week when it was quite busy and we walked in with 8 people

4.0
Mihály

12 April 2024

An elegant old-fashioned hotel with professional services

The hotel Is in a perfect place. The overall mood is Exquisite. The hotel is old and you can feel it. Nice. Comfortable.

Hotel facilities

Food & Drink

  • - Restaurant
  • - Bar
  • - Breakfast in the room
  • - Special diet menus (on request)
  • - Kids' meals (additional charge)
  • - Kid-friendly buffet
  • - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
  • - Fruits (additional charge)

General

  • - Room service
  • - Non-smoking rooms
  • - Facilities for disabled guests
  • - Lift
  • - Safety deposit box
  • - Car hire
  • - Heating
  • - Allergy-free room
  • - Non-smoking throughout
  • - Air conditioning
  • - Grocery deliveries (additional charge)
  • - Paid WiFi

Business facilities

  • - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
  • - Business centre (additional charge)
  • - Fax/photocopying (additional charge)

Reception services

  • - 24-hour front desk
  • - Express check-in/check-out
  • - Luggage storage
  • - Concierge service
  • - Invoice provided

Activities

  • - Fitness centre
  • - Solarium
  • - Massage (additional charge)
  • - Indoor pool
  • - Indoor pool (all year)
  • - Back massage
  • - Neck massage
  • - Foot massage
  • - Couples massage
  • - Head massage
  • - Hand massage
  • - Full body massage
  • - Fitness
  • - Fitness/spa locker rooms
  • - Pub crawls (additional charge)
  • - Stand-up comedy (additional charge)
  • - Walking tours (additional charge)
  • - Bike tours (additional charge)
  • - Themed dinner nights (additional charge)
  • - Happy hour (additional charge)
  • - Tour or class about local culture (additional charge)
  • - Cooking class (additional charge)
  • - Live music/performance
  • - Live sport events (broadcast)

Entertainment & family services

  • - Babysitting/child services (additional charge)

Cleaning services

  • - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
  • - Ironing service (additional charge)
  • - Trouser press (additional charge)
  • - Daily housekeeping

Parking

  • - Electric vehicle charging station

Pool and wellness

  • - Swimming pool
  • - Swimming pool

Miscellaneous

  • - 24-hour security
  • - Key card access
  • - Security alarm
  • - Smoke alarms
  • - CCTV in common areas
  • - CCTV outside property
  • - Fire extinguishers
  • - Breakfast takeaway containers
  • - Delivered food is securely covered
  • - Access to health care professionals
  • - Face masks for guests available
Check availability 157£140$195¥20670C$152A$152HK$1526S$257SFr183¥1238kr1608kr1177kr1519