San Francisco is a city of contrasts. It’s home to some of the biggest tech giants globally, including Uber and Twitter. Its also home to the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and the world-famous San Francisco Cable Cars.

But it’s more than just your average touring spot. San Francisco is rich in culture and history, where the past meets the present with every turn of a corner.

It’s also home to Hotel Griffon on The Embarcadero waterfront. This 3-star boutique luxury hotel brings history and tradition together with modern amenities. Voted as “Best Boutique Hotel” by San Francisco Magazine, Hotel Griffon is one of our favorite places to stay in The City.

Location & Attractions

The Hotel Griffon was built in 1906, months after the great San Francisco earthquake that destroyed much of the city and its landmarks. Still standing strong today, it is one of many historic hotels that make up The City’s charm.

The 62-room boutique hotel is located at the gateway of The Embarcadero, which runs along San Francisco’s bay and waterfront area. It is home to the city’s most popular attractions. Everything is close by from Lombard Street, Chinatown, Union Square shopping district, Oracle Park, and the Ferry Building Marketplace. We are never far away from our favorite hangouts, with nearly 200 restaurants and attractions within walking distance.

Rooms & Amenities

The accommodations at Hotel Griffon boast “European-inspired” décor, which is a fancy way of saying the rooms are tastefully decorated with rich colors and fabrics. The rooms come in a range of sizes, starting with their entry-level guestrooms, all the way up to luxurious three-bedroom suites.

Hotel Griffon has two classes of room with different views of the Embarcadero: City Views and King Views. The west-faced City View rooms view San Francisco’s Financial District, a stone’s throw from Union Square and the Transamerica Pyramid. And then there are The King View rooms that view San Francisco Bay and The City’s waterfront that offer a more poetic, romantic feel.

We stayed in one of the View King rooms, which aren’t as big as the View Suites, yet are still appropriately cozy for a boutique hotel. The room was sophisticatedly decorated with brown and beige tones and silver accents, which we felt were a nice touch to the boutique hotel’s overall ambiance. The 12-foot ceilings helped give it a more spacious feel and allow for natural light to pour into the room. It also included luxuries such as free internet and a safe and complimentary instant coffee.

As with most boutique hotels in San Francisco, the room didn’t have a fridge, and the flat screen was a tad bit small—which was perfectly fine with us. They offer contactless room service, so you can just order what you want without leaving the room. After all, who wants to watch TV or warmup leftovers when you’re surrounded by so many iconic places to explore and discover?

However, the very best part of the room was the view. Waking up to the sight of The Bay Bridge right outside our room was an excellent way to start the day. The next time we will have to try out one of their suites with larger windows that provide a more panoramic view of the city.

An outdoor onsite restaurant and bar serving American classics, Perry’s is attached to Hotel Griffon’s lobby. We were surprised by the restaurant’s extensive menu for a boutique hotel, which included an array of delicious lunch and dinner options. And when the restaurant closes, the bar stays open late enough to have a nightcap before going up to your room.

Hotel Rates & Value

Their rates vary depending on the time of year. Still, we were able to find a $139 per night rate for rooms as recent as July of this year—which is an excellent deal for such a boutique hotel.

They also offer Golden State Warrior game deals, romance packages, and discounts that can be combined with their food and beverage deals.

If you’re looking for a boutique hotel in the heart of San Francisco, CA, then Hotel Griffon is your best bet. They house stylish rooms with unparalleled views of the San Francisco waterfront and walk away from many attractions.

In addition to its great location, Hotel Griffon offers affordable rates, a convenient restaurant and bar, unique views of the waterfront, and is conveniently located near public transportation. Hotel Griffon is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an accommodating hotel on The Bay.