Mayflower Hotel Apartment

Pros

• The staff went out of their way to make guests comfortable.
• The rooms were spacious, clean, and well decorated.
• The hotel preserves a charming historic vibe, with features like an original wooden elevator.
• The location is excellent and convenient for exploring the city on foot or by transit.
• The staff are consistently friendly, helpful, and welcoming.
• The hotel offers good value for the price, with pleasant options for staying within budget.
• The beds are comfortable, and the rooms are quiet and pleasant for sleeping.
• Free underground parking is available, with helpful staff to assist with parking.

Cons

• The Wi?Fi and internet were terrible, especially on the sixth floor.
• The room was tiny.
• There was mold in the shower.
• The AC caused coughing due to unmaintained filters.
• The front desk staff were unfriendly.
• Valet service was very slow, taking 35 minutes to retrieve the car.
• The manager was unhelpful.
• The hotel was loud and poorly insulated against noise.
• There was no hand soap and basic amenities were lacking.

Review

The Mayflower Hotel presents a curious blend of historic charm and real-world flaws, a pattern that comes through strongly in the mixed feedback from guests. On one hand, many visitors praise the building's Roaring Twenties ambiance, the ornate lobby, and the sense of stepping into a different era. The hotel's original wooden elevator and classic decor are repeatedly highlighted as a distinctive draw, a reason to stay despite some rough edges. On the other hand, a sizable portion of reviews flag persistent maintenance issues, service disappointments, and comfort shortcomings that undermine the experience. The result is a property that can feel magical for some guests while leaving others frustrated with the basics.

Room quality runs the gamut. Several reviewers describe the rooms as spacious, clean, and nicely appointed, with comfortable beds and a calm atmosphere that supports a good night's sleep. These guests emphasize the convenient location, the charm of an historic building, and the value for money in terms of room size and overall vibe. Yet a number of other guests report notably the opposite experience: tiny rooms that feel cramped, odors in the dressing areas, and even more alarming issues like mold in the showers and stained bed coverings. There are also mentions of inconsistent cleanliness, with at least one guest noting a red-stained bed cover and another describing unpleasant odors that lingered. Even when rooms are deemed comfortable, some lighting, outlet availability, and furniture arrangements fall short of expectations, including complaints about limited outlets and a fridge that needs to be relocated to make space on the counter.

Amenities and upkeep expose a similar split. Several reviews lament dated fixtures and a sense that renovations are overdue. A few guests point to practical miseries that impact daily living - an underperforming air conditioner that can cause coughing when left running, and, in some rooms, air conditioning that doesn't seem up to the task. One review even recalls a lack of hand soap in the bathroom, forcing guests to improvise with body wash, a detail that will stand out as emblematic of inconsistent provisioning. Breakfast, which appears with varying degrees of enthusiasm across reviews, ranges from a "great" or "nice" start to the day for some guests to a more basic, store-bought pastry and fruit setup for others, with a boiled egg noted as a small savory option in the mix. Fridges, microwaves, and other in-room conveniences are not consistently present or easy to use, and some guests note a businesslike but limited breakfast experience.

Noise and location add another layer of complexity. San Francisco's energy is evident in the reviews, with some guests describing the city as loud and unmuted by the hotel's doors. The hotel sits on a hill near Union Square in parts of town that are lively and dense with activity, which contributes to both accessibility and noise. Several guests appreciate being within a short walk or ride to transit options like buses, trolley lines, and BART, while others caution that the neighborhood can feel tough after dark or in certain directions away from the square. The contrast between location convenience and background bustle is a frequent theme, with some guests reveling in the walkability and others lamenting the lack of soundproofing and the intrusion of street noise into sleep.

Staff experiences are a major strand of the reviews. There are stories of exceptional hospitality: friendly, attentive front-desk staff, go?above?and?beyond service, and a sense of genuine care from the team. Some guests sing the praises of managers and staff who went the extra mile, and a number of reviews highlight 24/7 desk coverage, helpful valet crews, and a warmth that makes the stay memorable. Yet the opposite is also evident in a few accounts: a front desk person who wasn't particularly friendly at check-in, a perception that the manager Tim offered little assistance, and occasional reports of slow or unresponsive service when callers tried to reach the hotel. The broad takeaway is that staff can be a major positive or a notable negative, depending on the moment and the interaction.

Parking and logistics emerge as a practical and sometimes frustrating factor. The Mayflower's on-site garage is described as convenient but challenging: narrow lanes, tight access, and the need for careful maneuvering, especially for larger vehicles. Some guests praise the free underground parking as a strong value add, while others warn that only small cars fit and that the process requires guidance from staff and a careful approach. Several reviews note that valet service, when used, can take longer than expected - an aggravation on check-out or during busy periods - but the staff's willingness to help is often cited as a redeeming trait in these moments. The historic nature of the property - its elevators, lobby, and period details - remains a talking point in tandem with these practical constraints.

Overall impressions tend to cluster around a simple dichotomy: a property with undeniable charm and a unique, nostalgic atmosphere paired with the realities of an older building that can feel dated and imperfect. For travelers who prize character, proximity to transit, and an unmistakable sense of history, the Mayflower can deliver a memorable stay, sometimes at a reasonable price given the area and the included or accessible perks. For those seeking modern comfort, flawless maintenance, and flawless service without question, the hotel's defects - small rooms, inconsistent cleanliness, limited amenities, and noise - may overshadow its historical allure. Several reviews strike a balanced note, acknowledging the room's spaciousness and the hotel's central location, while also calling for renovations and more reliable day-to-day operations.

If you're considering a stay, there are clear takeaways. Seek a higher floor for better chances of quieter nights, and clarify the room's size, condition, and the availability of outlets and a functioning AC. Ask about the breakfast offering and whether it aligns with your expectations, and confirm the parking situation ahead of arrival, including whether your vehicle will fit in the garage and how much guidance you'll need to maneuver in and out. Expect storied charm and a central perch in San Francisco, but go in with a practical mindset: the Mayflower can be a grand, nostalgic base for exploring the city, so long as you're prepared to navigate the quirks that come with a historic property that still feels very much alive in a busy urban center.

This particular part of San Francisco, California boasts a variety of amenities that could be appealing for senior living. With several parks located within walking distance, such as Huntington Park and Lafayette Park, residents can enjoy the outdoors and stay active. There are also numerous pharmacies nearby for convenient access to medications and health supplies. In terms of dining options, there are upscale restaurants like House Of Prime Rib42 and Coqueta, as well as more casual cafes like The Coffee Movement and Saint Frank. For entertainment, there are theaters such as AMC Metreon 16 and AMC Kabuki 8 close by. Additionally, transportation is readily available with the San Francisco Caltrain Station just a short distance away. Overall, this area provides a mix of conveniences and recreational opportunities that could make it a desirable location for seniors looking to settle in San Francisco.

Parks

• Huntington Park (0.2 miles)
• Municipal Pier (0.5 miles)
• Yerba Buena Gardens (0.7 miles)
• Lafayette Park (0.8 miles)
• Washington Square (0.9 miles)
• Salesforce Park (0.9 miles)
• Allyne Park (1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• Grass Roots (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)

Cafes

• The Coffee Movement (0.4 miles)
• Saint Frank (0.8 miles)
• Sightglass Coffee (0.9 miles)
• Andytown Coffee Roasters (1 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (1.2 miles)
• Jane The Bakery (1.2 miles)
• Balboa Cafe (1.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Local Edition (0.6 miles)
• House Of Prime Rib42 (0.6 miles)
• Deli Board (0.9 miles)
• A Mano (1 miles)
• Coqueta (1.1 miles)
• Salt & Straw (1.1 miles)
• Gott's Roadside (1.1 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Metreon 16 (0.7 miles)
• AMC Kabuki 8 (1.1 miles)
• Alamo Square (1.4 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse New Mission (2.3 miles)

Physicians

• Golden Gate OBGYN (1.2 miles)
• One Medical (1.2 miles)
• Noe Valley Pediatrics (2.7 miles)

Transportation

• San Francisco Caltrain Station (1.3 miles)