This is a phenomenal space that gives you a superb experience of luxury in the city. Beginning with the electronic key box with a retractable (can’t lose it) key fitting in a well made glass and metal door, to the clever shoe rack and the polished wood floors taking you to your excellent, smartly appointed, compact private room and bath, you know right away that you are in a very fine home maintained by someone with impeccable, modern taste. When you climb a few more stairs to enter the common living area shared with your host Tyler, you get a breathtaking view across the Mission to downtown a few miles away, as well as the hills climbing up to Noe Valley and beyond to Twin Peaks. This modern “open space concept” area is done exactly right, and just as open space fans intend — with gracious sitting, eating/work areas, that wonderful aquarium, and an astounding assortment of their collection of interesting libations on glass shelves. Your own room has two windows in a 90 degree corner covering much of the same view, as well as an intimate glimpse into a typical SF backyard garden below (you are one story above the street, and on a steeply climbing hill, so you are looking out over the neighbors below on the hillside. General city noise with the window open for ventilation was modest, and there is a tiny electronic white sound device if you need it. Your room is beautifully arranged, with a very comfortable queen bed, and large TV with Apple TV to watch. Plus complimentary beverages in the small fridge, a K-cup maker, snacks, device chargers, bathrobe, slippers, and many other thoughtful and elegant touches in the room and bath — you are in a private suite so to speak. There was zero noise from within the building or other occupants. The closet is large and generous to hold your suitcases, as this delightful room is more “pocket size” than the usual overly large hotel room; it’s more like an updated luxury room in an early 1900’s fancy city hotel (Algonquin in NYC, Benson in Portland, or a Westin packaged into a compact structure).
Our only cautions for others in selecting this property are commonplace for SF hilly neighborhoods: (1) it does involve at least a dozen stairs for carrying your luggage so make sure you can do that; and (2) if you are coming via car instead of taxi/shared ride service, do expect to hunt for parking that could be a five minute (and possibly) steep walk away in the neighborhood of often narrow streets, as this is in the aptly named Bernal Heights — but as we said, those two cautions exist in most hilly SF neighborhoods (we lived in nearby Glen Park for 20 years). Otherwise, you will surely be delighted by the experience and by Tyler’s detailed and generous hospitality.