We love staying at unique hotels and that provides a true experience beyond a place to sleep. When we decided to visit San Francisco we looked for the best places to stay in San Francisco and found the Cornell Hotel de France. This boutique hotel transports you to medieval France, and without a doubt will leave you speechless. The hotel is decorated with a French accent while its on-site restaurant, Jeanne d’Arc is decorated in a medieval style.
The Cornell Hotel de France is located several blocks from Chinatown and Union Square, ideally situated in the heart of the Golden City. It has 50 individually decorated rooms, all with French artwork and hand-painted designs.
What I love the most about the Cornell Hotel de France is that it is a family-run business for over fifty years and owners have a golden retriever that helps invite guest into the hotel. Even though it is not a pet friendly accommodation you can still get the love of this big furry baby named Michelle.
In the lobby you are able to enjoy some coffee and biscuits while you are waiting to check in.
Once you check in at the hotel you receive a metal room key and that is when the experience starts. Then you have to take the old fashioned elevator to your room!
Interesting fact: Each floor at the hotel is decorated in the style of a different French artist including Chagall, Matisse, Gauguin, Toulouse Lautrec, and Modigliani.
Each room is individually designed with many unique and authentic items, from the owners trips back to France. Our room had a historic charm with beautifully painted walls and a stylish modern bathroom.
Authentic French Dinner in San Francisco
On the bottom floor of the hotel is the Jeanne d’Arc Restaurant with its ornate decorations of Joan of Arc, straight from France. The restaurant is open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday and offers a four course prix fixe menu of authentic French cuisine. The menu changes daily, so come prepared to enjoy fresh homemade French food that simply melts in your mouth!
Breakfast at Cornell Hotel de France is only included if you reserve your room directly through the website, otherwise you will still have to pay for breakfast. The breakfast is delicious and cooked to order, which makes it even better. Breakfast includes hot tea or coffee, orange juice, pancakes, French toast or egg dishes.
Breakfast is served downstairs, at the Jeanne d’Arc Restaurant. Since the restaurant is cozy you need to let the staff know in advance what time you are planning to eat breakfast so they can reserve a table for you.
Overall Cornell Hotel de France is the best hotel to explore San Francisco. With its comfortable and inviting accommodations and central location, we cannot wait to visit again soon.