A flight layover is never fun but I always try to make the most of it.
And if you’re looking to make the most of it during a brief stopover in San Francisco, then I present YOTEL as a top option.
I had just over 24 hours to burn in the Golden City on the way back to Europe from Fiji and I was recommended the hotel for its central location.
On landing into San Francisco I found the BART train, which is an affordable and quick way of getting into the city straight from the terminal.
It was just $10 for a ride to the Civic Centre BART stop, which is where the YOTEL San Francisco is located.
The train was very quiet and there was free Wifi.
It took less than half and hour to reach my stop and then from there, a quick hop to the hotel lobby.
As with all YOTELS, the check in process was swift with an easy-to-navigate self check-in system.
I zoomed up the mirrored lift (a great one for selfies) to the sixth floor to my room, a corner queen suite, number 604.
I later learned talking to the hotel manager that the building the YOTEL is housed within was built in 1904 and survived an earthquake that destroyed much of the city.
The hotel, which has 203 rooms, retains many of the period features, with the main one being a grand central staircase which spirals through the centre of the building.
In my room, exposed brick work added to the character and the large sash windows allowed plenty of natural light to flood in.
Being on the 6th floor, there were great views of the city but good soundproofing meant I was sheltered from the hubbub happening below.
YOTEL’S motto is everything you need and nothing you don’t.
This is something the brand certainly delivers on.
The room had everything I needed to make my stay as efficient as possible.
There was an ironing kit, a monsoon shower with sweet smelling Urban Skincare Co. products and plenty of storage space.
The couch could be converted into a bed, and I found my SmartBed adjusted from upright couch to a fully flat double bed at the touch of a button.
On the entertainment front, the TV was set up so you could stream your own TV streaming services / music and there were plenty of USB sockets dotted around.
After freshening up, I ventured out to explore the city.
YOTEL San Francisco is in a vibrant area, with plenty of shops and restaurants on the doorstep.
The Museum of Ice Cream is also around the corner, or for those more savoury tastes, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Getting back later that evening, I ventured back to my room and slept like a dream in the plush bed.
The next morning I checked out the basement gym, which is a great space with plenty of equipment and good ventilation.
Post-workout I grabbed a coffee at the hotel’s lounge on the first floor.
This is another major perk of the YOTEL San Francisco, as this dimly-lit space which induces a feeling of calm, is a great place to work and host meetings.
There is a coffee machine located in a kitchen area with free hot drinks for guests. The coffee is great and the hot chocolate comes high recommended!
For those who need to make calls, there are separate phone booths decked out with desks for a sense of privacy.
At 11am, I checked out of the property and wound my way back to the airport.
My swift stay at the YOTEL San Francisco had left me refreshed and ready for the next long haul flight.
There are some fun things in the pipeline for the hotel, including the addition of a restaurant later in the year and a rooftop bar which will serve up great views of the metropolis.
I’d definitely recommend this spot for an airport stopover or for a longer weekend break.
There are various room categories to suit all budgets, and if you’re not claustrophobic, the Sky Cabins are very unique and perfect for the solo traveller!
YOTEL San Francisco is located at 1095 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103
To book a stay visit www.yotel.com or call +1 415-829-0000. For more information on travelling in San Francisco, visit www.sftravel.com
