Cornell Hotel De France

Located within walking distance of Union Square, the Theater District, and on the Powell Street cable car line, and just a short ride away from Nob Hill, Grace Cathedral and Fisherman's Wharf, the Cornell Hotel de France Bed and Breakfast is a quiet, charming refuge in the center of San Francisco.

When you step inside the Cornell, you will not find yourself in an expansive lobby, abuzz with activity. Instead, you'll see to your right, a small, quaint and comfortable sitting room, just beyond which, you'll find the small, cluttered office where you check in. Fresh flowers are arranged across from the small, old-fashioned elevator with sliding door. The European-style Cornell has always been a family-owned and operated establishment. And since Claude and Micheline Lambert arrived in San Francisco with their young daughter, Sabine over forty years ago from their native Orléans, France, it has been their labor of love. They began working for room and board on a tired and rundown old building, eventually renovating it and purchasing it for their own.

The tiny classic elevator, framed French prints, and original style moldings, individually, but simply decorated rooms, even the authentic accents of the hosts is the ideal backdrop for any visit, from the weary business person seeking something less sterile than the generic chain hotel to the couple looking for a romantic B & B to the single person who wants to feel at home away from home.

On a more practical level, the hotel offers 58 rooms with private baths, color television with cable, personal voice mail. A full breakfast is served each morning in the basement Restaurant Jeanne d'Arc. Breakfast is standard American fare, including hot and cold cereal, pancakes, French toast or eggs any style, served with juice and coffee. The room rates are very reasonable for the location and appointments. Weekly rates and special packages that include dinner and parking are also available. Although valet parking is not provided, the Cornell has a deal with the city lot directly across the street that makes parking about half what it costs at similarly located hotels.

While breakfast is for guests only, dinner at Jeanne d'Arc is open to all. Adorning the walls are artifacts and tapestries depicting the life of its namesake, Joan of Arc. The Medieval decor is particularly appropriate to its below street level location, which creates a dim and cozy dinner atmosphere. The menu includes several daily specials, as well as rabbit, sole, Beef Orleanais, and Veal Marengo. Desserts are made in-house, and the wine list includes a wide variety of French and California wines.

Reservations can be booked through a number of travel sites or by contacting the hotel directly.

Cornell Hotel de France
715 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 421-3154 (800) 232-9698