Family Fun with Urban Style at Hotel Zelos in San Francisco

San Francisco is at the cutting edge of style in so many ways, from architecture and music to fashion and cuisine. There is a new push for uber-hip hotels, and Viceroy Hotel Group’s Hotel Zelos is leading the way. Thanks to the new “Room to Play” Kids Experience, Hotel Zelos offers parents a chic San Francisco getaway paired with a fun stay that the kids will love.

Family-Friendly Review of Hotel Zelos

Hotel Zelos sits in the heart of downtown San Francisco just off Market Street, the city’s main street, which essentially runs from the Bay through the financial district and past the gorgeous City Hall. The property is just a block from Union Square. Blink and you could miss the front door, but once you step foot inside the lobby, you know that you are in for a treat. 

Chic Accommodations

Hotel Zelos offers 202 recently redone and impeccably designed sleeping rooms that come in many shapes and sizes. Suites are more than 600 square feet and really allow families to spread out. The “Room to Play” package includes a canvas teepee, floor puzzles, a basket of blocks and plush stuffed animals for the kids to make them feel right at home. My daughter felt like she was in a magical kingdom and slept in the teepee overnight, adding such a unique component to our stay. The blocks kept the kids busy and happy throughout our time in the room.

Distinctive Dining

In a city known for its unparalleled gastronomy, Hotel Zelos boasts one of the hottest restaurants in town, Dirty Habit. Our dinner there was delicious and unique, though picky eaters won’t find a grilled cheese or quesadilla on the menu. Kids will have to step out of their comfort zones a bit, but will definitely be rewarded. 

One of the highlights of Dirty Habit is the rooftop bar, which is almost impossible to find elsewhere in downtown San Francisco. Heat lamps and fireplaces help keep you warm when the famous San Francisco fog rolls in.

It’s hard to beat the beauty of San Francisco

Local Area

Guests at Hotel Zelos can walk out the front door and right into shopping heaven, for both parents and kids. Luckily my children are too young to have read the Disney Store sign outside the window of our room, or else I could have spent a lot of money buying new Disney Princess dolls! Adjacent to the front door of Hotel Zelos is an underground Trader Joe’s, crucial for all of the little snacks that kids need for a day of exploring San Francisco. 

Just down the street in the opposite direction from the hotel is the Yerba Buena Gardens, which is teeming with kid friendly activities like the Children’s Creativity Museum, the Yerba Buena Ice Skating and Bowling Center, a carousel and the Children’s Gardens. A new movie theater and many local eateries are also nearby.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family-friendly hotels and activities in San Francisco on Ciao Bambino

72 hours in San Francisco with kids

How to make the most of a San Francisco CityPASS with kids

Our favorite kid-friendly restaurants in San Francisco

Editor’s Note: Hotel Zelos hosted Ciao Bambino in order to review the property for families. As always, our opinions are our own. Photos by Katy Hanagan.