Laurel Inn, a Joie de Vivre hotel

This boutique hotel unveiled its stylish new interiors in fall of 2017 after a multimillion dollar renovation. The inviting lobby looks like an upscale living room and makes for a great place to gather or spend time working. The style deftly mixes 1950s touches with a contemporary yet whimsical look, a nod to its heritage, while large glass windows at the entrance allow for lots of natural light. Colorful art from local Bay area artists dot the walls, and the chic furnishings include colorful seating like pale blue velvet sofas and olive velvet armchairs. A patterned area rug adds another stylish touch to the scene, as do the herringbone Carrera marble floors. A coffee and tea corner is a nice touch, as are the free cookies and lemonade in the afternoons. 

The property attracts mainly leisure tourists keen on exploring the city, but it's equally convenient for business travelers. Families and long-term visitors will appreciate the larger rooms with kitchenettes. 

The Laurel Inn's location on the western edge of the largely residential Pacific Heights neighborhood means guests can stroll quiet blocks lined with upscale galleries, boutiques, and antique shops. It's around the corner from the 98-year-old Vogue Theatre, one of San Francisco's oldest operating cinemas. The hotel is five blocks from the 1,491-acre Presidio National Park, known for its miles of hiking trails and bicycle routes and dozens of historic landmarks. There's a bus stop right by the hotel -- but no cable cars or BART stations nearby.

It's about a 10-minute drive to the Golden Gate Bridge or about a half-hour by public transportation. It's around a 15-minute drive to Fisherman's Wharf (35 minutes by public transportation). San Francisco International Airport is around a half-hour drive from the hotel, though it can take much longer, depending on traffic. It's a bit over an hour via public transportation. Oakland International Airport is about a 40-minute drive or about an hour and 15 minutes via public transportation.

Rooms are small, but make efficient use of space and utilize elements like strategically placed mirrors to make them look and feel larger. Like the lobby, they're done with a combination of Mid-Century Modern design and chic contemporary decor. Rooms utilize the same tasteful, slightly whimsical color palette of robin's egg blue with hints of olive accents. Diamond patterned bedspreads mix with patterned carpeting and complement the olive-hued bedroom benches and velvet armchairs. Even the walls are a tasteful shade of blue and feature a subtle geometric pattern. Lamps with vivid orange bases flank beds and there's more colorful art lining the walls. Furnishings like dressers and desks are sleek and stylish wooden pieces, and the rooms are illuminated by lots of light thanks to the large windows. 

Standard amenities include 32-inch flat-screen TVs, Blu-ray players, mini-fridges, irons/ironing boards, and free Wi-Fi. There are no in-room tea/coffee-making facilities, but free tea and coffee is available all day in the lobby. Eighteen of the 49 rooms have kitchenettes with fridges, microwaves, toasters, and coffeemakers, making them a good choice for families, extended stays, and any guests wanting to self cater. Bathrooms are a bit small, but they're clean and stylish, with white subway tiling and white marble-topped sink vanities. They're equipped with shower/tub combos, plus they have toiletries, hairdryers, and bathrobes. 

There's not too much in the way of features at this small boutique hotel, but a couple of extras are a nice touch. The stylish lobby makes for a charming spot in which to relax, and there's free coffee and tea here all day. Cookies and lemonade are provided in the afternoons and muffins and croissants are set out in the mornings. Daily newspapers are provided. There's also a bar, the Laureate Bar & Lounge, that serves local beer and wine, as well as crafted cocktails. It hosts a happy hour during the week. Though there are no fitness facilities on-site, the hotel offers discounted passed to a nearby gym. Other features include a business center with both PCs and Macs and free Wi-Fi throughout the property -- but a faster connection incurs an extra charge. Parking is available on-site for a fee.