Parker Guest House is housed in a pair of yellow Edwardian-era mansions on well-landscaped grounds with lawns, extensive gardens, and a small piazza-style courtyard with a fountain, tables, and outdoor sofas. Guests gather here to converse, read, or get some sun. They also congregate indoors in the breakfast/wine reception room, which has a cafe vibe with striped sofa seating, circular granite bistro-style tables, a colorful French poster, lots of natural light, and a balcony. Another inviting space is the elegant parlor, with bookshelves, fireplace, grand piano, and grandfather clock. The inn is gay-friendly and fits in well with the Castro scene, and all guests are made to feel welcome. The Castro location and ready MUNI access to downtown suits tourists, while the business services, flexible breakfast hours, and express check-in for frequent guests make it a convenient choice for business travelers too.

Parker Guest House is on Church Street in the heart of the vibrant, colorful Castro District, where it borders the Mission District. Mission Dolores Park is one block south, and Mission San Francisco de Asis, the oldest building in the city, is one and a half blocks northeast of the inn. Market Street is a five-minute walk north and numerous cafes, restaurants, and shops are a short stroll from the inn. The Castro Theater and Castro Street MUNI station are a 10-minute walk west, and the MUNI stops right outside the inn. Moscone Convention Center, the Financial District, Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, and SOMA are all within a 20- to 40-minute MUNI ride northeast. The inn is a 10-minute walk northeast of the GLBT History Museum, a 12-minute walk southwest of the BART Station at 16th and Mission, and a 15-minute walk southeast of the Randall Museum and Corona Heights Park. The Parker Guest House is a 20-minute drive north of San Francisco International Airport and a 40-minute drive northwest of Oakland International Airport.

Situated on four floors, the Parker Guest House's 21 rooms have an upscale, boutique vibe with colorful art, rich fabrics, high-quality wood furnishings, and plush beds with down comforters. Rooms are large, get lots of natural light, and have a mostly white, light yellow, beige, and brown color palette. All rooms come with terry bathrobes, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with cable channels, including HBO. Rooms do not have coffeemakers, microwaves, mini-fridges, or minibars. Some rooms have some combination of desks, iPod docks, living rooms, balconies, and private garden areas. Not all rooms have private baths, and rooms facing Church Street may get occasional noise from the street or passing MUNI light rail.

As a small bed and breakfast, the Parker Guest House has no swimming pool, full-service spa, or fitness center, but a 24-hour health club is located two blocks from the inn. A free continental breakfast with muffins, cereals, bagels, banana bread, fruit, coffee, tea, and juice is served daily. The inn also hosts a free evening social with wine and cheese. Guests have access to a kitchen around the clock to prepare food and drinks. The inn also has a steam room, public computer, and parking (for a fee). The staff is exceptional, and provides friendly concierge service and sightseeing advice. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.