Noe's Nest Bed and Breakfast

A friend and I enjoyed a "girl's getaway" in San Francisco last week and really enjoyed Noe's Nest. When I first walked into the museum-like front parlor, I wasn't quite sure what to think, but as Shelia, the proprietress, showed us around, it all made sense. Her life is a rich tapestry and her house reflects that. It was like staying with one of my favorite characters, Auntie Mame. Sheila is eccentric, classy, warm, welcoming and laid back; her house is your house. We were in the suite, which gave us plenty of room, plus nice windows for fresh air and a view of the neighborhood. It is a climb up to the 3rd floor, but it was great exercise! There is a well-equipped kitchenette up there, too, shared with The View room. Breakfast is a nice, casual affair with frittata, bread from a local bakery, spreads, salmon, fruit, etc. You can eat in the breakfast room, dining room, or take your food out to the garden or to your room. Sheila is more than accommodating, and arranged parking for my small car and also helped when my friend "lost" her phone. We discovered it missing while at the deYoung Museum, called Sheila (who was out and about) and she actually went back to the house to look for it and found it in our room. Now THAT is good customer service. The neighborhood is one of the loveliest in San Francisco, quite walkable (with a few steep hills) and with many great shops and restaurants. The architecture, views and culture in San Francisco are fantastic anytime, but we lucked out and had crystal clear weather. We are already talking about returning later this spring.

Don’t stay here if you enjoy clean, 4*+ hotels. Photos online are very old. Overpriced for what you got @US$437./ nt for 3 adults!! Building Code Violation: bathroom electrical outlet behind faucet! How many others? We cringed from the decor & odour as we entered the front entrance. Greeted by the very eccentric, nice, old innkeeper/owner Sheila. She needs better staff to help her. Creepy decor due to clutter (clowns, old family pics, drapes, etc.) that had their day 50yrs ago. So much potential if renovated & given a thorough cleaning! Dusty. Cobwebs on ceilings & caked on dust on baseboards & lamps. Smelt like a mouse house. Weekday parking very difficult. Free street parking (if u can find it) after Friday 6pm to Sunday night. Breakfast not worth it, not fresh. Had oat milk that curdled in my coffee (expired 7days prior)! Limited Dairy-free AND gluten-free options @ breakfast (good smoked salmon with capers but no red onions condiment). Tomatoes had mold on tops. Blueberries mushy. No breakfast bacon or sausage. Had to make your own eggs in the cluttered kitchen! No thx. Garden Cabana too small for 3 Adults. Tripping over beds to get around furniture. Can’t open bar fridge fully as cot is blocking it! Cups/ wine glasses not clean. Had to re-wash cups in our kitchenette prior to use as 1st cup had fresh coffee stains inside. Had to scrub our countertop & fridge (cleaning staff doesn’t clean properly). No screens on patio door or window in Garden Cabana (a basement walkout room) so ventilation not great. Low water pressure took forever to rinse soap & conditioner off! Best part: had direct access to street so one doesn’t have to walk thru the creepy house! Also direct access to lovely albeit overgrown garden. Nice to have the Toto Washlet on toilet (heated seat) but it’s an elongated size slapped onto a round toilet. Bad fit. Good location near Saru Sushi on 24th St., Bac Lieu Vietnamese, Bao on Valencia, Trad Bone Broth, Whole Foods, 24th/Mission BART, Martha & Bros. Coffee Company (best zen Chai Tea Latte I’ve ever had!!). Tip: stay away from Market St/6th St. & Eddy/8th St. Don’t leave anything in parked car!

We were visiting our son’s family. Since our daughter and husband and 3 boys came also, they stayed at the house and we stayed at Noe’s Nest. It was delightful. We were only a block away. Everything was comfortable and the breakfasts were awesome— frittatas, salmon, bagels, cheese, eggs— cannot even mention everything. The house was very interesting with all the collectibles and pictures- even a piano! The back garden was beautiful and there is a tea temple where we had tea one afternoon. We look forward to visiting again.

The B&B could be to some people's taste, but for us we found it kind of creepy -- lots of weird decor (so many dolls, eclectic/bizarre combinations of decorative objects and art and furniture absolutely everywhere.) Overall a weird vibe and not friendly or welcoming -- hosts barely present, at least for us. Food was okay, but kind of tired. Back garden/yard was beautiful for sure and location in the Mission was excellent.

We selected Noe’s Nest as we have family living in that area. We definitely got lucky here. The room was described as “view” and the huge picture window make sure you get a fantastic view. Aside from the view, our room was clean and comfortable with everything you might need. Noes Nest has a fabulous, eclectic, collection of art, design, photographs and newspaper cuttings throughout the home. Breakfast was pretty impressive spread with many choices catering for a wide range of tastes. The star of the show, however, is Shiela, whose warm welcome and informative guided tour will really make you feel you have arrived home.

The hotel is the very definition of charming, elegant & creative. We totally loved Noe's Nest! Hearing Bed & Breakfast you might not expect much but I assure you - feel free to set your expectations to the top and Noe's Nest will still beat it. Staying here you get into a totally different world thanks to a welcoming and generous host Sheila. She showed us around and became our best friend in SF. The interior of the hotel is simply amusing and very well thought of. There are so many peculiar details that makes it really homey. Noe's Nest is my best recommendation in SF!