The Mosser, a hidden gem in downtown San Francisco.

Sometimes those “hidden gems” are right under your nose.

That was the case for me regarding The Mosser.

I’ve poked around and posted about many of the hotels near the San Francisco Chronicle in downtown/SoMa (South of Market) where I work. I’ve had lunch at Annabelle’s Bar and Bistro on the ground floor of The Mosser — delicious seasonally-inspired menu, btw, with a rotisserie, pizza oven, and oyster bar. I’ve even gazed at the elegant brick and cream colored Edwardian building on my way to Old Navy or the Container Store. But somehow I missed this hip yet warm, incredibly affordable, stylish hotel on Fourth Street, one block from work.

Yesterday, I finally entered the 166-room, family-owned hotel that dates back to 1913, when it was called the Keystone and was celebrated as the most luxurious lodgings at the time.

And get this — not only does it have top-notch Annabelle’s restaurant that stays open till 2 a.m. and offers two happy hours, (5 to 7 and 11 to 12:30) — amenities here go way beyond waffle robes and Natura bath products to include a state-of-the-art recording studio on the premises! This place rocks. Literally. Martha Wainwright,

Annabelle's Bar & Bistro in The Mosser.

Bob Mould, and Noisepop bands have recorded in the pristine, professional Studio Paradiso.

Special packages, for both the beginner and professional, are available for guests to take advantage of this unique hotel amenity, the only of its kind in the city. The Holiday Tunes promo offers one hour of recording time with a studio engineer, a deluxe queen room, and a CD of your recording for $165.

The Winter Romance package includes wine, chocolate, a discount at Annabelle’s, and a copy of the Kama Sutra — wink, wink.

Studio Paradiso, a professional recording studio in The Mosser.

Rooms tend to be small, but rates at The Mosser are quite reasonable. A night in one of the “economical rooms” (read: shared bath) can dip well below the stated price of $69, depending on the season/day of the week. Queen rooms have been discounted to $89 to $99 during the off season.

Suites, some with two bathrooms and a refrigerator stocked with soft drinks, are a good option for families and can sleep up to five comfortably.

With a location in retail heaven  (Bloomingdales and the Westfield Shopping Centre are next door) and the city’s burgeoning cultural corridor (SFMOMA and Yerba Buena Gardens are just a few destinations within a block), and the Moscone Convention Center two blocks south, The Mosser is truly a find, especially if you’ve been wanting to play rock star and put down some tracks…

54 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 986-4400
(800) 227-3804

All photos except top right courtesy of The Mosser; top right by Lisa Dion.