Near Union Square on the Powell Street cable car line
Modern rooms with exposed brick walls, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges
Nearby parking garages (for a fee)
Locked storage room available
24-hour front desk service
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Elevator
Rooms lack air-conditioning
Economy Rooms share bathrooms
Rooms can be noisy from street sounds
Immediate area is crowded
No on-site restaurant or breakfast room
The 99-room Herbert Hotel is a modernly designed historic building on the Powell Street cable car line near Union Square. Rooms are hip and contemporary, with brick walls, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges, but lack air-conditioning. Economy Rooms share bathrooms. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and there's luggage storage on-site, and while the simple hotel doesn't have any on-site dining options, there are plenty of places to go out in the surrounding area. As a value option, rates are low for downtown San Francisco.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Trendy, historic hotel with quirky masculine decor and budget prices
The Herbert Hotel was built in 1909 by a bohemian San Franciscan named Herbert, who made his fortune in the timber industry. The story goes that Herbert’s wife disapproved of his friend hanging out in their house, which pushed the timber-man to open Herbert’s Bachelor’s Club. Today the historic seven-floor hotel, in the heart of the Union Square area, offers modern, budget-friendly rooms and common areas with masculine decor touches. The lobby and hallways feature framed bow-ties, historic photos, artifacts in shadow boxes, exposed brick walls, and a mix of hardwood and carpeted floors. A pair of antlers are mounted above the elevator, while Herbert’s portrait hangs over the old-fashioned wooden front desk. Just opposite is a table made of stacked antique suitcases and topped with a water cooler.
Location
In the heart San Francisco's bustling downtown, near Union Square
The hotel is located right in downtown San Francisco, on the Powell Street cable car line, next door to a Walgreens and Uniqlo, and across from an H&M. There are lots of shops, restaurants, bars and cafes are in the immediate area. Union Square is one block away and the Powell Street BART station and Westfield San Francisco Centre are two blocks from the hotel. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is also within walking distance, while Fisherman’s Wharf is 20 minutes by cable car. The Financial District is a 15-minute BART ride. Driving to Chinatown takes five minutes. It’s a (minimum) 30-minute drive to the San Francisco International Airport.
Rooms
Hip rooms with exposed brick walls, modern decor, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges
The Herbert offers Standard, Deluxe, Deluxe Queen Queen, Economy Two Twins, and Economy Queen Rooms as well as Family Suites with two adjoining rooms and one bathroom. Most rooms have a hip atmosphere, featuring exposed brick walls, leather chairs, hardwood flooring, and modern decor. In-room features include ceiling fans, electric kettles, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and mini-fridges and -- in some -- irons and safes, but they lack air-conditioning. Bathrooms are basic, with white tiles, shower/tub combos, wall-mounted toiletries, and hairdryers. Economy Rooms share a bathroom in the hallway, but they do have in-room sinks.
Features
Luggage storage, 24-hour front desk service, and airport shuttle assistance
As a small budget hotel, the Herbert lacks many of the facilities found in larger or more expensive properties. Amenities are limited to free Wi-Fi and a locked storage room behind the 24-hour front desk. The staff can also assist guests with reserving a shuttle to and from the airport on request.
