The JW Marriott -- the chain's high-end brand -- tries to keep pace with the town's luxury standard-bearers with touches like 24-hour butler service and 42-inch flat-screen TVs in the spacious rooms. But with unremarkable room decor, no destination restaurant or spa, and so-so service, the hotel is just a better-than-average chain hotel.
The JW Marriott -- the chain's high-end brand -- tries to keep pace with the town's luxury standard-bearers with touches like 24-hour butler service and 42-inch flat-screen TVs in the spacious rooms. But with unremarkable room decor, no destination restaurant or spa, and so-so service, the hotel is just a better-than-average chain hotel.
The bustling, 1,010-room Parc 55 hotel has some great, modern touches, such as big flat-screen TVs in the (generic) guest rooms and top-notch equipment in the fitness center. With over 32 floors and 30,000 square feet of meeting space, it feels like the big, corporate hotel that it is. The lack of room service and pricey fee for Wi-Fi are downsides, but all in all it's a solid choice a couple of blocks from Union Square. Still, it may be worth comparing rates with the similar Marriott and Hilton hotels nearby.
The bustling, 1,010-room Parc 55 hotel has some great, modern touches, such as big flat-screen TVs in the (generic) guest rooms and top-notch equipment in the fitness center. With over 32 floors and 30,000 square feet of meeting space, it feels like the big, corporate hotel that it is. The lack of room service and pricey fee for Wi-Fi are downsides, but all in all it's a solid choice a couple of blocks from Union Square. Still, it may be worth comparing rates with the similar Marriott and Hilton hotels nearby.
Located in the heart of Union Square, Villa Florence is a 189-room upper-middle-range boutique hotel with chic modern design and a touch of whimsy on great historical bones. The 1908 hotel’s location, directly on the Powell Street cable car line, couldn’t be more central: It’s surrounded by shops, restaurants, theaters, and all modes of public transportation. Rooms in fresh gray, white, and magenta hues have comfortable beds, solid amenities, and smallish bathrooms with C.O. Bigelow bath products, but those overlooking Powell Street can pick up noise. A mandatory nightly facility fee covers Wi-Fi, beverages in the lobby, and use of the fitness center, but parking and breakfast cost an additional fee. For fewer fees and more amenities in the same neighborhood, consider the Handlery; it offers free Wi-Fi, and a heated outdoor pool -- a rarity in this part of town.
Located in the heart of Union Square, Villa Florence is a 189-room upper-middle-range boutique hotel with chic modern design and a touch of whimsy on great historical bones. The 1908 hotel’s location, directly on the Powell Street cable car line, couldn’t be more central: It’s surrounded by shops, restaurants, theaters, and all modes of public transportation. Rooms in fresh gray, white, and magenta hues have comfortable beds, solid amenities, and smallish bathrooms with C.O. Bigelow bath products, but those overlooking Powell Street can pick up noise. A mandatory nightly facility fee covers Wi-Fi, beverages in the lobby, and use of the fitness center, but parking and breakfast cost an additional fee. For fewer fees and more amenities in the same neighborhood, consider the Handlery; it offers free Wi-Fi, and a heated outdoor pool -- a rarity in this part of town.
The Sir Francis Drake attracts both business and leisure travelers with its great location close to Union Square and public transportation (including the cable car that runs right outside the hotel). But the business traveler might be slightly disappointed with the amenities: The business center and fitness center are both minimally equipped and Wi-Fi comes at a cost to everyone except Kimpton loyalty program members. There are, however, ample meeting rooms for groups. Staying at a Kimpton hotel does have several perks, including free coffee and tea in the lobby each morning and a free wine happy hour in the evenings. The hotel is also pet-friendly, with no extra costs and no size or weight restrictions. The hotel is one of the oldest in the area and takes pride in its history, but the property nonetheless feels modern with its clean, quiet, and comfortable guest rooms (each features a work space). Interior rooms on the lower floors are the quietest, but rooms in the Towers offer the best views.
The Sir Francis Drake attracts both business and leisure travelers with its great location close to Union Square and public transportation (including the cable car that runs right outside the hotel). But the business traveler might be slightly disappointed with the amenities: The business center and fitness center are both minimally equipped and Wi-Fi comes at a cost to everyone except Kimpton loyalty program members. There are, however, ample meeting rooms for groups. Staying at a Kimpton hotel does have several perks, including free coffee and tea in the lobby each morning and a free wine happy hour in the evenings. The hotel is also pet-friendly, with no extra costs and no size or weight restrictions. The hotel is one of the oldest in the area and takes pride in its history, but the property nonetheless feels modern with its clean, quiet, and comfortable guest rooms (each features a work space). Interior rooms on the lower floors are the quietest, but rooms in the Towers offer the best views.
A superb Union Square location is the main draw of this upper-middle-range, European-style boutique hotel. Renovated top to bottom in 2017, this hotel has a polished look and lively contemporary artwork. Amenities such as a wine and cheese hour, cookies in the evening, and gathering areas on each floor (some with fireplaces) create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Its 30 rooms are bright and modern, if on the small side, but they're well equipped with tablets, robes, and pillow-top mattresses. Freebies like breakfast and overnight shoeshines add to the hotel's value, and a water bottle-filling station is a nice touch. All in all, The Inn is an appealing choice, but it is more buttoned up compared to other boutique hotels in the area. For something flashier in the same neighborhood, consider the Hotel Triton.
A superb Union Square location is the main draw of this upper-middle-range, European-style boutique hotel. Renovated top to bottom in 2017, this hotel has a polished look and lively contemporary artwork. Amenities such as a wine and cheese hour, cookies in the evening, and gathering areas on each floor (some with fireplaces) create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Its 30 rooms are bright and modern, if on the small side, but they're well equipped with tablets, robes, and pillow-top mattresses. Freebies like breakfast and overnight shoeshines add to the hotel's value, and a water bottle-filling station is a nice touch. All in all, The Inn is an appealing choice, but it is more buttoned up compared to other boutique hotels in the area. For something flashier in the same neighborhood, consider the Hotel Triton.
Situated just a two-minute walk from Union Square and in easy walking distance to a plethora of shops, eateries, and public transport options, the lower-middle-range Hotel Cartwright is an ideal spot for budget-minded travelers ready to explore the city. The 114-room hotel occupies a 1915 building and maintains historic charm in the lobby and reception areas with wood and vintage accents and molded architectural details. Small rooms feature en-suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers, but have tired decor, no air-conditioning, and can get street noise. But guests appreciate the hotel's free Wi-Fi and pet-friendly policies. Travelers looking for a vintage-style property may want to compare rates with the nearby Hotel Rex.
Situated just a two-minute walk from Union Square and in easy walking distance to a plethora of shops, eateries, and public transport options, the lower-middle-range Hotel Cartwright is an ideal spot for budget-minded travelers ready to explore the city. The 114-room hotel occupies a 1915 building and maintains historic charm in the lobby and reception areas with wood and vintage accents and molded architectural details. Small rooms feature en-suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers, but have tired decor, no air-conditioning, and can get street noise. But guests appreciate the hotel's free Wi-Fi and pet-friendly policies. Travelers looking for a vintage-style property may want to compare rates with the nearby Hotel Rex.
The upscale Hotel Nikko looks and feels more like a boutique hotel than the mid-size chain it actually is. Though the hotel's multiple conference rooms, stylish suites, and on-site UPS store make it an obvious draw for business travelers, the Union Square location, indoor lap pool, and sushi bar appeal to tourists as well, though small children might be happier elsewhere. Watch out for added charges tacked on to use premium Wi-Fi, the international breakfast buffet, and more -- though these are covered for guests who book an Imperial Club Room or Imperial Suite. The hotel re-opened in March 2017 following a three-month, $60 million renovation that brought upgrades to the majority of the guest rooms, common areas, and meeting space.
The upscale Hotel Nikko looks and feels more like a boutique hotel than the mid-size chain it actually is. Though the hotel's multiple conference rooms, stylish suites, and on-site UPS store make it an obvious draw for business travelers, the Union Square location, indoor lap pool, and sushi bar appeal to tourists as well, though small children might be happier elsewhere. Watch out for added charges tacked on to use premium Wi-Fi, the international breakfast buffet, and more -- though these are covered for guests who book an Imperial Club Room or Imperial Suite. The hotel re-opened in March 2017 following a three-month, $60 million renovation that brought upgrades to the majority of the guest rooms, common areas, and meeting space.
More vintage than executive in most aspects, this mid-range hotel is a good value for San Francisco’s Union Square neighborhood. It occupies an historic 1912 building with lots of character, and as of 2015 was in the process of being updated. With amenities like On Demand TV, minibars, and meeting space, the 107-room property feels more like a boutique than a large hotel. There's a somewhat trendy restaurant serving new American cuisine, and free wine is served every evening. Rooms are modern and have minibars, but are generally on the smaller side.
More vintage than executive in most aspects, this mid-range hotel is a good value for San Francisco’s Union Square neighborhood. It occupies an historic 1912 building with lots of character, and as of 2015 was in the process of being updated. With amenities like On Demand TV, minibars, and meeting space, the 107-room property feels more like a boutique than a large hotel. There's a somewhat trendy restaurant serving new American cuisine, and free wine is served every evening. Rooms are modern and have minibars, but are generally on the smaller side.
This stylish boutique hotel is one of the best upscale options near Union Square. It's not the cheapest option in this pearl category (the nearby Clift and Hotel Nikko often have lower rates), but many guests will prefer it for its fun, eclectic decor and thoughtful freebies. The rooms are on the small side but have comfortable beds, quirky-yet-elegant style, and modern technology. The lobby and "living room" are great places to hang out, especially for the free wine receptions and morning coffee.
This stylish boutique hotel is one of the best upscale options near Union Square. It's not the cheapest option in this pearl category (the nearby Clift and Hotel Nikko often have lower rates), but many guests will prefer it for its fun, eclectic decor and thoughtful freebies. The rooms are on the small side but have comfortable beds, quirky-yet-elegant style, and modern technology. The lobby and "living room" are great places to hang out, especially for the free wine receptions and morning coffee.
The St. Francis combines the history, decor, and traditions of a turn-of-the-20th-century grand old dame with the amenities, modernity, and corporate-dominated clientele of a large chain property. If you find a better deal at the similarly priced Palace or Meridien -- also business-oriented Starwoods -- go with one of those. If not, the Westin is a perfectly pleasant option.
The St. Francis combines the history, decor, and traditions of a turn-of-the-20th-century grand old dame with the amenities, modernity, and corporate-dominated clientele of a large chain property. If you find a better deal at the similarly priced Palace or Meridien -- also business-oriented Starwoods -- go with one of those. If not, the Westin is a perfectly pleasant option.