Pros

  • Convenient location within a few blocks of Union Square and Chinatown
  • Clean, comfortable guest rooms with modern art and minibars
  • Creative cuisine, interesting wine selection, and fun cocktails at Game restaurant
  • On-site concierge helpful with bike rentals, in-room massages, and other services
  • More affordable than most comparable hotels in Union Square
  • Free wine happy hour in the evenings
  • Free Wi-Fi access in rooms
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Cons

  • The one elevator gets crowded and waits can last several minutes
  • Restaurant and bar are pricey
  • Breakfast is not included in all rates
  • Old air-conditioning units in rooms
  • Old, tired feel to restaurant and areas with no natural light
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Bottom Line

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.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Executive Hotel Vintage Court San Francisco

Scene

Quirky artwork meets older decor in an historic 1912 building 

This hotel resides in an eight-story building built in 1912, and while certainly past its prime, the facade retains some charming original features, such as ornate carvings on the lower floors. Inside, there's an equal mix of boutique and large hotel features -- something like a small Marriott -- and as of spring 2015, it was slowly being renovated. The vintage characteristics are clear in the classic wooden bar and ballroom-style Game restaurant, though it's something of a trendy vintage look. Taxidermy hangs over the bar, and walls have quirky paintings of human figures with animal heads. Even the chairs, covered in fabric printed with forest scenes, follow a woodsy aesthetic, dimly lit by electric candle chandeliers encased in glass -- there's little natural light. The lobby is classier, more modern, and undeniably more executive-geared, with elegant original features like columns and inlaid ceilings. Colorful modern artwork, bright orange chairs, and a bright white fireplace inject some youthful energy into the room, which also has plenty of generously sized armchairs and couches. The crowd is an interesting mix of tourist couples, executives, and a few families.

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Location

Two blocks from Union Square on a residential street

The hotel sits on a relatively quiet residential street across from a brick apartment building, dry cleaner, and local bar. The location is convenient for both tourists and business travelers, just five minutes' walk from Union Square, and 15 minutes' walk or 10-minute tram ride from the Financial District. The hotel is a 12-minute uphill walk from the Powell St. BART station, for access throughout the city. Chinatown is four blocks away, an 8-minute walk. It takes about 20 minutes on public transit to get to Fisherman’s Wharf or if walking, around 30 minutes. San Francisco International Airport is 40 minutes away by public transportation or about 25 by car. 

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Rooms

Small, winery-themed, and partially updated -- plus minibars and On Demand

Like the rest of the hotel, rooms combine vintage and executive styling -- with the addition of underwhelming winery-themed touches, such as framed photographs of wine bottles. The vintage portions include boxy wooden headboards, dark patterned carpeting, and striped wallpaper. The executive side of things includes the modern flat-screen TVs with On Demand features, free Wi-Fi access, minibars, bathrobes, and high-end boutique toiletries. Each room also has a safe and a writing desk with a leather chair. Some have pretty bay windows and interesting modern art. Bathrooms are rather small, with shower/tub combos -- some with plastic doors -- and aged white tile. Some bathrooms have been renovated with attractive, earth-colored tiles and granite countertops. Most rooms don’t have much of a view -- many look out onto the adjacent buildings.

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Features

Free Wi-Fi and wine hour; restaurant serves breakfast and dinner

The Vintage Court offers free Wi-Fi access in rooms and a free wine tasting for guests every evening. The hotel's Game restaurant serves breakfast every morning, with items such as croissants and Belgian waffles, though it's not free. Tuesday to Saturday, the restaurant serves new American cuisine centering around steaks, sandwiches, and salads for dinner. There is also a full bar. The concierge is helpful with valet parking arrangements, bike rentals, and just about any other request. Pets are allowed for an extra fee.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Executive Hotel Vintage Court San Francisco

Scene

Quirky artwork meets older decor in an historic 1912 building 

This hotel resides in an eight-story building built in 1912, and while certainly past its prime, the facade retains some charming original features, such as ornate carvings on the lower floors. Inside, there's an equal mix of boutique and large hotel features -- something like a small Marriott -- and as of spring 2015, it was slowly being renovated. The vintage characteristics are clear in the classic wooden bar and ballroom-style Game restaurant, though it's something of a trendy vintage look. Taxidermy hangs over the bar, and walls have quirky paintings of human figures with animal heads. Even the chairs, covered in fabric printed with forest scenes, follow a woodsy aesthetic, dimly lit by electric candle chandeliers encased in glass -- there's little natural light. The lobby is classier, more modern, and undeniably more executive-geared, with elegant original features like columns and inlaid ceilings. Colorful modern artwork, bright orange chairs, and a bright white fireplace inject some youthful energy into the room, which also has plenty of generously sized armchairs and couches. The crowd is an interesting mix of tourist couples, executives, and a few families.

See More Scene

Location

Two blocks from Union Square on a residential street

The hotel sits on a relatively quiet residential street across from a brick apartment building, dry cleaner, and local bar. The location is convenient for both tourists and business travelers, just five minutes' walk from Union Square, and 15 minutes' walk or 10-minute tram ride from the Financial District. The hotel is a 12-minute uphill walk from the Powell St. BART station, for access throughout the city. Chinatown is four blocks away, an 8-minute walk. It takes about 20 minutes on public transit to get to Fisherman’s Wharf or if walking, around 30 minutes. San Francisco International Airport is 40 minutes away by public transportation or about 25 by car. 

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Rooms

Small, winery-themed, and partially updated -- plus minibars and On Demand

Like the rest of the hotel, rooms combine vintage and executive styling -- with the addition of underwhelming winery-themed touches, such as framed photographs of wine bottles. The vintage portions include boxy wooden headboards, dark patterned carpeting, and striped wallpaper. The executive side of things includes the modern flat-screen TVs with On Demand features, free Wi-Fi access, minibars, bathrobes, and high-end boutique toiletries. Each room also has a safe and a writing desk with a leather chair. Some have pretty bay windows and interesting modern art. Bathrooms are rather small, with shower/tub combos -- some with plastic doors -- and aged white tile. Some bathrooms have been renovated with attractive, earth-colored tiles and granite countertops. Most rooms don’t have much of a view -- many look out onto the adjacent buildings.

See More Rooms

Features

Free Wi-Fi and wine hour; restaurant serves breakfast and dinner

The Vintage Court offers free Wi-Fi access in rooms and a free wine tasting for guests every evening. The hotel's Game restaurant serves breakfast every morning, with items such as croissants and Belgian waffles, though it's not free. Tuesday to Saturday, the restaurant serves new American cuisine centering around steaks, sandwiches, and salads for dinner. There is also a full bar. The concierge is helpful with valet parking arrangements, bike rentals, and just about any other request. Pets are allowed for an extra fee.

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Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pets Allowed

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

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.