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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
