Union Square location, near the Powell Street cable car line
Traditional, clean rooms have lots of light and flat-screen TVs
Business corner with two Apple computers on-site
Free breakfast served in a lounge with a grand piano
Parking validation at a nearby garage
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Rooms lack air-conditioning and mini-fridges
Some rooms have tube TVs and outdated decor
Rooms are reportedly poorly soundproofed
Guests sometimes report musty smells in the hallways
The 76-room Grant Hotel is a budget-friendly option, three blocks from Union Square. Breakfast is included in room rates, as is Wi-Fi, and there's also a business corner with two Macs. The lobby has a cozy, simple vibe -- with a small seating area and free coffee -- and rooms feel similarly; decor is a bit basic and IKEA-esque, but large windows allow for plenty of light. Most come with flat-screen TVs and safes, but lack extras such as mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and air-conditioning. The nearby Handlery Union Square may be a better option for guests wanting air-conditioning.
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Scene
Classic value hotel with a hint of San Franciscan charm
Popular with budget travelers, the Grant Hotel is housed in an unpretentious five-story building with a fire escape climbing up the exterior, plus red awnings shading a small entrance and ground-floor windows. The interior furnishings are simple and clean, but show some signs of wear and tear. The lobby is bright, with light-wood floors and white walls, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The classic front desk has a counter with a microwave, a hot water dispenser, and a coffeemaker. Red patterned carpeting covers the floors in the hallways, and each floor has a different wall color. There’s also a wooden staircase with orange accent walls, and an old-fashioned elevator.
Location
Near the Powell Street cable car near Union Square
The hotel is three blocks from Union Square and right next to a sushi restaurant and male strip club. The immediate vicinity has a number of restaurants, shops, bars, and other hotels, as well as a Starbucks. The Westfield San Francisco Centre, which houses a mix of affordable and high-end shops, is within walking distance and the Powell Street and Bush Street cable car stop is less than a block away. Fisherman’s Wharf -- with Ghirardelli Square, Pier 39, and the Aquarium of the Bay -- is 20 minutes away by cable car. Chinatown is a five-minute drive or a 10-minute cable car ride. The San Francisco Airport is 40 minutes by BART or 35 minutes by car, traffic permitting.
Rooms
Standard value rooms feature flat-screen TVs, writing desks, and safes
Rooms at The Grant Hotel are standard, with one or two double beds or a single queen. Decor includes neutral or red carpeting, white wooden wall paneling, colorful bedspreads, classic furniture, and gold wall decor, and most rooms come with flat-screen TVs, writing desks, ceiling fans, alarm clocks, heaters, safes, and irons/ironing boards. Overall, they can feel a bit like a showroom at IKEA, but large windows let in nice light. Rollaway beds and cribs can be requested. The best views overlook Bush Street. Bathrooms are reportedly clean and offer shower/tub combos with mounted toiletries and hairdryers. The sinks in some rooms are located in a separate vanity area just outside the bathrooms.
Features
Comfy breakfast room, business corner, and validation for parking at nearby garage
The hotel serves a free but basic breakfast in a dedicated room dwith tables and chairs, a flat-screen TV, ceiling fans, a grand piano, and a business corner with two Macs. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. The hotel also has an ice machine in the lobby and offers parking validation at a nearby garage.
