Our Hotel Planner Expert Reviews of Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel (formerly Sir Francis Drake)
Our expert planners periodically visit and review the hotels we represent in person.
"Elegance with an Edge - Lovely Union Square Kimpton property"
Overall Score5.0/ 5
I have nothing but good things to say about this hotel and the sales staff that runs it. If you don't mind a little "Kimpton flair" with your luxury, this is a great option for any group that wants a central location just a couple of blocks from Union Square. This property has a predominantly elegant, historic look (high, ornate ceilings and a grand stairwell in the entry way), but still has a touch of the Kimpton edge that makes the brand so distinctive (for instance, the large, red, avant-guarde statue towering over the lobby bar). The property is beautifully done, with a special emphasis on their elegant, chandelier-laden meeting rooms. This would be a great property to host a social event of any kind. Children and dogs are welcome, and those that wish to dance (or catch a Sunday drag show) can find a well-known night club on the top floor of the hotel. It is also possible to rent this "nightclub" space for private events, if you would prefer that to one of the meeting rooms, which is an excellent choice due to the sweeping views of the city. The rooms are lovely and a bit dramatic (patterns, jewel tones, and the occasional metallic piece), and the staff is charismatic and helpful. In general, this is a very unique, stylish property that has elements of the avant garde - I would recommend it to any group, unless that group is present for a serious affair of some variety and does not favor any distractions. They might consider a more straightforward brand. Otherwise, this is a great hotel and comes highly recommended for groups. Ask for a tour of their "secret prohibition room"!
Aria T from
01-Aug-2013 Verified Review
Verified Reviews of Beacon Grand a Union Square Hotel
Below are the verified reviews from guests that we have booked recently:
"A lovely place."
Overall Score5.0/ 5
Elegant lobby, staircase, ceiling and chandelier. Room was nice. Old school class and charm. Staff and waitresses were great. Will stay again.
Richard H. (Individual traveler, booked 1 room), from
23-Sep-2024 Verified Review, stayed from Fri Sep 20 to Sat Sep 21 2024 at a $173.99 average nightly rate.
"Very Pleasant Stay."
Overall Score4.0/ 5
Dates of stay August 24 29/24  We were first time travelers to San Francisco, in our late 40s and travelled with no kids. All of our interactions with the hotel staff were great, but I want to give an extra shout out to Monica at the front desk and Sebastian, one of the doormen. Monica was the first employee we dealt with and her kindness, sincerity and genuineness made us feel welcomed and valued as guests and not "just a customer". Our interactions with Sebastian were warm and authentic and he made us feel comfortable and welcomed every time we came back to the hotel. They both were a huge part in making us feel like we were welcomed and valued. We stayed in a Grand Junior Suite (15th floor) facing the street, and had an amazing view from our windows. The room itself was huge, had plenty of seating and lots of room to be able to store luggage out of the way. We could hear street noise, but the bed and bedding that they use had me sleeping so soundly that I wasn't bothered by it. The trolley bells do start early though! We didn't hear noise/people in the other rooms except for the occasional chair being moved on hardwood. There were plenty of mirrors and electrical outlets around the room as well. The bathroom had a double vanity (ample space for two people to get ready) and a large walk in shower. The water pressure from the shower head is very weak, so a head's up if you have a lot of hair, or long hair. There is a safe in the room and the closet area had a place to hang up clothes, along with a number of shelves. There were plenty of drawers to unpack as well. The location of the hotel is excellent for accessing the touristy parts of San Francisco quite easily. We walked all around the area and didn't feel unsafe. The latest we ventured out until was approximately 9:30 pm. We had a couple drinks at the Starlite Lounge and while it was quite expensive for four drinks, the atmosphere is something to experience! We also were gifted two complimentary drinks for The Post Room, and, unfortunately, I didn't get the bartenders name, but he too gave that little extra effort in showing us a little something that we normally wouldn't have had access to while staying there. If someone asked me if they should stay at the Beacon Grand Hotel, I would absolutely say "Yes!".
Melissa H. (Individual traveler, booked 1 room), from
04-Sep-2024 Verified Review, stayed from Sat Aug 24 to Thu Aug 29 2024 at a C$262.59 average nightly rate.
"Great Stay!"
Overall Score5.0/ 5
A five star getaway!
Diane G. (Individual traveler, booked 1 room), from
12-Aug-2024 Verified Review, stayed from Fri Aug 09 to Mon Aug 12 2024 at a $187.99 average nightly rate.
Summary of Verified Reviews
Customer Reviews of Beacon Grand a Union Square Hotel
- 4.5 of 5Overall
- 4.4 of 5Amenities
- 4.7 of 5Cleanliness
- 4.6 of 5Comfort
- 4.5 of 5Condition
- 4.7 of 5Service
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Property Description
Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel is centrally located in San Francisco, a 5-minute walk from Dragon's Gate and 7 minutes by foot from Westfield San Francisco Centre. This historic hotel is 0.4 mi (0.7 km) from Grace Cathedral and 0.9 mi (1.5 km) from Moscone Convention Center.
Take advantage of the hotel's room service (during limited hours). Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee.
Stay in one of 418 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature rainfall showerheads and designer toiletries. Conveniences include phones, as well as laptop-compatible safes and desks.
Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.1 mile and kilometer.
Union Square - 0.1 km / 0.1 mi
450 Sutter Building - 0.1 km / 0.1 mi
Westin St Francis Hotel Glass Elevators - 0.1 km / 0.1 mi
SHN Curran Theatre - 0.4 km / 0.2 mi
Dragon's Gate - 0.4 km / 0.3 mi
SF Masonic Auditorium - 0.6 km / 0.4 mi
Westfield San Francisco Centre - 0.6 km / 0.4 mi
Grace Cathedral - 0.7 km / 0.4 mi
Yerba Buena Gardens - 0.8 km / 0.5 mi
555 California Street - 0.8 km / 0.5 mi
Palace Hotel - 0.8 km / 0.5 mi
Cable Car Museum - 0.8 km / 0.5 mi
Warfield Theatre - 0.9 km / 0.5 mi
Golden Gate Theatre - 0.9 km / 0.6 mi
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art - 1 km / 0.6 mi
The nearest airports are:
Oakland Intl. Airport (OAK) - 31.2 km / 19.4 mi
San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) - 23.1 km / 14.4 mi
San Carlos, CA (SQL) - 40.1 km / 24.9 mi
Concord, CA (CCR-Buchanan Field) - 46.7 km / 29 mi
The preferred airport for Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel is San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO).
Featured amenities include limo/town car service, express check-out, and dry cleaning/laundry services.
Make use of convenient amenities such as concierge services, wedding services, and a ballroom.
Green Sustainability
Yes
Amenities / Features
Airport & Shuttle Information
San Francisco International (SFO) Distance: 15 MI/ 24.14 KM N Taxi Fee: $45.00 (USD) Time by taxi: 20 minutes (regular traffice)Time by train: BART: 30 Minutes Oakland International Airport (OAK) Distance: 20 MI/ 32.19 KM W Taxi Fee: $70.00 (USD) Time by taxi: 35 minutes Time by train: AirBART/BART: 55 Min
Local Shuttle Info: Recommend Super Shuttle
Breakfast Information
Breakfast available in our restaurant, Scala''s Bistro (Italian): At Scala''s, memorable dining comes with the territory. Located inside the landmark Sir Francis Drake Hotel, facing the Powell Street cable car line, and steps away from Union Square, Scala''s is as San Francisco as restaurants come. And with great location comes great responsibility. Scala''s has earned its reputation among essential San Francisco experiences with its chef-driven menu, fresh local ingredients and an atmosphere as warm, comforting and classy as the food we bring to the table.Breakfast vouchers available for groups of 30 or less.
Pet Friendly?
Service animals complying with ADA Title lll regulations are allowed.
Maximum number of pets per room 2
Pet max weight (per pet) in lb is 50
Pet max weight (per pet) in kg is 23
Service animals are allowed
Pets cannot be left unattended
Service animals are exempt from fees/restrictions
Only dogs are allowed
Pets allowed
Pet-friendly
Parking Info
Valet $55/Day, Oversize vehicles $65/Day
Internet / WiFI
Complimentary WIFI in guestrooms and public space with Kimpton Karma (free to join rewards program)!
Misc Fees / Policies
- Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: approximately USD 15.00 to 45.00 for adults, and USD 10.00 to 20.00 for children
- Valet parking fee: USD 84.02 per night (in/out privileges)
- Pet fee: USD 87.33 per pet, per night
- Service animals are exempt from fees
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:
- Deposit: USD 100 per accommodation, per night
- Resort fee: USD 37.66 per accommodation, per night
The resort fee includes:
- Additional inclusions
- Fitness center access
- In-room bottled water
- In-room coffee
- Phone calls
We have included all charges provided to us by the property.
- Up to 4 children 17 years old and younger stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding.
- Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.
- Contactless check-out is available.
- This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).
Cleaning Policies
Clean + Safe Certified by the California Hotel & Lodging Association
Property is cleaned with disinfectant
Protective clothing is available to guests
Masks are available to guests
Gloves are available to guests
Guests are provided with free hand sanitizer
Bed sheets and towels are washed at a temperature of at least 60°C/140°F
Commonly-touched surfaces are cleaned with disinfectant
Property confirms they are implementing guest safety measures
Contactless check-out is available
Property follows sanitization practices of SafeStay (AHLA - USA)
Cashless transactions are available
Food service has been amended for enhanced safety
Property confirms they are implementing enhanced cleaning measures