Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel

Union Square, San Francisco

Classic Two Queen Beds
View from Starlight Room
Starlight Room
Lobby Lounge and Bar
Lobby Lounge and Bar
Lobby Lounge and Bar
Queen Bed
Classic Two Queen Beds
View from Starlight Room
Starlight Room
Lobby Lounge and Bar
Lobby Lounge and Bar
Lobby Lounge and Bar
Queen Bed

The hotel

You’ll know you’re somewhere special from the minute you arrive at the Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel. A brightly attired Beefeater will greet you at the door before ushering you into the magnificently restored lobby, with antique crystal chandeliers, gilded ceilings and a grand, sweeping staircase. Guest rooms are sumptuous with artwork on the walls and jewel-toned fabrics. They also come well-equipped to ensure you feel at home straightaway. And it’s not just a case of style over substance at the Sir Francis Drake, it truly is remarkable in every way, from the high standard of service to the fashionable Scala’s Bistro, so beloved of local’s and guests alike. Adjacent to the hotel, Scala’s serves Italian and French inspired cuisine and is a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach, with elaborately painted ceilings and richly coloured floor tiles. Reminiscent of a classic Parisian bistro, it’s a wonderful place to while away an evening or two. Also unmissable is Bar Drake with its speakeasy-hued stylishness and The Starlight Room, saturated in 1930s glamour and open until the early hours.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Valet parking
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Wheelchair access
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Laundry Service
  • Internet Access
  • Close to City Centre
  • Restaurant

Where is it

Near the Moscone Convention Centre and Union Square, within walking distance to fine dining, shops and cultural attractions.

Hotel information

All rooms with air-conditioning, LCD HD TV with pay-per-view films, telephone, WiFi*, tea/coffee-making facilities, iHome docking station, safe, bathrobes, hairdryer, iron and board. Classic Rooms with either 1 or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Scala’s Bistro (daily breakfast and dinner, weekday lunches), Bar Drake, The Starlight Room (21st floor late-night lounge). Fitness centre. In-room spa service with customised treatments*. Nightly hosted wine reception in the hotel lobby from 5:00pm-6:00pm. Complimentary tea and coffee each morning. WiFi*. Complimentary hotel bicycles and in-room yoga kits. Laundry/dry-cleaning service*. Concierge service. Room service*. Valet parking $62 plus tax per night (payable locally, subject to change).

This hotel has resort fees that are included in the room rate (subject to change)

Resort fee includes: - $10 daily credit in Scala’s Bistro - Unlimited local phone calls
 - Discounts of 10-20% in hotel retail stores - Upgraded WiFi speed in guest rooms and public spaces for up to 5 devices. Resort fee, tax and inclusions are subject to change - please see hotel check-in for current inclusions available to you upon arrival.

Wheelchair accessible rooms available on request. Please note that these rooms are subject to availability and may be restricted to specific room categories and bedding arrangements. Rooms and facilities vary between hotels so please check at the time of booking. For more information and contact details please check out our Special Assistance page

*Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (1117)
  • Very good (1383)
  • Average (803)
  • Poor (388)
  • Terrible (216)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Love this hotel

Nov 17, 2019 mocha2 Fort Worth, Texas

We stay here every time we come to San Francisco unless the price is crazy which happens occasionally. Love the old style feel, the great views, and the awesome wine hour. Finally made it to the Starlight room, which is beautiful.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Old hotel lacking charm

Nov 16, 2019 Tina B Markham, Canada

I stayed here recently on a business trip and was underwhelmed by the room and service. My room on the 5th floor was small and the windows are so old that street noise sounded like people were in my room. I got very little sleep during my two night stay. On the second night I was rudely awakened at 3 AM by what sounded like someone trying to get… Read more
I stayed here recently on a business trip and was underwhelmed by the room and service. My room on the 5th floor was small and the windows are so old that street noise sounded like people were in my room. I got very little sleep during my two night stay. On the second night I was rudely awakened at 3 AM by what sounded like someone trying to get in my room and then saw a piece of paper fly across the floor seems it was a bill being shoved under the door. Then in the morning before 9 AM housekeeping was knocking on my door to clean, made me feel like they wanted me out fast. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Very courteous staff-excellent location

Nov 14, 2019 NoFuFu Fort Lauderdale, FL

We knew going in the hotel is older but price and location was right- excellent friendly staff- location 1 block from Union Square can't beat- room on 14th floor was on small side- windows are very old so noise a bit of an issue but not bad- very little insulation or caulking to block out incoming air or noise in bathroom- no grab bar in shower-… Read more
We knew going in the hotel is older but price and location was right- excellent friendly staff- location 1 block from Union Square can't beat- room on 14th floor was on small side- windows are very old so noise a bit of an issue but not bad- very little insulation or caulking to block out incoming air or noise in bathroom- no grab bar in shower- water pressure low-bed and pillows nice-no light in closet-room safe-room very clean-internet worked fine-nice tv-climate control works well- the lobby bar nice when it is not cold outside- only one automatic door between street and lobby and it is open a lot so cold in lobby bar- need a 2nd set of doors- restaurant off lobby nice as well-all in all though good value Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great Location, Needs Some TLC

Nov 11, 2019 maliace New York City, New York

First off, the building - especially the lobby - has loads of charm, and having a cocktail there was an absolute pleasure. The location is extremely convenient, both for pedestrians as well as those hopping on a trolley. I stayed in an older part of the hotel; while the rooms are small, they are bright, and the beds are comfortable. That said,… Read more
First off, the building - especially the lobby - has loads of charm, and having a cocktail there was an absolute pleasure. The location is extremely convenient, both for pedestrians as well as those hopping on a trolley. I stayed in an older part of the hotel; while the rooms are small, they are bright, and the beds are comfortable. That said, all of the furniture in my room (and the mattress on the bed) were oddly askew when I checked in, and there was no mini-fridge, despite there being a bar menu for one. The windows are painted shut but don’t provide much insulation - I was in the 9th floor and could hear people’s conversations on the street. The bathrooms are bright but tiny; the water pressure in the shower was so poor that I had to finish rinsing my hair in the sink. The food is passable - the Italian restaurant is fine for a quick bite with colleagues, but the room service burger somehow managed to be undercooked and burnt at the same time. Ultimately, this is the ultimate Kimpton property - the location is great, the staff is lovely, the food is fine, and the bathrooms leave something to be desired. I’d visit again, but might pay for a newer room. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Just OK

Nov 10, 2019 kikisd2018

The room is small, it is an old hotel. For the price I paid, the front desk staff not gracious. I had to have my key made 4x....no apologies....they acted like it was my fault. Has a seedy feel to it. Best thing is having Italian restaurant attached. I will not stay here again.