,url-https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripexpert.com%2Fimages%2Fmarker-fade%402x.png(-122.41116,37.7868)/-122.40975011140108,37.78791790185938,15.17548889370907/1280x214@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoidHJpcGV4cGVydHdlYiIsImEiOiJja2Fud3l2MDcwbXZ0MndyeGF3eGI3ZWhzIn0.zLqNa1RECyZZadF8zfQM5w)
Beacon Grand, A Union Square HotelvsThe Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco
Both properties are recommended by expert reviewers. On balance, Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel is preferred by most professionals compared to Clift Hotel San Francisco. Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel has a TripExpert Score of 87 with recommendations from 16 publications such as The Telegraph, Gayot and Oyster.
Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel
Rough Guide
Michelin Guide
Frommer's
Fodor's
Insight Guides
DK Eyewitness
Time Out
Star Service
Gayot
BlackBook Show All Reviews
450 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA
From $175/night
- Pet Friendly
- Bar/Lounge
- Free Internet
- Room Service
- Laundry Service
- Concierge
Rough Guide "The Sir Francis Drake’s lobby is a hallucinogenic evocation of all things heraldic... the Sir Francis Drake’s lobby is a hallucinogenic evocation of all things heraldic."
Michelin Guide "This San Francisco landmark is all prince and no pauper."
Frommer's "This landmark hotel is one of San Francisco's grand dames, operating continuously since 1928 in the heart of Union Square." Full review
Fodor's "The renovation was just what this ole gal needed, injecting her with new life and energy." Full review
Insight Guides "A $20-million renovation has recast guestrooms in a lovely sage green, cream, and plum color scheme."
DK Eyewitness "A long-established Union Square hotel, the Sir Francis Drake glows in Art Deco splendor."
Time Out "n its prestigious Powell Street perch just above Union Square, the venerable Sir Francis Drake Hotel, built in 1928, has something to offer just about everyone." Full review
Star Service "This is a colorful San Francisco treat with a reputation as one of the more interesting and engaging boutique-style hotels." Full review
Gayot "Now under the Kimpton Hotels umbrella, this property is one of San Francisco's better-known landmark hotels."
BlackBook "Lavish European rococo swathed in rich royal colors in lobby of 1928 gem. Old-school ambience at a reasonable rack rate."
The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco Rough Guide Michelin Guide Frommer's Fodor's
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure DK Eyewitness Time Out Star Service Gayot Show All Reviews
495 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA
From $169/night
- Pet Friendly
- Bar/Lounge
- Free Internet
- Laundry Service
- Concierge
- Restaurant
Rough Guide "The epitome of swish sophistication... Pricey, ultra-cool and almost disarmingly self-aware."
Michelin Guide "Irreverent, unexpected, and surreal, its mind-bending and modern design is a little bit Alice in Wonderland and a whole lot of cool."
Frommer's "Young trendsetters now flock here for overpriced monochrome lavender streamlined rooms with often-minuscule bathrooms, glamorous atmosphere, and a heavy dose of attitude." Full review
Fodor's "The entrance is so nondescript here, you could walk right past it without a hint of what's inside, and that's exactly how the clientle—a mix of hipsters, music-industry types, and celebrities—like it." Full review
i
Some visitors have remarked on the thin walls and advise booking a room on an upper-level floor to avoid street noise.
Lonely Planet "While the Clift is deliciously notorious for its penthouse parties, tough design critics might find that some rooms are too cramped for sleigh beds, and some cabinets might've been bought at IKEA."
Travel + Leisure "A dimly lit lobby littered with art furniture, lavender-hued corridors, and guest rooms done in restful beiges, grays, and more lavender." Full review
DK Eyewitness "The dramatic Clift is a striking example of modern design, with a lobby created by Phillippe Starck."
Time Out "This Schrager-Starck property is still the hippest hotel in town, and doesn't it know it." Full review
Star Service "Located in the heart of the city and next to the Curran Theater, across the street from Marriott's Hotel Adagio, this hotel may bear a name closely associated with San Francisco's old..." Full review
Gayot "Once the most traditional of San Francisco's grand hotels, this historic building was remodeled in 2001 by avant-garde designers Philippe Starck and Ian Schraeger."
