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Beacon Grand, A Union Square HotelvsHotel Emblem San Francisco

Both properties are rated very highly by expert writers. On balance, Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel is the choice of most writers compared to Hotel Rex San Francisco. Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel comes in at 87 with praise from 16 publications including Zagat, Insight Guides and Condé Nast Traveler.

Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel
8/10
450 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA
From $175/night
  • Pet Friendly
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Free Internet
  • Room Service
  • Laundry Service
  • Concierge
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Rough Guide 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 Michelin Guide
"This San Francisco landmark is all prince and no pauper."
Frommer's 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 Fodor's
"The renovation was just what this ole gal needed, injecting her with new life and energy." Full review
Insight Guides Insight Guides
"A $20-million renovation has recast guestrooms in a lovely sage green, cream, and plum color scheme."
DK Eyewitness DK Eyewitness
"A long-established Union Square hotel, the Sir Francis Drake glows in Art Deco splendor."
Time Out 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 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 Gayot
"Now under the Kimpton Hotels umbrella, this property is one of San Francisco'€™s better-known landmark hotels."
BlackBook BlackBook
"Lavish European rococo swathed in rich royal colors in lobby of 1928 gem. Old-school ambience at a reasonable rack rate."
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Hotel Emblem San Francisco
8/10
562 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA
From $152/night
  • Pet Friendly
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Free Internet
  • Room Service
  • Laundry Service
  • Concierge
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Rough Guide Rough Guide
"It’s retained its retro, gentlemen’s club feel and literary theme."
Michelin Guide Michelin Guide
"If you've ever found yourself wishing you could have just one night with Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, or F. Scott Fitzgerald, the Rex is for you."
Frommer's Frommer's
"Joie de Vivre (JDV), the most creative hotel group in the city, is the brains behind this cleverly restored historic building... In a great location." Full review
Fodor's Fodor's
"At this stylish, literary-themed hotel... paintings and shelves of antiquarian books line the "library," a homey lobby lounge where book readings and roundtable discussions take place." Full review
DK Eyewitness DK Eyewitness
"This pleasant hotel has with rooms painted in rich colors and the walls embellished with the works of local artists."
Star Service Star Service
"This is San Francisco's hip-pocket version of New York's Algonquin, an unpretentious outpost with a literary lilt and lots of authentic Bohemian patina." Full review
Gayot Gayot
"Literati, take note. Modeled after New York's famous Algonquin, this salon-style hotel from Joie de Vivre gets its inspiration from literary salons of the 1920s and '30s."
BlackBook BlackBook
"Based on literary salons of mid-20th century and modeled after New York’s Algonquin, complete with jazz artists in the lobby lounge every Friday evening."
Zagat Zagat
3.8
"Taking a page from 1920s literary salons, this "charmingly" vintage Downtown boutique is known for "lovely", "eccentric" touches."
Lonely Planet Lonely Planet
"Despite their compact size, rooms feel inviting for their sunny colors, hand-painted lampshades and works by local artists." Full review
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