Sir Francis Drake Hotel - a Kimpton Hotel - San Francisco 37.78881, -122.40848

There are many more hotels in the surrounding area that would have been a better choice for us. We do not often speak badly about anyone or anything, but this hotel was very dissatisfying. This hotel is not recommended at all.

But it did work with reasonable speed. Kind of like NYC hotels; grand lobby, but very small rooms. Older hotel with poor soundproofing between rooms, at least in the 'towers' part of the hotel.

Go to SF on a regular basis. Often take the Powell--always curious/intrigued by the beefeaters outside the Francis Drake. Then I got a good price. The stay wasn't over the top but memorable. Ultra convenient location. Nice room. (Most rooms in SF are small.)

The rooms are a bit small and dated, but still very clean and comfy. I've found better deals on nicer places, but this was still very nice. The location is perfect and convenient to everything in SF. Its modest but I'd definitely stay here again.

Starbucks next door; friendly and attentive staff; great gym; fantastic restaurants; great location by Union Square.

We tried 3 different rooms before we were in one where the heating worked and items were not broken. This hotel is in a good location but needs some updating. The rooms and especially the bathrooms are very small. There are other hotels in the area which just as convenient and more roomy.

I love this Hotel and I have stayed many times - but this time was a nightmare! Double charged for parking at $92.00, room was excessively noisy and the doorman was obnoxious.

The hotel is a nice historic hotel. The location is fantastic. Located at Union Square, cable car right outside the door, a couple blocks from Market and lots of public transportation. Only had one issue. The room was missing the TV remote control. Requested the remote over two days to no avail. I finally made the request at the front desk and sat in the lobby until they provided it.

The Sir Francis Drake Hotel is within walking distance of fancy restaurants, great shopping, and the hottest nightclubs and bars! The beds at this hotel were really warm and cozy. This place is perfect for a romantic evening for two, or for a nice place to crash after club hopping!

Scalas Bistro was outstanding. Hotel location is right near Union Square and very convenient. Close to cable car line to Fisherman's Wharf.

The Sir Francis Drakeis a goo-excellent hotel in a great location. The rooms are a bit small and in need of a little attention. Excellent helpful staff.

My husband and I stayed at the hotel 25 yrs. ago for our anniversary. This hotel has aged but is as charming and mystical today as it was back then. Upon check in we were met with a gentlemen who graciously upgraded our room. Upon arrival to our "upgrade" we discovered that the two queens which we paid for were now two double beds. Traveling with three adults, we needed two queen beds and had to change rooms. After a bit of shopping, we returned to a new room, with an equally impressive view of the city. Twenty five years ago my husband and I stayed at the Drake, during our stay the hotel was going through renovations and with the heat of the day, many days there was no air conditioning so with open windows we experienced the city's sights and sounds. This past weekend, there was labor unrest at a neighboring property. Once again, we enjoyed the sights and sounds of the bustling city as it prepared for the upcoming holidays.

The entry is fabulous and the staff are friendly. The hallway on the floor i stayed on smelled like old cigarettes which was unfortunately but my room was immaculate and comfortable (and best of all without cigarette stench). Ideal location for getting around

The first room was bad. Looked out the window and there was an AC unit looking back at me. Also the elevator was right next to the room. They did move me to another room, but charged me the same for a less room. Not happy with that. Overall, it was a good stay.

Nice furnishings and comfortable beds. My room needed some attention to chipping paint and dirty grout in bathtub area. Bathroom mirror was wierd - super low and had you looking at your chest. Had to bend down to see your face. Toilet ran if you did not reset the tank each time you flushed it. Overall, the room was ok for the price but with a little maintenance could have been a better experience. Location is great. Scala's restaraunt is a must miss. Horrible service and food is mediocre at best. Penthouse lounge was fun in a cheesy way.

First off, the Sir Francis Drake is in a great spot near Union Square and near all the high-end department stores and great restaurants and within walking distance of the metro, bart & street/cable car stops. The hotel itself is an old-world style in the mold of a European hotel but very sophisticated and well maintained. The rooms are a little small, but clean. I would recommend this hotel if you aren't wanting to spend $200+ per night for some of the surrounding hotels, but if you can, then I would. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars

We stayed for one night. The rooms are small, more European-sized, but very comfortable. Location is excellent.

From the doorman to the lobby, elevators and rooms you get an old world feel. I liked the uniqueness. The staff were friendly.

We stayed at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel a few weeks ago and had a great time. The rooms aren't very big but we really did not spend much time in our room. The location was excellent and the restaurant Scala's was very good. We would definitely stay there again. Jackie

room was small, but that's san francisco. rate was high, but that's san francisco. compared to others value was good and can't beat location.

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Problems: 1. This hotel offers services I would take advantage of, but they do not have an adequate way of making you aware of them until it's too late. 2. When asked upon checkout if everything was ok, I replied that we were never able to make the wifi work and never received call-back to phone inquiries. I was given a shrug and 'don't know why' response. Obvious lack of training or lack of concern. 3. Tub was in very poor condition. It looked so bad it was unsettling to get into it either for a shower or bath. If new tubs are out of the question, tub refinishing is very simple and relatively low cost. -Seems strange a hotel of this apparent sophistication would have such problems in these areas. Good points: We were there for a getaway and the location was excellent for doing the things we were there to do. Ruby Skye night club a block away, SFMOMA a short walk, Farmer's Market within walking distance...Scala restaurant was very good. Room was perfectly clean. Bed was very comfortable.

Parking is an additional 30% on top of the room rate ... watch for it!!!!!!!!!!

To start,the valet was unhelpful and the most expensive I have ever used. Upon entering the room, it was clear that no maid had visited; the front desk was very resistant to sending a maid up to have it taken care of. Also, I hope you aren't planning on using the internet because the advertised free wifi, well, isn't free at all. Oh, and if you plan on showering, better bring your own shampoo; none is provided. Don't plan on your in-room checkout working either. Upon checking out in the lobby, I was received by an unhelpful clerk who refused to ask me how my stay was. My answer would have been "A thoroughly bad experience."

I booked Deluxe King Room but none were available. Top sheet had holes in it so they could use some new bedding. The room didn't have any wine glasses and it took almost an act of congress to get two. And we're in the Wine Country! Staff is extremely friendly and accomodating with their words, but they need to follow up with better service.

The view from our room was quite spectacular - we overlooked Union Square. Unfortunately, the hotel staff overlooked a few things as well. Our bathroom was without bathrobes, bath mat or non-slip mat in the tub. To paraphrase "The Magnificent Seven", I have stayed in hotels where the coffee wasn't very good; I have stayed in hotels where the coffee was pretty awful, but this was the first hotel where there was no coffee available at all! That supplied in the lobby was removed at 7:00 a.m., and I was advised that I could buy coffee in their restaurant or at the nearby Starbucks. Alternatively, I could ask for room service to send up a coffee maker. Their intriguing 'Conservation' initiative - ostensibly to cut down on unnecessary linen replacement, actually meant a $5 voucher in exchange for not having the room serviced at all. Finally, the concierge offered a car rental service which cost only slightly more than twice the going Alomo rate.

Great location. Room showing some wear and a bit dated. Parking very expensive.

VERY VERY NOISY!! We were on the 9th floor and it sounded like we were in the middle of the freeway. There was a homeless man sleeping in the hallway. The rooms were in need of repair--wall paper torn, very very small bathroom (only one person can fit at a time). DO NOT STAY AT THIS HOTEL!

This stylish hotel is at Union Square in the heart of San Francisco. Our room was in the older section of the hotel. It was small but well appointed and offered a great view of the city. I can only imagine how nice the larger newer rooms could be. There was hustle and bustle of the city immediately outside the hotel, but our room remained snug and quiet. This is a great hotel, great location and exceptional value. I am anxious to return.

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Room was small but comfortable. Hotel is close to everything and on the cable-car route which made getting around the city very easy. Plenty of restaurants nearby and minutes from Fishermans Wharf. Starlight room gets busy on Wednesday nights but if you dont get in,the bar in the hotel lobby makes excellent drinks.

Our family enjoyed our stay at the Sir Francis Drake during our recent visit. The hotel greeters with their bright red regal attire were delightful and eager to assist. The decor and architecture of the lobby and mezzanine are elegant and classical. As an older hotel, our room was smaller than we would have preferred, but clean and tasteful. The hotel's parking fee for two nights was excessive beyond reason.

The staff was wonderful! I was plugging in my cell phone charger and the outlet arched and shocked me. I reported this to the front dest and they moved us to a JR suite and offered us a discount on our dinner at Scalas. A total surprise as I was not expecting that at all and was only informing them as it was a fire hazard. They were attentive and kind. I would go back.

greatly enjoyed our stay, staff helpful and friendly, hotel beautiful, restaurant food delicious and well priced

A great place to stay! would go back. don´t forgett to visit the skybar on the 21 st floor

Lovely, elegant hotel which has a very central location for shops and hopping on and off trolleys.

We stayed at Sir Francis Drake for a weekend trip and I absolutely loved the location. The hotel is situated in Union Square, which is filled with places to shop and dine. Being central, the price for transportation (cab,trolley,etc.) to nearby theaters, North Beach, and Fisherman's Wharf is minimal. Although the hotel was a bit old, the staff was friendly and accomodating. I requested a room with a view and was not disappointed. I had a view of the Bay Bridge and Union Square. My only complaint was that the bathroom door would not shut completely, leaving no privacy. The Starlite Room was a convenient treat for my party. Live music and well made drinks(expensive)made the night a blast. And we never had to leave the hotel! Overall, it was a good experience and would recommend it.

Nice hotel, Decorated to pre war era within the main lobby area. Rooms clean and housekeeping calls everyday. cannot fault the staff in anyway. Room decor could do with a little TLC though. Location excellent for getting around the rest of the city. Parking a little expensive at $52 per night inc Tax if you are staying for more than a few days. I parked the car at another hotel just down the road for half the price.

it was okay and room to sleep.

Rooms are very small and we were in a corner and couldn't get wireless service in our room; had to go to lobby to get internet.

The room was so small I can't see two people staying in it comfortably.

The Sir Francis Drake is a wonderful old hotel. Service and atmosphere are great, but because it is an older hotel the rooms tend to be small and the bathrooms are tiny. But in San Francisco you don't spend much time in the room and the location more than makes up for the lack of space.

Hotel and Location are terrific! Unfortunately the front desk is woefully understaffed - lines every day for 5 days, phones ring and ring - no coffee in room or lotion - odd for a Kimpton I thought.

The hotel was great. The location was in a great location in the middle of the city cab ride away form most evrything. The only disappoinment was we asked for two king beds and we got one and a roll away.... But they gave us free breakfast for the inconvience . I would reccommend this hotel to friends and family... Plus we got an amazing price !!!!!

I was very satisfied with my hotel experience at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco. As a single traveler, I felt safe and secure. I enjoyed the ambience of the hotel and its great accessiblity to major attractions in the city. I cannot stress enough the convenience of the Drake. Any request(s) that I made with reference to service was promptly provided. My hotel room was comfortable, pleasant and free from any noise. I rested very well. If I happened to be a bit slow exiting my room in the morning, housekeeping was considerate of my timing and waited util I left the room in order for them to clean. The only thing that I wished for was a bathroom bar to steady myself while showering or bathing. I will make a special request for this equipment when I travel in the future. The concierge's service was particularly efficient and helpful. Paige, Sylvia and Karen made things happen for the hotel guests. Let me also mention Tyler who was such a great ambassador long before I arrived at the hotel. I appreciate his professionalism and courtesy. Since my stay at the hotel was for 8 days and 7 nights, I would have enjoyed a special 30 minutes for the hotel to set aside a mix and mingle time with other guests who might have desired to attend. Guests represented many countries with vast experiences and this would have been a highlight. Challenging but doable. There is no question that I will recommend the Sir Francis Drake to my family and family who travel to San Franciso. All the best for exceeding excellence in service at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel.

Beautiful Hotel The Location was perfect Everyone one was especially friendly

This hotel is well placed to see the sites of San Francisco, however our experience was disappointing. Our paid for room was resold as we were in after mid-night our flight having been delayed, so beware. We asked twice for more pillows, only had a small one each, and twice for shampoo but nothing arrived. We came back from a busy day to find our key cards did not open the hotel room and had to go back down to reception. There are NO coffee/tea making faciliities in the room, Starbucks is next door but expensive. It is a very lively hotel people get moving to go out early. Our room was next to the elevator which was noisy and staff walking around at 6am using walkie-talkies didn't help. Our room on the 3rd floor did not have any view at all. The interior of this hotel is impressive but needed a really good spring clean it looked dull, if location is important to you this hotel is good, if a four star hotel is what you want I would say look around before booking.

We weren't overwhelmingly in love with this hotel but did like it a lot. Rooms are a tad small and bathrooms are almost painfully small, but everything was clean and quiet. Great location (Union Square). Fun bar downstairs but I was surprised by the numerous small children running around because it doesn't seem like a kid-friendly place (guess it is?). Hotel has a fun personality, which is suitable to San Fran for sure. Some of the other reviews had said this neighborhood was iffy but we didn't think so-- it's FULL of tourists, but not sketchy in the least, we thought.