Overall, this hotel is just OK. The location for meetings in the area is good. The hotel has a nice Westin Lounge (needs better Friday/wknd hours). Comfortable bed/pillows, so its good for sleeping. The biggest issue is the neighborhood the hotel is in is NOT nice, and the hotel feels very old.
Stayed here for three nights in mid-October 2026 for business meetings in the area. I reserved a king room in the Tower Building. The hotel is located directly on Union Square, with plenty of high-end and designer shopping nearby.
Positives:
● Historic hotel with plenty of character. The Westin St. Francis is a large, historic property right on Union Square. The lobby has a classic early-1900s feel that gives the hotel some charm. Check-in was relatively easy, and the front desk associate was helpful in explaining the hotel amenities, dining options, and hours.
● Comfortable, well-sized room. The room was a decent size, with enough space and furniture to make it comfortable for a business stay.
● The Heavenly Bed delivers. Westin continues to set the standard when it comes to comfortable beds and pillows. No complaints here.
● Good gym and excellent running options. The hotel has a good fitness center with plenty of exercise equipment. It’s also a convenient starting point for a morning run down Market Street to the Embarcadero. The waterfront route is relatively flat, scenic, and easy to extend to 7+ miles. You can run along the Embarcadero toward Oracle Park and Fisherman’s Wharf, with plenty of people out walking, running, and biking.
● Very nice Westin Club Lounge. The lounge was a highlight, with a solid breakfast spread that included fruit, cereal, eggs, bacon, oatmeal, and yogurt. There was also plenty of seating, so finding an open table wasn’t an issue.
● Lively lobby bar. The lobby bar and lounge had a great atmosphere in the evenings. It was busy, with a good vibe and a nice setting for a classic cocktail.
Negatives:
● The hotel is showing its age. The historic character is part of the appeal, but there’s a difference between old-world charm and a property that feels dated. Some areas could use an update.
● The surrounding neighborhood is a concern. While Union Square itself is convenient, the area a few blocks west of the hotel was noticeably rough. There were many homeless people, and some streets felt deserted and uncomfortable. At times, walking around the neighborhood didn’t feel particularly safe. This was probably my biggest downside to the stay.
● The bathroom needs an upgrade. My bathroom was dated, and the tub/shower combination was awkward to get in and out of. More concerning, the tub floor was extremely slippery, as was the bathroom floor. Definitely use the bathmat. This is an area where the hotel should make improvements, both for comfort and safety.
● No bottled water in the room. A small thing, perhaps, but not having any water provided felt a bit skimpy for a hotel charging more than $500 per night.
● Westin Club hours could be better. Although the Club Lounge itself is very nice, the Friday hours were disappointing. It would be great if the lounge remained open beyond breakfast, particularly for business travelers who might appreciate a quieter place to work, grab a snack, or enjoy a beverage during the day.
Overall:
The Westin St. Francis is an OK hotel with some definite positives, but it falls short in a few important areas. The location is convenient for business meetings around Union Square, the bed and pillows are excellent, the fitness center is good, and the Club Lounge is a nice perk.
However, the property feels dated, the bathroom needs attention, and the surrounding neighborhood is a significant drawback. For a hotel charging more than $500 per night, I’d expect a little more in terms of room condition and overall experience.
Bottom line: A decent option if you need to stay near Union Square, with comfortable beds and a nice Club Lounge. However, the dated rooms and surrounding neighborhood make it difficult to give this hotel a stronger recommendation.
