Sir Francis Drake Union Square Hotel Review

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Sir Francis Drake Review

San Francisco

450 Powell Street @ Sutter - Union Square Area 417 Rooms

Our editors stayed at the Drake in Fall 2001: Before entering the hotel, you are greeted by valets dressed as historic Beefeaters. The Sir Francis Drake welcomes visitors in its grand lobby. The lobby is very attractive, ornate and welcoming with its over sized cushy seats and incredible chandeliers. The décor is modern though it brings the historic aspect of the hotel. The hotel receptionist was friendly and efficient.

Reader Reviews and Detailed Drake Interior Room Photos!

Our room was fitted with a queen size bed that was quite comfortable. Though the bright and colorful décor fit in well in the room, the room itself was rather small. There really wasn’t much room to walk by the foot of the bed. Though the room was on the small side, it had all the amenities we needed. In one corner, there was a cubby for the TV and some drawers underneath it. On the opposite corner was a desk with a table lamp and chair. On the desk is a book of Historical Hotels since Sir Francis Drake is considered to be a Historic Hotel dating back in the 1928. Needless to say, it has been remodeled since. On the wall by the desk is a large round mirror. The windows for the room were extremely dirty, even by liberal standards (September 2001). A window cleaning is highly needed for this hotel. The heater for the room is just below the window and can be controlled for the room individually. Like many city hotels, street noise is a issue for this hotel in the Union Square location. The older non-double-pane windows transmit sound more easily. Our room faced a tall hotel across the way, which could not be seen above or around. It was possible to view other rooms in the hotel across the street from our window.

The bathroom was decorated in black and white and not very spacious either. There is such lack in space that the towel rack/holder was located on the wall inside the tub on the opposite end of the shower head. The bathroom features historic tile work and toilet / sink fixtures that are vintage for the period, but work great. The bathroom’s vintage plumbing fixtures give a really historic feel.

Next door to the hotel is a café owned by Sir Francis Drake. We enjoyed our mocha and coffee along with scones. The café offered breakfast items such as cereal, oatmeal, granola, yogurt, muffins, scones, sticky buns, and bagels. Though the particular morning we visited, they were out of sticky buns and the oatmeal. The café also offers lunch. You can choose from a variety of sandwiches.

Sir Francis Drake also offers valet parking for $31 a day. One might want to consider this since it is a very hectic area and parking is difficult. I would suggest that once your car is parked, leave it parked and take public transportation or cab to get around. Of course, the other option is don’t rent a car if you don’t plan on leaving the city. Public transportation is easily available to get around town though the Sir Francis Drake is located in the heart of downtown.

For a historical hotel in the heart of shopping, the Sir Francis Drake is a nice, if somewhat expensive choice. Depending on your room rate, this hotel can give a very central location and a historic vintage feel for your visit.

While hotel prices fluctuate rapidly -- for June 1-5, 2003 -- prices quoted ranged from $170-$360 with a median price quote of $240.

Reader Reviews and Detailed Drake Interior Room Photos!