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Hilton Union Square Review

Kim Orlando

Updated

February 26, 2025

Balcony Suite view from Hilton San Francisco. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

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San Francisco is a city best explored on foot, and where you stay is important—especially for us women travelers who value both convenience and safety. Union Square has had its challenges, but I see change happening. With a new mayor leading a revitalization effort, this iconic San Francisco district is seeing a fresh wave of energy. From improved safety measures to new businesses opening their doors, Union Square is on the upswing, making the Hilton Union Square a solid, central home base for exploring the best of San Francisco.

Views, Views, Views

Daytime view of San Francisco from the 48th floor at Cityscape Bar & Lounge. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

The Hilton Union Square puts you right in the middle of San Francisco’s energy, and a short walk from Chinatown, the Ferry Building, great restaurants and public transportation.

That said, the hotel technically sits on the edge of the Tenderloin, an area known for its social challenges. As a woman traveling alone, I felt completely safe walking around Union Square during the day, but I was intentional about my routes. I avoided walking into the heart of the Tenderloin at night—something I’d recommend for any visitor. Instead, I stuck to well-lit, busy streets leading toward Market Street, Chinatown, and the Embarcadero. The hotel itself feels secure, with keycard access to elevators, security and a well-staffed lobby.

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Union Square district ambassadors, color coded by neighborhood. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

I was also encouraged to learn that San Francisco has created a multi-agency task force that combines the City’s law enforcement agencies and other City departments to respond to street conditions and crime in the Tenderloin and South of Market neighborhoods.

Unique Amenities You Won’t Find Elsewhere

Golden #Sunset cocktails @Cityscape @HiltonSFunionsquare overlooking San Francisco. Photo Credit: Kim Orlando

Beyond the location, the Hilton Union Square stands out with some fun and practical perks:

A Moët & Chandon Champagne Vending Machine – Yes, you read that right! If you love a little luxury, this bubbly-on-demand feature is a fun touch, perfect for celebrating a weekend getaway.
A 24-Hour Market – Whether you’re arriving late or just need a quick snack, the hotel’s market is stocked with fresh, prepared foods, drinks, and coffee.
Electric Bike Rentals – The $35 daily resort fee includes WIFI and a two-hour electric bike rental.
Tea kettle is available upon request
Food & Beverage Credit – That same $35 resort fee also credits back to food and drinks at the hotel, which helps offset costs.
- Tip: Hilton Gold members score an additional $18 resort credit for up to 2 people listed on a reservation.

Four women taking a selfie in front of windows overlooking the San Francisco skyline at sunset at Cityscape in the Hilton Union Square. — Amazing sunset and views of San Francisco at Cityscape. Photo credit: Sophia Orlando

Rooftop Views from Cityscape Lounge – On the 46th floor, this lounge offers panoramic views of San Francisco, making it a great spot for a drink at sunset.
Presidential suites have 2 levels.
Balcony Rooms have incredible jaw dropping city views
Lobby Activations: Hang a wish on the Wishing Tree, where guests can write their hopes and hang them on the illuminated branches to celebrate the Lunar New Year. “Poppy Lobby” from March through September. The lobby transforms with hundreds of vibrant flowers, celebrating the seasonal “blooming” of Union Square.
Direct line (via text) for any special requests or questions throughout your stay. It’s like having a personal concierge at your fingertips—no butler required.
Outdoor pool and jacuzzi (firepits coming soon!)

Balcony Suite

At times, there were three of us coming and going from the Balcony Suite at Hilton Union Square, and the extra space made all the difference. The pullout couch stayed intact for convenience, but we still had plenty of room to use the highboy table and fridge area. The real highlight? The balcony views. Day or night, rain or shine, the panoramic city skyline provided nonstop, gorgeous scenery.

With over 100 suites of this type, you’ll find all the expected amenities—hair dryer, safe, coffee maker, and toiletries (Crabtree & Evelyn—do they still exist?). Hilton is also great about providing forgotten essentials like a toothbrush, toothpaste, or even a razor if you need one.

Housekeeping is available upon request, and one small but thoughtful touch I appreciated? A QR code in the room for tipping—perfect for those of us who rarely carry cash.”**

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Dining at Hilton Union Square

Poach (Breakfast Only): The buffet is abundant and high-quality, but at $46 per person and no omelet station, it’s a bit pricey in my opinion. That said, using the resort credit helps offset the price.
Lobby Bar & Herb N’ Kitchen: For quick bites, baked goods, drinks and fruit without venturing far, these options are available all day. I can vouch for the vegan brat and my daughter liked the turkey club.
Cable 55, located in the Parc 55 hotel across from Hilton Union Square, offers modern American cuisine with a California twist—think fresh, locally inspired dishes and craft cocktails. Hilton guests can use their $35 daily resort fee credit here, making it a convenient and flavorful dining option.

The Hilton Union Square offers the best of both worlds—a prime location with easy access to San Francisco’s top sights and amenities that made my stay comfortable and convenient. I happily took advantage of the hotel’s fun extras—including a Champagne vending machine and resort fee perks.

Mother & Daughter selfie in San Francisco. Photo Credit: Kim Orlando

While well-meaning friends raised safety concerns about the Tenderloin’s proximity, my daughter and I found that staying aware and sticking to well-traveled spots made all the difference. With that in mind for any stay in an urban area, @HiltonSFUnionSquare is a definite recommend for women travelers looking for walkability, city views, and a touch of luxury.

Would I stay here again? Absolutely.

Kim Orlando

Kim Orlando, founder of SheBuysTravel, is a lifelong traveler, an entrepreneur and a sought-after social media and marketing consultant. She has made hundreds of appearances on TV and in digital and print media, sharing advice and tips built on decades of travel experiences. Hailing from the hills of Kentucky and taking her story to New York, Los Angeles, and beyond, Kim built an online platform, the original TravelingMom, that has reached millions of moms and empowered them to explore the world with their families. Today, TravelingMom has evolved into SheBuysTravel. Kim has been featured on “News Nation,” “Today,” “Good Morning America” and on numerous satellite media tours. She has contributed travel guidance to outlets including The Washington Post, Good Housekeeping, Forbes, the Wall Street Journal and more. (Read more about Kim’s media appearances here) Her travel mantra is simple: All travel counts. “You don’t have to go far. Leaving your home is travel,” Kim says. “Wherever you go, even just to the next town over, you can learn something new, see someone and something you haven’t seen before. “It’s good for the brain and good for the soul.” An epiphany in early parenthood started Kim on the journey that led to SheBuysTravel. She’d been a fan of a newsletter for women travelers, and she saw an opportunity. “I thought something like that for moms could be extraordinarily helpful,” she said. “I was traveling for work, traveling for fun, and I was looking for support.” That seed grew into the award-winning website TravelingMom, created as a resource for traveling families of all stripes. Today, TravelingMom has evolved into SheBuysTravel, with an expanded mission to serve women travelers at any stage of life. Millions of readers have visited the site for trip planning help, travel secrets, destination information and gear recommendations. What sets SheBuysTravel’s content apart, Kim says, is its foundation in real-world experience. “Our writers and editors have actually gone out there and done this stuff,” she says. “They’ve booked the flights, tried the tour, tested travel clothing, visited that new hot spot to see if it’s worth the hype. It’s all real.” Memorable Adventures A 2022 tour Kim guided to Bhutan was a particularly standout experience. “Bhutan sounds so exotic, of course,” she said. “But the part where my heart just glows and warms is thinking of the people we met – amazing women doing amazing things in Bhutan.” Their ranks included a former police officer whose ventures into food science helped mitigate food insecurity for residents of Bhutan’s highlands. Top Tips Planning for travel can be daunting, Kim acknowledges. “I always say: Go anyway. No trip is going to be perfect. There’s always going to be something you didn’t expect, something that doesn’t go the way you pictured or planned it. And that something is what’s going to make it a great trip.” And on a practical note: “Go early! Getting to the airport or hitting the road just an hour earlier relieves so much stress.” Kim’s Background Kim, a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management, holds degrees in finance and entrepreneurship and has deep experience in developing and running businesses. Her previous work includes developing and running communications workshops and overseeing document management for corporations. SheBuysTravel hits a sweet spot where Kim’s two loves of travel and entrepreneurship meet. “The longer I work in this field, I only want to do more,” she says. “I find the travel world so exciting – not just the trips, but the whole online world of travel. There are still so many opportunities.” The World Awaits “The ‘best trip ever’ probably won’t be the same for an empty-nester or mom of three versus a single woman celebrating a bachelorette party with her friends,” Kim says. “We want to keep it real for traveling women, no matter what their age, life stage, where they came from or where they’re going. “We want to inspire women to travel in any shape or form.” In her free time, Kim enjoys visiting her adult kids, creating trips and traveling with her BFFs to explore the world. Her most recent adventures can be found on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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