Westin St. Francis San Francisco Hotel Review

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Capping off a weeklong road trip along California’s Pacific Coast Highway, my childhood friend Dana and I stayed at the historic Westin St. Francis San Francisco Hotel. As a California native, I’m familiar with San Francisco and booked this hotel for its plush amenities, private parking and location in the heart of San Francisco. A few years ago, I stayed here with my mom and daughter and we enjoyed the proximity to shops, restaurants and area attractions.

I recommend this historic hotel to anyone who enjoys a bit of pampering while visiting San Francisco.

Editor’s note: The writer was hosted

SheBuysTravel Tip: The hotel’s location directly on Union Square provides easy access to San Francisco’s famous cable cars. The cable cars are a fun way to reach Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghirardelli Square.

Westin St. Francis San Francisco Hotel Overview

San Francisco Union Square — View of Union Square from our room at the Westin St. Francis San Francisco Hotel. Photo credit: Mimi Slawoff

The stately Westin St. Francis, renowned as the Grand Dame of San Francisco’s Union Square, is fancy but not stuffy. Dating to 1904, the hotel’s original Beaux-Arts-style architecture blends seamlessly with a contemporary design evoking laid-back elegance.

Stay here for an A-list experience. The hotel has hosted countless royalty, celebrities and politicians over the years, including Queen Elizabeth II, Ernest Hemingway and several US presidents.

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SheBuysTravel Tip: If you’re driving into the city, valet parking is worth the cost. As two women traveling alone, Dana and I appreciated the hotel’s valet parking. It was convenient and provided a level of safety.

Westin St. Francis San Francisco Hotel Highlights

Stephen Curry's The Eight Rule bourbon bar — Stephen Curry’s The Eight Rule bourbon bar recently debuted at the Westin St. Francis. Photo credit: Mimi Slawoff

Westin St. Francis is the only hotel directly on Union Square. The city’s best shopping, theatre, nightlife and dining options are just steps away.
Short walk to popular neighborhoods like Chinatown and North Beach.
Westin WORKOUT Fitness Studio encompasses 6,000 square feet.
Accommodations are located in the Tower and Landmark Buildings and include 1,189 guest rooms and luxury suites.
Dining options range from in-room dining to casual and upscale restaurants.
The onsite St. Francis Museum showcases the hotel’s rich history.

Are you ready to explore off the beaten path? Let us inspire you!

Hotel Amenities

Complimentary WiFi
Same Day Dry Cleaning
On-Site Laundry

Guest Rooms and Luxury Suites

Westin St. Francis San Francisco Hotel guest room — Deluxe double room at the Westin St. Francis San Francisco Hotel. Photo credit: Mimi Slawoff

Guestrooms and suites are situated in the contemporary Tower and historic Landmark Buildings. During our visit, we stayed in a chic double room in the Landmark Building with a view of Union Square. It’s the hotel’s original building and features guestrooms with crown molding, crystal chandeliers and high ceilings. All guestrooms have writing desks, Westin Heavenly® Beds and 50-inch flat screen Smart TVs.

I know I can count on a good night’s rest on these Westin beds and I love the tiny lavender oil bottles on the bedside. I just dab a little on my wrists to help drift off into dreamland.

Renovated Luxury Suites

Westin St. Francis San Francisco Windsor Suite. Photo credit: Westin St. Francis San Francisco Hotel

The Westin St. Francis San Francisco’s six luxury suites are located on the 31st floor of the 32-floor Tower Building. Each suite features a distinctive color palette inspired by the aesthetics and colors of the Bay Area.

Although we didn’t stay in a suite, we took a tour as part of this hotel review. The Bridgeview, Pacific, Bayview, Golden Gate and Union Square Suites are named for their impressive views, while the 1,900-square-foot Windsor Suite commemorates the time when Queen Elizabeth stayed there in 1983.

SheBuysTravel Tip: If you’re traveling with a group, consider booking a suite for more space and privacy.

Dining at Westin St. Francis San Francisco

Westin St. Francis offers an array of unique dining experiences, including two recent additions in October 2025.

Bourbon Steak San Francisco

The newly opened Westin St. Francis San Francisco Bourbon Steak restaurant. Photo credit: Mimi Slawoff

James Beard award-winning chef and restaurateur Michael Mina and The Mina Group (a collection of over 25 chef-driven concepts) opened a sophisticated restaurant that features steak, seafood and signature tableside presentations. The Bourbon Lounge provides a comfortable place to enjoy cocktails while waiting to snag one of the coveted 40 seats in The Eight Rule, a few steps away.

The Eighth Rule

Adjacent to Bourbon Steak San Francisco, Stephen Curry’s bourbon bar offers an intimate space to gather for drinks and conversation.

Café Rito

This casual lunch and dinner spot offers Wagyu Burger, Mary’s Roasted Chicken, St. Francis Seafood Cioppino, pizza, handmade pasta, Italian coffee, fresh pastries and breakfast entrees.

Club Lounge

Dana and I had a lovely buffet breakfast here. Open to Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador Marriott Bonvoy members (plus one guest), the Club Lounge offers complimentary breakfast, house-made pastries, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and non-alcoholic drinks. Wine and beer are available for purchase.

SheBuysTravel Tip: If you enjoy wine, there’s an opportunity to taste and purchase wine at the Chateau Montelena Tasting Room.

The Westin St. Francis Museum

This museum may be small, but it’s filled with artifacts and exhibits that chronicle the hotel’s storied history. The most unique item is the historic coin washing machine. It was relocated from the hotel’s basement to the museum in 2024 to commemorate the 120th anniversary. Introduced in 1939, the coin washing machine preserved the cleanliness of ladies’ white gloves.

Other museum highlights include artifacts and photos of distinguished guests and of the hotel before and after the 1906 earthquake. Museum admission is free.

Westin St. Francis Hotel and Parking Information

Staircase from Bourbon Steak Lounge to Bourbon Steak restaurant. Photo credit: Mimi Slawoff

Check-in/check-out time at The Westin St. Francis San Francisco Hotel: Check-in at 4 pm/check-out by 11 am.
Daily destination fee: $35 + tax for all applicable reservations. It includes $20 daily Food and Beverage credit, a daily $10 Uber Voucher for Uber Eats or Uber Rides and daily enhanced high-speed internet access. Included once during your stay: 2 Dynamic Reusable Water Bottles and Bike Rental for up to two guests.
Dog friendly: One dog per room, 40 pounds or less. No other pets permitted.
Valet parking: Daily $78. Overnight Guest Parking $88.92 for regular-sized vehicles and $106.02 for oversize vehicles, tax included. Electric Car Charging Station.