Item: The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square
Rating: 7.8
Author: Caroline Tremblay

The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square – Booking

This historic building, one of the city’s great landmarks, is part of the Marriott Bonvoy hotel chain. It has played host to the world’s greatest celebrities and politicians over the past 120 years.

For a basic room, The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square costs between 160 and 400 USD per night, depending on the time of year or events. Alternatively, it can be accessed through points ranging from 44,000 to 66,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

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However, like the San Francisco Marriott Union Square visited the day before, it has a »destination charge » of USD 25 per night, added to the basic cost of the room.

It includes:

$ 25 food and beverage credit per day at the hotel’s 3 restaurants and on room service
High-speed Internet
2 one-way tickets for a single trip in a cable car
2 reusable stainless steel bottles (once per stay)
2 X 1 hour self-service bike rental (once per stay)
A signature cocktail a day at the Clock Bar

Since I could benefit from it, I resigned myself to paying for it.

Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points

If you’re looking to earn Marriott Bonvoy points to stay free at over 8,000 hotels worldwide, the best way is to be a Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card (and/or Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Cardmember).

In addition to the exceptional welcome bonus of each of these two cards, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all your purchases and 5 points per dollar at any of the Marriott establishments. On top of that, every year, you’ll receive a free hotel night certificate (worth 35,000 points) and 15 Elite Night Credits toward your Marriott Bonvoy status.

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Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card

American Express Marriott Bonvoy

Annual fee: $120
Our valuation: $990Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.; Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer: Up to 110,000 points; Ends Sep 22, 2026

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on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points with the current offer:

Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

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American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Annual fee

Primary card$120

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0

Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437

2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $500

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $500

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square – At a glance

Here is some information about the hotel:

Date of opening (or renovation)	1904	Number of rooms	1 254
Restaurants	Three	USB sockets in the room	Yes
Accepts animals	Yes	Smart TV	Yes
Mobile card	Yes	Shower/Bath	Shower
Balcony	No	Accessible for people with reduced mobility	Yes
Parking	$ 75 USD / day	Lounge	No
Gym	Yes	Breakfast included	No
Pools and Spas	No	Room with kitchenette	No

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The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square – Location

The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square is located in downtown San Francisco, within walking distance of :

Powell metro station
Several popular department stores (Macy’s, Apple Store, Saks Fifth Avenue, Williams Sonoma, etc.)
From the Powell/Hyde cable car line, which runs directly across the street
From a Hop On Hop Off bus stop
Westfield San Francisco Centre
As well as multiple Starbucks

Fisherman’s Wharf is a 12-minute drive away. Also, tickets (« donated » thanks to the destination fee) can be taken by the hotel for a ride on a Cable Car, to avoid climbing the city’s hills.

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For more information on what to do there, see our San Francisco travel guide :

The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square – Check-in

On this chilly spring day, the entrance to St.Francis was in full bloom. The awning overlooking the street was filled with multicolored artificial flowers and set the tone.

Inside, several impressive artificial pink apple trees were arranged in all four corners. In the center, a huge table with real flowers in different colors provided the perfect backdrop for selfies.

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Check-in was efficient and the receptionist took the time to list the hotel’s various options.

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Over the years, the Westin St.Francis San Francisco on Union Square has grown and sections have been added.

My room was located in the rear part of the Tower. Another part is located further forward, overlooking Union Square.

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The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square – Room

My room was standard.

It had 2 double beds, a desk, TV, mini-refrigerator and armchair.

A huge wardrobe contained two bathrobes.

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The gray-veined white marble bathroom was large, with a shower bath and a large vanity.

The toilet was less standard, reminiscent of what you’d find in public places.

The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square – Restaurants

Several catering options are available, depending on the time of day:

The Oak Room: refined American cuisine in a cozy setting. Open daily from 06:30 to 11:30 for breakfast only.
Cafe Rito: Open-plan counter for a quick, healthy meal, opposite reception. It’s open every day between 06:30 and 11:30 for breakfast and lunch, then dinner between 11:30 and 22:00.
Clock Bar is open from 4pm to midnight. Its atmosphere and décor recall the hotel’s early years.

The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square – Other services

The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square – Swimming pool

There is no swimming pool at The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square.

The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square – Lounge

There is no lounge at the Westin St.Francis San Francisco on Union Square. Breakfast is served at The Oak Room restaurant daily between 06:30 and 11:30.

Elite Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador members and their guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast. It consists of a hearty continental buffet.

The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square – Gym

The fitness room is a good size and filled with large mirrors on the walls, giving the illusion of a much larger room than it actually is.

The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square – My overall impression

As in other historic hotels built a long time ago, The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square has poor soundproofing and plumbing.

What’s more, during my stay, the hotel was packed with Bay to Breakers runners and wedding guests. The overcrowded elevators were very slow and stopped at every floor, so you had to get to know other guests as you went up and down.

On the other hand, its excellent customer service, historical character, elegance and proximity to everything make it a good hotel. As soon as you enter the hotel, you feel like you’re in another era.