Review: San Francisco Marriott Union Square
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San Francisco Marriott Union Square – Booking
The San Francisco Marriott Union Square hotel is located in the heart of downtown San Francisco. I had stayed there a few years ago and for this other visit to San Francisco, I went back.
The San Francisco Marriott Union Square costs between 170 and 400 USD per night, depending on the time of year or events. Otherwise, it’s accessible via points, at a cost ranging from 41,000 to 65,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
A few days before my arrival, I received an email with all the details and options available at the hotel.
Unfortunately, as is the case with many hotels in the city, a “destination fee” of 25 USD per night is required, which is added to the cost of the room.
This fee includes :
- $25 credit per day for food and beverages at the hotel’s two restaurants
- High-speed Internet
- Two one-way tickets for one cable car trip
- Two reusable bottles (once per stay)
- 2 X 1 hour self-service bike rental (once per stay)
- For Marriott Bonvoy Elite members: One mocktail per day at the Bin480 restaurant between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
This fee was not charged when I came here a few years ago. Since I could get some benefit from it, I resigned myself to paying for it.
Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points
The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at over 8,000 hotels worldwide is to have the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card (and/or the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card).
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.
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply 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”).
San Francisco Marriott Union Square – At a glance
Here is some information about the hotel:
| Date of opening (or renovation) | 1987 | Number of rooms | 329 |
| Restaurants | Two | USB sockets in the room | Yes |
| Accepts animals | No. Service dogs only | Smart TV | Yes |
| Mobile card | Yes | Shower/Bath | Shower |
| Balcony | No | Accessible for people with reduced mobility | Yes |
| Parking | External: 71 to 82 USD / day | Lounge | Yes |
| Gym | Yes | Breakfast included | No |
| Pools and Spas | No | Room with kitchenette | No |
San Francisco Marriott Union Square – Location
The San Francisco Marriott 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, etc.)
- From the Powell/Hyde cable car line, which runs right next door
- From a Hop On Hop Off bus stop
Fisherman’s Wharf is a 12-minute drive away. Also, you can take the tickets “donated” by the hotel for a ride on a Cable Car, to avoid climbing the city’s hills.
San Francisco Marriott Union Square – Check-in
Even though I arrived earlier than planned in the morning, my room was already ready.
The sympathetic receptionist put on her best French to welcome me. She gave me a sheet with the destination charge inclusions.
San Francisco Marriott Union Square – Room
Throughout the corridors on the upper floors, you’ll find posters of psychedelic drawings from the late 1960s, depicting artists who were popular at the time.
I got a corner room. It was much larger than the other standard rooms on the floor, with a view of the other downtown buildings surrounding Union Square.
In addition to the two double beds, there were armchairs to admire the city view, a desk and a sitting area.
The sofa became a bed, big enough for one or two persons to sleep on.
The bathroom was rather small, with shower, sink and toilet.
Opposite the bathroom was the wardrobe, as well as an area with mini-refrigerator and coffee maker.
San Francisco Marriott Union Square – Restaurants
Two restaurants are on site at the Marriott San Francisco Union Square. Customer service is very friendly, professional and efficient.
- Bin480: For alcoholic beverages or simple meals (salad, sandwich, pizza, hamburger, steak) and open between 5 p.m. and midnight, every day.
- The Restaurant: For breakfast only. Open from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday to Friday and from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday
San Francisco Marriott Union Square – Other services
San Francisco Marriott Union Square – Swimming pool
There is no swimming pool at the San Francisco Marriott Union Square hotel.
San Francisco Marriott Union Square – Lounge
The Concierge Lounge at the San Francisco Marriott Union Square is located on the 28th floor and offers a splendid view of the city (when it’s not foggy!).
Concierge Lounge opening hours are :
- Sunday: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Monday to Thursday: 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Saturday: Closed
Here are the times for each service:
- Breakfast is served between 6:30 and 10 a.m., Monday to Friday
- Hors d’oeuvre: from 5:30 pm, Sunday to Thursday
- Desserts: from 7.30 p.m., Sunday to Thursday
Only Elite Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador members have access.
Outside these opening hours, there are always hot and cold beverages, snacks (nuts, pretzels), fruit, yoghurt and bags of potato chips.
In fact, from 10 a.m. on Friday to 4 p.m. on Sunday, the lounge is completely closed.
When the Concierge Lounge is closed on Saturdays and Sundays, Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador members and their guests enjoy complimentary breakfast at The Restaurant.
They get a Continental breakfast (fruit, cereals, muffins, pastries, yogurt, oatmeal, toast and tea/coffee). If they want the “hot” part (with bacon, omelettes on request, sausages, etc.), they have to pay an extra 10 USD per person.
San Francisco Marriott Union Square – Gym
The fitness room is medium-sized.
There are weights, yoga balls, a few weight machines and treadmills. At the entrance, there’s a vending machine for Gatorade and energy drinks.
San Francisco Marriott Union Square – My overall impression
The Marriott San Francisco Union Square is perfect for San Francisco visitors and business travelers. It’s close to major tourist attractions and a 15-minute walk from the Moscone Center for conventions.
The areas around the San Francisco Marriott Union Square are safe. Of course, basic travel precautions are always necessary, but I always felt safe there.
Read our reviews of other Marriott Bonvoy hotels in San Francisco :
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply 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”).
Go further with Marriott Bonvoy
To maximize your stays and points earning, check our complete Marriott Bonvoy program guide and our best Marriott Bonvoy credit cards ranking. For personal use, see the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. For business expenses, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card earns points on every business purchase. And if a points purchase promotion is running, take advantage via our Marriott Bonvoy points purchase guide.