Review: San Francisco Marriott Union Square | Marriott Bonvoy

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

There is no swimming pool at the San Francisco Marriott Union Square hotel.

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.

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.

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.

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