TL;DR
- Bookish vibes: Hotel inspired by books and the Beat Generation, full of creativity and edge.
- Unique design: Art-covered walls, moody lighting, and floor-to-ceiling stacks of books.
- Creative atmosphere: Perfect if you want style with character, not formality.
- Enter dates & check prices here
It’s simple: the best things are a little bit weird, and/or books.
These come into perfect alignment between the bustling Union Square and the more fanciful Theatre District, in the art-covered walls and moody lighting of Hotel Emblem.
The first thing you’ll note are the floor-to-ceiling stacks of colorful books forming a wall in one of the common areas.
Then there are the references to the Beat Generation, and dedications to creativity, woven into the walls.
It might not be the best atmosphere for pinkies-up tea drinking next to bags filled with Goop products, but if you want smart design with a bit of edge, this is the spot.
What are the rooms like?
- Rooms: 96 in total, with Queen, King, Double, Deluxe, and ADA options.
- Design: Bright, sunny, with book-themed decor and colorful accents.
- Amenities: Coffee & tea, 55″ Smart TVs, audio systems, and workspaces.
- Bathrooms: Sleek black and white with marble accents and ROIL bath products.
- See each room in detail here
Rooms don’t have the same mysterious warmth as the common areas. Instead, they are bright and sunny with black-and-white book-themed decor.
Linens are clean white; furniture, throw pillows, and accent walls add pops of color and pattern.
You can book Queen, King or Double rooms, with roomy Deluxe options on the top floors and ADA-compliant options at almost all levels.
All rooms offer working areas, coffee & tea, 55″ high-definition Smart TVs and audio systems.
Bathrooms are sleek black and white, with marble accents and ROIL bath amenities. Many rooms feature combination bath & showers.
What are prices like?
And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?
- Dining: Obscenity Bar & Lounge for cocktails and light snacks, Bluestone Lane café for breakfast.
- Special treats: Health-conscious breakfast bowls, banana bread with ricotta, and more.
- Activities: Slam poetry, trivia nights, and an in-house typewriter for Beat-inspired creativity.
- Guides: Underground Concierge offers self-guided tours, hikes, and neighborhood highlights.
When you feel peckish, or just want to hang out and people-watch a bit, the Obscenity Bar & Lounge is an excellent spot.
There you’ll find classic cocktails, alongside light snacks from maki rolls to white cheddar popcorn.
They host a variety of activities that fit the hotel’s Beat Generation inspiration – slam poetry nights, trivia, or just tapping away at the in-house typewriter.
You’ll want to visit Bluestone Lane, the hotel café, for breakfast. They’ll serve you up delicious coffee alongside imaginative, health-conscious, and generous plates of eggs served every which way.
Get them with dark leafy greens in with a breakfast bowl or in a juiced-up BLT on a brioche rolls.
If you need to satisfy a sweet tooth, snag a slice of gluten-free banana bread topped with ricotta and fruit.
The hotel’s Underground Concierge is an online guide to the neighborhood that will help you explore in Beat-inspired style.
It outlines self-guided tours you can enjoy at your own pace, from dog-friendly hikes to the famed graffiti zone Clarion Alley.
How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?
- Central location: Between Union Square and Theatre District, easy access to top attractions.
- Nearby: Upscale shopping, theaters, Tenderloin’s creative scene, Castro, Mission.
- Iconic sights: Close to Golden Gate Bridge and Presidio park for walking and views.
It’s the heart of Downtown San Francisco, and you’ll be able to hoof it to many of the best spots in the city.
On the Union Square side, you’ll find upscale shopping on the way up to Embarcadero and the lively ferry terminals.
Head south for the Theatre District if you’re ready for a show in one of the many theaters lining Geary Street.
West is the Tenderloin, a district that’s almost equally maligned and venerated for both its griminess and robust creative spirit.
The LGTBQ+ heart of the Mission and Castro are walkable for the adventurous and an easy BART ride for those who prefer form to function in their footwear.
Here’s the place for nightlife and queer culture, so prepare to stay late.
Northwest is the famous Golden Gate, preceded by the spectacular Presidio park, where you can wander for hours next to the bougie homes of Pacific Heights.
And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?
Some things guests liked:
”The room was lovely, great location and great facilities. Bar downstairs was great! Coffee shop attached was superb and you can even order to your room. Very friendly and helpful staff, even a little welcome sangria on arrival!…”
”Really cool chic hotel, staff were really friendly and helpful….”
Some things guests didn’t like:
”The room was slightly dusty, and the flushing of the toilet may create a banging noise, strong flush which I appreciate….”
”Valet parking was extortionate. Stayed in 6 hotels over the course of our road trip and this one was more expensive than LA!….”
Hotel Emblem San Francisco
Sorry, no records were found. Please adjust your search criteria and try again.
Sorry, unable to load the Maps API.
