Hotel Union Square, San Francisco

If you can find the front door of the Hotel Union Square amid the motley storefronts on the lively block of Powell Street, you’re in for a surprise.  Two stunning 10 foot mosaics grace either side of the entrance, a clear indication of the building’s 1913 landmark pedigree. Mind you, these aren’t your ordinary decorative flourishes. Aside from resembling something you’d find at a Sotheby’s auction or alongside the epic Diego Rivera murals at Rockefeller Center, each depicts a tall figure in Greco/Roman dress, one male the other female. The male is carrying a huge bunch of grapes while the woman is carrying on her shoulder a basket of provisions for a meal.  Could these possibly have decorated the entrance to a restaurant in bygone years? You would not be able to answer that question now, some 100+ years later, as the hotel occupies the spaces above no less than 6 of the street’s assorted storefronts from a Thai restaurant to Tad’s Steaks, and these are alternately painted black and white (hint:  a retro cinematic connection).

Hotel Union Square Exterior

Stepping into the lobby’s streamlined 1930’era Fred & Ginger elegance, you spy a large flat screen TV encased in a mirrored wall playing The Thin Man, the popular 1934 black and white film starring William Power and Myrna Loy. In case you didn’t know it, this MGM series of 6 films detailed the high society life of a martini drinking husband and wife detective team. The crime solving duo’s first film was written for the screen by the prolific crime novelist, Dashiel Hammett (Dash) who spent a few months staying in the hotel as a newlywed while awaiting a permanent residence. Since we were ensconced in the hotel’s “Dash Hammett Suite” I took it upon myself to try and learn more about the writer’s connection to the place. I knew he had written The Maltese Falcon and was married to Lillian Hellman but that was about it. I was fascinated with how the hotel wove his theme throughout its surroundings while offering a state of the art lodging experience.

Hotel Union Square Front Desk

While this is a true boutique property with varying accommodations and prices across the board, the property manages to provide a deluxe environment right down to complimentary French Roast coffee offered daily in the lobby’s foyer and a nightly happy hour with French wines by the glass. I suppose this has much to do with being one of the city’s (4) Personality Hotels reflecting their revolutionary approach to service and amenities.  Founder, Yvonne Lembi-Detert, injects her personal style into all the properties through her distinct approach to hospitality and design.

Hotel Union Square Lobby

The décor throughout Hotel Union Square incorporates original contemporary furnishings and lighting in the rooms and public spaces, impressive art everywhere you look, and in the case of the Dash suite, an eerie replication of a man’s career right down to his portable Royal typewriter and paperback copies of his works strewn throughout the suite for perusal. I was half tempted to traipse downstairs in the overcoat, scarf and fedora hanging on the suite’s old wooden coatrack and see what might develop. But once I started listening to the Jack Benny Happy Hour on the vintage/modern Victrola while gazing out the suite’s wraparound windows at dusk, I was amused and charged to make my own discoveries come nightfall.

Hotel Union Square Lobby

Clang, clang, clang went the Powell Mason cable car’s bell calling me downstairs. I hopped under the oversized rain shower, dressed in my moodiest duds and said goodbye to my own little Maltese falcon ensconced in a plexiglass case on the dresser. I gazed at the antique globe of the world. Where should I go? Jumping on the car, I blindly headed out into San Francisco’s cool night air.  What a perfect location to immerse myself in this mysterious city’s charms.

Hotel Union Square Deluxe Double Room

Hotel Union Square is one of a myriad of smaller hotels situated in landmark buildings in SF’s city center. The emphasis here is on style and comfort, refined service and accessibility. Everything is either within walking distance or a 10 minute cab ride away and there is an Upmarket Wallgreen’s just across the street that has anything you could possibly want, including Starbuck’s worthy coffee.  I leave you with just 3 words … “Grab that suite.”

Hotel Union Square Junior Suite Hotel Union Square Kids’ Suite