Hilton Union Square in San Francisco is a great place to stay with central location- Oct, 2025

Lodging:

Hilton San Francisco Union Square

First impressions & welcome service

From the moment we arrived at 333 O’Farrell Street, we were struck by how grand and vibrant the lobby felt. The check‑in staff were warm, professional, and efficient — they greeted me by name (once they pulled up my reservation) and walked me through the hotel’s amenities, evening bar hours, and how to get to the pool deck and fitness center. They even offered to have a bellhop escort me up with my bags.

Throughout my stay, every staff member I encountered — from the front desk agents to the concierge to the cleaning crew — maintained a consistent standard of courtesy and attentiveness. Need directions to a nearby restaurant or help booking a show? The concierge team was proactive, friendly, and knowledgeable about San Francisco neighborhoods, transit, and hidden gems.

Room comfort, layout & view

   

The room was one of the highlights of my stay. Our room had a sweeping view of the city & all the way to the water — and on a clear day, glimpses of the Bay beyond. The windows ran nearly from floor to ceiling, lending the room a bright, airy feel. The decor was modern, sleek, yet comfortable, with neutral tones and subtle accent lighting.

The bed was very comfortable — plush mattress, fresh linens, and plenty of pillows. One evening, after a long day walking the city, I sank into it and slept deeply. The blackout (dark‑out) shades worked perfectly — once drawn, even mid‑afternoon, the room became luxuriously dim and peaceful.

The room was also nicely spacious: I had more than enough space to move, a comfortable work desk with ergonomic chair, a seating nook, and ample closet/storage space. The bathroom was well appointed, with good water pressure, quality toiletries, and functional layout.

Upgrades to suites (if available) offer even more room to spread out and often even better views or balcony terraces — if you get lucky and reserve well in advance, those options are worth a look. (The hotel’s “Rooms & Suites” page confirms they offer spacious suites and high‑floor rooms with great views.)

Heated pool & whirlpool / Jacuzzi

  

One of my favorite parts of the stay was the heated outdoor pool (on the rooftop/16th‑floor deck) and adjacent whirlpool (Jacuzzi). The water felt wonderfully warm — even when the San Francisco breeze was cooling the deck. It was an absolute treat to swim (or float) in warmth while still feeling the fresh air. The lounge seating around the pool deck, shade umbrellas, and palm touches made it feel like a soothing oasis amid a bustling city.

The whirlpool (Jacuzzi) offered a relaxing soak, great for unwinding after a day of exploring. The ambiance on the pool deck—especially at dusk—was calming: city lights in the distance, a soft breeze, and subtle deck lighting.

The hotel advertises that the pool is heated and the whirlpool is open year‑round.

Fitness center & wellness offerings

 

If you like to stay active even while on the road, the fitness center here does not disappoint. It’s open 24 hours, which is a lovely perk when your schedule is unpredictable.

Inside, you’ll find:

• Ample cardio equipment (treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes)
• Strength machines and resistance equipment
• Free weights, benches, and a variety of dumbbells
• Good layout so you don’t feel cramped, even during busier times

Breakfast & dining

Breakfast was a highlight. The hotel serves a breakfast buffet at their restaurant (Poached) with a generous variety: hot options (eggs, meats, pancakes or similar), fresh fruit, cereals, yogurts, baked goods, and more. The coffee service was strong, and staff were constantly refreshing trays and clearing tables to keep the buffet area tidy.

For those on the go, the Herb N’ Kitchen grab‑and‑go market (lobby level) offers artisanal sandwiches, wraps, salads, snacks, coffee, and small meals. It’s convenient for light meals or when you don’t want to head out.

There’s also a Lobby Bar, a more relaxed space for drinks or small plates.

In the evenings, the hotel encourages guests to try Cityscape Sky Bar, located on the 46th floor. It’s the highest sky bar in San Francisco, featuring 360° views of the skyline. While I enjoyed popping upstairs for drinks and taking in the vistas, I should note that sometimes the bar enforces an age policy (21+) later in the evening on weekends.

The menu there is well curated: cocktails, wines, small plates, and a great ambiance to match the scenery. It’s a prime spot for an after‑dinner drink while marveling at lights across the city.

Amenities & extras

Beyond the main features, Hilton Union Square provides a robust set of additional amenities that enhance the stay:

• Concierge services — always helpful, especially for restaurant reservations, theater tickets, transit tips, or guided tours
• Business center / meeting space — this hotel is large and well equipped for business and events (over 134,000 sq ft of meeting space, 73 meeting rooms)
• Wi-Fi / internet — premium Wi-Fi is part of their “destination fee” inclusions (for Hilton Honors members and others)
• EV charging available on site
• Pet friendly policies (for pets under a certain weight, with a fee)
• Parking & valet (though with additional cost)
• Location is excellent — you’re in the heart of Union Square, walking distance to theaters, shopping, cable cars, museums, and public transit.

Personal take & summary

Overall, my stay at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square was highly satisfying. While no hotel is perfect, this one comes impressively close, particularly in the realm of comfort, service, and amenities.

Strengths:

1. Staff & service — genuinely warm, responsive, and professional at every turn
2. Room comfort — spacious, well designed, blackout shades, comfortable bed, great views (when available)
3. Pool & Jacuzzi — delightfully warm and relaxing, especially after long days
4. Sky Bar — excellent ambiance, panoramic views, strong drink offerings
5. Breakfast & food options — generous buffet + grab‑and‑go options
6. Fitness center — broad range of equipment, 24/7 access
7. Convenient location — central to Union Square, transit, shopping, theater.

8. The Largest Hotel in California

   

   With 134,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including a 30,000 sq. ft. Grand Ballroom and our new Continental Ballroom, our hotel is ideal for meetings for up to 2,000 people. Our Executive Conference Center boasts four separate boardrooms and our Cityscape Lounge has 360 degree views of the San Francisco skyline. We have a total of 73 function rooms, and all rooms have wireless high speed internet capability.

I highly recommend staying here on your next visit to San Francisco— especially if I can reserve one of those higher floors with views of the city or bay. In my view, the combination of excellent service, comforting room features, superb amenities, and that spectacular 46th‑floor bar make this hotel a standout choice in the downtown corridor.

The one improvement needed is their partnership with unlimited bikes company. The hotel offers a generous 2 hrs of credit per day when you stay.  They have them setup in the garage but we had multiple issues almost every day with them either not being able to unlock them or having them turn off during the day even though we had enough battery and credit.  This is not the hotel’s fault as the bike company needs a big fix on these issues as it caused a big inconvenience, time and money spent.

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/sfofhhh-hilton-san-francisco-union-square/