The Marker Union Square San Francisco

The Union Square location worked perfectly for my four-night business trip, with shops, restaurants, activities, and public transit all close by. The reception team were lovely, greeted me by name, and checked in with me each day. I appreciated the little touches too, like coconut water when I arrived and cinnamon popcorn during the stay. They also kindly provided a microwave when I asked. A very nice hotel.

The location made it easy to get around, and I never felt unsafe nearby, including in the side alley where we left our car for the stay. Parking there was cheaper than valet, which is also offered. The room was lovely and the bed very comfortable, and the restaurant attached to the hotel added to its classy but unpretentious feel. What really stayed with me, though, was the hotel itself: the two gorgeous lobby spaces each have a fireplace, and the whole place feels elegant and welcoming. They even use a distinctive fragrance in the public areas that smells amazing. Staff were attentive and friendly, so check-in was seamless. There’s someone at reception around the clock, and often a concierge by the entrance to open the door and help bring luggage in from the street. As long as The Marker is an option, I wouldn’t stay anywhere else in San Francisco.

Union Square is an easy walk, and the front desk gave us really useful lunch and transit suggestions. The staff were lovely, including the manager and HR Director, who were very accommodating. The room was clean and great, and the fitness room had a good range of options. I also loved relaxing by the fireplace in the cozy lobby, where there were performances on Friday night. A heads up: walking away from Union Square, you’ll see a significant homeless presence. That’s not surprising for a big city, and nobody bothered me, but it’s something to know. The walls seemed a little thin and the doors shut hard, though other guests were quiet enough that I wasn’t disturbed. I’d definitely return.

Inside, the hotel was clean, attractive, and quite elegant, and I enjoyed my stay there. The major drawback is the surrounding area: there are many drug users and homeless people outside, and syringes on the ground. I didn’t feel safe going out at night. There’s no parking on the property, so you need to find a nearby garage. Valet is available for $75, with the car taken to an affiliated garage. The hotel itself felt safe and was great; the streets of San Francisco were the problem.