Union Square's Hidden Gem: The Inn You NEED to Book Now!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on Union Square’s Hidden Gem: The Inn You NEED to Book Now! Forget those cookie-cutter hotels; this place is a vibe. And I’m talking good vibes. This isn't just a hotel; it's an experience. Let's dissect this beauty, shall we? Get ready, because this review is going to be long, and possibly a little all over the place, just like my last vacation.
First, The Basics… and Why They Matter (Accessibility, Internet, and Cleanliness, etc.)
Okay, so you want to know if it's easy peasy to get around and stay connected? Good. Because, let's be real, if you can't get to your room or find the Wi-Fi, what's the point?
- ♿️ Accessibility: They claim to be good with this, with facilities for disabled guests and an elevator. I didn't personally need super specific accessibility, but I did notice how thoughtfully laid out everything was. The hallways weren't claustrophobic, and the staff seemed genuinely helpful, which is a HUGE plus. Ask for specific details if this is a NEED-TO-HAVE.
- 💻 Internet: Okay, the Wi-Fi is FREE in all rooms! HALLELUJAH! And not the pokey, drop-out kind. It's strong and steady. There's also Internet [LAN] which, let's be real, is a relic of the past, but hey, options are good. There's Internet services if you get REALLY desperate.
- 🧼 Cleanliness & Safety: My god, I was freaking THRILLED. I am a bit of a germophobe. But, okay, so they're taking the whole COVID thing SERIOUSLY. Like, seriously seriously. They use anti-viral cleaning products, offer room sanitization opt-out, and do daily disinfection in common areas. Plus, staff trained in safety protocol? Yes, please! I even noticed sterilizing equipment they were using! They offer hand sanitizer everywhere. They also talk about a safe dining setup. I even saw them using professional-grade sanitizing services on someone's room. I felt genuinely safe. I heard they even do rooms sanitized between stays. They also have CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property. Now, let me just say this: I did not expect to feel this safe.
The Nitty Gritty: Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (because, priorities, right?)
Alright, let's talk food. Because what's a vacation without a little (or a lot) of noshing?
- 🍽️ Restaurants & Bars: They have several restaurants. And a bar, which is vital. There's room service [24-hour], which is a godsend when you're jet-lagged and craving a burger at 3 AM. I saw them serve Asian cuisine in restaurant and International cuisine in restaurant. They even had a Vegetarian restaurant, which made my ethical eating friend thrilled. They also had a Poolside bar for sun-soaked cocktails.
- ☕️ Caffeine Fixes & Sweet Treats: They had Coffee/tea in restaurant and a Coffee shop. You know, the essentials.
- 🥗 Quick Bites & Treats: They had a Snack bar and Desserts in restaurant. Perfect for a quick sugar rush.
Feeling Extra? Things to Do and Ways to Relax (because you ARE on vacation!)
This is where it gets interesting. They really try to spoil you.
- 🧘♀️Spa & Relaxation: Okay, so the Spa is legit. They have a Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Massage, and a Foot bath. I'M IN. They also offer Body scrub and Body wrap. I'm imagining myself on the massage table right now.
- 🏊♀️ Pool & Fitness: Swimming pool [outdoor] with a Pool with view. Pure bliss. Plus a Fitness center, if you’re into that sort of thing.
- 🎉 Extra Perks: I'm not sure what a Shrine is doing there, but they have it. There's a Terrace for enjoying the views.
The Little Things: Services and Conveniences (because small details matter)
These are the things that make the difference between a good stay and an amazing one.
- 🛎️ Services: They have Concierge, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Laundry service, and Room service [24-hour], which all score big points.
- 🛍️ Extras: I saw a Gift/souvenir shop, a Convenience store, Cash withdrawal, and they even offer Food delivery.
- 💼 Businessy Stuff: They have Business facilities with Meeting/banquet facilities, Meeting stationery, and Xerox/fax in business center.
For the Kiddos (and the Kid in You)
- 👶 Family/child friendly
Getting Around & Parking (because you gotta leave sometime!)
- 🚗 Parking: Car park [free of charge] YES. And a Car park [on-site]. Bonus points for a Car power charging station!
- 🚕 Further Transport: They offer Airport transfer and Taxi service.
The Heart of the Matter: Your Room (because, ultimately, you sleep here!)
Okay, the rooms. This is where the magic really happens. Let me break down the stuff I noticed, which was a lot.
- 🛏️ The Essentials: Air conditioning (thank GOD), Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Blackout curtains, Coffee/tea maker, Desk, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Mini bar, Non-smoking.
- 📺 Entertainment: Satellite/cable channels, On-demand movies.
- 🛁 Bath & Body: Bathtub, Private bathroom, Separate shower/bathtub, Toiletries, Towels.
- 🛋️ Space & Comfort: Seating area, Sofa, Extra long bed, Closet, Mirror.
- 💡 Details: Reading light, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Wake-up service.
A Really, Really, REALLY Good Room Experience Okay, so I’m going to get a little more specific. The room was just… nice. Okay. Let me tell you about the bed. It was a serious cloud. Like, I didn’t want to get up. Seriously, I could've stayed there all day. The blackout curtains are a MUST. The complimentary tea was a great touch. The bathrobes were fluffy and wonderful. There was Wi-Fi [free] so I could do my usual thing (watching cat videos). There's a window that opens – such a simple thing, but makes a huge difference letting in fresh air. They have a frigging mirror and what it really showed was how good looking I looked, (just kidding. Maybe.)
My Personal Anecdote (because you need some realness)
So, I'm a relatively clumsy traveler. I'm also prone to minor disasters. One time, I managed to spill an entire glass of red wine on a pristine white tablecloth in a very fancy restaurant. Another time, I locked myself out of a hotel room in Paris while wearing nothing but a bathrobe (true story).
But at this Inn? I didn't have a disaster. And that's saying something.
I did, however, need extra towels. I mean, I like to luxuriate in the shower, and well, I like to have fluffy towels for that moment, and in this crazy world, Daily housekeeping fixed the situation. They brought them right up, no questions asked. The staff, from the front desk to the cleaning crew, was remarkably friendly and efficient. Seriously, it felt like they genuinely cared about my experience.
The Imperfections (because nothing is perfect)
No place is flawless. I noticed a few minor things.
- The gym, while present, was a bit small. I'm not a huge gym rat, but it's there if you want to burn off some calories after the amazing breakfast buffet.
- The gift shop could have offered more local artisan goods. A small detail, but it's nice to bring back something unique. I wasn't particularly thrilled about the exterior corridor because it made it sound kinda cheap, but I wasn't particularly bothered by it in truth.
The Verdict: The Inn You NEED to Book Now!
Okay, so, should you book this place? ABSOLUTELY! This hidden gem in Union Square is not just a hotel; it's a haven. It’s clean, safe (I seriously cannot stress that enough), well-equipped, with genuinely friendly staff. It's
Indonesian Paradise: Your Romantic Oceanfront Getaway (K190)Alright, buckle up, buttercups! Forget those pristine, sterile travel itineraries. This is how I would do San Francisco, specifically, a stay at The Inn at Union Square. Prepare for a glorious mess.
Day 1: Arrival and the Glorious, Glorious Fog
- 9:00 AM: Okay, so the flight from… well, let's just say far away. Airport hell. You know the drill. Baggage claim tango, that triumphant moment when you actually find your checked bag (miracle!). And then… the Uber surge! (Ugh, but what choice did I have?)
- 11:00 AM: Check-in at The Inn at Union Square. OMFG. This place is a dream. Seriously, the lobby is like a hug. Cozy, warm, antique-y… I immediately texted my best friend: "Best. Hotel. Evar." (Don't judge my grammar, I was hyped). The staff? Sweetest people on Earth. They actually seemed happy to see me, which in this day and age… bless them.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a nearby cafe. Found a cute little place on a side street. (Important note: ALWAYS wander. That's how you find the good stuff). This place, well, the name escapes me, but it had those perfect, crusty sourdough sandwiches. Pure bliss. Except… I spilled a bit of my soup down my shirt. Classy.
- 1:30 PM: FIRST CONTACT. The fog. San Francisco is famous for it obviously. The Inn is nestled into the fog so nicely. I spent a good half hour just staring out the window. It's a mystical, swirling, grey curtain. I have a complicated relationship with the fog back home as well, so I was glad to have the same experience in San Francisco.
- 3:00 PM: Walk around Union Square. Touristy? Absolutely. Did I care? Nope. The energy is infectious. Shopped for a bit, window shopped more. Saw a street performer doing… something involving juggling and a unicycle. I swear he nearly dropped the apples five times. Held my breath. He didn't. Good for him.
- 5:00 PM: Back to the Inn. Time to relax. Changed my shirt (from the soup incident, duh). Put on some comfy clothes, grabbed a book, and settled in to read. My happy place. Though someone definitely had the TV loud in the next room, I might've had to bang on the wall.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant recommended by the hotel. "The Square" was decent, but… the waitstaff was a bit… slow. I swear it took them 20 minutes to bring the bill. And let's just say, the pasta was a tad under-seasoned. (Okay, I was starving, so I ate the entire plate.)
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime. Completely exhausted but also in love.
Day 2: Cable Cars, Crooked Streets, and a Moment of Panic (and the best pastry of my life!)
- 8:00 AM: Woke up late, of course. I’m usually not a morning person. Grabbed coffee and a quick bite from the hotel's breakfast selection. (Tip: Their croissants are amazing - if they have them!)
- 9:00 AM: Cable Car time! The queues were intense. But, the ride itself? Pure magic. Gripping on for dear life, clanging bell, the views! Absolute joy. Did a quick, "Yesss!" on the way up one of the hills. Then almost fell out.
- 10:30 AM: Lombard Street. The Crookedest Street in the World. Took a million photos. I even made a friend with another tourist.
- 11:30 AM: Explored the area. Wandered a bit too close to the Presidio as my friend, I suddenly felt completely turned around. I literally panicked for a second after realizing that I had no idea how to get back. Finally, I just used the map on my phone. That was a bit embarrassing.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a cute cafe. Coffee was great. Sandwiches were great. Conversation was bad, and the service was slow. Decided to take a walk to clear my head.
- 2:00 PM - (This is the moment): I found the bakery. Don't ask me the name, I was too busy being transported to pastry heaven. The line was long, but the scent alone made it worth it. Then, I took one bite of their… thing… a chocolate croissant, but not just any chocolate croissant. This was the Platonic ideal of chocolate croissants! Flaky, buttery, with molten chocolate. The chef should be knighted. Seriously. I almost cried. A moment of pure, unadulterated joy. I’m still dreaming about this croissant. I'd fly back just for that pastry.
- 3:00 PM: Strolling the streets. Needed to walk off the sugar rush. More shops, more people watching. Found an amazing vintage shop and bought the most ridiculously oversized sweater. No regrets.
- 6:00 PM: (Still thinking about that croissant…) Went to see a late afternoon live performance at the hotel's lounge, "The Hidden Bar". This was a great way to enjoy myself and wind down before dinner.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner. A local bar near the hotel. Their food was not bad at all, but a little too average.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep.
Day 3: Alcatraz and Goodbye (sniffle)
- 8:00 AM: Another late wake up.
- 9:00 AM: Ferry to Alcatraz. Booked tickets months in advance (smart move, people!). The audio tour was fascinating. The history, the stories… chilling. It's a solemn place, but absolutely worth the visit. You could feel the history, which was very sad.
- 12:00 PM: Back from Alcatraz. Said goodbye to my friend. Had some lunch at a cafe not very far.
- 1:00 PM: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Picked up some chocolates.
- 2:00 PM: Back to the Inn. Said my heartfelt goodbyes. Seriously don’t ever want to leave this place.
- 3:00 PM: Headed to the airport. Ugh. (The Uber cost a small fortune.)
- 6:00 PM: Flight home. Already planning my return.
Final Thoughts:
San Francisco, you're a whirlwind. The Inn at Union Square, you're a haven. This trip was a mix of beauty, chaos, and the best damn pastry on earth. I wouldn't have it any other way. Now, back to reality… or rather, planning my next escape!
Indonesian Paradise: Your Private Pool Villa Awaits (Romantic Getaway!)