The oversized bar in the grand lobby has been removed to convey a greater sense of openness, and new jewel-toned furnishings were added to the space. Tom Sweeney is the legendary doorman of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel. Although he missed the entry to San Francisco Bay, he is believed to have claimed the coastline for Queen Elizabeth I around Point Reyes (hence the name Drakes Bay). 2,184,000 genuine hotel reviews Most of our rooms can be cancelled free of charge - up until 6 pm on the day of arrival. Im Jahr 1928 erffnete in San Francisco ein Hotel, um nach Mglichkeiten Suchende, Verbindungsschaffende und nach Innovationen Strebende zu empfangen. Sir Francis Drake Hotel to Spiff Up and Open Under New - SFist He told me that, yes, it is rumored to be haunted by spirits. And there's no word about what will happen with the ground-floor restaurant space, which for years was home to the (sometimes) acclaimed Scala's Bistro. He gave me a somewhat creepy wave and I was back in my room. We renew focus on the progress and possibility that has always . Save big with Reservations.com exclusive deals and discounts. Based on recent averages, the price for tonight can start at 244. But maybe I was just starting to let the hotel get into my head. I love watching American Horror Story and horror movies. In 1579, the English privateer and explorer reached the California coast. The a la carte Scala's Bistro restaurant serves dishes of local menu. Situated on a 12,500 square foot parcel of land, the subject property was originally constructed in 1949 and has a gross building area of approximately 5,661 square feet. All Rights Reserved. Sir Francis Drake (c. 1540 - 28 January 1596) was an English explorer and privateer best known for his circumnavigation of the world in a single expedition between 1577 and 1580. Conveniences include phones, as well as laptop-compatible safes and desks. The 416-room hotel, which has been shuttered since the onset of the pandemic, is scheduled to reopen this spring following a makeover of interior elements. Our work has focused on accentuating this drama. Custom wallpaper inspired by the city will echo the original timbre of the building, forming a backdrop for bespoke furniture conceived to maximize flow. A legacy of exquisite service seeks to transform a stay into an experience. A massage therapy and a hot tub are free to use on site. By early 2023, the property plans to reopen its Starlite Room rooftop lounge space, which is similarly receiving a full overhaul. Airport (SFO). The Northview Hotel Group that purchased the iconic hotel says they'll reopen this spring. It's really a sign of visitors and tourists coming back to San Francisco," said Marisa Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Union Square Alliance. The Sir Francis Drake Hotel, the Union Square icon that opened in 1928, will become the Beacon Grand. Does Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel offer free cancellation for a full refund? The historic Sir Francis Drake hotel at Union Square is under contract to sell for $379,000 per room . Recently, a school in Marin County and a stretch of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard have been renamed to stop honoring Drake. Sir Francis Drake Hotel to Reopen With New Name: The Beacon Grand - SFist Katie Dowd is the SFGATE managing editor. Of course this would happen to me. ", Copyright 2022 Associated Press. The hotel has been closed since March of 2020. Mysteriously, I had a few pieces of paper on the table near my bed and one just suddenly fell off. The Luma Hotel San Francisco is located at 100 Channel St. in Mission Bay between Oracle Park and the Chase Center. He told me he was investigating a problem with the elevator. The property is also next door to Square hearts Sculpture, and near a train station. When I got into the elevator after dinner an employee of the hotel was inside. San Franciscos Sir Francis Drake Hotel will be called The Beacon Grand in the latest attempt in the Bay Area to rename streets and landmarks after the slave-trading explorer. The whole place is. Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel (formerly Sir Francis Drake) 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, A renovated room at San Francisco's Beacon Grand, formerly known as the Sir Francis Drake Hotel. Enjoy breakfast, WiFi, and room service. It is all much more intentional than that. The checking times for Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel are between 4:00 PM and anytime. The longtime home of Scala's Bistro at the hotel formerly known as the Sir Francis Drake will be reborn shortly as a French brasserie from the Left Bank Brasserie team, possibly called Left Bank . My room was really beautiful. The hotel chain was founded by William Kimpton in 1981 with the leadership appointed to CEO Mike DeFrino. But when it came down to me being face-to-face with *real* ghosts for four days straight, it turned out not to be as exciting as I thought. The IHGs decision to acquire the brand was indeed a remarkable move. Feb. 19, 2022 Updated: Feb. 22, 2022 11:48 a.m. 2. Family-friendly 4-star hotel near Westfield San Francisco Centre. The news was first reported by the San Francisco Business Times. A man, who was said to be his lover, took a fall from an 8th story window after the pair had spent the night drinking. Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel is in Downtown San Francisco, a short 1-minute walk from Powell St & Sutter St Stop and 15 minutes' walk from Moscone Convention Center. The 416-room hotel, which has been shuttered since the onset of the pandemic, is scheduled to reopen this spring following a makeover of interior elements. This historic restaurant is one of the city . 2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. I'm weirdly fascinated by this sort of thing." My best friends from college, Courtney (the same one who told me about the news above) and Liz, and I all lived together our sophomore year of college and would tell each other ghost stories every single night before we went to bed. Overlooking the lobby, the mezzanine accommodates the convivial Beacon Lounge, where an original fireplace and mantle have been restoredallowing it to continue serving as an ornate focal point. In 2021, the town of Fairfax changed the name of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard after community tension. The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square: 1,195: View This List . Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel - Expedia When I booked my stay at San Francisco's Sir Francis Drake hotel last week, I thought I was getting a great deal. He was a very nice old man with white hair and light eyes and a cheery demeanor. For bookings made on or after 6 April 2020, we advise you to consider the risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and associated government measures. Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel is centrally located in San Francisco, a 5-minute walk from Dragon's Gate and 7 minutes by foot from Westfield San Francisco Centre. Noah Griffin is a Bay Area civil activist who's been behind the name change of several places. Indeed. Get the new ABC7 Bay Area mobile app today! SF's Sir Francis Drake Hotel is under new ownership. What does its San Franciscos Sir Francis Drake Hotel to, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), San Franciscos Sir Francis Drake Hotel to ditch name, See how California energy costs compare with other states, San Rafael panel: Northgate redevelopment plan short on community space, CHP: Safety concerns necessitated Richmond-San Rafael Bridge closure, Novato police report bear sightings at park, Novato crash clogs southbound Highway 101, San Rafael woman accused of carjacking in drive-thru fracas, Marin's county administrator announces plan to retire, Marin developer files proposal for 110-apartment care center in Strawberry, Larkspur poised to enact rent control ordinance, San Rafael hike peaks where picnic tables replaced missile radar, Richmond-San Rafael Bridge pollution prompts calls for lane reopening, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. New Restaurant In Scala's Bistro Space at Union Square Will Be French Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel, San Francisco, USA February 20, 2022 / 4:22 PM Watch opening ceremony here, Bay Area Life; Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on ABC7, Mayor Breed calls for review of public art after crowds topple 3 historic statues in San Francisco, Christopher Columbus, Queen Isabella statue removed from California State Capitol, Name change underway at San Anselmo's Sir Francis Drake High School, district says. Sphere's 580,000-square-foot LED exterior and its ever-changing imagery instantly transformed the Las Vegas skyline and lit up Yo-yo tourism -- where the tourist money gets quickly exported out of the destination -- is plaguing nearly all destinations. Hilton rebrands Cancun resort, starts taking reservations, Avianca debuts seasonal San Salvador-Las Vegas flights, Club Med Punta Cana refit includes new family rooms, wedding venue, Dominican Republic out to prove it's more than Punta Cana, Big changes are planned for Rio Hotel's Ipanema Tower, Sandals offers new on-site training sessions for travel agents, Frenchman's Reef adding a variety of offshore activities, Motto by Hilton to open second New York hotel, Watch this place? 855-516-1090. Travelers find this hotel Pet Friendly, Conveniently near shopping options. The hotels 17,000 square feet of meeting and event space is also being updated and an artwork program by Kevin Barry Art Advisory will enliven interiors with a residential ambiance. Everything was done with so much thought for such an iconic property, Leah Goldstein said. Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel San Francisco, California, US Get all the latest & greatest posts delivered straight to your inbox, Sir Francis Drake Hotel to Spiff Up and Open Under New Management, But Won't Reopen 'til 2022, quietly sold off in February for $157.6 million, New Boutique Hotel The Alton Readies for Opening in Old Holiday Inn at Fisherman's Wharf [SFist], Tuesday Morning Topline: Man Rescued From McCovey Cove After Fall, Day Around the Bay: Davis Stabbing Suspect Begins Competency Hearing, Livermore Winery Owner Mitchell Katz Killed in a Friday Car Accident. For 94 years the hotel, famous for the Beefeater doormen who greet tourists and passersby on the sidewalk by Union Square, paid tribute to Francis Drake, the first English sea captain to circumnavigate the globe in the 1500s. Theyve been hiding something. BEACON GRAND, A UNION SQUARE HOTEL is within minutes from Union Square - 0.1 km / 0.1 mi , Westin St Francis Hotel Glass Elevators - 0.1 km / 0.1 mi and SHN Curran Theatre - 0.4 km / 0.2 mi. The hotel has 1 building/tower. For 94 years the hotel, famous for the Beefeater doormen who greet tourists and passersby on the sidewalk by Union Square, paid tribute to Francis Drake, the first English sea captain to circumnavigate the globe in the 1500s. . It was as if the hotel was actually trying to scare their guests. But we loved it. Melden Sie sich an, um bei dieser Unterkunft zu sparen. "I have them lined up at home like an old soldier.". E-mail hotel. The historic Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco is set to undergo a thorough renovation and redesign led by architecture and design studio KKAD. Don't worry." It all started two weeks ago when my my best friend Courtney and I went on a weekend leaf peeping drive in the Pennsylvania countryside. 450 Powell Street, Union Square, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States of America - Excellent location - show map - Subway Access. The hotel recently announced it is changing . The Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel is a historic classic hotel that is newly renovated with upscale amenities and state-of-the-art decorations. Sir Francis Drake Hotel entrance, 2012. "The owner of the hotel committed suicide and still haunts the hotel," he said. 754 Sir Francis Drake Blvd offers beautifully designed office and retail spaces. One of San Francisco's most famous hotels has rebranded. "It's the 21st century, you got to change with the times," said Tom Sweeney, Former Chief Doorman at the Sir Frances Drake Hotel in San Francisco when referring to the remodel and changes happening at the hotel before its grand reopening. Book the Kimpton SIR FRANCIS DRAKE HOTEL (San Francisco) for as little as 110 EUR! Windows have been expanded and the decor glammed up and modernized with wispy white curtains and a cool color palette to usher in a new era . So I decided to sleep in the bed that didn't have the mirror in front of it. If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live, What rebranding of Twitter could mean for future of Musk's companies, Gardener files federal lawsuit over beating by San Rafael police, A's fans ask Giants fans to join their 'sell the team' protest. After a dinner out with an old friend I returned back to the Sir Francis Drake hoping for a more comforting and longer night of sleep than night one. Situated in the heart of Union Square, this elegant and iconic venue features gilded and ornate dcor, breathtaking views of downtown San Francisco, and superb cuisine and service. It's the latest Bay Area landmark to drop Drake's name. He seemed open and honest about the elevator issue and so I started to ask him questions on our elevator ride, that seemed to mysteriously stop at every floor. The pet policies of Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel are listed below. Especially about what happened in room 823. He looked at my reservation closer and said, "Don't worry. On WeddingWire since 2009. The lighting is dim and romantic. San Francisco Intl Airport 12 mi See all flights. A loyalty program with your airport, 1 Hotels arrives in Europe with a new hotel in London's Mayfair district, San Francisco's Sir Francis Drake Hotel reopening as the Beacon Grand, 'Barbie' blockbuster movie mania has some hotels getting all dolled up, New land at Universal Orlando will have DreamWorks Animation theme, Club Med plans December opening of ski resort in Japan, Scrub Island will drop Autograph Collection affiliation. Northview's decision to change the hotel's moniker comes as some streets, schools and other landmarks across the U.S. face growing pressure to shed names that pay tribute to historical figures with racist legacies. Being set in the centre of San Francisco, close to the shopping plaza "Union Square", Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel offers live entertainment, entertainment activities and yoga classes. Restaurants near Sir Francis Drake, a Kimpton Hotel I went back to my room and made myself a glass of ice water and turned the table lamp on next to my bed to continue writing. This was the first English circumnavigation, and third circumnavigation overall. A Union Square Hotel. Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel Useful FindingsSet in a historic building dating 1920s, The Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel is an opulent hotel that is conveniently located near the Union Square and the citys Financial District. I got a little spooked so walked down the hallway to get some ice and I saw one of the maids preparing one of the rooms on my floor. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee. The following facilities are closed on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: Stay in one of 418 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. 8.7. Luma Hotel San Francisco, 1 Hotel set opening dates - San Francisco SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The iconic Sir Francis Drake Hotel opened in 1928 and now 94 years later it's changing from the inside out. I didn't really think about it again until I boarded my flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco and decided to Google the hotel. The Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel has friendly and accommodating hotel staff. What the Sir Francis Drake hotel sale says about the S.F. hotel market More from HD: So she didn't quite deny the fact that the hotel was haunted. Coincidence? Union Square - 0.1 km / 0.1 mi Westin St Francis Hotel Glass Elevators - 0.1 km / 0.1 mi SHN Curran Theatre - 0.4 km / 0.2 mi Dragon's Gate - 0.4 km / 0.3 mi SF Masonic Auditorium - 0.6 km / 0.4 mi Westfield San Francisco Centre - 0.6 km / 0.4 mi Grace Cathedral - 0.7 km / 0.4 mi 555 California Street - 0.8 km / 0.5 mi Palace Hotel - 0.8 km / 0.5 mi Cable Car Museum - 0.8 km / 0.5 mi Warfield Theatre - 0.9 km / 0.5 mi Golden Gate Theatre - 0.9 km / 0.6 mi San Francisco Museum of Modern Art - 1 km / 0.6 mi The Regency Ballroom - 1.2 km / 0.7 mi TransAmerica Redwood Forest - 1.2 km / 0.7 mi, The nearest airports are:San Francisco Intl. One site offered this haunted fact about the hotel: "The Sir Francis Drake Hotel is also found in Union Square in the heart of the city. And if I could make it the whole time, I planned to journal each day and talk about any experiences or new things that I hear about the hotel. The sale of the Sir Francis Drake hotel represents about a 20% discount from pre-Covid values as lenders pulled back . But yes, people definitely do see and hear things." Contact Beacon Grand Hotel in San Francisco, with weddings starting at $16,299 for 50 guests. VIDEO: Name change underway at San Anselmo's Sir Francis Drake High School, district says. The Beacon Grand is where the legacy of San Francisco meets tomorrow's ambitions. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurant Group Inc. is the manager of the San Francisco, California-based hotel chain. The gym in this hotel is amazing, something that I haven't seen in years in a hotel. The Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel offers large bedrooms that is well decorated and features modern amenities. Sir Francis Drake is well-situated for seeing all of San Francisco's most popular sites including numerous department stores, galleries, and theaters, as well as bars and restaurants. But he also participated in slaving voyages to Africa, and the use of his name came under scrutiny as the Black Lives Matter movement prompted a nationwide reexamination of place names and monuments with ties to racism. Within a 10-minute walk of this Union Square hotel, you'll find Dragon's Gate and Westfield San Francisco Centre. The hotel is haunted." The 21-story, 416-room hotel . Fabulous. Before that, the company launched two other brands named Hotel Palomar and Hotel Monaco in 2005. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Library will serve as an intimate new bar concept, while the Starlite Room, designed by Bill Rooney Studio, is slated to open atop the hotel later this year. It is located at the corner of Sutter and Powell Streets adjacent to Union Square . Then I found out the true story behind the property, and I desperately wished I had been kept in the dark about its history. The property, located in downtown Union Square, first opened its doors as the Sir Francis Drake in 1928. Sometimes the hotel may charge pet fees or have weight limit on pets. Save the date for the industry's leading event in Las Vegas, April 30thMay 2nd, 2024, Photos courtesy of Northview Hotel Group, What Ive Learned Podcast: Jason Pomeranc, 4 Dont-Miss Speakers Heading to HD Expo + Conference 2022, BHDM Design Envisions a Pretty-in-Pink Oasis in Miami, The Sea Ranch Lodge Completes Multiyear Renovation, The Ozarker Lodge Launches in Branson, Missouri. Good to Know: Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel. Starting with its controversial name. Soaring high above Union Square on the 21st floor of Kimpton's Sir Francis Drake Hotel, Lizzie's Starlight (formerly Harry Dention's Starlight Room) still offers its signature 360-degree city views, but its new interiors are worth a second look, too. The hotel, which first debuted in 1928, retains original Renaissance Revival features, including its grand staircase, chandeliers, and marble floors. Guests staying at the Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel will be treated in this luxurious and chic boutique-style hotel with utmost care and attention. The beefeaters may or may not be back out front of Union Squares lux and historic Sir Francis Drake Hotel, as the joint was quietly sold off for $158 million in April, and is undergoing an "extensive renovation" before it reopens. During times of uncertainty, we recommend booking an option with free cancellation. If you are thinking of bringing your pet (dog or cat) and want to know if pets are allowed at Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel, please read the hotel pet policy. Fairfax, a town in Marin County, also renamed a stretch of the 43-mile-long Sir Francisco Drake Boulevard to Coastal Miwok Trail. Kimpton told SFGATE in 2020 that they were "working with property ownership to evaluate a name change and potential rebranding of the property.". Where once Sir Francis Drake took center stage, now we pay homage to all those who made The City, and this hotel, so great. I MADE it. One of the beds had a mirror at the foot of it though and anyone who loves horror movies knows that ghosts and spirits love to pop up in mirrors. Following a top-to-bottom renovation, San Francisco's historic Sir Francis Drake Hotel is set to reopen this spring under a new name: the Beacon Grand. But she brought up a good point. The staff is also one of the best I've seen in many years, they assisted promptly to all of . "They think of him as the father of enslavement in the British empire. Based on recent averages, the room rate for this weekend can be as low as 244 per night. The Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel has a total of 418 guest rooms. TV star Paul Lynde was involved with a terrible accident that took place here back in 1965. During its closure, the property changed hands, with Pebblebrook Hotel Trust selling it to Northview Hotel Group for $157.6 million last spring. The news was first reported by the San Francisco Business Times. Located blocks from Union Square, The Drake features views of the Square from many rooms as well as the hotel's nightclub. After a long day of travel and scaring myself on the plane I was ready for a deep sleep. I started really digging into research on the property and searched through Google results to find more specific incidents. . . But he also participated in slaving voyages to Africa, and the use of his name came under scrutiny as the Black Lives Matter movement prompted a nationwide reexamination of place names and monuments with ties to racism. The preferred airport for Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel is San Francisco Intl. Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel also offers fitness studio and fitness classes. As SFGate explains, Drake's legacy involves enslaving around 1,300 Africans, which likely meant about three times as many died., Related: New Boutique Hotel The Alton Readies for Opening in Old Holiday Inn at Fisherman's Wharf [SFist]. Chief among the hotel's updates is a revamp of all 418 of its guestrooms, which will now feature hardwood floors, freshly tiled showers and new furniture. San Francisco's iconic Sir Francis Drake Hotel permanently - SFGATE Our guests praise the comfy rooms in our reviews. "He killed himself on the 21st floor, in the Starlight Room." IHG has even reached $4.337 billion revenue in 2018 following more developments in the Kimpton Hotels. Grace Cathedral and Golden Gate Theatre are also within half a mile (1 km). I was paranoid and couldn't get a wink of sleep, so I downloaded a white noise machine, put it on loud, and finally drifted off. The Beacon Lounge will function as a cafe during daytime hours, then transition into a craft cocktail-focused bar in the evening. Beacon Grand, formerly known as Sir Francis Drake Hotel, is a historic boutique hotel and events venue located in San Francisco. Being set in the centre of San Francisco, close to the shopping plaza "Union Square", Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel offers live entertainment, entertainment activities and yoga classes. The Sir Francis Drake Hotel itself, as he was a slave trader. San Francisco's Sir Francis Drake Hotel to ditch name Joe Kukura is an SFist staff asst. We shared an awkward chuckle and I made my way to the "non-haunted" 15th floor. Cruise ship itineraries that call exclusively at private islands, Land tours and river cruises are thriving in Eastern Europe, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, Frontier and Allegiant sharply cut back midweek flying, The DOT is investigating Delta's long delay on a hot Las Vegas tarmac, What Hawaii travelers need to know about hurricane season, Analysts say Expedia-Hopper split was bound to happen, Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach offers activity credit, TV and radio host Ryan Seacrest partners with Classic Vacations, Marriott and MGM unveil loyalty program partnership, What's the next level for points or perks? Coordinates: 37.789126N 122.408356W. Sir Francis Drake sale closes as former owner reopens S.F. hotel Customize your own price, browse photos and special offers. Photo Credit: Beacon Grand, Learn The Family Secrets For Selling Croatia. Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as bicycles to rent, or other amenities including concierge services and wedding services. Sir Francis Drake Hotel Ghost Tour - US Ghost Adventures