but we were careful about where we walked after dark.

but we felt it added to the experience, the bathroom was quite small with a small dark corner shower.

Hallways are dark, cramped and windowless.

Unfortunately the windows are not mirror glassed nor fitted with net curtains so pool users can see into the bedrooms unless the main curtains are closed all the time which unfortunately makes the room rather dark.

It was an all girls trip (my sister, my 15 year old niece, and myself)so we never stayed out once the sun started setting so I don’t know about the place after dark

Once inside my room, I opened the curtains to let some sunlight into the very dark room.

My room was dark when I entered and the light switch was not in an obvious position, no drinking water, and an empty fridge, the air-conditioning was off - in fact the room felt like it had been empty for some time and had not been prepared for my arrival.

At night, the room remained dark and we could not hear any street noise that affected our ability to sleep comfortably.

As a city we found it really dirty and witnessed things that I would rather my 8 year old son had not been exposed to in broad daylight in a city centre – it didn’t feel particularly safe after dark so we didn’t go more than 3 blocks to eat out – we were always back in the hotel by 9pm.

The rooms are a little dark as per other reviews

but that's a personal thing may not bother anyone else) The rooms are disappointing, very dark and tired and in need of a makeover.

It was dark during the day with no central light to light the room, only lamps.

The hotel itself is an old, musty and quite dark hotel.

The only other lighting was a lamp on the desk which made half of the room very dark.

Room was so dark not enough light fixtures.

This hotel is in a great location, right by Union square and only a couple of blocks away from the BART (easy 30min journey from SFO).

Nice hotel, friendly and very helpful staff, was easy to find and was in a great location, 7 min walk from the bart, trams  1 min away, bus stop near by, room was clean, had a iron/ironing board, hairdryer, safe, towels, alarm clock, coffee machine, there was 3 lifts

Our room was located in the newer section of the hotel

It’s a shame because the hotel ticked some boxes and was in a good location for a stay in San Francisco

Location: In Union Square, about a five-minute walk from the Powell Bart station, buses, and the Powell Cable Car station.

The location is perfect if you want centrality.

Hotel is in the heart of Union Square and a perfect location to get to everything on San Fransisco.

A clean hotel with large rooms in a fantastic location.

We had a lovely stay here- very comfortable, clean and air-conditioned room in a great, central location.

We found the hotel to be well located, The pool looked very refreshing, though we never availed ourselves of it.

The hotel was conveniently located to get to everything.

The location of the hotel is great and I loved the link with the restaurant around the corner offering 20% off.

Quiet at night, great location for Union square and the cable car stop.

Lovely hotel well located close to union square.

I would recommend it as a great location and thanks to reception and concierge for advice on how to make the most of a wonderful city.

This hotel is in a great location, central to everything you want to see.

It is a reminder of old world elegance which is San Francisco of the 19th and early 20th Centuries.

While it is not the most luxurious hotel, it is very clean and the service is excellent.

Overall, we felt very taken care of, even a little luxurious (I believe we were in a king room, as it was very large with a couch and walk in closet).

I recommend this hotel if you are on a budget and willing to sacrifice super luxurious over perfectly acceptable.

On one of the tabs, I had to mark that this hotel was mid range or luxury.

Rooms in the new building are spacious and those in the historic section have the elegance of a lost era.

Clean, cozy, comfy bed and a much needed blast of luxury after I arrived rather stressed out.

I think this hotel lives up to its "affordable luxury " claim and I would stay here again.

The rooms are clean, spacious and luxurious, beds very comfy.

Handerly is in an interesting location in SF,  with high-end shopping in one direction and community clinics in the other.

but it has room service and an outdoor pool, an untypical luxury in SF.

On our last trip to San Francisco we stayed on Nob Hill and whilst the hotel was more luxurious, it was a struggle trying to walk up the hills to get there

Historic hotel in Union Square close to many high-end shops, Macy’s, Cheesecake Factory and other San Francisco musts; close to Market St. Near Cable Car stop Powell/Hyde that goes to the Fisherman Wharf area; Hotel itself has a more antiquated portion that smells a bit musty-probably the carpeting; friendly staff, room was smallish

Alternatively use Hotwire and get a last minute buy on a luxurious room.

Not luxury, nor should it be for the great value.

but I am glad I paid the extra to stay here as it was like a slice of luxury before my long flight out to New Zealand.

This was definitely a first and we've stayed at both high end luxury places and some low key ones

If you are there for the city and not the luxury, this place works.

I booked the Handlery as it was reasonably priced and I figured we didn't need luxury as we would be out exploring the city most of the time we were there.

but there is a significant homeless population in the area.

Last night, our neighbors were smoking and noisy,

although the hotel is centrally located you have to be careful not to walk the “wrong way” out of the hotel as there is a dodgy area fairly close to the hotel.

The homeless seem to congregate outside of this hotel and they are incredibly aggressive pan handling for money.

For the most part you will be confronted by a poorly kept city and an abundance of homeless people.

Unfortunately,  the AC did not work, housekeeping stole our pc and the overall condition of the hotel was dodgy and musty.

I recommend this place for a primary stay or a fall back from when hotels get very expensive in the neighborhood.

On the negative side (as mentioned in a lot of reviews) we found the homeless (many mentally disturbed) problem quite prolific.

Neighborhood can get sketchy if you go West,

Union square is busy, with many homeless people.

It is a busy area with vocal homeless people.

however, had to walk down some sketchy areas (in broad daylight sketchy).

The moment you step out there are homeless people everywhere begging for money.

What does let the hotel down is it proximity to one of the run down areas of San Francisco where there are numerous homeless in streets.

but I would echo some of the sentiment I've read here on TA in that the city really has a challenging homeless problem.

We drive to the city and dropping off a car at many hotels is stressful, nerve wracking and dangerous.

The Wharf area has it’s share of homeless too,

Although we loved the hotel and enjoyed Alcatraz and riding bikes across the Golden Gate Bridge, unfortunately we would not return to San Francisco as we had a real issue with the number of homeless people who were literally everywhere, particularly downtown.

As you read in most travel articles about San Francisco, there are many people living with complex social issues, homelessness and mental health challenges in this and other areas of the city,

You are so close to everything you will need while visiting San Francisco.

(If you are into Harry Potter, HP& Cursed Child on stage is also playing at Curran theatre a block away from here)

Dear San Francisco, thanks for sharing your lovely city with us this week.

We loved this 1920s hotel in the heart of San Francisco.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great hotel in San Francisco!

Decent pool if you fancied a dip (although we didn't find san Francisco that warm so the kids weren't in there long)  Would highly recommend this hotel for families as it does exactly what you would expect it to.

This far exceeded what we were expecting, and it kickstarted the most amazing experience in San Francisco.

I would recommend this hotel to everyone visiting San Francisco.

Would definitely return if ever we are back in San Francisco

It was a good start to traveling to San Francisco!

My wife and I stayed  at the Handerly for a six day trip to move our daughter out of the University of San Francisco dorms and this was an excellent base for the process.

I would return to the Handlery when I return to San Francisco.

The hotel was placed at a wonderful central position right in the financial district of San Francisco.

I'd book this hotel for a future stay in San Francisco.

Livermore, Crown Memorial State Beach, Mar Vista Stables, Smiley's Schooner Saloon, Lone Tree Cemetery, Shoreline Park, Banana Island, Thornton Beach, Downtown Alameda, Ascension Cathedral, Matt Davis Trail, Nuts For Candy, Hayward Area Historical Society, Heather Farm Dog Park, The Great Star Theater, Tiburon Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, TC Garden, All That Glitters, Kennedy Park, Douglas Morrison Theatre, Posey Tube, South San Francisco History Museum, Pro-Cathedral Church Of Santa María, Lacelet Jewelry Gallery, Southland Mall, Alameda Island Brewing Company, Classic Bowling Center, The Alibi, All Saints Catholic Church, Valley Art Gallery, Rincon Center Postal Annex, Saints Peter and Paul Church, IIglesia de San Francisco, Alameda Naval Air Museum, P.S.

The cable cars also run close to the hotel for another unique option for getting around San Francisco.

The price was pretty cheap for San Francisco

Friendly staff especially John the concierge who went out of his way to help.

Check-in was hassle free, complete with helpful staff and a good concierge service following a long flight.

The staff working at the concierge desk really were the best.

This is a great hotel, very large room and friendly staff.

Excellent customer service whilst we stayed there, from Jason at reception, our rooms cleaned everyday and doorman at the end.

Thank you for helping make our trip so great!

Well done Handlery team and independently/ family owned hotels! !

Whilst a bit dated this hotel is really well situated , the staff are lovely and helpful.

Staff was friendly, helpful, and courteous.

Thank you Handlery staff, for making our stay in San Francisco such a pleasure.

but the staff shut that down very quickly and with minimal fuss.

where I was greeted like family, treated like royalty and EVERY member of this team.

Every member of their staff is amazing, friendly and bends over backwards to help!

Staff really friendly: we were delayed by two days due to flights; they kept the rooms & only charged for the nights stayed.

Concierge and bell desk staff were very helpful and informative.

Many thanks to Pastora in reservations for patiently walking me thru all the options.

A pretty typical city-centre hotel perfectly placed half a block from Union Square.

Really well situated too in Union Square, surrounded by every shop imaginable and just a cable car away from Fishermans Wharf.

I'm spoilt for choice: There were 20+ other properties all within blocks of my meetings in Union Square.

We stayed at the Handerly Hotel right beside Union Square for a week at the end of August 2022 and SO GLAD we chose this place.

Good base right next to Union Square & easy walk to Powell Street BART.

Steps from Union Square, you couldn't be more central.

This hotel is in the perfect location, just a few yards from Union Square.

Go right out of the hotel towards Union Square and you’ll be fine though.

Parking was $66 a night, which is about the going rate for a hotel in Union Square.

We could walk to Union Square, the Powell St. BART station, the cable car station and to stores.

A wonderful location beside union square, the cable cars and the bus routes.

We had an excellent stay at the Handlery Union Square Hotel.

Pleasantly surprised great location right in the heart of Union square!

It is right on Union Square so easy for the trams etc, would definitely stay here again.

Window was weird and facing a wall, while staff wasn't helpful nor kind any time.

but not great, the view out of the window was of a brick wall, and it must have been in the older wing of the hotel the noisy air conditioner until struggled and the free WiFi was absolutely useless in the room, worked fine in the lobby though.

The room we had didnt have any view except walls  

On a negative side the room faced a brick wall so a little claustrophobic - it also felt past its best,

Thin walls, the girls talking the next room over at 1:30 was a little loud

The room had a mildew smell, the towels were old, there was a institutional looking shower stall with no tub, dirty walls in the bathroom,  the rug was unravelling and to top it off, the ceiling was leaking!

The first room I had was very loud and looked out onto a brick wall

but in good condition you do sometimes get noise from the walls, people talking in the rooms next to you and water pipes rattling.

Adding some coloured pictures or something onto the walls would have helped brighten the room.

This brick wall would have been preferable to the darkness we endured throughout our stay.

We could only see a wall from our window!

but the fixtures and fittings were all very tired with multiple scuff marks on walls etc.

Cute little rooms , good room service, the only thing is the doors slam really loud and the walls are very thin.

Out "trainee" put us in room that look directly onto a cement wall.

The only complaint I really have is that you can hear voices, etc through the walls.

The rooms are rather small and the view is wall of the neighboring building.

On both occasions I got a room facing another wall with no view of the city whatsoever.

The stairwell walls and iron stairs used to get there were seriously filthy.

Handlery Union Square Hotel

neighborhood

wall

dark

staff

location

union-square

This room was very clean and comfortable.

Though the bathroom in my room could could use a bit of an update, everything was extremely clean and well appointed. Recommended.

Beautiful and clean hotel attached to the Playhouse.

The room while small it was clean and quiet.

Although the hotel was old fashioned it was very clean and the room was great.

but my wife has long hair and it certainly bothered her.

Front desk staff is good and courteous and rooms were clean and well supplied with all the amenities.

but very comfortable and clean, the lobby is relaxing and quiet with fascinating artistic accents and the staff is wonderfully friendly.

The rooms are a good size, very clean with comfortable beds.

It is clean, consistent and the staff is pleasant and courteous.

I had a lovely room which was comfortable and well-maintained.

The room was clean and pretty spacious and had good facilities.

Good location, very clean, friendly staff,

The rooms are very clean and well set out.

We picked the Kensington Park based on it's location, reviews and the fact that it does not charge a "destination fee" like so many of the hotels in San Francisco.

I would never recommend this place to anyone as they charged my account multiple transactions and have not been reversed.

I think this is most bizarre as if the room is ready then its ready, why charge more money for a room that is ready to go into. Weird.

but not included breakfast and bottled water charge.

We questioned why this had happened and were told it was because the credit card we had didn’t go through (even through this process César, on hotel night reception was extremely rude and defensive).

My friend was never called or notified that the card was declined (she would've put it on another card no problem).

but the hotel NEVER contacted me that there was a problem so that I could give them a new credit card.

For $200 dollar per night I would expect the bottled water in room for no charge!

On top of that,  old plumbing, non working elevator, slow valet parking and front desk people are deceptive about charges.

but there's a union hotel strike across the street - while that's not their fault the megaphone yelling and drum banging does make staying here a noise hell - starts at 7 a.m and goes all day and HOTEL IS UNWILLING TO WORK WITH YOU ON CHANGES - my credit card company called to get them to waive their penalty and they won't let us move which is a lousy thing to do.

We had some issues with the ceiling fan that was out of balance, hot/cold water and no small refrigerator

I have a Nissan Xterra which is not oversize and can park in any parking spot made, yet they charged me $65.

Just show them your card and let them know when you make the reservations.

Oh, they charge it as a room fee so the additional tax makes it about $30.

They just drove  to a garage on the same street you passed and charge you.

Beware of the bottled water in the room, this is not free and comes with a charge of $3.50/bottle which is not clearly advertised.

It appeared as a charge on my credit card a day later!

We did get it straigtened out with the management & the $250 fee reversed on our close out billing.

but when my corporate travel dept called the Kensington to reverse out my room charge, there was nobody on duty to authorize.

Bottle water is available for purchase in the room $3.50
They do valet I asked what they consider over sized and they told me a van or anything that fits 7 people, I was charged for an over sized vehicle $50.00.

A boutique hotel retaining it's old world charm of Gothic style blended with modern amenities.

This hotel has personality:  beautiful lobby, painted ceilings on the first floor and a classic, operating theater.

Get out of the big boxes and enjoy some charm.

This an old style hotel with fairly modern conveniences.

but the character and charm of the building shared with the theatre made up for it.

but retains its charming early 1900 architecture and features.

Stayed here for 3 nights, it’s a vintage kind of property, which is really charming.

If you like the older style hotel that has been restored to its original beauty then this is a great hotel for you.

The hotel has an old charm to it that is lovely.

I loved its Art Deco Style, very nostalgic!!!

It's got "old school" charm, underscored by a friendly and attentive staff.

The decor in the building and the room was beautiful, the bed was huge and by far the most comfortable hotel bed I have ever slept in.

Very good  italian  restaurant close  To thé hôtel, 
Amabiity  of thé staff spanish/ english and french speaking
Very  nice bedroom with tea /coffee/ fresh  fruits and chocolats offer.. Nice  and well  decorated  bathroom
Exellent balance  price /quality( in a superior  bedroom we pay 200 pounds thé night  including  buffet  breakfast..)

We Will come  back! !

There is a vague time worn essence to the hotel

Love the theme and decor, great service and pleasant and friendly staff.

The rooms are designed to feel like you are staying in a family home - so much nicer than a large corporate hotel.

Located very close to Union Square, cozy and spacious hotel.

The elevator was awesome, with an old sofa!

There was a weird fish smell going on in the lobby and elevator,

For another couple of days, the elevator was out of action so I walked up to my room.

The KPH is in a historical building with very old school elevators.

Our room was on the 5th floor and when you get out the elevator, there was a funny smell, that hung around the whole time we were there.

Upon arrival to our 6th floor room, yes the elevators are old, the hallways are old & the furnishings in the room are old,

The old lifts even have an classic lounger chair to relax.

We got off the elevator to our floor and it smelled old and musty.

The elegant elevator with a "sofa" takes you thru the memory shaft to levels which are "members only" to a Ball Room and many private dining areas.

The hotel does show its age, in good and not so good ways (like the broken elevator and no air conditioning),

Dec, 11, 2019

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