"We think that this is going to bring a much-needed acceleration of the economy to the area. In March 2020, however, the hotel shuttered due to the pandemic. Where once Sir Francis Drake took center stage, now we pay homage to all those who made The City, and this hotel, so great. It's really a sign of visitors and tourists coming back to San Francisco," said Marisa Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Union Square Alliance. 450 Powell Street, Union Square, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States of America - Excellent location - show map - Subway Access. "His name doesn't have to . I peeked my head in, like a total weirdo, and asked her if I could ask her a strange question. Enjoy breakfast, WiFi, and room service. The pipes in my bathroom. The address for Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel is 450 Powell Street, San Francisco, California 94102. 1,029 reviews. . Learn the latest news from Katina Athanasiou, Senior Vice President, Sales and Services, The Americas, and how to earn more https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/San-Francisco-Sir-Francis-Drake-Hotel-reopening-as-Beacon-Grand. This was the first English circumnavigation, and third circumnavigation overall. Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel is a part of Kimpton Hotels. Their other services like restaurants and bars also continue to have separate yet equally notable brands, bringing the company ahead of its industry. 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. It is all much more intentional than that. It was purchased by Conrad Hilton in the late 1930s and briefly renamed the Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel after it was purchased Kimpton Hotels in the 1990s. Is the hotel haunted?" "The owner of the hotel committed suicide and still haunts the hotel," he said. The iconic 4-star luxury Sir Francis Drake Hotel in Union Square has appointed a new general manager, is nearing completion of an extensive renovation and close to naming a date to reopen for the . Airport (OAK) - 31.2 km / 19.4 mi Concord, CA (CCR-Buchanan Field) - 46.7 km / 29 mi. I asked him if he knew anything. / CBS San Francisco. A spokeswoman for the Northview Hotel Group, which purchased the hotel last year for about $157 million, told The San Francisco Chronicle the rebranding of the hotel will preserve components of the property's past. By 2011, the group was the largest chain of boutique hotels in the United States. Prohibition was no damper on the luxury establishment, where the booze kept flowing and Hollywood celebrities flocked for good times. Fairfax, a town in Marin County, also renamed a stretch of the 43-mile-long Sir Francisco Drake Boulevard to Coastal Miwok Trail. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. 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. Have you heard anything about this?" "Well, guests complain about things all the time. Sir Drake Hotel. Any recent trip to the luxury, historic Sir Francis Drake Hotel will have shown the place completely boarded up, with none of its distinctive beefeater-costumed bellhops out front, and wooden boards covered with murals of flowers over all of its ground-floor doors and windows. I'm weirdly fascinated by this sort of thing." Put him in a museum talk about him within the full context of what he did," said Noah Griffin, Civil activist and Tiburon Council Member. The Sir Francis Drake Hotel, the Union Square icon that opened in 1928, will become the Beacon Grand. If you dont book a flexible rate, you may not be entitled to a refund. The Sir Francis Drake Hotel in SF's Union Square, closed since the start of the pandemic, will reopen next month fully rebranded and renovated, under a new name and with new owners. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurant Group Inc. is the manager of the San Francisco, California-based hotel chain. The Sir Francis Drake was a staple of San Francisco's civic life for nearly a century, but the 21-story, 416-room hotel has not reopened since March 2020, during the onslaught of the pandemic. Typical check-in conversation. The 416-room . A school district in San Anselmo, north of San Francisco, voted last year to rename Sir Francis Drake Hotel to honor Archie Williams, a Black Olympic gold medalist and World War II veteran. 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. It is located at the corner of Sutter and Powell Streets adjacent to Union Square . Service animals are exempt from fees/restrictions, Property does not require health documentation at check-in, Property confirms they are implementing guest safety measures, Contactless food service / room service is available, Property follows sanitization practices of SafeStay (AHLA - USA), Guests are provided with free hand sanitizer, Property confirms they are implementing enhanced cleaning measures, Bed sheets and towels are washed at a temperature of at least 60C/140F, Food service has been amended for enhanced safety, Protective clothing is available to guests, Commonly-touched surfaces are cleaned with disinfectant. The 12th floor gets the most complaints but room 823 is apparently the most haunted. This Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel's check-out time is 11:00 AM. I also found this kicker: "Suicides, murder and ghostly figures add to the mystique of this Bay Area legend." Fun! 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. Does Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel offer free cancellation for a full refund? That is now called Lizzies Starlight Room, and is also currently temporarily closed. Grace Cathedral and Golden Gate Theatre are also within half a mile (1 km). 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ You, a Bay Area resident, are likely to care little about the lower 21 stories of the tourist-serving Sir Francis Drake Hotel. (James Irwin / cbsSF.com), rename Sir Francis Drake High School to honor Archie Williams, Marin School Board Votes to Rename Drake High After Former Teacher Archie Williams, Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. At check-in I chatted with a man behind the desk. 532 Reviews 2 Q+A 32 Room tips. Then I found out the true story behind the property, and I desperately wished I had been kept in the dark about its history. But I couldn't find anything about room 823. 8.4 . .css-17ervdj{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Kepler,Kepler-fallback,Helvetica,Arial,Serif;font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:normal;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-17ervdj:hover{color:link-hover;}}Which Stores Are Open on Labor Day? I had nice lighting and there were two queen beds that were beautifully dressed in soft linens. Gorgeous Glamping Destinations Across the U.S. Must-Visit Ice Cream Fests Across the U.S. Is This the Best Small Town in the Midwest? You're not on the 12th floor. 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. A school district in San Anselmo, Marin County, voted last year to rename Sir Francis Drake High School to honor Archie Williams, a Black Olympic gold medalist and World War II veteran. . As SFGate explains , Drake's legacy involves "enslaving around 1,300 Africans, which likely meant about three times as many died." 50 Los Gatos - Saratoga Road, Los Gatos, United States, 10300 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, United States, 199 Continental Blvd, El Segundo, United States, 1929 Fourth Street, Eureka, United States, 140 South Santa Cruz, Los Gatos, United States. Reviews. According to a spokesperson for the Beacon Grand, controversy around the hotel's original namesake "was a factor in the decision to change the name," though the fresh branding was also chosen to better communicate the fact that "this will be an entirely new hotel.". The property, located in downtown Union Square, first opened its doors as the Sir Francis Drake in 1928. Located blocks from Union Square, The Drake features views of the Square from many rooms as well as the hotel's nightclub. . Based on recent averages, the room rate for this weekend can be as low as 244 per night. But yes, people definitely do see and hear things." IHG has even reached $4.337 billion revenue in 2018 following more developments in the Kimpton Hotels. The Sir Francis Drake Hotel itself, as he was a slave trader. Find a cancellation policy that works for you. How many days could I last in this haunted hotel? 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. Enjoy your evening at the bistro bar with wine, tea and cocktails. He looked at my reservation closer and said, "Don't worry. 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. The 21-story, 416-room hotel . We recommend booking a free cancellation option in case your travel plans need to change.Read more. The Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel is the go-to place when visiting the city either for business or leisure. She nodded her head. Great locations and deals for every budget. "One's procession through the Beacon Grand is one through history, evoking the grandeur of the . Stay at this 4-star historic hotel in San Francisco. Book online or call now. The following facilities are closed on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: Stay in one of 418 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. St hit the fan: Tahoes young people may not come back, 168-year-old California newspaper files for bankruptcy, Fight over Death Valley's 134-degree temperature record heats up, Horoscope for Tuesday, 7/25/23 by Christopher Renstrom, Famous Central Coast mansion to be demolished, Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). He smiled, kind of creepily at me and smiled "Oh yes dear. Now, the hotel will be named the Beacon Grand. She looked right at me, strangely, and said "It might be. I made small talk with the bartender and told him I had been creeped out the whole time that I had been staying at the hotel and that I had read the place is haunted. We shared an awkward chuckle and I made my way to the "non-haunted" 15th floor. Book now at 25 restaurants near Sir Francis Drake, a Kimpton Hotel on OpenTable. 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). SAN FRANCISCO (AP/CBS) -- San Francisco's Sir Francis Drake Hotel will be called The Beacon Grand in the latest attempt in the Bay Area to rename . The pet policies of Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel are listed below. The whole place is. I MADE it. 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. A name change was already in the works before the hotel was sold to Northview in 2021. Kimpton Sir Francis Drake 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. editor / reporter who has been published in almost every San Francisco publication, including Hoodline, SF Weekly, Thrillist, and Broke Ass Stuart. It's like the energy is off and I'm hearing weird noises. Maybe the hotel is just old and has questionable artwork hanging in the rooms and dim lighting. San Francisco Intl Airport 12 mi See all flights. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Airport (SFO) - 23.1 km / 14.4 mi Oakland Intl. "Sir, I know this may sound a bit outlandish but I've heard the hotel is haunted. Complimentary wired Internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming is available for your entertainment. The D.R., on course to break arrival records in 2023, is focused on getting visitors to explore cities and attractions outside A handful of contemporary cruise lines are offering short cruises on which the only stop is at a private destination. The news was first reported by the San Francisco Business Times. Since then, the company now owns 65 hotels with a total of 13,357 bedrooms. The hotel recently announced it is changing . We shared some friendly banter about traveling, the weather back home, and if I had ever stayed at a Kimpton property before. At one point a piece of note paper I had on my desk mysteriously floated off the desk to the floor even though the AC was on low. Featuring 416 rooms with views of the courtyard, this venue is set within a short ride from the east-west Union Street. 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. SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The iconic Sir Francis Drake Hotel opened in 1928 and now 94 years later it's changing from the inside out. 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. 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. I love watching American Horror Story and horror movies. For 94 years the . 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. Hearing voices. But she brought up a good point. Travelers find this hotel Pet Friendly, Conveniently near shopping options. 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. The pet policies of Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel are listed below. Mysteriously, I had a few pieces of paper on the table near my bed and one just suddenly fell off. The hotel was not asked to change its name, but Noah Griffin believes it will only benefit them. Starting with its controversial name. 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. 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. My room was really beautiful. The airport is conveniently located when visiting this San Francisco hotel. "They think of him as the father of enslavement in the British empire. 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 . I thought it was pretty weird that she guessed the exact hotel that I had chosen. I took a spinning class early in the morning to make sure that I would truly be exhausted and so that I would hopefully fall asleep more easily. VIDEO: Mayor Breed calls for review of public art after crowds topple 3 historic statues in San Francisco. within 0.3 miles. Due to that marketable recognition, IHG decided to acquire Kimpton for $430 million in cash. The Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel offers large bedrooms that is well decorated and features modern amenities. When the Sir Francis Drake opened in 1928, it was heralded as the West Coast's finest hotel. "I just can't believe how expensive the hotels are out there, but luckily I found something through a friend that is still pricey but in an excellent location," I told her. By early 2023, the property plans to reopen its Starlite Room rooftop lounge space, which is similarly receiving a full overhaul. "We are not just changing the name and then quickly changing everything about the hotel. If you want to look for another hotel, I have plenty of other recommendations." 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 . But we loved it. I started to write this very article in my room the morning of day three. Wheelchair accessible - may have limitations. The Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel has friendly and accommodating hotel staff. So, on my flight, I Googled "Sir Francis Drake Hotel haunted." Melden Sie sich an, um bei dieser Unterkunft zu sparen. TV star Paul Lynde was involved with a terrible accident that took place here back in 1965. All Rights Reserved. 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. When I got into the elevator after dinner an employee of the hotel was inside. The 21-story, 416-room hotel has been closed since March 2020. With these spine-chilling rumors, I decided to do a little experiment. 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 . He stared at me for a quick second and went back to mixing his drinks. 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? Here's what happened. Photo Credit: Beacon Grand, Learn The Family Secrets For Selling Croatia. Hotel Reservation System | 2023 thecaliforniahotels.com All rights reserved, to check availability and accurate prices. Sign up for NBC Bay Areas Housing Deconstructed newsletter. Youre likely more familiar with the Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, whove managed the place in recent decades, though the Drake has been owned by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust since 2010. Fortune listed the company as the #11 Best Company to work for right within that year. Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, limo/town car service, and express check-out. Customize your own price, browse photos and special offers. The brand is owned by the Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG). The hotel has 1 building/tower. 450 Powell Street, Union Square, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States - Excellent location - show map - Metro access. It's the latest Bay Area landmark to drop Drake's name. On WeddingWire since 2009. Coordinates: 37.789126N 122.408356W. Powell Street entrance to the Sir Francis Drake hotel in San Francisco in 2008. A renovated room at the Beacon Grand, formerly the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, in San Francisco, Calif. Northview Hotel Group Show More Show Less 4 of 4 The lobby of the new hotel Sir Francis Drake . ", "The new concept very much honors and respects the history of the iconic hotel," public relations manager Leah Goldstein told the Chronicle. A heritage of tradition without convention makes us a . Airport (SFO). Book the Kimpton SIR FRANCIS DRAKE HOTEL (San Francisco) for as little as 110 EUR! The hotel chain was founded by William Kimpton in 1981 with the leadership appointed to CEO Mike DeFrino. We are not just changing the name and then quickly changing everything about the hotel. In 2021, the town of Fairfax changed the name of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard after community tension. It was quietly purchased by the Northview Hotel Group last April; the Northview Hotel Group currently owns the Beach House in Hilton Head, the Boca Raton in Florida, Brasada Ranch in Bend, Ore., and Tapatio Springs in Boerne, Tex. 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. Chinatown is 0.9 km from the accommodation, and Fisherman's Wharf is less than 2.6 km away. 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. The Northview Hotel Group that purchased the iconic hotel says they'll reopen this spring. Kimpton told SFGATE in 2020 that they were "working with property ownership to evaluate a name change and potential rebranding of the property.". After a long day of travel and scaring myself on the plane I was ready for a deep sleep. Beacon Grand Hotel. Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.1 mile and kilometer. . With its 2022 re-opening, the Beacon Grand celebrates the rich history of this iconic hotel with a new name dedicated to all explorers and history makers. BEACON GRAND, A UNION SQUARE HOTEL in San Francisco located at 450 Powell Street. Some Seriously Eerie Things Happened To Me At This Classic San Francisco Hotel. Oakland A's manager Bob Melvin dumps the team after 11 great seasons, new city administrator Carmen Chu is already taking knocks for enabling corruption, and Outside Lands is promising some sort of livestream. Sie knnen einen Genius-Rabatt auf die Unterkunft Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel erhalten! I asked if he knew about any specific incidents. Please access our Customer Support Portal, In Room Entertainment - 55-inch flat-screen TV with premium channels and pay movies, Food and Beverages - Coffee/tea maker, room service (limited hours), and free bottled water, Bed Type and Features - Premium bedding, a pillow menu, and bed sheets, Restrooms & Showers - Private bathroom, designer toiletries, and a bathtub or shower with a rainfall showerhead, Extra Features - Laptop-compatible safe, laptop workspace, and phone; free cribs/infant beds available on request, Pleasure - Climate-controlled air conditioning and daily housekeeping. But there's something in my room that doesn't feel right ma'am. The Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel is a historic classic hotel that is newly renovated with upscale amenities and state-of-the-art decorations. I only got a few hours of sleep because I was so paranoid the whole night. San Francisco's historic Sir Francis Drake Hotel officially has a new name, the Beacon Grand, with a reopening planned for spring, according to . Theyve been hiding something. Ever since the establishment of these two hotels, they have received multiple recognitions from organizations. The door opened to my floor. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. 8.7. Save big with Reservations.com exclusive deals and discounts. San Francisco's Sir Francis Drake Hotel will be called the Beacon Grand in the latest attempt in the Bay Area to rename streets and landmarks that honored the explorer linked to slave trading . Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Pedestrians walk by the boarded up Sir Francis Drake Hotel on August 13, 2020 in San Francisco. The property is also next door to Square hearts Sculpture, and near a train station. The Kimpton Sir Drake Hotel has an onsite Italian restaurant that serves delicious and mouth-watering cuisine that is well-plated and priced reasonably. And if you're really brave, ask for room 823. 754 Sir Francis Drake Blvd is a stunning retail strip center located in the thriving city of San Anselmo, California. Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as bicycles to rent, or other amenities including concierge services and wedding services. 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. 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. The Luma Hotel San Francisco is located at 100 Channel St. in Mission Bay between Oracle Park and the Chase Center. There have been people trying to fix it, but it won't stop on the 21st floor," I said. The minimum age to check-in is 18. Get the new ABC7 Bay Area mobile app today! "Ah, this one elevator wouldn't stop on the 21st floor the entire time I've been here. I continued my spooky investigative work, pressing him further. Finally chilly enough to wear turtlenecks and boots, we spent the afternoon driving around and catching up. San Francisco has a new hotel comp and it's not necessarily great news for the industry. I still enjoy getting spooked, but only to a certain degree. 8.7. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Discover genuine guest reviews for Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel , in Downtown San Francisco neighborhood, along with the latest prices and availability - book now. Get the latest posts delivered right to your inbox. That he and John Hawkins enslaved the first folks out of western Guinea and also Sierra Leone for quite a profit and began the British Empire slave trade," said Griffin. Do you have any questions about your reservation? Of course this would happen to me. I could just imagine myself waking up to get a glass of water in the middle of the night and seeing a small ghostly child waving at me in the mirror. "I have them lined up at home like an old soldier.". 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. 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. I nodded my head and she said, "Oh Micaela, the hotel is haunted. 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.