Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel

The hotel formerly known as the Sir Francis Drake is back in business after a very thorough renovation; Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel is a welcome re-addition to a city that just doesn’t feel complete without a proper grand hotel presiding over the corner of Powell and Sutter. And while the updates are significant, they haven’t papered over the details that connect this hotel with San Francisco’s history — the lobby is as ornate as ever, the top-floor Starlite Room still offers its famous panoramic view of San Francisco’s hills, and there are still some Prohibition-era secrets if you know where to look.

In the guest rooms you’ll find a style that threads the needle between contemporary and classic; plentiful tribute is paid to the era of the hotel’s original opening, but there’s nothing at all dated about it; a large proportion of them have impressive views of Union Square or the surrounding city. Beacon Lounge, in the mezzanine above the lobby, is a restaurant and bar that features live music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. And beyond that, you’re lucky to find yourself in one of the finest restaurant towns in America; the Beacon Grand’s “Social Coordinators” are at your service with recommendations and reservations.