Hotel Nikko San Francisco

We recommend the Nikko to business travellers who chain downtown meetings and want to swim in the evening, to families who appreciate the space and the covered pool (rare in SF), to couples in their forties who prefer tried-and-tested comfort to Instagrammable design. It is a hotel for those who know San Francisco and understand that Union Square remains the most practical hub, even if the neighbourhood lacks charm after 20h. Asian groups are numerous here, an international atmosphere without being mondaine.

25-storey tower built in 1987 by architect John Carl Warnecke, grey granite and smoked-glass façade typical of corporate San Francisco at the time. The lobby spans two levels, beige marble floor, cherry wood panelling, ikebana renewed every week. Rooms renovated in 2019, neutral tones, contemporary furniture without particular signature, standard ceiling height 2.70 m. The whole is functional, well maintained, without decorative pretension.

The restaurant Anzu serves Californian-Japanese fusion cuisine, correct sushi without being memorable, robata grill in the evening, copious breakfast buffet (38 $) with omelette station. Feinstein's at the Nikko, cabaret-lounge on the ground floor, programmes jazz concerts and American standards three evenings a week, hushed atmosphere, well-executed classic cocktails. Room service available 6h–23h, reduced menu after 22h. We recommend dining out in the neighbourhood, the offer remains limited for a 5-star property.

The Nikko stands on Mason Street, between Geary and O'Farrell, two blocks north-west of Union Square. Macy's, Saks, the Geary Street theatres five minutes on foot, the Geary Boulevard gallery district ten minutes away. Powell Street station (BART and Muni) 400 metres away, SFO 35 minutes by car outside traffic, Caltrain 20 minutes. The neighbourhood is dense, touristy, noisy during the day, calm after 21h, a few homeless on Geary but secure. We are at the heart of practical San Francisco, not charming San Francisco.