Chancellor Hotel on Union Square
433 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA 94102-1503
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Did you already book this hotel?
Tell us so we can help you plan.
Avg. ₹10,748 /night, 3/24 - 3/25
₹71,367
per night
₹40,671
per night
₹9,974
per night
Mar
Apr
24 Mar
Today
26 Mar
28 Mar
30 Mar
1 Apr
3 Apr
5 Apr
7 Apr
9 Apr
11 Apr
13 Apr
15 Apr
17 Apr
19 Apr
21 Apr
23 Apr
Reflects recent average nightly prices reported by our partners, and may not include estimated taxes or fees. Price at checkout may differ.
Cheaper
Average
Higher
About
#8 of 240 hotels in San Francisco
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The BEST LOCATION at the BEST PRICE...The Chancellor Hotel on Union Square is a historical, boutique hotel located in the heart of San Francisco where the Cable Car stops at the doorstep. Experience the best service and thoughtful amenities while being surrounded by world class shopping, dining and theaters. From Union Square, ride the Powell Street Cable Car over Nob Hill, past Chinatown and North Beach, to Fisherman's Wharf.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Paid private parking nearby
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Bar / lounge
Taxi service
Meeting rooms
Baggage storage
Non-smoking hotel
24-hour check-in
Car park
Wifi
Happy hour
ATM on site
Umbrella
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
Room features
Blackout curtains
Desk
Housekeeping
Safe
Telephone
Refrigerator
Cable / satellite TV
Hair dryer
Iron
Laptop safe
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Flatscreen TV
Room types
City view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Mid-range
Centrally Located
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
433 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA 94102-1503
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 100 out of 100
100
San Francisco Intl Airport
18.8 km•
See all flights
Metropolitan Oakland Intl Airport
18.2 km•
See all flights
Powell St
6 min•Muni
Car Hire
325 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
162 Attractions
within 0.5 kilometers
Reviews
4.5
6,038 reviews
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
Many travelers consider the Chancellor Hotel on Union Square to offer excellent value, citing its prime, yet quiet location and reasonable rates, despite parking charges. Guests often describe the atmosphere as nostalgically charming, marrying historic elegance with modern comforts. While the rooms are noted to be on the smaller side, cleanliness and cozy beds receive high marks.
Service at the hotel is generally lauded for being attentive, though a few guests report less satisfactory experiences. However, some visitors missed having air conditioning and complimentary breakfast.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Satisfactory
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveller reviews and learn more about how the site works.
Traveller rating
- 3,355
- 2,228
- 389
- 49
- 17
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
Sort by:
Detailed Reviews
These reviews are machine translated from their original language. Show machine translations?
Historic skyscraper a stone's throw from Union Square, therefore in the center. Palazzo Storico dates back to the early 1900s, the family is still the priority of this hotel today. The interior and the rooms therefore remained of the original plan (I think due to the various constraints) but obviously modernized as much as possible, therefore the rooms are not large but small with small bathrooms, but with the essence of a luxury hotel room a classic hotel. It's obvious that staying in a big city like San Francisco the prices are high for the quality offered, but here in my opinion we're there in terms of price and quality, not that it's a gift, of course, but you're in San Francisco right in the center. The bed is very comfortable, the room itself is small but with the possibility (if there are two of you with two suitcases) of being able to move; the bathroom is small but very clean and functional with a tub that can optimize evening relaxation. The most hateful thing is (common in the United States) the cleaning of the room which is only carried out at the end of the stay, therefore changing towels, making the bed etc. is not carried out. For the rest, you can very well have breakfast outside in the myriad of places that crowd the center (and I would say for everything and your budget). I would recommend it because you are in the center, 10 m walk from any public transport, even the famous Cable Car passes in front of it, the price is attractive compared to where you are but in line with the quality expressed, remembering that you are staying in a piece of San Francisco history. The only flaw is the associated parking, the cost is too high.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Se siete con la vostra macchina utilizzate altro parcheggio nelle vicinanze
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Right off Union Square on Powell Street (great location) with the Cable Cars clanging by every few minutes, I worried noise might be an issue on the second floor but we were given a room in the back that was quiet. We stayed for one week.
Everyone at the hotel was friendly and helpful and though the rooms are small, dated from an earlier era, they are immaculate with everything consumers expect in modern hotels (safe, iron, wifi, cable). We liked the access to great restaurants (Sears Restaurant next door is a standout, don't miss it!) department stores (Bloomingdales, Macys, Saks, etc.) and we kept our rental car at the 24/hour garage the hotel recommends just steps away. ($35/day billed to your room). For me, the bed was a slight minus (could be updated -- I'm 6' and had to climb onto it, and it could be firmer around the edges so you don't slide off). Overall, an excellent deal. Would definitely book again for our next trip to beautiful San Francisco.
Everyone at the hotel was friendly and helpful and though the rooms are small, dated from an earlier era, they are immaculate with everything consumers expect in modern hotels (safe, iron, wifi, cable). We liked the access to great restaurants (Sears Restaurant next door is a standout, don't miss it!) department stores (Bloomingdales, Macys, Saks, etc.) and we kept our rental car at the 24/hour garage the hotel recommends just steps away. ($35/day billed to your room). For me, the bed was a slight minus (could be updated -- I'm 6' and had to climb onto it, and it could be firmer around the edges so you don't slide off). Overall, an excellent deal. Would definitely book again for our next trip to beautiful San Francisco.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
We have stayed at The Chancellor many times, the last being during the dark early days of Covid. The hotel has been around almost forever, and was discovered by my extended family way back in the 1970s after we decided the nearby mega hotels had simply gotten too expensive.
Located 1/2 block from reimagined and cleaned up Union Square, the hotel boasts a quaint lobby and attentive staff. Rooms are small and charming, old school but with all the upscale perks you would want - modern flat-screen TVs, great bathroom products, comfy beds, and excellent towels and bedding.
This visit we opted for one of two available 2-room suites, which offer a Queen bed and plenty of room for two guests to spread out (or perhaps a rollaway for a child, as we've done in the past), at a fantastic price point.
Sadly, the breakfast room never reopened after Covid, but worry not, as plenty of great choices remain open nearby. Sears Finer Foods next door remains affordable and classy for breakfast (and lunch and dinner too), but our favorite for breakfast remains Cafe de la Presse, a quick three block walk east.
Highly recommended; we'll be back.
NOTE: As of this writing (12/10/2024), the San Francisco hotel strike rages on. The strike is not directly impacting The Chancellor, which staff belongs to a different union. No strike and no picketing at The Chancellor. That said, the boisterous strikers at the nearby Marriott, Hyatt and St. Francis all make their presence known along those hotels' sidewalks from 7am to 10pm seven days a week. No end in sight.
Beware!
Located 1/2 block from reimagined and cleaned up Union Square, the hotel boasts a quaint lobby and attentive staff. Rooms are small and charming, old school but with all the upscale perks you would want - modern flat-screen TVs, great bathroom products, comfy beds, and excellent towels and bedding.
This visit we opted for one of two available 2-room suites, which offer a Queen bed and plenty of room for two guests to spread out (or perhaps a rollaway for a child, as we've done in the past), at a fantastic price point.
Sadly, the breakfast room never reopened after Covid, but worry not, as plenty of great choices remain open nearby. Sears Finer Foods next door remains affordable and classy for breakfast (and lunch and dinner too), but our favorite for breakfast remains Cafe de la Presse, a quick three block walk east.
Highly recommended; we'll be back.
NOTE: As of this writing (12/10/2024), the San Francisco hotel strike rages on. The strike is not directly impacting The Chancellor, which staff belongs to a different union. No strike and no picketing at The Chancellor. That said, the boisterous strikers at the nearby Marriott, Hyatt and St. Francis all make their presence known along those hotels' sidewalks from 7am to 10pm seven days a week. No end in sight.
Beware!
Read more
Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It's an old hotel, so the shower doesn't have as much pressure, the toilet is lower and the bathtub is higher than they should be, but the service, the good location and every detail they do to please the customer really makes a difference. Starting because they offer cookies all day at the reception, as well as coffee, tea and water at any time in the lobby, which saves us money on breakfast in SF, which is expensive. In the room, we notice all the care taken in cleaning, organization, and the items they offer that make the room complete. This was my second stay at this hotel and I would stay again in a heartbeat. I enjoyed the experience again.
Read more
Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip: Eles permitiram o check in antes do horário e isso foi muito bom depois de quase 14 horas de vôo.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Really helpful concierge upon check-in and throughout our stay, also friendly staff at reception. Large foyer with sofas, and small bar area. Free tea and coffee, water refill machine, apples, popcorn and cookies.The lifts, corridors/hallways and rooms themselves were then quite compact. The room however was lovely and had everything that you would need. As the hotel rooms don't have aircon there was a plug-in fan, ceiling fan and you could open the window so we were fine. There was a choice of pillows, iron and ironing board, ice-bucket and toiletries. The bed was very comfortable and our room was quiet (it was at the back of the hotel with no view!) The house keepers checked if we needed the room cleaning each day or not. The TV had so much choice of channels and streaming apps available.
Only 2 negative things to say: parking at (I think) $35 a day is very expensive and meant we paid another $100+ on top of the hotel bill! It was however in a fairly convenient location just across the road and up a block, bit awkward getting cases and luggage there but the parking attendants were helpful and quick to get our car. Also the free cookies at the reception desk were peanut butter for 2 days in a row but they were kept with other cookies, I feel any that contain nuts should have been kept separate and labelled for those with allergies.
Only 2 negative things to say: parking at (I think) $35 a day is very expensive and meant we paid another $100+ on top of the hotel bill! It was however in a fairly convenient location just across the road and up a block, bit awkward getting cases and luggage there but the parking attendants were helpful and quick to get our car. Also the free cookies at the reception desk were peanut butter for 2 days in a row but they were kept with other cookies, I feel any that contain nuts should have been kept separate and labelled for those with allergies.
Read more
Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed in a room with 2 double beds on the 5th Floor. The room was very clean with Lino floor (so no nasties in the carpet), the bathroom was really well equipped and stocked with a bath (with drying line), shower, sink and toilet. There was a cute rubber ducky, shampoo, conditioner, shower gels, as well as bath salts, shower cap, cotton wool buds etc, much more than you’d get in your average hotel. There was also a large cupboard/additional room which had spare towels, the safe, hair dryer, ironing board and stools for the suitcases. The beds were comfty and you could even order a pillow from the ‘pillow menu’, we also chose to leave the note on our pillow which said we didn’t need our sheets changed every day. This hotel really scored points in the Lobby though, all day there was free tea and coffee and ice cold water. In the mornings they offered free cookies and in the evening you could help yourself to freshly made popcorn. The Bar was small but very friendly staff and a Happy Hour. Reception helped us with all our questions. The hotel was very close to Union Square and the Powell & Hyde Cable Car ran right past, only a few blocks downhill to the main turnaround. We chose this hotel based on price and proximity to the centre and it was perfect for us and felt much more homely than other chain hotels. We would definitely return here and recommend it to others!
Read more
Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chancellor is in an older, historic building, with only two elevators, each can hold up to 6 persons (but sardined at 8) or 4 with luggages so staff members keep an eye on the elevators in case someone is holding one at a higher floor. The elevators moved quickly and safely. Rooms are small but the space is well-used. Our bathtub were wide and deep and the shower was medium-strong and can be hot pending on your preference. Shampoo, body wash and conditioner are on the wall. Skin lotion is offered in small containers. Since the front of the hotel is on Powell Street, it is always noisy through the day and night; hence, earplugs are offered in a drawer.
There's no kettle or coffee/tea service in the room; however, they are available 24/7 in the lobby along with apples and nice, cool water (and small glasses) and also a small microwave oven for everyone to use. After 4 pm, pop corn is available. Note: around 10 am, coffee, milk, cream, etc, are often ran out but when reception is informed, they'll get on it. A bar and a restaurantare in the lobby so it can filled with laughters and loud conversations. Patrons are friendly, diverse and international.
Plenty of cookies are available all day - they are delicious, especially the oatmeal & raisin ones and the macadamia & white chocolate ones. The room rates here are reasonable. Check out is 11 am, and if you asked in advance, they would offer you a later checkout. Reception staff is friendly. Our housekeeping staff on the 10th floor is extremely courteous and accommodating. We stayed for a week but we did not need our room clean so every other day, we asked for one set of fresh towels just to do our part of saving the environment.
There's no kettle or coffee/tea service in the room; however, they are available 24/7 in the lobby along with apples and nice, cool water (and small glasses) and also a small microwave oven for everyone to use. After 4 pm, pop corn is available. Note: around 10 am, coffee, milk, cream, etc, are often ran out but when reception is informed, they'll get on it. A bar and a restaurantare in the lobby so it can filled with laughters and loud conversations. Patrons are friendly, diverse and international.
Plenty of cookies are available all day - they are delicious, especially the oatmeal & raisin ones and the macadamia & white chocolate ones. The room rates here are reasonable. Check out is 11 am, and if you asked in advance, they would offer you a later checkout. Reception staff is friendly. Our housekeeping staff on the 10th floor is extremely courteous and accommodating. We stayed for a week but we did not need our room clean so every other day, we asked for one set of fresh towels just to do our part of saving the environment.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This hotel offers exactly what it says it does, a good, clean, comfortable room with helpful staff. This might not be the modernest of hotels but it's clean and the service is great. There's everything you could need in the rooms (some will complain of a lack of AC) and most importantly the housekeeping is great. The staff (especially Alicia in the bar) were really helpful and accomodating throughout our stay and would definitely stay here again. Thanks!
Read more
Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I was more than pleased with my stay at The Chancellor Hotel! It is an old style hotel with a lot of class and comfort. The rooms are nicely decorated, very silent and clean, and it has a nice bathroom with a great shower and spacious hot tub. The bed was comfortable as well as the room temperature. It is a really good deal for the price, and it is very close to different attractions in SF.
The staff is also great! They were all very helpful and courteous. I was attended by Glen at the front desk and she was very helpful and happy, and helped us have a great stay. Jerry helped us with our bags and also gave us a great service. The room service crew did a great job cleaning and were very cortaceous. Free tea, coffee, and water on the main lobby. I also liked the elevator - I know it is a weird thing to like, but I appreciate its well built quality.
The hotel is also family owned and kept really well, so it is nice that you are not paying a big conglomerate that doesn't care for the guests. It is right beside Sears Fine Food, also family owned, so you can grab a great breakfast very easily, just 10 steps away from the main entrance.
I would definitely come back here! I rarely write reviews but the stay here was so enjoyable that I felt it in me to share how good the experience was!
The staff is also great! They were all very helpful and courteous. I was attended by Glen at the front desk and she was very helpful and happy, and helped us have a great stay. Jerry helped us with our bags and also gave us a great service. The room service crew did a great job cleaning and were very cortaceous. Free tea, coffee, and water on the main lobby. I also liked the elevator - I know it is a weird thing to like, but I appreciate its well built quality.
The hotel is also family owned and kept really well, so it is nice that you are not paying a big conglomerate that doesn't care for the guests. It is right beside Sears Fine Food, also family owned, so you can grab a great breakfast very easily, just 10 steps away from the main entrance.
I would definitely come back here! I rarely write reviews but the stay here was so enjoyable that I felt it in me to share how good the experience was!
Read more
Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Chancellor is small but centrally situated. Macy’s, Tiffany and many other famous shops are close by. From the comfortable seats in the lobby you can sit and watch the world go by including the quaint cable cars that trundle by regularly.
They have a bar which offers a good range of drinks as well as friendly service. The bar has a happy hour from 1700 to 1900 daily offering drinks at a reduced price. They also make complementary popcorn occasionally. Until recently they had a restaurant but had to close this due to lack of patrons. Fortunately there are several restaurants within walking distance including one right next door that is open from breakfast until dinner.
Additionally, the hotel provides coffees, teas and lemon iced water as well as fruit and endless delicious cookies on a 24 hour basis in the lobby and all complementary.
There were two elevators that gave easy access to the bedrooms. Our room was cleaned regularly, comfortable and surprisingly spacious and included a tv, walk in closet and safe. The bathroom was compact but large enough. Towels were replaced daily.
We stayed there prior to a cruise. When we returned to San Fransisco we had many hours to wait until catching our plane back to the UK. The hotel graciously allowed us to return and store our luggage and use its facilities until it was time for us to go to the airport. They even arranged the cab for us.
I will always have the fondest memories of The Chancellor Hotel. I would certainly stay there again and would highly recommend it to friends and family.
They have a bar which offers a good range of drinks as well as friendly service. The bar has a happy hour from 1700 to 1900 daily offering drinks at a reduced price. They also make complementary popcorn occasionally. Until recently they had a restaurant but had to close this due to lack of patrons. Fortunately there are several restaurants within walking distance including one right next door that is open from breakfast until dinner.
Additionally, the hotel provides coffees, teas and lemon iced water as well as fruit and endless delicious cookies on a 24 hour basis in the lobby and all complementary.
There were two elevators that gave easy access to the bedrooms. Our room was cleaned regularly, comfortable and surprisingly spacious and included a tv, walk in closet and safe. The bathroom was compact but large enough. Towels were replaced daily.
We stayed there prior to a cruise. When we returned to San Fransisco we had many hours to wait until catching our plane back to the UK. The hotel graciously allowed us to return and store our luggage and use its facilities until it was time for us to go to the airport. They even arranged the cab for us.
I will always have the fondest memories of The Chancellor Hotel. I would certainly stay there again and would highly recommend it to friends and family.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It depends on the size and the number of your order(s) and how often you plan to receive them and how long you will be staying at Chancellor. In my experience, most accommodating hotels do not charge for 1 or 2 small orders received. It is best to contact Chancellor Hotel reception (very nice staff) and ask them directly.
It was easy to communicate with them via email.
Definitely the BART, so easy & a short walk from Powell st station. Follow the cable car tracks by turntable & keep going straight up, past Union Square & you can’t miss the hotel.
…
"The hotel is on Powell Street, which has a cable car line. It can be noisy - come prepared. The hotel offers ear plugs, too."Read full review
"If your looking for quiet, this might not be the place for you, I love the sounds on the city though! "Read full review
"Check the season before booking as room temperature may give you a problem for the stay."Read full review
…
PRICE RANGE
₹8,684 - ₹15,563 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
chancellor hotel san francisco
LOCATION
United StatesCaliforniaSan FranciscoDowntown San Francisco / Downtown / Theater District
NUMBER OF ROOMS
137
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your ListingCHANCELLOR HOTEL ON UNION SQUARE (San Francisco) - Hotel Reviews, Photos, Rate Comparison - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Chancellor Hotel on Union Square
Which popular attractions are close to Chancellor Hotel on Union Square?
Nearby attractions include San Francisco Magic Theater at the Marrakech (0.4 km), The Escape Game San Francisco (Downtown) (0.4 km), and San Francisco Playhouse (0.08 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Chancellor Hotel on Union Square?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a lounge, and meeting rooms.
Which room amenities are available at Chancellor Hotel on Union Square?
Top room amenities include a flat screen TV, a refrigerator, and blackout curtains.
What food & drink options are available at Chancellor Hotel on Union Square?
Guests can enjoy a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Chancellor Hotel on Union Square?
Yes, a parking garage, paid private parking nearby, and paid public parking nearby are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Chancellor Hotel on Union Square?
Conveniently located restaurants include Lapisara Eatery, Fino Bar & Ristorante, and Pearl's Deluxe Burgers.
Are any cleaning services offered at Chancellor Hotel on Union Square?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Chancellor Hotel on Union Square?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Are there any historical sites close to Chancellor Hotel on Union Square?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Golden Gate Bridge (7.0 km), Alcatraz Island (4.4 km), and City Lights Booksellers (1.0 km).
Does Chancellor Hotel on Union Square have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the city view available here.