A Travel Advisor’s Guide to San Francisco’s Reimagined Landmark
San Francisco is a city of icons: the Golden Gate Bridge floating through the fog, cable cars rattling down Powell Street, and that irresistible blend of history, creativity, and reinvention. For travel advisors, it’s a city that never quite sits still—which makes the hotel landscape both exciting and, at times, a little chaotic.
Enter Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel.
A beloved 1920s landmark reborn as an independent property with soul, sophistication, and two signature venues that practically sell themselves: The Post Room and Starlite.
If you’re curating exceptional stays for clients—couples, leisure explorers, convention travelers, or small groups—this is a property you’ll want in your regular rotation. What follows is your comprehensive, insider-friendly, travel-advisor-tailored guide to positioning, selling, and showcasing Beacon Grand’s distinct offerings.
A Landmark Reimagined: Beacon Grand’s New Chapter
Originally opened in 1928 and long known as the Sir Francis Drake, the Beacon Grand emerged from a full-scale renovation and rebrand with a mission: preserve the history, elevate the experience, and create a uniquely San Franciscan stay that feels both timeless and fresh.
The result?
A hotel that blends the city’s storied past with its creative, tech-forward present—without slipping into cookie-cutter corporate territory.
Location That Works for Everyone
That famous corner of Powell Street and Union Square gives your clients effortless access to:
- Cable cars (literally steps from the door)
- Chinatown’s Dragon Gate
- World-class shopping and dining
- The Moscone Convention Center
- SF theater district
- Financial District offices
It’s a home base that makes a first-timer feel strategically placed and a frequent visitor feel effortlessly oriented.
Why Advisors Should Care
Beacon Grand checks all the boxes that matter in itinerary design:
- Historic architecture that photographs beautifully
- Independent flexibility
- A premium-but-not-stuffy guest experience
- F&B venues that enhance the stay—not just fill a need
- Versatile event space for groups, boards, and incentives
It’s the kind of hotel clients return to and then thank you for recommending.
Inside the Beacon Grand: A Stay with Personality
The transformation preserved the grand staircase, ornate ceilings, and glamorous bones you’d expect from a 1920s hotel, while elevating everything guests actually touch: lighting, textiles, furnishings, tech, and comfort.
Rooms Designed to Feel Elevated but Comfortable
Guest rooms evoke a classic-meets-contemporary sensibility:
- Clean lines, warm neutrals, and modern lighting
- Historic detailing that nods to the building’s story
- Updated bathrooms and thoughtful amenities
- Plush bedding and blackout options ideal for jet lag or convention schedules
These aren’t theme-park “vintage” rooms; they’re polished, peaceful, and designed for both business and leisure travelers who expect efficiency without sacrificing style.
The Post Room: Beacon Grand’s Heart and Social Hub
If the lobby is the welcome, The Post Room is the embrace.
This mezzanine-level dining room and bar functions as the hotel’s living room—a flexible, stylish space that feels equally suited to morning coffee, emails between meetings, or winding down with a glass of wine at day’s end.
All-Day Dining with Character
The Post Room is open from morning through late evening. Each part of the day brings its own energy:
By Morning
Soft lighting, comfortable seating, and a menu built for travelers who want a mixture of classics and lighter California fare. There’s an ease here that business travelers especially appreciate: no awkward breakfast buffet lines, no rushed energy.
By Afternoon
A relaxed, approachable venue ideal for:
- Casual working lunches
- Client meetings without leaving the hotel
- Solo diners who want something refined but not intimidating
By Evening
This is where The Post Room transforms.
Think:
- Brasserie-inspired comfort dishes
- Shareable plates perfect for small groups or couples
- A refined bar program
- A warm, social atmosphere that blurs the line between hotel bar and neighborhood favorite
Live music on select days adds character—just enough to make a night memorable without overwhelming the room.
Why Advisors Should Highlight The Post Room
Clients love the convenience and ambiance of a great on-property venue, and The Post Room offers:
1. Ease Without Compromise
Perfect for the business traveler landing at 8 p.m. who wants a well-made cocktail and a proper meal without trekking across the city.
2. Built-In Hospitality Moments
It’s intimate enough that staff remembers faces and preferences, reinforcing that “independent hotel with heart” feel.
3. Group-Friendly Flexibility
Small receptions, check-in socials, and informal welcome nights fit beautifully here.
4. A Sense of Place
The space looks and feels distinctly San Francisco—historic, stylish, a little romantic, and never generic.
Starlite: The Rooftop Lounge That Guests Rave About
Now let’s head upstairs.
All the way up.
Starlite, perched on the 21st floor, is Beacon Grand’s skyline jewel—a fully reimagined rooftop lounge with panoramic views, a glamorous interior, curated cocktails, and an atmosphere that sets it apart from the city’s other rooftop offerings.
A Storied Space, Elevated for Today
Previously known as the iconic Starlight Room, Starlite’s redesign honors its legacy while bringing in:
- Jewel-tone velvets and sculptural lighting
- Patterned carpets and richly textured décor
- Floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase downtown, the Bay, and twinkling city lights
- A soundtrack curated by a vinyl-focused music director
- A cuisine and cocktail program shaped by award-winning talent
This is a rooftop with personality—not just a view.
The Beverage and Culinary Program
Cocktails lean creative but accessible, crafted by respected industry talent.
Small plates are thoughtful, high quality, and designed to complement the drinks and the setting rather than compete with them.
Your clients will feel like they’ve discovered something special—because they have.
How Advisors Should Position Starlite
Each client type gets its own hook:
For Couples:
Sunset cocktails with sweeping views, a romantic signature moment in their SF stay.
For Leisure Travelers:
A high-style nightlife venue that feels local and current, not touristy.
For Corporate Travelers:
A place to take colleagues or clients that says “I chose well.”
For Small Groups & Incentives:
An ideal welcome reception venue—no buses, no transfers, just the elevator and a skyline.
For Celebrations:
Perfect for birthdays, elopements, pre-wedding cocktails, and girls’ weekends.
Essentially, Starlite is a built-in highlight of the trip—and one advisors should confidently spotlight in proposals and consultations.
Why Travel Advisors Should Recommend These Three Together
When you package Beacon Grand, The Post Room, and Starlite as a trio, you create an experience-rich narrative that elevates your itinerary beyond “here’s a nice hotel.”
Think of it as a three-act structure:
Act I: Arrival & Heritage
Your clients step into a grand lobby framed by history, elegance, and that instantly recognizable San Francisco charm. It feels upscale but warm—never pretentious.
Act II: Daytime Ease & Connection at The Post Room
Breakfast that doesn’t feel rushed.
Lunch that doesn’t feel corporate.
A comfortable space that becomes “the spot” during their stay.
It removes friction from the trip, which clients deeply appreciate (and remember).
Act III: Skyline Nights at Starlite
The signature sendoff:
Cocktails above the city. Music. Views. A sense of discovery.
The story of their trip ends on a high note—literally.
A Fit for Every Segment: Client Matching Guide
1. Leisure Travelers & Urban Explorers
Pitch Beacon Grand as:
- A landmark hotel with a modern sensibility
- A place where design lovers feel right at home
- A perfectly placed base for sightseeing and neighborhood exploration
2. Couples
Position:
- Starlite for nighttime romance
- The Post Room for cozy breakfasts
- The history and charm of a 1928 building
3. Corporate & Convention Travelers
Emphasize:
- Walkability to offices and Moscone Center
- Excellent in-house dining
- Quiet, well-appointed rooms
- Strong meeting spaces for private sessions or board meetings
4. Bleisure & Extended Stays
Highlight:
- Comfortable public spaces
- Easy dining
- Proximity to major corporate districts
- The ability to transition seamlessly from work to leisure
5. Groups, Celebrations & Small Events
Promote:
- Scenic receptions at Starlite
- Social hours or arrivals-night events in The Post Room
- Flexible indoor spaces that combine historic architecture with modern AV
How to Talk About Beacon Grand with Clients
When you pitch the hotel, a few phrases tend to resonate with travelers:
- “A beautifully restored 1920s landmark right on Union Square.”
- “A hotel with independent personality—not a generic chain experience.”
- “You have a brasserie-style restaurant downstairs and one of San Francisco’s best rooftop bars upstairs.”
- “Perfect balance of heritage, style, and modern comfort.”
- “A location that works for both leisure and business.”
This framing appeals across demographics and makes it easy for travelers to picture themselves there.
Final Thoughts: A Property That Elevates Your Portfolio
Beacon Grand, The Post Room, and Starlite aren’t just amenities.
They’re storytelling elements—the kind of built-in experiences that help your clients fall for San Francisco all over again.
For travel advisors, that means:
- Higher client satisfaction
- Repeat business
- Stronger itinerary design
- A property that feels special, personal, and thoughtful
When you next send a proposal for San Francisco, consider opening with the signature trio:
Stay at Beacon Grand.
Relax in The Post Room.
Toast the skyline at Starlite.
It’s an itinerary that practically glows.
