An Historic Hotel in Downtown San Francisco

When the Sir Francis Drake Hotel opened its doors in 1928, San Francisco had never seen anything like it. Although the city boasted a number of luxury hotels, the Sir Francis Drake Hotel was something else entirely: a sleek state-of-the-art marvel reflecting the dynamic spirit of a new city growing up out of the devastating 1906 earthquake.

Built for the princely sum of $5 million by Midwestern hotel developers, the Sir Francis Drake Hotel offered impressive innovations like an indoor golf course, ice water on tap, and radios in every guest room. The window panes were made of Vitaglass, so-called because it let even the healthful ultra-violet rays into each room, making it possible, according to early advertisements, to suntan without going outside. Another feature was the Servidor, a handy panel in the guest room doors, which allowed staff to discreetly deliver dry cleaning or other items without disturbing guests. (This may have come in handy during Prohibition.)

A historic hotel named for explorer Sir Francis Drake
The hotel got its name from the English explorer who, in 1579, narrowly missed discovering the San Francisco Bay itself and instead sailed the Golden Hind into Drake's Bay 28 miles north. San Francisco architects Weeks & Day designed the hotel to reflect the European Renaissance of Sir Francis Drake's era, adorning the hotel with a grand marble staircase and vaulted gold-leafed ceilings. W.F. Bergman was commissioned to paint two murals for the lobby depicting scenes from Drake's adventurous life. The Sir Francis Drake Hotel quickly obtained the glamorous aura in the late 1920s and became a favorite home away from home for stars of vaudeville and the silver screen. World War II was another busy era for the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, which by then had become a part of Conrad Hilton's growing empire. During the war, blocks of rooms were taken over by the U.S. military and the hotel was the scene of many farewells and reunions as troops made their way to and from the Pacific.

All through the war and post-war era, the Sir Francis Drake Hotel meant exciting night life for San Franciscans and visitors alike, who flocked to such popular spots as its Persian Room and Starlight Roof. Dark and romantic, the Persian Room was known as "the snakepit" because, according to San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen, "you never heard such hissing or saw such writhing." The Starlight Roof became one of the city's legendary rooftop venues for dining and dancing.

Now, the Sir Francis Drake Hotel is a premier San Francisco historic hotel offering opulent accommodations, meeting rooms, and elegant weddings and receptions.
Sir Francis Drake Hotel - A downtown San Francisco historic hotel on Union Square near Moscone Convention Center