Hilton San Francisco Union Square

I arrived quite late and it took me a while to find the hotel parking, which cost a whopping $80 per night – the most expensive parking of my entire trip. The front desk lady was rather cold, probably because we booked an "accessible" room (which I only understood the meaning of after entering). Right across the street, there's a Japanese restaurant that's quite authentic. When I returned, I saw a bunch of police officers having coffee and relaxing at the lobby cafe. Despite being downtown, I guess the security is still pretty good.

Consistent with Hilton's standard, the hotel boasts an excellent location. There's a car rental company downstairs, which is perfect for adjusting to jet lag and exploring by car. The cable car starting point is just a short walk away, and getting here from the airport is also convenient. Hotels in downtown San Francisco generally have some history, but thankfully the cleanliness and facilities are up to par.

Staying in Tower 1, the room was a bit compact; we really had to strategize to open our 28-inch and 24-inch suitcases. There's a water dispenser on the way from the lobby to Tower 1, so you can bring your own bottle to refill. The hotel doesn't provide toothpaste, toothbrushes, or slippers, and there's no kettle either. Oh, and for first-time guests with large luggage, it's best to use the main entrance – there's a ramp which makes it easier to pull your bags. Definitely avoid the side entrance, which is the garage entrance, as there are no elevators or ramps there; you'd have to carry your heavy luggage up the stairs, which is very inconvenient. On the bright side, the hotel doesn't charge a destination fee, which is a big plus.

Overall, it's a decent, rather large hotel. I imagine if you check in or out at peak times, you might have to queue. Luckily, I arrived and left at good times, so no waiting for me. I even checked in at 10 AM, which was a huge plus – big thumbs up for that! The facilities are a bit dated, and the service is pretty much non-existent unless you specifically ask for something. However, the location is excellent, making it convenient to get everywhere. The sky bar is definitely a highlight. All in all, it's not bad~

The hotel's location is excellent, making it very convenient for getting around, with an Avis and Budget car rental agency right downstairs. The lobby is grand, and while the decor is a bit dated, it's still very clean – Hilton's quality really shines through. The hotel also has a swimming pool; too bad I didn't have time to try it out.

The room was very spacious, and the staff provided excellent service. The hotel lobby had many police officers on guard every night, which made me feel very safe despite being close to the city center. The hotel itself is grand and opulent, with convenient transportation as it's near the subway station and Union Square.