
Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Best for transit-connected waterfront stays, larger meeting and event needs, and rooms with bay or balcony options.
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Hyatt Regency San Francisco is a 4-star, 821-room waterfront hotel on the Embarcadero with a large atrium, aimed at business and family travelers who want easy ferry and transit access. The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square is a long-running, 4.5-star heritage hotel in the heart of Union Square; read this if you prefer a central shopping/theater address and classic downtown accommodations.
Updated · about 1.2 km apart

Best for transit-connected waterfront stays, larger meeting and event needs, and rooms with bay or balcony options.

Best for being steps from Union Square shops, theaters, and a classic downtown hotel experience.
When Hyatt Regency San Francisco wins: Choose Hyatt Regency when you want Embarcadero waterfront access, more modern meeting space and event capacity, a large atrium lobby restaurant, and a wide range of bay-view or balcony room types. It’s the stronger pick for conference groups and travelers relying on ferries or the Embarcadero transit hub.
When The Westin St. Francis wins: Choose The Westin St. Francis when you want to be in the middle of Union Square shopping and theaters, prefer a landmark hotel with many room types across its Tower and Landmark sections, and value an on-site café and historic downtown atmosphere.
Bottom line: Both hotels are solid downtown San Francisco choices; pick Hyatt Regency for waterfront transit access, larger event facilities, and balcony/bay-view rooms, or pick The Westin St. Francis for a central Union Square location and a classic city-hotel experience.
| Category | Hyatt Regency San Francisco | The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Modern waterfront business hotel with a 17-story atrium | Historic Union Square landmark hotel with classic downtown character |
| Location | Embarcadero waterfront, steps from Ferry Building and Embarcadero BART/Muni | On Powell/335 Powell Street, steps from Union Square and cable cars |
| Size (rooms) | 821 rooms | 1195 guestrooms |
| Age / history | Opened 1973; known for its 17-story atrium | Long-established Union Square heritage hotel |
| Pools | No on-site pool | Not published |
| Fitness | 24-hour fitness center with Peloton, TRX and Mirror (free for guests) | Fitness facilities (24-hour listed in supplier amenities) |
| Restaurants & bars | Eclipse Kitchen & Bar (atrium restaurant & bar) plus The Market grab-and-go | Cafe Rito and a coffee shop/cafe plus a bar/lounge and room service |
| Spa / wellness | No on-site spa (in-room massages can be arranged from off-site) | Not published |
| Business & events | Very large — 72,000 sq ft of meeting space, multiple ballrooms (Grand Ballroom 11,125 sq ft) | Large conference footprint — 56,000 sq ft and 35 meeting rooms |
| Famous features | 17-story atrium lobby and direct Embarcadero/waterfront access | Glass elevators and direct Union Square frontage |
| Family policy | Family friendly; children welcome | All-ages property (children up to specified ages often allowed; listing notes children 11 and younger may stay free with adults) |
Hyatt Regency sits on the Embarcadero waterfront across from the Ferry Building and near ferries and BART/Muni.
Hyatt is the better choice if you prioritize waterfront transit and ferry access.
The Westin St. Francis sits directly on Union Square, placing shops, theaters and cable-car lines at the hotel’s doorstep.
The Westin is the clear pick for being in the center of Union Square activity and shopping.
Hyatt Regency offers many room types including bay-view, balcony and Club/Regency Club categories.
Choose Hyatt for bay or balcony views and a wide selection of modern room categories.
The Westin St. Francis lists a large variety of traditional, deluxe and grand rooms plus multiple suite options across Tower and Landmark sections.
The Westin suits travelers who want choices across classic room styles and Union Square views.
Hyatt Regency centers dining in Eclipse Kitchen & Bar in the atrium plus The Market for grab-and-go.
Hyatt’s atrium restaurant is convenient and suits both business and family dining.
The Westin St. Francis offers Café Rito, a coffee shop/cafe, a bar/lounge and room service.
Westin’s dining is convenient for Union Square shopping days and theater evenings.
Hyatt’s signature public space is its 17-story atrium lobby rather than a pool.
Hyatt’s public-space draw is the atrium and waterfront location, not a pool.
The Westin is known for its Union Square frontage and historic features rather than a beach or pool.
Westin’s signature is its Union Square presence and historical hotel feel; a pool is not a published feature.
Hyatt provides a 24-hour fitness center with modern equipment free for guests.
Hyatt is a solid pick for fitness-oriented travelers wanting round-the-clock gym access.
The Westin lists fitness facilities and easy access to Union Square nightlife and theaters.
Westin suits travelers who want immediate access to downtown nightlife and theater districts.

Hyatt Regency — steps from the Ferry Building and Embarcadero transit, ideal for ferry departures and waterfront walks.

The Westin St. Francis — located directly on Union Square, making shops and theaters instantly walkable.

Hyatt Regency — larger meeting and ballroom footprint (72,000 sq ft) and multiple large-capacity ballrooms.

The Westin St. Francis — a well-known heritage property with a long history on Union Square and many room types.
Hyatt Regency is directly on the Embarcadero and is the closer option for the Ferry Building and ferry departures.
The Westin St. Francis is directly on Union Square, putting shops and theaters right outside the door.
Hyatt Regency does not have an on-site pool and has no on-site spa; The Westin’s supplier listing does not publish a pool or an on-site spa.
Hyatt Regency has a larger overall meetings footprint and several large ballrooms, making it stronger for big conferences and weddings.
Explore how Hyatt Regency San Francisco stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·