I had the pleasure of staying at the new Courtyard Marriott in Union Square this past weekend for a quick pre-holiday getaway. You may have already seen some photos on my Instagram, but I wanted to share a more in-depth look into my stay on the blog. I’m pretty familiar with Union Square in San Francisco, having worked in the area for the past three years, but aside from happy hours here and there, or the occasional out-of-town guest, I don’t actually spend that much time enjoying the bustling shopping district all that much. So I was excited to have this opportunity to explore all the area has to offer during my brief stay. Read on for my experience with the hotel, as well as my recommendations for what to do while you’re here!

David and I stayed overnight from Saturday to Sunday, and were both pleasantly surprised at how busy the hotel was— always a good sign in my book. Our room on the 17th floor was impeccably designed, from the sleek, modern touches to the fun splash of color on the walls. And the view! We arrived just in time to see the sunset light up the buildings downtown.

The hotel is just blocks away from the center of Union Square, so obviously retail therapy is the way to go (David and I were guilty of this ourselves, doing some convenient last minute Christmas shopping before check-in). There are also a number of amazing eats nearby as well that are not to be missed:

Farm:Table: a rustic brunch spot right across the street from the hotel— simply grab your Starbucks from the hotel lobby to-go, and hop on over to enjoy my favorite dish: the toast topped with an array of seasonal fruits and nuts.

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse: the home of the cruffin, this pastry shop is one of David’s obsessions. And since it’s a five minute walk from the hotel, there’s no excuse for not lining up to get your hands on one of them before they sell out at 10AM.

Cafe de la Presse: This charming French-style bistro is my favorite restaurant in Union Square, and one that’s as well known for their lunch menu as their dinner menu. I love the butternut squash soup and shrimp cocktail salad for lunch, and hear they make an amazing duck confit for dinner.

Of course, don’t forget to cap off the evening with a glass of champagne on the back patio once you return to the hotel!

In collaboration with Courtyard Marriott