Even with outposts of Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons, St. Regis, Fairmont and Morgans �" not to mention Kimpton and JDV; we’ve always been just a little underwhelmed by San Francisco’s hotel scene. This Spring comes the arrival of Hotel G, an all new brand concept born out of Hong Kong. With outposts already in Beijing and Hong Kong, the SF-installment is taking the former Hotel Frank and infusing it with a serine dose of urban glamour within a 13-story midrise near Union Square. The location is excellent for shopping, especially art lovers that find a trove of independent galleries within the block that’s one away from Union Square �" just behind the Westin St. Francis. The original structure dates back to 1909 and offers a cast of original details from an old iron staircase to wood flooring now mixed with honed concrete in select guest rooms. In terms of style, look for a pewter-hued walls with crisp white molding and a mix of industrial fixtures and nodes of Victorian design with a thoroughly modern touch. While we’re not sure the property is an SF game changer, we’re excited at the prospect of something somewhat independent in a city of so many brands. Hotel G is scheduled to open Spring 2014.
