Bold. Eclectic. Expressive. Emblem is set back from Union Square in the heart of downtown San Francisco’s bustling theatre district. The hotel defies convention, taking inspiration from the lines and lives of the Beat generation. This is the place to stay when there’s ‘nowhere to go but everywhere’. Such solace sets you up for a day of exploration across a city of innovation yet leaves you far from reluctant to return.

Emblem is housed in a historic building reminiscent of far-flung New York’s West Side Story. Its retro aesthetic is perfectly paired with contemporary charm. Handpicked to stand the test of time, mid-century modern décor frames accents of artistry. Here, deep coloured carpets and comforting robes creating a homely atmosphere. Of course, literature weaves through every element, of the hotel. A book-filled alcove is there to greet guests in the lobby, leading to rooms embellished with poetry-painted walls.

Moody in its low-light, evenings spent in the Obscenity bar are perhaps the highlight of a stay here. Flames dancing in the fireplace, it commemorates the famed trial following Ginsberg’s ‘Howl’. Hand-crafted cocktails (shaken or stirred) delight in this jazz-inspired setting. After a day walking in the footsteps of mid-century mavericks, return to Emblem for a night of slam poetry. And you’ll be in good hands, sipping Sonoma Country Chardonnay under the watchful eyes of Kerouac and Ginsberg.