When we lived on Bush Street in San Francisco, and Herb Caen was still drinking martinis in the Redwood Room, The Clift was a swanky, ‘there’s a party every night’ destination. On more than a few nights, we would stop in for a drink on the walk home.

The Clift Hotel was created in 1915 for the Panama–Pacific International Exposition to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal and to showcase the miraculous recovery the city made from the 1906 earthquake. The Redwood Room opened the day prohibition was over, although rumor has it, cocktails were always available at the Clift.

In the 80’s the San Francisco hotel market was revolutionized by Bill Kimpton, and the creation of boutique hotels. This new style inspired East Coast design talent like Ian Schrager and Philippe Starck to head west.  Schrager purchased the Clift in 1997, and in 2001, worked with renown designer Starck to create one of the most daring and highly applauded new luxury hotel designs in the country.

Two decades later, this Grand Dame is reborn. The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel  is a modern, understated opulent home of hospitality. The historically relevant Redwood Room maintains its lavish, see and be seen, luxe-lounge status with a new bar top made from a single, eight hundred year old redwood tree. Most importantly, the “Big Chair” is as prominently displayed, as it always has been.

The hotel location at 495 Geary Street is incredibly desirable as Union Square, and the iconic cable cars are just a few steps away. Most theaters, music venues, Chinatown, Moscone Center and the Embarcadero are within walking distance. Or if you choose, the hotel has complimentary bicycles for guests to use. The Curran theater is next door, where J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is currently showing until August 2, 2020. If you decide to bring the children or your dog, The Clift makes it very easy.

The room sizes are very large by San Francisco standards—with three levels of room designations, there is something for every budget. At the Executive level (one king or two queens at 315-425 sq. ft.) the rooms are spacious. Our favorite, the Junior Suites (475-585 sq. ft. with a king and sofa bed) are the best value in the city. The third and top tier Deluxe Suites are gigantic at 925 sq. ft. with a bath and a half and they are offered at a price barely higher than the Junior Suites. Rooms are extremely well appointed; so well-appointed, we were stripping the pillow cases and pulling back the sheets to find out who made the linens, pillows and mattresses for our next home bedroom upgrade.

Through the renovation, upgrades in technology (televisions, wireless signal and charging outlets), bath fixtures, flooring and lighting were thoughtfully carried out with the guest experience front and center. The textures and patterns of the new decor merge seamlessly from the lobby through the hallways and into the rooms, calmly greeting weary travelers with visually appealing, hospitable surroundings. Our suite had three closets…yes, three!! If I hadn’t seen them myself, I would not have believed it.

From television remotes, coffee makers, light switches, to an awesome rainfall shower head, everything was easy to use. Too many nights I’ve checked into a hotel and was not able to utilize all of the amenities due to counterintuitive controls. The Clift makes travel restful and rewarding, without fails or frustrations.

Many full-service hotels with room service do not offer in-room coffee anymore. No worries here, The Clift has you covered with Keurig’s, well-stocked mini-fridge’s and an array of tasty snacks. Should you require something that’s not already there, their wealth of knowledge Concierge staff will assist you in locating whatever you desire. The entire management team at The Clift Royal Sonesta has deep knowledge of the local neighborhood and it shows with every suggestion they offer.

Chef Dan Corey who has attained Michelin status, previously at other restaurants, will bring sophistication and flair to the dining room with his fresh approach. With a bee sanctuary located on the roof, look for innovative cocktail recipes from the mixologists/bartenders and inspired dishes that include the honey from the roof. The Royal Sonesta Group has done well in creating high-end, green designs to reflect those communities where their properties reside.

Location, luxurious comfort, and value all in one place; something rarely found in the center of San Francisco. The Clift Royal Sonesta will make your next San Francisco visit comfortable, restful and joyous.

NEARBY

The hotel is centrally located near many attractions. Here are a few of our favorite stops:

• Ferry Building
• California Historical Society
• Powell Street Cable Car Turntable
• Jackson Square Historical District
• Golden Gate Bridge
• Wells Fargo History Museum
• Museum of Modern Art
• Embarcadero Center
• Transamerica Pyramid
• Moscone Center
• Yerba Buena Gardens
• Theater District
• Union Square

Until next time, happy travels!

Marc & Pamela