When you have some of the most popular tourist destinations in the US all within one city, you’ll need to find a comfortable place to rest your head after a long day of sightseeing. And The Clift Royal Sonesta is the perfect place, located just blocks away from Union Square the hottest shopping destination in the city! This historic hotel opened for business in February 1915 and is one of the few remaining buildings that survived the biggest fire and earthquake in San Francisco history. Today, The Clift Hotel is filled with artwork by renowned designers and is the absolute definition of elegance, modern chic, and comfort. There’s plenty of history and secrets in this hotel so check in with us as we uncover the hidden gems of The Clift!
The Clift Royal Sonesta
📍495 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102
📞(415) 775-4700
🖥https://www.sonesta.com/us/california/san-francisco/clift-royal-sonesta-hotel
💲Prices: ~$150-$649
Lobby
As soon as you step foot into the lobby you’ll notice it has the classic glamour of San Francisco with a modern twist from all the contemporary art throughout. The hotel was designed by interior designers, Philippe Starck and Ian Schrager, who are well known for their luxurious and modern style. As we explored the main level, the ambiance is dark and romantic with elements of concrete, stone, and pops of red lights. There are so many beautiful chairs to lounge in that are pieces of art themselves, but the one that gets the most attention is the giant-sized armchair that sits as the centerpiece of the lobby. And for anyone that loves secrets, there’s a surprise under the chair!🤫😉
Room
As we headed up to our room we found more eclectic furniture and art pieces throughout. Inspired by the classic look of luxury hotels back in the 1920’s, The Clift is like a mini museum. Don’t check out without seeing the incredible lavender colored stairway on the 16th floor!
We booked their One Bedroom Suite which was perfect for the two of us! San Francisco hotel rooms are known to be pretty small so if you’re looking for something spacious you’ll want to book this suite! It’s like a luxurious apartment with incredible views of Union Square!😍 In the main living area, there is a couch and chairs, a desk, a small flat screen TV, and a 6-person dining area perfect for entertaining!
The room has a very minimalistic look with pops of neon orange that also transitions to the bedroom. The living room and bedroom are separated by a curtain, and in the bedroom there is one king sleigh bed with two orange see through nightstands and a floor to ceiling mirror for a touch of glamour.
For those that didn’t know, San Francisco is rated as one of the top greenest cities in America!♻️ All over town, you’ll find recycling bins next to trash bins making it convenient for living an eco-conscious lifestyle. Even restaurants are required to separate their trash with plans to be waste-free by 2020! And The Clift is doing their part by striving towards being a more eco-friendly hotel! They host home to 10 honeybee hives on the roof of the hotel, which is great for sustainability and provides access to local, healthy foods. And for guests staying two nights or more, you can choose to help save water by opting out of room service. By doing so, you’ll receive a $15 voucher!
No need to
There’s a spacious closet with an iron & ironing board, robes, extra blankets, and a safe for your valuables. And directly across is a small dressing room with a vanity mirror, perfect for getting ready in before a night out!
Thanks to the mirror wall next to the toilet, the bathroom looks bigger than it appears. There are marble tile details that give it a sophisticated feel, but the shower doesn’t meet the same standard as it’s more simple. The bathroom is stocked with plenty of towels and Malin and Goetz soaps and shampoos for guests that love high-end products with simple ingredients!
Dining at The Clift
Although Union Square is lined with restaurants on every block, you can experience fine dining with California farm fresh ingredients at one of four restaurants inside of The Clift!
Velvet Room
Menu: https://www.sonesta.com/file/57771/download?token=dKW5EnAv
Hours:
Monday-Friday, 6:30AM – 10:30AM
Saturday & Sunday, 7:00AM – 11:00AM
Start your morning off right with breakfast at the Velvet Room. The ambiance is grand and elegant so who wouldn’t want to dine here?! Grab food items from their breakfast buffet (like pastries, cereals, and seasonal fruits) or grab a meal from their a la carte menu! Some of their unique options include a Smoked Salmon Benedict, a Scrambled Egg Sandwich with a spicy tomato jam and arugula salad, or try something sweet like the Banana Bread French Toast.🍌🍞 And if anyone prefers gluten-free items, there are 4 great options to choose from!
Redwood Room
Menu: https://www.redwoodroomsf.com/food/
Hours:
Thursday, Friday & Saturday,
Sunday-Wednesday,
Food served until
The Clift’s famous and historic Redwood Room was originally built in 1933 for its upscale clientele. Today, people from all over come to the Redwood Room to enjoy artisanal cocktails with an elevated bar food menu all within a vintage glam meets modern setting. The interior features a glass bar and the original redwood wall paneling, which is carved from a single 2000+ year-old redwood tree!🌲 On the weekends the energy is high with a live Dj and sophisticated guests to mingle with. (We hear from around town it’s the spot to bring a hot date!) And if mingling isn’t your thing, grab a cocktail and a seat on a piece of Starck-designed furniture while admiring the different artwork
For bar food reimagined, the Redwood Room offers small plates perfect for sharing. Try out their Tumeric & Harissa Chicken Skewers complete with a yogurt and cucumber dipping sauce or the Chips & Poke for something light and fresh! For guests with a bigger appetite, they offer a Grilled Ribeye With Truffle Fries or a simple Margherita Pizza.🍕😋
The cocktails at The C
Living Room
Conveniently located in the lobby, enjoy a fine glass of wine or your preferred whiskey of choice in the living room. Designed to look like an Old English club room, there are tables with board games like chess and Chinese checkers and plenty of plush seatings to lounge in. We also think the glowing photos of animals throughout the room brought in a bit of playfulness to the ambiance!
In-Room Dining
If you prefer breakfast in bed, order their in-room dining service! They offer full course items, alcohol, or you can even enjoy foods delivered from any of The Clift’s restaurants for a private dining experience.
Amenities
- Complimentary bicycles
- 24-hour business center
- 24-hour fitness center (located on 2nd floor)
- Pet-friendly
- Valet parking
- Concierge services
- In-room massages (upon request)
Pros
- Beautifully designed lobby and hotel with eclectic furniture, art pieces, and fun hidden secrets.
- The Redwood Lounge is a sophisticated and energetic setting which is perfect for getting dressed up for and enjoying deliciously crafted cocktails.
- Extravagant and spacious suite options with incredible views of the city!😍🏙
- One of the most comfortable beds that we’ve ever slept in at a hotel!
Cons
- Outdated bathrooms.
- Although the hotel is conveniently located within walking distance to San Francisco’s shopping district, the downside is that if you head off towards the wrong direction the neighborhood isn’t as nice.
The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel offers so much history and art for anyone that wants to travel with style in San Francisco! We loved waking up to the sun rising over the city and our luxury suite was beyond spacious and comfortable! Visiting San Francisco has been a bucket list destination for us and we love that The Clift is walking distance from the city’s best shopping and restaurants in Union Square. We can’t wait to come back and visit the City by the Bay!🌁
**Thank you to The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel for hosting our stay and sponsoring this blog post!
