Historic hotel with modern luxuries and panoramic views of the City by the Bay.
Built in 1907 and located on Nob Hill, there are impeccable views of the city and bay from nearly every corner of this historic luxury hotel. Statesmen, royalty, and movie stars have all stayed at this 591 room, 62 suite hotel.
Our deluxe room featured views of the San Francisco skyline and a large business desk complete with tablet for browsing daily newspapers and surfing the web. Rooms have been recently refurbished with a neutral, modern colour scheme and bathrooms feature marble tubs.
With a history that includes hosting the draft meeting of the Charter for the United Nations, it’s no wonder that guests range from international travellers to businessmen and families. The lobby is a mix of animal prints, gold leaf and old world details. The rooftop garden with its fountains, bar and beehives (the honey is featured in the several of the hotel’s menu items and the house brand Honey Saison Beer) is spectacular.
We dined at Laurel Court Restaurant and Bar for dinner. The San Francisco cioppino came loaded with seafood in a mild tomato broth. The amazing spicy steamed manila clams with all the flavours of Asia was a standout. Other dining options include the European-style Caffé Cento featuring Ghirardelli chocolate and the renowned tiki bar Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar, which serves what is widely considered the best mai tai in the city.
Don’t miss the cable cars which stop just a couple blocks from the hotel, making it easy to catch a ride to the city’s famous landmarks.
HOTEL LOWDOWN
Fairmont San Francisco, 950 Mason Street; (415) 772-5000.
Read more about the hotels from CSL’s roadtrip to California. The original article first appeared in the Spring 2016 issue of City Style and Living Magazine.
