When I checked into The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel for a romantic weekend in San Francisco, I didn’t just step into a luxury property near Union Square; I stepped into a living story. San Francisco has plenty of modern hotels, but few carry the kind of heritage this one does. From the carved redwood walls of its legendary lounge to its bold new campaign, “Where Hospitality is Legendary,” The Clift doesn’t just remember its history; it revels in it.
Location: Classic San Francisco at Your Doorstep
The Clift sits at 495 Geary Street, two blocks from Union Square, perfectly placed for visitors who want to explore San Francisco without depending on a car. You can walk to the cable-car turnarounds at Powell Street in minutes or stroll to SFMOMA and the Yerba Buena Gardens in under fifteen. We walked to North Beach, through Chinatown, in 20 minutes for a food tour.
That central location makes it ideal for travelers who plan to mix sightseeing with downtown dining or theater. Both the Curran Theatre and the American Conservatory Theater are on the same block.
If you arrive by BART from the airport, the Powell Street station is a straight five-minute walk and much faster than fighting traffic from SFO.
Parking: Convenient Options Just Steps Away
The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel does not have on-site parking, but guests have easy access to several nearby options. The most convenient is the public parking garage at Mason and O’Farrell Streets, located on the same block as the hotel. It’s a short walk, just a minute or two, and offers both hourly and overnight rates.
This garage also serves as a pick-up and drop-off location for major car rental agencies, including Enterprise, National, Alamo, and Hertz. You can pick up your car on the way out of town after your stay or drop off your car on the way into town. This is a big plus for travelers who want the flexibility of driving outside the city but prefer to stay car-free while exploring San Francisco itself.
Public Spaces: Modern Art Deco Meets Lounge Culture
The first thing I noticed upon entering was a gigantic chair, a Philippe Starck design element from the 2001 renovation, standing like a whimsical sculpture in the middle of the lobby. With muted tones and numerous conversation areas, the lobby invites you to sit for a spell.
The hotel’s business center hides discreetly off the main lobby, with computers, printers, and good lighting.
Room Features: Contemporary Comfort With Character
I stayed in a Junior Suite that faced the interior of the hotel, a peaceful retreat from the city bustle. When we checked in, we were asked if we wanted a city view or a quiet room, and we opted for quiet. It managed to feel both new and nostalgic, thanks to high ceilings and rich fabrics that referenced the hotel’s early twentieth-century origins.
The bed was good, a supportive mattress, fine linens, and big, fluffy pillows that make you linger an extra half hour in the morning.
The suite featured a separate seating area with a sofa bed and a second smart TV.
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Wi-Fi was reliably fast, strong enough for video uploads, and the smart TVs included Chromecast, which is less useful for an Apple/iPhone/Mac guy like myself.
I appreciated the abundance of outlets, including USB-C ports at both bedside tables, a small detail that shows thoughtful modernization. It would have been nice to have more convenient outlets in the parlor next to the sofabed.
The bathroom continued the theme: clean lines, good lighting, a rainfall showerhead, and Sonesta-branded eco-friendly amenities. The separate make-up table with a lighted mirror was an unexpected bonus.
Special Features: Making History Fun Again
The Clift has always been a San Francisco legend, but in late 2025, the hotel began leaning into that legacy in a playful, community-driven way. Their new campaign, “Where Hospitality is Legendary,” revives the hotel’s century-long role as both stage and storyteller. The tagline isn’t marketing fluff; it feels earned.
Part of this new chapter is the “Making History Fun Again” Speaker Series, an event that brings local historians, writers, and cultural voices into the hotel to share stories that shaped the city. The inaugural event on November 14, 2025, will feature people like Bill Baker, the last living ex-con from Alcatraz and author of Alcatraz #1259; travel journalist Ruth Carlson; award-winning author Maria Lenhart; and essayist Alec Scott. Topics range from San Francisco’s rock-and-roll roots to its cocktail culture and LGBTQ+ milestones.
The hotel’s General Manager, Isabelle Matter, summed it up perfectly: “We’re not just sharing history; we’re inviting guests to live it.” And that’s exactly how The Clift feels, like an open invitation to join the story.
Food and Dining: The Redwood Room and Beyond
Few San Francisco lounges are as storied as the Redwood Room. Its walls were constructed from a single massive redwood tree, giving the bar a warmth and glow unlike anything else in the city. Standing there with a cocktail in hand, you can almost sense the generations that have passed through, from silent-film stars to bootleggers to tech entrepreneurs.
I ordered a whiskey-based cocktail recommended by the bartender, and we also ordered some lamb lolipops and tempura shishito peppers from the sharables part of the menu.
During the day, the hotel’s main restaurant offers breakfast and lunch, focusing on California-fresh ingredients. My favorite was the California Shakshuka, while my wife went for the more traditional waffle with fresh fruit. Breakfast entrees are around $21.
For guests who prefer exploring, the neighborhood’s dining scene is excellent. Within a few blocks are classic steakhouses, sushi bars, and burger joints. We ate dinner at the nearby Mexican restaurant Matador and dessert at the psychedelic PLS Post with its decadent shakes.
Facilities and Amenities: Modern Function, Classic Charm
The Clift’s fitness center isn’t enormous, but it’s bright and practical, with new cardio machines, free weights, and yoga mats. I didn’t check it out. Instead, we did our 10,000 steps walking the local neighborhoods.
The hotel also has meeting and event spaces. One ballroom retains its 1915 architectural bones but now glows with updated lighting and Art Deco fixtures. It’s easy to imagine weddings, film receptions, or tech gatherings here, especially given the hotel’s reputation as a creative hub.
The Clift is also pet-friendly, welcoming dogs with treats, water bowls, and a handy walking map of nearby parks. Check their pet policies for details and fees.
Eco-friendly travelers will appreciate visible sustainability practices: energy-efficient lighting, refillable bath amenities, and active recycling and composting. For a building that opened over a century ago, it feels remarkably forward-looking.
Things to See Nearby: San Francisco at Your Feet
The Clift’s central location makes it an effortless home base for exploring:
- Union Square: one block east; upscale shopping and theater tickets at the TIX Booth.
- SFMOMA: a 15-minute walk; one of the country’s premier modern-art museums.
- Cable Car Lines: the Powell Street turnaround is close by.
- Chinatown: ten minutes on foot; sample dim sum and explore Grant Avenue’s lantern-lit arcades.
- North Beach: reachable via quick transit; visit City Lights Bookstore or take a food tour. Read more at
- North Beach Walking Food Tour in San Francisco.
- Yerba Buena Gardens: a quiet green pocket near the Moscone Center, perfect for a midday break.
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Fun Facts You’ll Want to Know
A few tidbits from the hotel’s own archives:
- Opened in 1915 to welcome guests of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, which celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal and San Francisco’s rise from the ashes of the 1906 earthquake.
- Once the largest and most modern hotel on the West Coast, with private baths in every room, a rarity at the time.
- Named for Frederick Clift, a San Francisco lawyer and real-estate investor.
- Redesigned in 2001 by Philippe Starck, blending avant-garde design with its classic roots.
- The Redwood Room panels come from a single redwood tree, among the largest ever cut in California.
It’s remarkable how these details live on, not as nostalgia but as texture in the guest experience.
Final Thoughts: A Legend That Still Surprises
The room rates for The Clift Royal Sonesta start at about $270 a night, and the Junior Suite at $393.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
After a few nights at The Clift Royal Sonesta, I left convinced that “Where Hospitality is Legendary” isn’t just a slogan. The hotel bridges time beautifully: it honors its 1915 roots yet feels thoroughly modern, stylish, and alive.
For travelers who love history but also crave design, who want a central base that’s both classic and creative, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel delivers.
My stay at The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco was sponsored (paid for) by the hotel. The opinions expressed are my own.
