Looking for a home base for your San Francisco adventures? The Jay, Autograph Collection offers stunning skyline views and a prime location in San Francisco’s Financial District, with easy access to Chinatown and the Embarcadero. Just a 10-minute walk will take you to the Ferry Building for a meal, or head a bit farther to see how many of the famous sea lions you can spot at PIER 39.
Park your car with the valet and head up the spiral staircase or elevator to the second-floor hotel lobby, where friendly hotel staff will check you in. The Jay, Autograph Collection offers 360 rooms that vary from traditional king and two-queen rooms to suites with dedicated working space and a soaking tub. While we checked in, a couple with a dog was doing the same, so feel free to bring your four-legged friend along with you.
My daughter and I stayed in an executive king room, and we were immediately taken by the stunning views of Coit Tower and the city’s skyline from the room’s floor-to-ceiling windows. The room had ample space for both of us to spread out (a rare find for downtown San Francisco hotels), and we especially appreciated the numerous USB charging ports available.
Wi-Fi is free and quick, making it a great option for business travelers. A small refrigerator had local items for purchase, and there was pour-over coffee and tea ready for those early wake-ups. Just outside our room was a water bottle-filling station, a thoughtful amenity for those who travel with reusable water bottles.
If you didn’t get enough of a workout navigating San Francisco’s hills, head down to the fitness center where you’ll find Pelotons, treadmills, weights, and various resistance machines in a larger-than-average room that never seemed busy when we stopped by. The Jay, Autograph Collection also partners with Bala Fitness and guests can request a complimentary kit to use during their stay.
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Dining at The Jay, Autograph Collection
While you can certainly find plenty of dining options nearby, you’ll want to plan a meal or two at The Third Floor, the Jay’s onsite restaurant that features local ingredients with an Asian twist. Dress for the weather and opt for a table on the terrace, or find a comfortable table indoors with the lively bar serving up colorful cocktails.
We selected the roasted bone marrow and the potato and leek croquettes to start, and they were the perfect way to warm us up after a chilly walk back to the property from the Embarcadero. My daughter chose the duck soup for her entree, and after raving about it for a solid minute, I tried some of the deeply flavorful broth and could see why she loved it. Other entree options included a burger topped with raclette and bordelaise sauce, local black cod with shaved asparagus, and mussels in a white wine sauce.
The restaurant’s lounge appeared to be a popular spot for business travelers to enjoy a cocktail while they checked their emails. Just around the corner is a coffee bar serving espresso drinks and pastries in the morning hours.
Things to Do Near The Jay, Autograph Collection
We took advantage of The Jay’s location just a few blocks from Chinatown by reserving a spot on a tour of the neighborhood. San Francisco City Guides offers this and many other donation-based tours, including the Ferry Building, the Castro, and historic Market Street.
On the Chinatown tour, we learned how this neighborhood was initially built during the Gold Rush of 1849 and then rebuilt after the city’s 1906 earthquake. So much more than red lanterns and the Grant Avenue souvenir shops, Chinatown is a vital community resource, helping newcomers find housing and work.
Final Thoughts
The Jay, Autograph Collection is just 15 miles from San Francisco Airport, and centrally located to access many of the city’s popular tourist spots. Valet parking is available for an additional fee. Rates start at $429/night.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda, or Hotels.com.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer Kate Loweth. My stay at The Jay, Autograph Collection was sponsored (paid for) by the property, but all the opinions are my own.
