If You’re Looking For Elegance & Style,
The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, San Francisco Is The Place To Be.
When I received the call to go on assignment for The Cultured Collective, I was excited when I learned I would be reviewing a Royal Sonesta Hotel. I must admit, prior to receiving the call, I had never heard of the Sonesta brand including their line of Hotels & Resorts. As a frequent traveler, both as a professional and often times for leisure, I’ve experienced a lot that the hospitality industry has to offer. From high-end luxury hotels like Nautilus a SIXTY Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida and The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai in Pudong, China, to boutique hotels like Le Meridien Delfina in Santa Monica, California and Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco in Baltimore, Maryland, I was certain I had experienced almost all that the hospitality industry has to offer. That is, until I checked into the stylish Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel in San Francisco for an indulgent and culture-filled stay to find out why San Francisco is considered one of the happiest cities in America.
My Stylish Abode
Centrally located in the heart of San Francisco, with just a five minute walk from the City’s buzzy Union Square, The Clift exudes modern elegance and refined touches at every turn. Inspired by the classic luxury hotels of the early 20th century, the hotel was renovated by famed interior designer Philippe Starck and boasts a stunning furniture collection. Whether you’re visiting San Francisco for business or leisure, The Clift is the perfect place for you.
With a workspace, mirrors covering almost every inch of wall space (adding depth making the room appear larger), and a lounge area easily separated from the bedroom by floor to ceiling curtains, my room felt like it was perfect for my weekend adventure.
After a really long day of traveling, I was beyond happy to check-into the hotel. Earlier that day my flight had been delayed due to a mechanical error, and for a few hours I was stranded at the airport until the airline could find a replacement aircraft. By the time I arrived in San Francisco, I was so far behind schedule, I skipped checking into the hotel to catch the last show at Asia SF and didn’t return to check-in until after midnight. The only thing I had on my mind was sleep, and my Studio King didn’t disappoint. Before I knew it, it was morning and I couldn’t remember if it was my fatigue or the super comfy bedding that drifted me away into a much needed good nights rest. I’m convinced it was the 300-thread count percale bedding with down duvets and imported Merino wool throw might I add)
Passes and Perks
Upon checking in, I was provided complimentary tickets for breakfast and drinks at the hotel’s Velvet and Redwood Room.
In addition to those tickets, the hotel offers all guest the options of obtaining a free $15 food and beverage voucher per day as a part of their Stay Green Program.
The Morning After
I woke up at around 8am, which is pretty late for me considering I’m usually up and out of bed by 6:30am. I snoozed until about 9:15am to make the most of the comfortable king size bed. To be honest, my snoozing was a combination of being lazy and wanting to simply lay there all day! I had no real motivation to get up except for breakfast, and considering sleep and food are at the top of my personal hierarchy of needs, I was out of bed, dressed, and downstairs for breakfast by 9:30am.
While my good nights rest was exactly what I needed, the Market Breakfast Buffet at the Velvet Room surpassed all of my expectations. I’m usually skeptical about breakfast buffets at hotels; however, The french toast, scrambled eggs, and crispy bacon (I mean really good bacon) I had on my first day, Eggs Benedict breakfast on my second, and fluffy buttermilk pancakes on my third, coupled with wonderful and friendly service by the staff, was the perfect way to start my long day ahead.
After a full day of exploring the city, I didn’t need to go far for an evening of fun or to simply “wine-down”. By day (late afternoon), the Redwood Room serves as a restaurant for patrons and guest of the hotel, serving a variety of assortments and what some might call “elevated bar food.” Suffused with all-out glamour, the interior features an enormous etched glass bar and the original redwood paneling, which, legend has, was carved from a single redwood tree. You truly need to be there to experience it! By night, this exceptionally elegant and modern hot spot—also famous and historic—doubles as the place to be for high-end cocktails in a glam space with for any occasion. If not for the original redwood paneling alone, you’ll want to visit for the gourmet bites while sipping on delicious cocktails and enjoying curated music provided by well-known native San Francisco DJs along with world-class talent Thursday through Saturday nights!
The Verdict
The style and elegance, coupled with the amenities, and friendly staff makes The Clift the perfect place to be when visiting the City by the Bay. Whether you’re visiting for business or leisure, your stay at The Clift is sure to be worth it. The whole experience at The Clift San Francisco was an indulgent treat. From the comfy bedding and exceptional food, to the vibrant nightly entertainment (when the Redwood Room transforms into a nightclub with a live DJ and open bar) and multiple spaces to sit back and relax, I can say happily The Clift is #SmileApproved .
Disclaimer: This post has been created in collaboration with Sonesta and Sonesta Royal Hotels. All images, words and opinions are my own.
https://www.sonesta.com/theclift
Instagram: @theclift
Brian Stewart is fun and ambitious traveler. He has traveled to over 16 countries and has visited luxurious hotels and destinations around the world. Brian aims to inspire fellow travelers and everyday people to get out and enjoy life. When he’s not traveling you can find him indulging in a glass of wine, because it’s always Wine O’clock somewhere!
Follow him on Instagram at @whenbriansmiles
