Background and Location
I attended a wedding in Lake Tahoe, California, and decided to stop by in San Francisco for a quick night to visit some friends. I was excited to try out a new hotel, and stayed one night at the Fairmont San Francisco. Fun fact: the Fairmont San Francisco was the first Fairmont to open in 1907, and with this grand debut, the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brand was born. And in 1974, the first hotel concierge in the US was established here at the Fairmont San Francisco.
The hotel offers 606 guest rooms across both the main historic building and the high-rise tower. It is located atop Nob Hill and offers sweeping panoramic views of San Francisco Bay and the skyline. We primarily used Uber for transportation, and thankfully, the prices are very fair (especially compared to those in New York City).
Travel Agency Benefits
I work with a travel agency, Fora Travel, and can assist in booking hotel stays. Fora is part of Accor HERA & Virtuoso. This partnership gives you special perks when booking with me. The Fairmont San Francisco comes with the following:
- Daily complimentary breakfast for 2, per room
- USD 100 property credit
- Early check-in & late check-out (upon availability)
- Upgrade at time of check-in (upon availability)
If you are interested in staying at the Fairmont San Francisco, feel free to email me at takeofftotravel@fora.travel, and I would be happy to help you plan your trip.
Takeoff Points for the Fairmont San Francisco
Date of Stay: June 2025
Pros: Nice historic lobby, and comfortable beds.
Cons: Hallways could use a refresh, and rooms could be updated.
Takeoff Point: The Fairmont San Francisco is a nice classic hotel with a beautiful lobby, though a refresh of some common areas would be appreciated.
Arrival and Lobby
The Pride flags outside the hotel were very cute, and the lobby was beautiful & elegant. We were quickly assisted at check-in and off to our room.
The Room: Signature Skyline Corner View
Our room was located at the end of the hall, in the Tower Building on the 14th floor. The hallways were a bit dated, but thankfully, the room was still in good shape. Upon entering the room, there was a bathroom to the right, and two closets to the left with a window that had amazing views of the city.
The bathroom was elegant, though a bit dated, and featured both a stand-up shower and a tub. The water pressure was good, and I love the Le Labo Rose 31 toiletries (Lotion, Shampoo, Conditioner & Shower Gel). Mouthwash & a vanity kit were also provided. Plus, the towels were plush and luxurious.
As you progressed into the bedroom area, there were corner windows with stellar views of the city. Our room had queen-sized beds, and they were pretty comfortable.
There was a minibar with items for purchase, and a complimentary Nespresso machine with capsules & teabags. We had a bottle of champagne as our welcome amenity, which was a nice touch.
Amenities & Dining
Since I had such a quick stay (only about 15 hours!), I unfortunately did not get to explore too much of the property.
The hotel has a daily Urban Experience Fee, which is USD 35 + taxes per night. It comes with a $10 daily credit at Cirque Bar, $10 daily minibar credit, daily in-room movie rental & a nice reusable water bottle.
For amenities, there is the Chateau de la Beauté, which offers spa services, and hotel guests get complimentary access to the Live Fit Gym & Wellness Spa. Note that the Live Fit Gym is not open 24/7, as it is a large gym, not exclusive to the hotel.
For dining, the main restaurant off the lobby, Laurel Court, serves breakfast, lunch & dinner. There is also a bar, and this is where we claimed our complimentary welcome drinks since I am an Accor Live Limitless Silver Member.
A super cool venue in the hotel that I’ve always wanted to try was the famous Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar. Sadly for me, since I was staying on a Sunday, it was closed. But, it is normally open Wednesday-Saturdays in the evenings. It offers a large central “lagoon” which was actually once the hotel’s indoor swimming pool. Bands even play from a floating boat. Next time!
Lastly, there is the Cirque Bar, which offers coffee, tea & pastries. Prices were on the high end, and pastries were $10.
In-room dining is also available from 6 am to midnight.
There are also some shops & boutiques in the hotel.
The Verdict
Overall, I had a nice, quick stay at the Fairmont San Francisco. The lobby was nice and historic, and the beds were comfortable. I definitely would want to go back and try out the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar.
Have you stayed at the Fairmont San Francisco before? How was your experience? Comment below!
Cheers,
Ty
Have any questions? I’ve also started working with a travel agency, Fora Travel, and can assist in booking hotel stays or planning trips. Comment below or email me at takeofftotravel@gmail.com. You can also view all my other posts here! Thanks for stopping by!
