Clift San Francisco: Singularly Fascinating Hotel
Posted on January 26,2018 By John Compisi
Clift San Francisco: Singularly Fascinating Hotel
Hotel Clift San Francisco is a fascinating place to stay in downtown San Francisco. Located just a block and a half from Union Square and convenient to shopping, restaurants and event venues, the special feel emanating from this hotel begins immediately upon arrival when the valet opens the outside door and one enters into the ‘decompression chamber’, a narrow lavender colored space between those outside doors and the inside doors of the lobby. You pick up a sense of calm in the colors, the staff, the furnishings, and, dare I say, the smell. Yes, the atmosphere in this hotel is calming and offers one the sense of being in a safe protected space.
Architectural and furnishing designs are High Concept like the sweeping staircase and the Salvador Dali Chair in the lobby.
Sweeping Staircase leading to former private residence. (L.Compisi)
Elegant Salvador Dali Chaise in lobby of Clift (L.COmpisi)
The above lamp, in the lobby, is another example of the unique character of Clift Hotel San Francisco.
Clift (they prefer Clift rather than the Clift) was originally commissioned in 1913 by Frederick C. Clift, an attorney, for the Pan-Pacific International Exposition that was to be held in San Francisco two years hence in 2015. At that time, the whole City was abuzz with building and rebuilding after the catastrophic 7.8 earth quake and ensuing fire that nearly destroyed (80%) the City in 1906. When 2 additional floors were added in 1924, it became the largest hotel in San Francisco.
Dining Table in our Suite (L.Compisi)
Our King Bed (L.Compisi)
Sitting Area near elevator (L.Compisi)
The design concepts continue throughout the elevator waiting areas, the rooms and the event areas. This 300 room hotel is truly delightful with so many special touches. It houses banquet spaces, a ‘living room’, a pop-up-store, the Velvet Room and the Spanish Room (formerly the owner’s private residence) available for special events and the Redwood Room replete with all wood paneling from a single redwood tree. This has to be seen to comprehend how much wood that really is. Throughout the hotel one finds pieces of interest that at first glance may seem out of place but, in fact, fit into an over all integrated concept of quirky interest that draws you in and makes you feel like you are in on the secret. It goes on and on in an amazingly coherent fashion. Simple and calming elegance is the best way to describe the character of these beautiful and welcoming rooms.
Mirrored Bar set for the Sunday Brunch (L.Compisi)
Above is the mirrored bar in the Redwood Room and below is the concentric design of the 14 floors of staircases.
Beautiful Staircases but a bit dizzying (L.Compisi)
The unique furnishings, referred to earlier, include Salvador Dali lamps, a gorgeous lobby fireplace and comfortable chairs that encourage you to just sit and relax. Besides the fireplace, the lobby sports an over-sized Captain’s chair with a surprise on the underside of the seat (Not telling!). The lavender colors run throughout thanks to the inspiration of French design master Philippe Starck who totally renovated the hotel in 2001 achieving his High Concept Contemporary theme. The staff outside and in welcome you like you were an old friend returning to town. That was just the experience we had this past Friday.
Unique Furnishings (L.Compisi)
The guest rooms, standard, studio or one bedroom maintain a consistent color and furniture theme. Sleigh beds that seem to float in the air. The wheel barrow chair is meant to evoke the tools of the mining Forty-niners. The Redwood Room, often recognized as one of the top bars in the world serves as a bar and lounge in the afternoon and evenings with a menu full of small bites to accompany the perfectly prepared Cosmopolitan or other delicious cocktail. In the morning, depending upon the occupancy, the Redwood Room serves breakfast to order as well as a very hearty and scrumptious breakfast buffet.
Symbolizing 49ers (L.Compisi)
Perfect for travelers who prefer something with more personality than the sterile feeling one may get at one of the traditional hotel chains, Clift is a special place that one wants to make their home-away-from-home and to return often just for that feeling calm belonging. With the holidays upon us, consider Clift San Francisco for your shopping headquarters in the City.
Clift San Francisco is part of the Morgans Hotel Group whose other hotels are located in major gateway cities globally like New York, Chicago, Miami (Delano), Los Angeles, Las Vegas, London, Turkey and Qatar with a new hotel coming on line in Dubai.
Clift is located at 495 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 Tel. 415 775 4700