Worth Traveling For
Some hotels work hard to bring the buzz of the city into their properties with ground-floor restaurants that open onto bustling sidewalks and trendy lounges that spill into the lobby. Not the Four Seasons San Francisco. From the moment your taxi turns into the hidden side street and slips into the hotel’s fully enclosed rotunda, the hustle of the outside world is replaced by a confident calmness that just might have you reaching for an afternoon Champagne rather than an espresso.
But while the vibe is serene, it isn’t stuffy. Staff members step out from around their desks to greet you, and you never feel like you have to speak in hushed tones. Unlike at some luxury hotels, I didn’t feel weird padding down to the lobby each morning in slippers and exercise clothes to grab a cup of coffee and take it back to my room. The hotel bar is lively, too, which made the decision about where to have a pre-dinner cocktail a no-brainer.
Hotel Highlights
My upper-floor suite was bathed in muted seaglass hues of blue and grey; natural light flooded the space from a pair of giant windows. A small detail I adored was the pair of built-in seats that ran along each window and offered an easy spot to sit and enjoy the unobstructed view of the city and the bay.
Entering the hotel’s MKT restaurant for my Chef’s Table experience, I was glad to see that even at 6 pm, nearly every table was filled. As my tasting menu progressed, I could see why: Chef Shaun Acosta takes every level of the experience seriously, from sourcing to plating. I was particularly taken with a blood orange-cured salmon made spunky with emerald drops of chimichurri oil as well as a plate of rich gnocchi, a round of burrata and, for a bit of zing, pickled morel mushrooms. Instead of a private room — which would have been uncomfortable — my table was set into an alcove that was quiet enough to hear the explanation of each dish and accompanying wine but allowed the energy of the restaurant to shine through. It would be a perfect spot for a romantic dinner — secluded but not sequestered.
Rooms and Experience
Beyond my suite’s gorgeous natural light, the bathroom was a stunner with a deep, deep soaking tub and a separate marble shower. The living room was large with lots of seating, a big table for working or snacking, and a door that allowed it to be fully closed off from the bedroom. It was quiet, too: I never heard a peep from neighbors or the hallway.
A surprise was complimentary access to the attached Equinox Sports Club, where, beyond all manner of weights, machines, and other equipment is a full-sized basketball court; cycling, yoga and Pilates studios; a steam room; a boxing gym and a saltwater lap pool. There are classes galore (including cool modalities like sound meditation, stretching, and treadmill-based running and walking programs) and a spa that offers regular massages and facials as well as specialty treatments like cryotherapy, an infrared sauna, and compression therapy.
What to Know Before You Book
The Four Seasons San Francisco is attached to the Four Seasons Residences. Residents and their dogs spend a lot of time at the hotel and know the staff well. It gave the public areas of the hotel a welcoming vibe.
San Francisco’s location means the weather is consistent all year long, with temperatures rarely getting above 70 degrees. If you’re a walker or runner, the Four Seasons San Francisco is one of the few places in the notoriously hilly city where you can take a long walk or run without hoofing it up and down urban Matterhorns. Union Square, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, or Salesforce Tower and its elevated gardens are just a short hop away; head toward the Embarcadero to the historic Ferry Building (it’s an almost flat mile) and you’ve got miles of hill-free waterfront to explore. Should you desire: BART’s Powell Street Station (Blue Line) is a three-minute walk from the hotel.
757 Market Street, San Francisco, California 94103
Closest airport: SFO is 30-50 minutes by car, depending on traffic
Feature image courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. Travel Curator may earn a commission from booking links on this page.
