Spend An Elegant Evening At The St. Regis San Francisco
I’ve lived in the Bay Area for over twenty years, and, in that time, I think I’ve only stayed overnight in three of the city’s hotels. It just somehow seemed easier to drive back to my home in Marin after an evening of theater and parties than to check in. But when I received an invitation from the tony St. Regis San Francisco to visit overnight and check out their Art of California Suite — I couldn’t turn it down.
I’d been inside the St. Regis on numerous occasions over the past few months, while visiting the SF MOMA, and never failed to be wowed by their elegant and modern lobby interiors. The lobby, designed by Toronto’s Yabu Pushelberg, features a 16-foot open fireplace, grand art installations, rich Zebrano wood and Italian travertine flooring — basically how I’d design my living room if money were no object.
As for the rooms, they are luxuriously appointed with Bella Crema marble and Mozambique wood doors. The linens are high-end Pratesi and, as my husband, Jon, said, “The shower is the star of the show.” Each guestroom has a frosted-glass-enclosed stone shower with a rain showerhead mounted in the ceiling center, which makes you feel as if a very elegant rainstorm is messaging you as you stand directly under it.
We stayed in one of the Art of California Suites — which feature reproduced art works on loan from the SF MOMA. While not originals, it was nonetheless lovely to live amongst Dibenkorns and Rothkos — even if just for a day.
The hotel is not only beautifully designed, but also conveniently located. It’s steps from the SF MOMA, Center for the Arts, Yerba Buena Gardens, the California Historical Society, Moscone Center and Sony Metreon.
And while design and proximity make the 260-room St. Regis a great place to stay, what sets it apart is the service. Down to the last detail, the staff practices an anticipatory service, where they make it their job to be one step ahead of you.
Case in point: During our dinner at Ame, the hotel’s flagship restaurant, I stepped away to ask the hostess to point me toward the ladies’ room. She not only gave me the directions, but came out from behind the desk, walked me halfway down the hall and showed me the door. Small things, to be sure, but these are the service details that can take a hotel from very good to great.
The only disappointment was their main restaurant, Ame. My dining companions all chose items off the menu that focus on seafood — a specialty of the house. They enjoyed their meals, but still felt the food was overpriced for what it was. I chose a short rib dish and was less than thrilled. We all remarked that the service was a bit brusque and not quite up to par with the standard set in other areas by the St. Regis. Given the rest of the hotel’s standard of excellence, I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt and chalk it up to an off night.
On the brighter culinary side, however, the hotel’s breakfast and lunch establishment, Vitrine, had excellent food and attentive service. The sun-filled room made a perfect place to sip espresso, savor a smoked salmon omelet and read the Sunday New York Times. I would not hesitate to make an appointment to have lunch there the next time I’m downtown for a business meeting, shopping or need an elegant place to meet up with a friend for a meal.
All in all, the St. Regis San Francisco lives up to its reputation as a luxury hotel of the highest order. It’s classy without being stuffy; the staff is service-oriented without being smothering and it’s beautiful — without making its guests feel like they need to be wearing a ball gown just to step inside.
St. Regis San Francisco, 125 Third Street, San Francisco (Map)
Photo courtesy of the St. Regis San Francisco
The writer received a complimentary stay and breakfast from the St. Regis San Francisco.
