Staying in a luxurious hotel suite is like having all the comforts of home, only much better — with extra bonus points if you happen to have stellar views of a stylish city like San Francisco. From designer flatware and bath products to terraces as large as most apartments, these top San Francisco hotels know how to sweeten the “suite life.”
The St. Regis San Francisco
Located in the vibrant SoMa district of San Francisco, The St. Regis is not only a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel, but also a prestigious landmark on the city’s hotel scene. The 3,200-square-foot Presidential Suite rises above it all with a palette of refined earth tones and views from every room. The elegant yet comfortable furniture and internationally sourced artwork make you feel as if this is your own chic apartment in the heart of the city, so why not entertain as if it is? The dining room has seating for 10 with an adjacent butler’s pantry stocked with Spiegelau stemware, Christofle flatware and Wedgwood china designed by Vera Wang exclusively for St. Regis. The expansive bedroom’s three large windows grant a panorama of San Francisco worth staying in bed for. Starts at $12,000 per night.
Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco
The top of the world, or at least San Francisco’s world, might just be located on the 38th floor of the Four-Star Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco. Impeccably decorated, the Oriental Suite is draped in a Zen-like calm, with contemporary artwork, a decadent oversized soaking tub and soothing colors of cream and sea blue, reflecting the surrounding bay and sky. Enjoy complimentary car service when you book the suite, as well as in-room amenities like goose-down bedding, a pillow menu, luxurious bath products from Molton Brown and a Warren Platner dining table for four. Order champagne and raise a glass to the good life on the enormous terrace with awe-inspiring views that span bridge-to-bridge. Starts at $6,000 per night.
Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco
Four Seasons is synonymous with luxury and service, and the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star San Francisco property doesn’t disappoint. Interior design enthusiasts should book a stay in the Presidential Suite. Located on the 17th floor, the suite’s contemporary design is filled with bespoke furnishings worthy of an Architectural Digest cover. Admire the custom sofa by Brunschwig & Fils, the William Switzer Lucien Rollin Collection lounge chairs and the Berman Rosetti coffee table. There are hand-woven custom area rugs in the living room and foyer, and a 50-inch LG LCD television. With 180-degree views of San Francisco, including from the master bedroom, you might never want to leave. Starts at $8,000 per night.
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
The stately Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco enjoys a pristine position near Nob Hill and Chinatown and has been a go-to address for sophisticated travelers since opening in 1991. At approximately 1,960 square feet, the custom-designed Presidential Suite wows at every turn. With hardwood floors and custom drapery treatments, upholstery and bedding, the suite is the ultimate urban retreat. Entertaining is made easy with a dining room that seats eight and a Steinway grand piano in the living room. The teched-out suite includes three high-definition, LCD flat-screen televisions with dual speakers, an iPod docking station and a Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker, surround-sound system. Perhaps the pièce de résistance, however, is the private terrace that, at 1,200 square feet, is larger than most San Francisco apartments, and affords stunning views of the Financial District. Starts at $8,000 per night.
Clift Hotel
Nearly 100 years old, this confection of a hotel is a fusion of old-world elegance and modern edge, with a sprinkle of European glamour at every turn. Just step into the Philippe Starck-designed lobby to admire the colorful menagerie of art, furniture and people — a coveted collection of furniture including a Salvador Dali coffee table and a stool from Belgium’s surrealist son, René Magritte, are among the standouts. Since you can’t sleep in the lobby (darn), book the impeccable Private Apartment on the hotel’s top floor. The 1,112-square-foot space can be one bedroom or two, and still has its original wood-paneled walls and fireplace, giving it the warmth of a country home. But custom Starck-designed accents and bath products from Malin and Goetz make it current. For a real San Francisco treat, pop in for a drink at the Clift’s famous and historic Redwood Room lounge. Starts at $2,500 per night.
Photos Courtesy of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc., Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Clift Hotel
