The Fairmont is one of the most iconic hotels in San Francisco. Perched atop the exclusive Nob Hill area in a cluster of five star hotels, it's conveniently located in the middle of the city and oozes old school luxury with traditional interiors, a grand lobby with marble floors and gold Corinthian columns, polished wooden furniture, tall palms, fresh flowers and renowned hospitality.
The San Francisco landmark underwent a massive $85 million restoration in 1999 and balances classic style with contemporary furnishings and amenities perfectly. As you'd expect from a grand old hotel in the US, it's seriously impressive in size with 591 rooms and suites taking up a block between Mason Street and California Street. Our room was quiet and clean with a huge comfortable bed, walk-in shower, marble bathtub, Rose 31 toiletries and panoramic views from 8 storeys high above the city.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, its doors opened in 1907 and it's been home to everyone from John F. Kennedy to Nat King Cole and Marlene Dietrich, hosting awards, large events and meetings - the United Nations was created here in 1945 - and featured in dozens of films, TV shows and photoshoots. The hallway is lined with black and white photographs, magazine covers, newspaper cuttings and film stills from across its illustrious 109 year history.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, its doors opened in 1907 and it's been home to everyone from John F. Kennedy to Nat King Cole and Marlene Dietrich, hosting awards, large events and meetings - the United Nations was created here in 1945 - and featured in dozens of films, TV shows and photoshoots. The hallway is lined with black and white photographs, magazine covers, newspaper cuttings and film stills from across its illustrious 109 year history.
As we arrived late after our drive up the coast from Big Sur, we ate in the hotel's American restaurant The Laurel Court sharing a delicious steak tartare and fishcakes, before going out to explore the neighbourhood bars for a nightcap.
The Mason Street cable car stops right outside the Fairmont so we hopped on and off on our second day there, travelling down to the famous Fisherman's Wharf to walk along the pier and stop off for some fresh crab for lunch before going down to the other side of the line downtown, hiking back up the steep streets via Union Square and wandering around the nearby Chinatown.
We had a great time spending four days in SF - more on what we did, where we ate and my recommendations soon...
The Fairmont, 950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108
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