I audibly yelped when I opened up the door to my room on the top floor of Four Seasons at Embarcadero—arriving in San Francisco via ferry earlier that morning, it was my first time seeing the city from above. And oh, was it gorgeous. Rolling hills peppered with palm trees, pastel-coloured houses juxtaposing glittering skyscrapers, the endless expanse of pale blue water, stretching serenely into the distance.
San Francisco is famous for its mild, misty weather—the fog even has a nickname, Karl—so waking up in a room at this sky-high Four Seasons has a distinctly dream-like feeling of floating in the clouds. The fog usually burns off by midday, by which time you’ll have the pink-orange sunsets to look forward to. (I yelped again when I opened the bathroom door and saw the shiny, gigantic tub set next to the ginormous window—bathing here with a green tea at sunset provided transcendental levels of bliss).
Why stay at Four Seasons Embarcadero?
Staff at Four Seasons Embarcadero say that the hotel has the best views in San Francisco, and they’re not exaggerating. Located on the top 11 floors of a 38-storey building, the hotel is the tallest in the city, and each of its 155 rooms boast dazzling, panoramic views. With plush king beds, sleek furniture, panoramic windows, staying at the Four Seasons Embarcadero feels like sleeping on a marshmallow, like being in heaven, like being a queen gliding through the sky. It’s top notch, flawless luxury.
What are the rooms like at Four Seasons Embarcadero?
Rooms at Four Seasons Embarcadero are elegant and phenomenally comfortable. There are a number of rooms and suites on offer, sleeping up to six people, and you can choose between skyline views, bay views, or both. There are also nine disability-accessible rooms and, for the ultra-luxurious, two premium Speciality suites with furnished terraces overlooking the twinkling Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge and Coit Tower.
I stayed in the Bay-View Studio Suite which was spacious and filled with light. The 575 sq. ft room had three frameless windows and an assortment of minimalist furniture: a king sized bed, a circular table, a drinks cabinet, an arm chair and a chaise lounge. It was sprinkled with thoughtful touches, from the Nespresso coffee machine to the Harney & Sons teabags to the Bose portable speaker. There was even a stack of San Francisco postcards that you can take to the front desk and they will post them for you—a testament to the hotel’s intimate attentiveness. I was too busy gawking at the sweeping skyline to watch any TV, but if you fancy a movie, there’s also a 65 inch flat screen.
What can you eat at Four Seasons Embarcadero?
Here, it’s nothing less than the breakfast of dreams. Orafo, the onsite restaurant, specialises in Italian dishes cooked with local California ingredients, offering indulgent breakfast dishes like Tiramisu french toast and Uova al Purgatorio. It also ticks every box for perfectly-made American breakfast classics: bagels (any type) with smoked salmon, heirloom tomatoes, cream cheese and fried capers; pastry baskets; smoked salmon benedict; buttermilk pancakes (best enjoyed with a freshly-squeezed orange juice and coffee roasted by Oakland-based Mr Espresso).
The cocktails are also superb, with three types of negronis and extensive non-alcoholic offerings (the ‘Bitter Sweet’ Italian spritz with lemon, orange syrup, chili and topped with an edible flower was particularly delicious). I dined there on a Thursday evening and the vibes were a little quiet however, so if you’re looking for a buzzy night in the city, you might want to head out somewhere after.
What is the service like at Four Seasons Embarcadero?
The service at Four Seasons Embarcadero is faultless. Rooms are serviced twice a day and staff are warm, friendly and attentive. Every time I spoke with the front desk they were extremely helpful, checking in on my stay, providing brilliant recommendations for the city (like Maison Nico, a nearby bakery where I had a sumptuous, squidgy almond, berry and mint pastry—try it) and offering me eco-friendly aluminium bottles of water.
What are the facilities like at Four Seasons Embarcadero?
While you could easily spend a day (or two) tucked up in the hotel’s marshmallow-like bed with a cup of coffee and a newspaper, Four Seasons Embarcadero also has a well-sized gym and a rooftop where yoga sessions and cocktail receptions are sometimes held. The hotel also runs a number of foodie experiences, such as a craft cocktail workshop with Orafo’s head bartender (snacks are included) and a walking tour of Chinatown.
I took a pasta-making workshop with executive chef Raul Dominguez which included buying fresh ingredients from Ferry Building Farmers Market (and learning about the city’s most iconic restaurants and shops), hand-rolled pasta and sampling it with a few of Dominguez’s best creations. It’s rather pricey, costing $325/person, but a great way to get a feel for the city’s food scene, if you’ve got the budget.
What’s the area like around Four Seasons Embarcadero?
The hotel is located in the city’s business district, which staff tell me has gotten trendier in recent years. Amidst the towering office buildings and banks are a peppering of bougie eateries, wine bars and boutique shops. It’s also a short walk away from the ferry building (which is filled with atmospheric, regional restaurants like Hog Island Oyster Co, La Mar Cocina Peruana and Coqueta), San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Chinatown and several classic Beat Generation hang outs, such as Cafe Triest, Vesuvio Cafe and City Lights Bookstore.
Why should you book a stay at Four Seasons Embarcadero?
If you’re looking for a hotel with a buzzy, social atmosphere, you might be better off staying elsewhere. But if you’re after godly levels of comfort, immaculate service, delicious breakfast in beds with sweeping, sparkly views, this might just be the perfect hotel. Book a room on the top floor, jump onto the cloudlike bed, and swoon at the multi-coloured, musical pulse of San Francisco’s streets from above.
At time of writing, the hotel is offering a ‘four night free’ deal until December 31 2025, where you can receive a complimentary fourth night in the hotel. Hotel rates are usually lowest during winter months, and guests can save up to 25 percent off rooms with a booking in advance.
DETAILS
Address: 222 Sansome St, San Francisco, CA 94104
Price per night: Starting from Rates from $599/night
Closest transport: The hotel is a 6 minute walk away from Montgomery train station, where you can get one train to the airport in less than 30 minutes.
Book now: via Booking.com
Time Out makes a small commission from the affiliate links included in this article. These links have no influence on our editorial content, but they do help us to bring you more recommendations every week. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.