San Francisco is a city of wonderful contradictions. The highway leading from its futuristic airport into the historic urban core is lined with billboards for AI companies, and for a stay that captures both San Francisco’s fiercely preservationist bones and its boldly forward-thinking approach to just about everything else, check in at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco.
The landmark hotel provided a high-end and conveniently located refuge for my group of on-the-go guests in town to attend San Francisco’s three-day Outside Lands music festival. It was also an ideal jumping-off point to squeeze in stops at some of the city’s most iconic sights and award-winning dining destinations over a long weekend.
Why stay at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco?
Housed in a handsome circa-1909 Neoclassical building in the swanky Nob Hill neighborhood, this family-friendly Ritz-Carlton offers 336 elegant rooms, refined dining and easy access to city staples like the cable cars just outside. Pre-dating the Ritz-Carlton brand itself, the building gives travelers a window into San Francisco’s storied past (it was originally the Pacific Coast headquarters for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company) with all the modern comforts and award-winning service you’d expect from a Ritz.
Aside from its old-world beauty, the hotel’s most notable feature is its eighth-floor Club Lounge, which is available by booking a room or suite with Club access. Here, guests can take advantage of all-day food and beverage spreads and a dedicated concierge. This proved well worth the upgrade, providing the ideal spot to meet, graze and sip a quick glass of sparkling wine before venturing into the music festival each day. For families with little ones in tow, it’s a great space to unwind and snack in between activities, too.
What are the rooms like at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco?
My Club Level king guest room was spacious and impeccably maintained, with luxe furnishings and bath fixtures, a calming palette of deep blues and white Italian marble, and views of the manicured neighborhood below.
Like other Ritz properties I’ve visited, you won’t find an ultra-modern design language here. The vibe is elegant and classic, if slightly dated, and supremely comfortable (the feather bed features 400-thread-count cotton linens). The mini-bar was well-stocked, the robes were plush and the Diptyque bath products made for a sensuous reset after my festival journey each night.
For even more space, the property offers several suites, including options with views of landmarks like Alcatraz Island and Coit Tower, as well as one- and two-bedroom connecting suites.
What are the best things to eat at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco?
There are two on-site restaurants: Parallel 37 for breakfast (daily 7–11am) and The Lounge for lunch and dinner (daily 11.30am–11pm). I dined at both during my stay and was pleased to discover that the food lives up to the rest of the city’s glowing culinary reputation.
For breakfast, the Huevos Rancheros were a highlight: savory chorizo and refried beans sandwiched between crispy blue corn tostadas and artfully piled with pickled red onions, sunny side up eggs, avocado slices and cotija. Pro tip: order the Buttermilk Pancakes for the table—this way, everyone gets a bite of the exquisitely moist lemon ricotta pancakes topped with blueberry compote and pistachio crumble.
The Lounge is a livelier spot for dinner and drinks, residing off the main lobby in an expansive space with skyline views. The menu is coastal California with gorgeous cocktails inspired by San Francisco’s famous neighborhoods. For dessert, we got to sample a few of the delicate pastries served during the restaurant’s popular Afternoon Teas (seasonal, 2–4pm).
What is the service like at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco?
My first impression of the service came courtesy of the chipper bellhop, who wore a neat vest and a towering top hat as he handled my luggage—I challenge you not to smile at such a greeting. The rest of the service here matches the level of detail you’d expect at a Ritz, with plenty of sweet nods to local history, like the fresh fortune cookies at reception (did you know they were invented in San Francisco?). Overall, the vibe is warm, traditional and seamless.
Is there a spa at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco?
For a city whose sidewalks are basically one big Stairmaster and whose chilly fog is so prevalent they’ve given it a name (it’s Karl, and he has his own Instagram account), I was surprised this hotel doesn’t have a spa. However, the basement-level fitness center is large and well-equipped, and there are dedicated men’s and women’s steam rooms inside the locker rooms.
The courtyard on the garden level likewise offers a serene space for guests to relax in lieu of a spa. Adirondack chairs and benches dot this fragrant manicured terrace that often hosts weddings and where the restaurants source many of their herbs.
What’s the area like around The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco?
The hotel’s prestigious Nob Hill address places it steps from luxe shopping in Union Square, iconic views in the Financial District, buzzy Italian trattorias in North Beach and one of America’s oldest and most established Chinatowns. The Cable Car Museum is a 10-minute walk (or arrive there via an actual cable car in eight minutes). Around the corner, the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, a Chinatown staple churning out handmade cookies in a tiny space, is a quaint stop for a unique gift.
Other popular San Francisco spots, like groovy Haight-Ashbury, Latin American and LGBTQ enclave the Mission and sprawling Golden Gate Park, are 15 to 20 minutes away by car. Better yet, order a driverless Waymo to your destination—I took my first ride and it was even more surreal than I imagined.
Why you should book a stay at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
Without diverging too much from the formula that’s made The Ritz-Carlton brand so successful, this luxurious San Francisco hotel distinguishes itself with its grand stone columns, stately interiors, prime location and rich local history. In between taking in the city’s incredible patchwork of cultures and modern wonders, The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco is a great homebase to reconnect and recharge over a weekend or extended stay.
DETAILS
Address: 600 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Price per night: starting from $450 per night
Closest transport: California St & Powell St cable car station / California St & Kearny St bus station / San Francisco International Airport is a 30-minute drive
Book now: via Booking.com
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