Site Visit at the St. Regis San Francisco

Location

The hotel is located on 3rd Street, one block south of Market Street and right across from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and the Yerba Buena Gardens. The Moscone Center is only a block further south, and the St. Regis San Francisco is within walking distance to Union Square, the Embarcadero and the Ferry Building, as well as China Town.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is about a 45-minute drive, and if you’re flying into San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK) on the other side of the Bay Bridge, you’ll likely be in the car for 30–45 minutes. You can use public transportation or jump in a cab or Uber/Lyft to get downtown, or you can opt for a car service pick up for maximum ease. The City by the Bay is also well-connected through Amtrak and Flixbus, so you can choose from a plethora of arrival and departure options.

With its prime location, the hotel allows for easy access to everything the city has to offer. Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurants like Benu, Aphotic and O' by Claude Le Tohic, designer shopping, museums and art galleries and theaters like the Orpheum Theatre are all within reach. And, of course, the Castro district, the city’s hub of LGBTQ+ history and culture, is just a short drive down Market Street, where you will find many bars, small businesses and the diverse lifestyle that’s synonymous with San Francisco.

Room Types

The hotel has 260 rooms and suites, all of them recently redesigned with a quiet luxury theme clearly present in every detail. The refined art collection throughout the hotel includes exceptional pieces by celebrated local artists, meticulously selected to blend seamlessly into the timeless elegance of their surroundings. The rooms are also equipped with pillowtop mattresses and luxury Frette linens, making for an exceptionally blissful sleep. I also love the automated window shades system that allows you to set just the right vibe — plus, it makes for a grandiose city reveal when all shades are going up at once.

Both the Grand Deluxe and the Executive Premier rooms have spa-like bathroom amenities and ample space to work and relax. What I especially loved is that the bathtub privacy wall can be opened to overlook the room and the city’s skyline — I adore a view while soaking with a glass of champs.

Guests that are booked in (or upgraded to) one of the suite categories are in for a special treat: The Signature St. Regis Butler Service, making your every wish come true. From unpacking and pressing your clothes to finding the perfect last-minute gift for a loved one, the iconic butler service is at the guest’s disposal around the clock.

There are Several Different Types of Suites:

• Astor Suite: These alluring corner suites are impeccably designed with fumed oak and limestone, offering the same expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that I mentioned for the room categories. Spanning over 700 square feet, including a separate living area, every detail is carefully considered.

• Overlook Suite: Overlook suites provide views of the Overlook Terrace and the picturesque Yerba Buena Gardens. The lavish suite's living room offers ample lounge seating, and the convenient half bathroom adjoins the living space, while the full bathroom boasts extra-long soaking tubs and indulgent rainfall showerheads.

• Metropolitan Suite: Marble window seats beneath floor-to-ceiling windows adorn the spacious living area in this type of suite. There is a dining area with seating for up to six, and elegant touches like a separate dressing area with three-way mirrors enhance the distinctive ambiance of the space.

• Signature Suite: Metropolitan Suites can be combined with an adjoining Deluxe Room to create two-bedroom corner suites, complete with a welcoming atrium entryway ensuring privacy for both bedrooms.

• St. Regis Suite: Located on the 19th and 20th floors, the exclusive St. Regis Suites offer 1,500 square feet of luxurious living space. Each suite offers views of the SoMa district. There’s an expansive living area featuring plush seating, a dining table for up to six and a layered smoked glass desk. The spacious limestone bathroom reminds more of a spa, with special elements like an extra-deep, extra-long jetted bathtub and marble vanity.

• Presidential Suite: WOW, this suite really has it all! Exemplifying modern, quiet luxury, this exclusive suite spans 3,200 square feet. It consists of a living room, media room, library, office space, dining room, butler's pantry, bedroom, dressing room and a full bathroom with a separate powder room. I was especially intrigued by the library inside the office with its elegant bookshelves that line the walls and the big desk perfect for signing multimillion-dollar deals.

Culinary Delights and Signature Experiences

Both the St. Regis Bar and Astra, the onsite restaurant, are nothing but top notch, blending creativity with classic sophistication. I had the pleasure of enjoying a lovely Sunday brunch, where I indulged in delicious chilaquiles paired with one of the many Bloody Mary variations the St. Regis brand is known (and beloved) for. Fun fact: The original recipe was invented at the St. Regis - New York in 1934! I also was super into the Shogun Mary, which adds soy sauce and wasabi powder to the mix, a concoction that was first crafted at the St. Regis Osaka. There are also myriad other interesting cocktail options on the menu. As a seasoned cocktail lover myself, I have to say that the bar program at the hotel can easily compete with some of the best standalone bars in the city and beyond. And for the champagne crowd, there’s the nightly Art of Sabrage service, a ritual dating back to the 19th century, which includes opening a bottle of champagne with an elegant saber.

Another element that makes a stay at the St. Regis stand out is the offering of signature experiences. Two of my favorites are the Art of Tea, a wonderfully exquisite afternoon tea ceremony, and the Sabrage Masterclass, where guests learn the history and technique behind this cherished ritual. In addition, guests also have access to a lavish pool and spa area. The pool has been recently renovated and is the epitome of timeless elegance, with a sleek and modern yet sophisticated aesthetic. The spa itself is currently being remodeled, but I have no doubt that it will be the chicest place to get a facial once it reopens. And while a fitness center typically is a bit lost on me (don’t judge!), the hotel offers state-of-the-art gym facilities that should satisfy every workout enthusiast.

The spa is currently in the design phase and an opening date is not set yet.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to San Francisco. In need of further inspiration? Check my guide, A Weekend Exploring Mendocino County.