The facade of the Fairmont Hotel

Work takes me to San Francisco Bay area at-least once a quarter and over the years I have parked in many hotels around the Bay area. This time around it was an unique experience when one of our summit was arranged in the historical Fairmont SFO hotel. I must say, this has to be one of the best hotels that I have stayed till date. 

The Fairmont Hotel atop Nob Hill, San Francisco, has to be one of the most well know hotels around the bay area. The hotel dates way back to the early 1900’s and the hotel (main building) started its service in the year 1907. The inauguration of the hotel was delayed due to the 1906 earthquake which hit the bay area. Though there was no structural damage to the hotel, there was considerable damage caused to the interiors due to the subsequent fire. The adjacent tower was subsequently added to the property in the year 1962.  The hotel is one of the few hotels which have the prestigious AAA Four – Diamond Luxury rating. 

The lobby of the hotel. The hotel has huge lobby which has a very grand look and feel. The rustic look adds to the charm and takes us back in time.

Check-in was a breeze and I was allocated a room in the 5th floor of the old wing. It was indeed a good feeling to walk around the hotel and check the artifacts that called out the historical significance of the hotel. Some of the cool facts about the hotel is listed below:

  • 1945: The hotel hosted international statesmen for meetings which culminated in the creation of the United Nations
  • First hotel in the United States to offer Concierge services
  • Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar is an official San Francisco landmark
  • In December of 1961, Tony Bennett first sang the song ” I left my heart in San Francisco” in the Venetian Room
The view from my room – 5 Floor main building.
The room was pretty big and is stocked with everything that a family would need when travelling 🙂
Another view of the room. The beds were very comfortable and me being in the old wing ensued that I could experience the rustic charm of the hotel.
A walk in wardrobe – well did not expect this in Bay area where real estate comes at such a high price.
The bathrooms had some of the best collect of toiletries. They had some wonderful collection of custom made shampoos, conditioner and Shower gel. I found the Rose fragrance extremely soothing and inviting.

After freshening up, it was time to go around the hotel. I got a call from my friend who had got a room in the new wing. He was assigned a room in the 23th floor overlooking the bay area and I he was gracious enough to invite me to his room to check out the views that the room had to offer. Here are some of the photos that I took from him room. 

Simply WOW!!!.. Imagine this as a view from our hotel room. Thats exactly what my friend had for himself. He was put up on the 23rd floor of the new wing overlooking the bay.
I managed to room and capture the famous “Alcatraz Island”
Weather can change in SFO within minute.s. It was by now around 6 in the evening and the clouds started to roll over. What a mesmerizing view it was.
The new Wing that was inaugurated in the year 1962.
1 photo capturing the 1907 main building and the relatively modern and new 1962 tower wing.

All this luxury and glamour does come at a price :). The hotel has one of the highest room rates around the Bay area. The rates (based on the different rooms) can vary from $360 per night to as high as $850 for the Suite category rooms 

The 3 days that I spent in this hotel has to be one of my best stays in the Bay area. Though the decor of both the wings are pretty same, I would recommend you ask for the old wing if you want to experience the heritage of this hotel. If you are someone who is looking for great views, look no further, request for the rooms overlooking the Bay in the new wing. A hotel that I would highly recommend anytime. 

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