Fairmont San Francisco

The Fairmont San Francisco is the classic honeymoon hotel in San Francisco for couples who want the city's grand old glamour. It sits at the top of Nob Hill, a block from where the California and Powell cable car lines cross. It has been there since 1907. Book a high room in the Tower and you look out over the city to the Bay; book the historic Main Building and you get the marble lobby and gilded columns that made the Fairmont famous.

History runs deep here. The building was nearly finished when the 1906 earthquake struck. The fire that followed gutted the interior, architect Julia Morgan oversaw the repairs and the hotel opened a year later. In 1945, delegates finalized the United Nations Charter in its Garden Room. Tony Bennett first sang "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" here.

It suits couples who want a central, walkable base with character, plus a few fun rituals: afternoon tea at Laurel Court and mai tais in the Tonga Room as a rainstorm rolls across the pool. It is a large hotel, not a boutique. Rates move sharply with conventions. Expect upper-midrange prices for standard rooms and much more for suites.

Highlights at a glance

• Nob Hill landmark open since 1907
• High Tower rooms with Bay views
• The Tonga Room tiki bar with indoor rainstorms
• Afternoon tea at Laurel Court
• Cable cars a block from the door

Why Couples Love the Fairmont

Few hotels in America have this much story. The Fairmont survived the 1906 earthquake structurally, was rebuilt with Julia Morgan's reinforced concrete and opened on April 18, 1907. The Tower, added in 1962, rises 29 floors and gives the hotel its best views.

For honeymooners, the appeal is the old-world drama of the place. The lobby is all marble, gilt and grand staircases. Evening drinks feel like an occasion. The hotel also says the concierge profession in the United States began here. Service tends to be polished.

Then there is location. Nob Hill is one of the most atmospheric neighborhoods in the city, with Grace Cathedral, Huntington Park and cable car bells all around you. From the front door you can walk downhill to Chinatown and North Beach or catch a cable car toward Fisherman's Wharf. Coming home at night to the lit facade on the hill is a small thrill every time.

Rooms and Suites to Book

The hotel has roughly 600 rooms and suites split between two buildings with very different personalities.

• Main Building rooms have high ceilings and classic decor. They feel historic but generally have more limited views.
• Tower rooms are more modern. The higher floors look out over the city, the Bay and the bridges. For a honeymoon, a high-floor Tower room with a Bay view is the one to request.
• The Fairmont Suite on the 23rd floor has 270-degree Bay views and a spa-style bathroom.
• The Tony Bennett Suite on the 22nd floor features the singer's artwork.
• The Penthouse covers the entire eighth floor of the Main Building, about 6,000 square feet, with a terrace, library and billiards room, for a once-in-a-lifetime splurge.

Ask about suite offers when booking, as the hotel periodically runs credits on eligible suites.

The Tonga Room, Afternoon Tea and the Spa

The Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar is the Fairmont's most beloved oddity. Opened in 1945 in what was once the hotel's swimming pool, it is a tiki bar where a band plays from a barge floating on the water and artificial thunderstorms roll through every so often. Order something with rum and an umbrella. Lean into the kitsch. Reservations are wise on weekends.

Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar sits under the lobby's domed ceiling and hosts afternoon tea, a tradition at the hotel since it opened. It is a lovely way to spend a foggy afternoon. The hotel's rooftop herb garden and beehives supply the kitchen.

For wellness, Chateau de la Beauté offers spa treatments, while the Live Fit Gym covers workouts. This is not a resort spa, so plan a massage rather than a full spa day. San Francisco's restaurant scene is the real draw for dinners out.

Things to Do From Nob Hill

The Fairmont puts most of San Francisco within reach. Cable cars on the California and Powell lines stop a block away. Riding the Powell-Hyde line down to the waterfront is a classic first-day outing.

Walk downhill into Chinatown and on to North Beach for espresso and Italian dinners. Book Alcatraz tickets well ahead. Walk or cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge, then take the ferry back from Sausalito. The Ferry Building has a great Saturday farmers market. The Lands End trail gives cliff-top views of the Golden Gate.

For day trips, Napa and Sonoma wine country are about an hour or so north. Muir Woods offers redwoods close to the city. One of you can join a food tour while the other heads to the de Young or SFMOMA, then meet up for dinner. Pack layers: summer fog keeps San Francisco cool. Wind on the hills can be strong.

Getting There

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is about 13 miles south, roughly a 30-minute drive without traffic. Taxis and ride-shares are easy. BART runs from the airport to downtown, but the climb up Nob Hill from the nearest stations is steep with luggage, so a car for the last stretch is better.

If you arrive at Oakland International (OAK), allow extra time to cross the Bay Bridge.

You do not need a car in the city. Valet and self-parking in the connected garage are available for a fee. They add up, so rent a car only for the days you leave town. Cable cars, walking and ride-shares cover most needs.

As in any big city, take a car rather than walking through unfamiliar neighborhoods late at night. Some blocks between Union Square and the Tenderloin feel rough after dark. Nob Hill itself is quiet and generally comfortable to walk around.

Is It Worth It?

For couples who love history and want a central base, yes. A Bay-view room at the Fairmont, afternoon tea and a night in the Tonga Room make a San Francisco stay feel like a celebration. Standard rates are often lower than at the city's newer luxury hotels.

It is less ideal if you prefer intimate boutique hotels. With around 600 rooms, the Fairmont hosts conventions, weddings and tour groups. The lobby can be busy. Some Main Building rooms are smaller and darker than the public spaces suggest. Couples wanting a quieter residential feel might prefer a boutique hotel in Pacific Heights, while those who want water views from bed could look at the Embarcadero or across the bridge in Sausalito.

The key is to book a high Tower room with a view, which costs more but makes all the difference. Check rates across several dates, since big conventions in the city can double prices overnight.

Insider tips

1. Request a high-floor Tower room with a Bay view.
2. Reserve the Tonga Room for a weekend evening.
3. Skip the rental car until you leave the city to avoid nightly parking fees.
4. Look for the UN Charter plaque near the Garden Room.

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