The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel
Newly Renovated San Francisco Hotel
Welcome to The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, our luxury destination in San Francisco—only one block from Union Square. Newly renovated, we invite you to explore our refined guest rooms, a modern lobby experience, the Fredericks eatery and café, and the famous Read More +
Deals & Offers at The Clift San Francisco
Winter Your Way
Travel Pass Members, enjoy your next Sonesta getaway with an offer that’s twice as nice. Make your winter escape for up to 25% off, plus earn up to 4,000 bonus Travel Pass Points when you book by March 31.
Tea Time With a Twist
Get your stay off to a royal start with a twinset of complimentary cocktails.
Join Us for Breakfast
Mornings just got better. Enjoy a mouthwatering start to the day’s discoveries with breakfast at Sonesta.
About The Clift Hotel San Francisco
Join us in San Francisco at our newly renovated hotel. Classic and contemporary with a nod to its storied past, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel San Francisco provides a wide array of amenities and services to make your stay comfortable. From a Peloton Suite Package to our multiple dine and drink experiences, we aim to offer one of the most enjoyable hotel stays you’re likely to have.
Destination Fee at Our Luxury San Francisco Hotel
Room rates are subject to a daily Destination Fee of $35.00 (plus applicable taxes), which includes:
- 24/7 access to state-of-the-art fitness center
- Basic Wi-Fi for unlimited devices
- 2 bottled waters in-room upon arrival
- In-room coffee/tea offering
- $10 F&B Credit daily
- Free local and domestic long-distance calls
The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel in the Media
Just Luxe (December 2022)
The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel — A Modern Oasis with Century Old Classic Vibes
USA Today Ten Best
Best Nightlife in San Francisco
Top off your San Francisco Day with a Fabulous San Francisco Night
HI Travel Tales (December 2021)
“Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel: A luxury historic San Francisco hotel"
“The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel offers affordable boutique luxury with amazing San Francisco views and location. Renovated in 2020, the historic Clift Hotel rates as a top hotel in San Francisco for comfort, ambiance, and service."
Jupiter Devours (November 2021)
“Sonesta's Newly Renovated SF Property, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel: With Stunning Rooms and Food!"
“The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel is located in San Francisco, CA, part of the Sonesta franchise hotels. The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel is a century-year-old gem and was first opened in February of 1915 by Frederick C. Clift. In late 2019, renovation started at the hotel and in 2021, the renovations were finished and the hotel looks super clean, modern, and contemporary."
Preksharaj.com (September 2021)
“Checking in: A Luxury Stay in San Francisco at the Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel""
NEWH Magazine (Winter 2021)
“Classic Reinterpretation: Gensler reimagines a storied San Francisco property"
Art and Entertain Me (November 2021)
“The Clift Hotel in San Francisco’s Great Location Shines after Renovation"
“Always elegant and dignified, holding steady throughout more than a century of different ownerships, happenings, and renovations, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel at the heart of San Francisco, near Union Square, just emerged after the latest series of improvements that took up almost the entire COVID-19-induced time warp."
Riley Magazine (2021)
“SF Luxury @ The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel”
"Join Contributor Beth Hoke on a visit to The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, one of San Francisco’s top luxury hotels"
Going Global TV (August 2021)
“A San Francisco Classic Returns”
“The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel has officially reopened for business in 2021 (as of May 20), wowing visitors and locals alike with renewed, light-filled public spaces, sumptuous yet modern rooms, and some exciting announcements on the food and beverage front."
LA Explorer (October 2021)
“A Night at The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel"
TasteTV (2021)
"Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel debuts Fredericks for Breakfast and Lunch in San Francisco"
“The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel in San Francisco recently opened their new eatery called Fredericks."
InspireDesign (August 2021)
“SOME DESIGN NOTES ON THE CLIFT”
Lodging Magazine (July 2021)
"The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel Unveils Renovation"
Newly Renovated San Francisco Hotel with Modern Design
Recently renovated, guests at The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel will be welcomed by a sophisticated and modern design signifying a reawakening of the hotel’s original craftsmanship fused with modern-day San Francisco. Designed for beauty, adaptability, and convenience, The Clift is a place that reveals the past and embraces the accelerating pace of the future. The ambiance engages traditional touches while enveloping the beauty of the City by the Bay.
Hotel Highlights
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Over a century old, The Clift hotel was originally constructed in San Francisco’s Union Square for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915
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The hotel has many years of history, with specific design touches to serve as a nod to the past
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The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel is home to the famous “Big Chair.” The French embroidery has recently been updated with modern silver upholstery, but the wink to guests remains underneath the chair
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Be welcomed to the hotel lobby with a series of warm neutrals with light driftwood, rich charcoal grays, and metallic bronze accents
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Design elements emphasize the original wall textures and original exposed brick
Bee Sanctuary at our Downtown San Francisco Hotel
To continue striving towards being a more eco-friendly hotel, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel hosts 10 hives with over 10,000 honeybees on the roof of the hotel.
The Clift has been a large part of a spearheaded an effort to encourage city hotels to keep bees as an environmentally friendly initiative.
The honey produced is proudly used in the hotel's craft cocktail drinks as well as dishes to include the compressed watermelon salad with lavender-infused honey and goat cheese.
Local beekeeper Roger Garrison is in charge of installing and maintaining the hives at The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel.
Hive Facts
Each hive contains one queen (which lays about 1,500 eggs a day during spring build-up and can live five years or more), female worker bees (which collect pollen and nectar in their last stage of their lifetime of thirty days or so by communicating to one another where the food source is to be found through a behavior known as the waggle dance), and drones or male bees (which are expelled from colonies late fall and won’t reappear until early spring for its sole purpose of mating with a virgin queen).
- Each hive can grow up to 70,000 bees and can produce up to 60 pounds of honey.
- A hive of bees will travel over 55,000 miles to make this happen
- One ounce of honey could fuel a single bee’s flight around the world
In 2015, The Clift was awarded the Good Earthkeeping Award by California Hotel & Lodging Association.
Pet-Friendly Luxury Hotel in San Francisco
We love your furry friends as much as you do.
Sonesta is proud to invite your cuddly companions and provide special amenities like comfy pet beds, bowls, waterproof mats, and treats at check-in. We’ll greet your pet with an arrival letter outlining our local recommendations for a "pawsome" stay.
The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel is pet-friendly and welcomes well-mannered pets, with no breed or weight restrictions. Up to two pets are permitted per suite.
$75 fee per stay applies.
Amenities at Our Union Square Hotel
At The Clift Royal Sonesta, we are proud to offer a wide array of amenities and features, all designed to make your stay as relaxing and memorable as possible.
Our range of helpful services includes tour desk concierge, dry-cleaning, turn-down service, daily newspaper, babysitting, language translation assistance, and more.
We await your call: 415.775.4700
The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel Fitness Center
Guests have access to The Clift's 24-hour fitness center featuring a Peloton Bike located on the second floor, with a selection of free weight, resistance machine, elliptical and Treadmill by Lifefitness.
Fitness Center Features
- 24-hour accessibility
- Weight machine
- Three elliptical trainers
- Stair climber
- Four treadmills
- Two Life Fitness stationary bicycles
- One Peloton
- Free weights
- Yoga mats
- A variety of balance balls
- Kettlebells
- A plyometric jump box
- Filtered water dispenser
- Sanitizing wipes
- Gym towels
Peloton Experience at The Clift Hotel San Francisco
Peloton Bike
The Peloton Bike is here. Hit your fitness goals while on the go.
Indoor cycling comes to The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel with the Peloton Bike. Keep your workouts fresh with different themes, difficulty levels and music genres. With classes that range from 5 to 90 minutes, find a ride for every mood.
Peloton Package
Enjoy a ride on the Peloton Bike in our fitness center, or book a Suite with a Peloton Bike for private use! You will receive a Peloton water bottle and a $25 Peloton gift card at check-in.
Get Ready for Your Ride
We’re so excited for you to experience the Peloton Bike at The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel.
Union Square Parking at The Clift
Valet parking is available 24 hours a day at the main entrance at 495 Geary St. between Mason and Taylor.
Vehicles host unlimited in and out privileges. Please allow 20 minutes for vehicle retrieval.
- Standard Vehicle | $70 plus 16.6% tax per night
- Oversize Vehicle | $80 plus 16.6% tax per night
Self-parking is not available.
Hotel Valet Parking
0 –2 hours $25
3 – 4 hours $40
5+ hours (daily max) $70
Oversize vehicle +$10
In-Room Amenities at The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco
The guest rooms at The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco are sleek and modern, reflecting the hotel's historic spirit of design, and include the following in-room amenities:
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Walk-in rainfall shower
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Oversized back-lit wall mirror
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Hair dryer
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Mini-bar
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Mini-fridge
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Keurig coffee maker
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Laptop-size safe
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Iron + ironing board
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Flat-screen television with Staycast Sonifi streaming, Google Chromecast, and premium movie channels
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Complimentary Wi-Fi
Please note amenities may vary by room. More details can be found during room selection.
Dining at Our San Francisco Hotel
The most creative and exciting menus in San Francisco are at The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel San Francisco.
California’s culinary traditions and farm-fresh ingredients combine to create a truly unique dining experience.
Discover local flavors in exceptional dishes at any of our dining experiences.
Redwood Room
The intimate, art deco-inspired Redwood Room is a San Francisco institution, newly infused with 21st-century elegance. Its glamour and subdued atmosphere are unsurpassed in the city, made more unique by the paneling that is said to have been carved from a single redwood tree. Savor gourmet small plates and Liquid Art cocktails in this soothing bar that redefines “classic.”
Voted by USA Today Ten Best as the #1 for Best Nightlife in San Francisco.
Fredericks
Reverting back to its original location in the hotel, Fredericks is a modern eatery and café complete with creative food and drink.
- High-end coffee program
- Gourmet pastries and snacks
- Brasserie fare and elevated comfort food
- And more!
Redwood Room at the Clift Hotel San Francisco
The Clift’s famous and historic Redwood Room has been restored and reinvented as an exceptionally modern San Francisco bar.
Suffused with glamour and Art Deco style, the interior features the original redwood paneling which, legend has, was carved from a single redwood tree, as well as an enormous bar made from an 800-year-old redwood tree.
The original artwork on the walls by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt was restored and re-hung.
Hours
Tuesday - Wednesday, 5:00PM – 12:00AM
Thursday - Saturday, 5:00PM – Close
A New Culinary Experience at The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel
Fredericks is a warm and welcoming eatery that draws inspiration from San Francisco’s historic past and its open-hearted culture through the lively nature of the city and the unifying power of good food.
Fredericks offers curated comfort food and whimsical yet inviting to-go items and treats. It’s a destination for seekers, creators, and thrillers to capture their past and reinvent their destinies through food and beverage.
Beginning each day with curated yet swift service, Fredericks powers the day through its high-end coffee shop featuring gourmet to-go pastries and a high-end coffee program.
A la carte Benedicts and omelets set the tone for a more relaxed morning, while pre-made artisan sandwiches and plant-forward compound salads and soups are offered during the lunch hour – fitting for a busy day or social lunch date.
As a nod to the original Clift hotel, this café and eatery has been placed back to its original location in the hotel. Fredericks offers standout coffee options, gourmet pastries, sweet and savory options for breakfast, lunch, and beyond.
Hours
Sunday - Thursday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Friday - Saturday: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The Living Room at The Clift
Located to the left of the lobby is the new Living Room, boasting several seating options for working, having a drink, or just relaxing and people-watching.
The Living Room Dinner Service Hours
Tuesday – Saturday, 5:00PM – 10:00PM
Mini Bar Amenities at Our Union Square Hotel
Whether you need a pick-me-up, a wind-me-down, or just some juice for your phone—we’ve got you covered.
Just dial "0" to place your order.
A $% delivery fee will be added to your bill. Items ordered will incur an additional 8.50% sales tax.
Government warning: According to the surgeon general, women should not drink alcoholic, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems, California Law prohibits the consumption of spirits and alcoholic beverages by minors under the age of 21 years.
FOOD
- Roasted and Salted Peanuts $5
- Clif Bar, Walnut Raisin $6.50
- Snickers Bar $5
- Kit Kat Bar $5
- Hersheys Chocolate Bar $5
- Kettle Chips, Sea Salt $5.50
- Kettle Chips, Jalapeno $5.50
- Doritos, Nacho Cheese $5.50
- Smartfood Popcorn, White Cheddar $5.50
BEER
- Miller Lite ABV 4.2% $9
- Peroni Lager ABV 5.1% $10
- Anchor Steam ABV 4.9% $10
- Lagunitas Little Sumpin' IPA ABV 7.5% $10
- Ballast Point Sculpin IPA ABV 7% $10
SOFT DRINKS
- Coke $5
- Diet Coke $5
- Sprite $5
- Tonic $5
- Soda $5
- Ginger Ale $5
- Gatorade Fruit Punch $7
- Acqua Panna 500 ml $8
- San Pellegrino 500 ml $8
- Red Bull $8
- Diet Red Bull $8
SPIRITS
- Grey Goose Vodka 50 ml $12
- Absolut Citron Vodka 50 ml $12
- James Whiskey 50 ml $12
- Jack Daniels Whiskey 50 ml $12
- Johnny Walker Black Label Scotch 50 ml $14
- Tanqueray Gin 50 ml $12
- Bacardi Rum 50 ml $10
- Kraken Rum 50 ml $10
- Tito's Vodka 50 ml $10
- Maker's Mark Bourbon 200 ml $35
- Casadores Tequila 200 ml $40
CHAMPAGNE
- Piper Heidsieck Half $65
- Gloria Ferrer, Private Cuvee Brut, Methode Champenoise Full $82
WHITE WINE
- Sauvignon Blanc, Line 39 Half $22
- Sauvignon Blanc, Joel Gott Full $45
RED WINE
- Pinot Noir, Benton Lane Half $25
- Pinot Noir, Hess Full $45
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Joel Gott Full $45
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley Vineyards, 2018 Half $25
- Merlot, Robert Mondavi, Private Selection, Rum Barrel Aged 2018 Half $25
MERCHANDISE
- The Clift Water Bottle $15
- Smartphone Kit $20
- Shave Club Kit $20
- Intimacy Kit $20
San Francisco Dining Recommendations
We have curated a list of our favorite spots that are close by to satisfy all your cravings. stop by the front desk for a list and recommendations. Bon appétit!
San Francisco Events Venue
Unlike any event and meeting space that you’ve seen before, the distinguished meeting spaces at The Clift offer never-before-seen settings for your next meeting, event, conference, social, or family event.
The 11 venues comprise 12,524 square feet of space including the deluxe Spanish Suite and private apartment.
The Clift is a place that reveals that past and embraces the future—never more so than in the newly renovated meeting and event space. And our guest rooms, suites, and Private Apartment offer the perfect accommodations to complement your stay.
Hotel Highlights
- 12,524 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space
- 11 meeting and breakout rooms
- Natural light and city views
- Collaborative spaces
- Technologically advanced boardroom
Contact a Meeting Specialist
The Clift is the perfect venue for conferences, training sessions, meetings, and events of all sizes. Contact the Sales and Catering Department for new group events or meeting inquiries.
Explore Venue Instant Book Venue
San Francisco Wedding Venue
An inspired fusion of modern elegance with distinctly contemporary energy, spirit emanates from each wedding venue.
Plan an intimate candle-lit ceremony or a family-style dinner for a truly enchanted experience.
The Clift Hotel weddings offer so much more than classic elegance. Our hotel stands out as a perfect spot for a lush wedding in Union Square, San Francisco.
Explore Venue
Contact Us
Ready to plan your big day or wedding celebration?
Request a Proposal:
*Photo credit: Vivian Chen Photography
Explore Our San Francisco Wedding Venues
Where a soaring lobby, elegant venues, and extraordinary offerings combine to create the perfect wedding venue.
Spanish Suite
Located on the 15th floor of the hotel, the Spanish Suite is the original residence of Frederick Clift, the hotel’s original owner. Updated in 2020 with a refined neutral palette of color and textures to promote a handcrafted look that augments the warmth and indulgent sophistication of the rooms. The indoor suite is ideal for ceremonies, showcasing city and bay views for a twinkling reception.
Applegarth
Conveniently located on the lobby level, Applegarth (named after George Applegarth, the original architect of the hotel) is a soaring room with sweeping 20-foot high ceilings.
Redwood Room
The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel’s iconic and historic Redwood Room combined with Applegarth reinvents the elegant and modern event space. Original Redwood paneling, an 800-year-old Redwood bar, and refurbished original Gustav Klimt paintings create a glamorous and uniquely San Francisco environment.
Let The Clift play the perfect role in your wedding celebration. We look forward to making your dreams and inspirations a reality.
Please contact a Clift Wedding Professional for more information or to schedule a venue tour
Contact Us:
cliftcatering@sonesta.com
The Clift
495 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
415.929.2307
Testimonials about Our San Francisco Wedding Venue
We love weddings and work hard to ensure our clients are happy.
WEDDING WEEKEND OF OUR DREAMS
"I initially reached out to The Clift when considering it for our hotel block; its convenient location in city and the old SF glamour of the Redwood Room would be great for our family flying in for the wedding. In my first conversation with Jill Plemons, she said "Congratulations! Where are you getting married?" and I had to confess that I did not know. We knew that planning a wedding during COVID would be riddled with uncertainty, and our original venue for both the ceremony and reception had fallen through. In that moment, Jill became my wedding fairy godmother sharing that The Clift had recently remodeled the Spanish Suite that could be used for events. With the support and care of the entire Clift staff, we held the most special (and safe! and easy!) wedding weekend, having our ceremony, reception, hotel block and afterparty all hosted at The Clift.
Convenient Location:
The location was great for visitors to explore SF. We held our rehearsal dinner Del Popolo (a Michelin rated Bib Gormound!) that was a 6 minute walk from The Clift, on the day after the wedding everyone too BART to the Oakland Colosseum to watch the Battle of the Bay series Giants v. A's.
Elegant Hotel:
The remodel is truly beautiful, a simple and modern elegance while still keeping true to the old glamour of the hotel. Our guests were so impressed by the space, found the rooms quiet and comfortable.
Best Bar:
A stunning space that made our weekend feel elevated and unique. We had family in from Chicago, Minnesota and Texas, and the Redwood Room was a slice of old SF to share with them. The drinks were delicious!
COVID Considerate:
The hotel was clean and spacious, with good signage and safe practices followed by all staff.
The staff made our wedding weekend so easy for us! Everyone was organized, attentive and gracious to all guests and vendors. The florist commented how nice and helpful everyone was, saying that is not always the case when she arrives to decorate a venue.
Here are some standouts from our stay:
Jill and Patrick, thank you for your help organizing
Chef Dan + Ahmed, from our tasting to the reception dinner (and last minute popcorn for cocktail hour!!) the food was exceptional -- beautifully plated and delicious to eat.
Jason, the Doorman, was so helpful with our valet and all of our comings-and-goings
Stephanie, the Operator. Behind the scenes organizer and coordinator whenever I picked up the hotel phone for a need, she facilitated exactly the help I needed (even at off-hours). Her attentive hospitality made our stay so easy, even over the phone she was warm and personable.
Todd, our Go2 Guy. (I think my aunts are all a little in love with Todd now.) He helped us bring all of our wedding supplies up and baggage, and attended to all requests ranging from room upgrades to locating wedding gifts left at the front desk.
Elizabeth, Hostess at the Redwood Room, thank you for everything!"
