Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco

Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco

The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco is a legendary nightlife destination primarily due to the iconic Redwood Room, a glamorous Art Deco institution featuring redwood paneling reportedly carved from a single tree. Its moody atmosphere and curated cocktails attract a high-end "see-and-be-seen" crowd.

The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco hotel
The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco hotel
The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco hotel
The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco hotel
The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco hotel
The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco hotel
The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco hotel
The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco hotel

Venue Description

Welcome to The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco. Fusing historic craftsmanship with modern luxury, the hotel sits just one block from Union Square on the edge of the Theater District. Known for its edgy yet refined neutral decor, it offers a comfortable retreat with 372 oversized guest rooms, suites, and lofts.

The Clift caters to business travelers during the week and leisure on the weekend. Rooms are minimalist and functional, but with well chosen soft fabrics and crisp color ways. On lower floors there are meeting rooms and spaces for hire. And, given it’s location, you can see why it’s a popular choice for the convention market. However, this alone is not enough to attract a glamorous crowd.

What makes The Clift Royal Sonesta special is what lies beyond the reception area. Once you’ve checked into your hotel room, you’ll want to enjoy a cocktail in the Redwood Room (arguably one of the best hotel bars in the world). The gorgeous redwood panels, said to have been carved from a single tree in Sacramento, make this a place for movers and shakers.

The Redwood Room is where people will talk to you at the bar. And where there’s a palpable frisson in the air. It’s busy without being jammed. Sophisticated without being cold or unwelcoming. And, true, you don’t need to stay in the Clift to enjoy the attractions of the Redwood Room. But somehow, staying here, you feel it’s your bar. It’s a place to flop out in after dinner on the town or to get in the mood before going out.

The hotel feels social without being loud, stylish without being cold, and rooted without being nostalgic. That being said, there’s an understanding that guests choose this hotel for its personality as much as its position. Moreover, interactions feel more conversational rather than scripted, reinforcing the sense that The Clift is hosting rather than processing.

Guests often return because the experience feels intact and expressive. The Clift Royal Sonesta is never generic, never diluted. Rather, it’s always conscious of its place in San Francisco’s cultural lineage. Also, rumor has it that the artist formerly known as Prince enjoyed staying at this popular Bay Area destination.

If you still have questions about The Clift Royal Sonesta, then head to our Contact Info to connect with us. We have highly trained Bay Area Nightlife pros standing by and ready to help you, 24/7. Not to mention, we’d love to hear from you.

When you choose VIP Nightlife to plan a night out, you don’t have to know anything about The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco to have the time of your life. With years of experience, our team will take your ideas from an inspiration to a fully executed, once-in-a-lifetime occasion. VIP Nightlife will create an event experience for your every need and services groups of any size.

So let us plan your next great day, night and or hotel stay in the Bay Area—just ask us how. And be sure to Like Us on Facebook so you can keep up with upcoming events and deals.

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Insider Tips

To make the most of your stay, book a higher-tier room, leverage the iconic bar, and take advantage of local transport.

Top Insider Tips for Your Stay

  • Room Selection: Standard rooms can be surprisingly compact. Ask for a corner room or upgrade to an executive room for maximum square footage and a distinct layout. Also, rooms on higher floors have great views of Nob Hill to the north and downtown areas to the south.

  • Spot the Quirky Details: Look for the vertical crack in the hallway mirrors—it’s a nod to the California fault line. In your room, pull out the purple chair to find a tiny hidden wheel meant to evoke the Gold Rush.

  • Skip the Hotel Breakfast: While convenient, the on-site breakfast can be pricey and sometimes lacks service polish. Head across the street to David's Delicatessen or any of the nearby Union Square cafes for a better value and variety.

  • Neighborhood Strategy: The hotel sits at the intersection of Union Square and the Tenderloin. To ensure you remain in the tourist-friendly and upscale zones, simply walk toward the bay or Union Square, rather than heading too far west into the Tenderloin.

  • Save on Parking: Valet parking at the hotel is premium (often upwards of $75/day). If you are driving, look into securing a spot at a public parking garage a block or two away to shave costs.

  • Getting Around: Take advantage of the BART system. If you are flying in from SFO or OAK, take the BART to the Powell Street Station and walk a short 3 blocks to the hotel to avoid expensive cab fares.

On-Site Dining & Nightlife

  • The Redwood Room: A historic, world-renowned Art Deco lounge panelled entirely with wood rumored to be carved from a single redwood tree. It serves handcrafted cocktails, "Liquid Art", and gourmet small plates.

  • Fredericks: A modern eatery, café, and neighborhood brasserie located just off the lobby, providing a high-end coffee program, morning pastries, breakfast, and grab-and-go comfort food.

  • The Living Room: A welcoming public lounge adjacent to the lobby, optimized for relaxation or remote working

Key Details About Neighborhood

The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco is located in Downtown San Francisco on Geary Street, right in the vibrant heart of the Union Square and Theatre District. It offers immediate walkability to world-class shopping, dining, entertainment, and major transit hubs.

Key neighborhood details include

  • Walkability & Transit: The hotel boasts a highly convenient location just two blocks (about a 0.3-mile walk) west of Union Square. It is also just a 5-10 minute walk from the Powell Street BART/Muni Station , providing rapid transit directly to and from SFO and OAK airports.

  • Dining & Entertainment: Situated in the Theatre District, you are right next to venues like the Curran Theater and San Francisco Playhouse. Iconic spots like Chinatown, the Ferry Building, SFMOMA, and Nob Hill are also comfortably walkable.

  • Surrounding Atmosphere: While centrally located and packed with tourists and shoppers, the area directly borders the Tenderloin neighborhood. You may occasionally encounter visible homelessness and street conditions typical of downtown.

  • Parking & Logistics: Because the hotel is located in a high-density area, it does not offer self-parking, and on-site valet is expensive ($75+/day). Relying on BART or ride-shares like Uber/Lyft is heavily recommended over driving.

Key Parking Options

The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco, located on Geary Street, does not have an attached on-site self-parking facility. Guests can utilize the hotel's 24/7 valet service or opt for self-parking garages in the immediate Union Square vicinity.

Hotel Valet Parking

  • Cost: Typically $75-105/night (+ applicable taxes), with higher rates for oversized vehicles.

  • In/Out Privileges: Included with your stay, allowing you to easily come and go.

  • Drop-off: Located directly at the main entrance (495 Geary Street).

Recommended Self-Parking Garages

If you want to save a bit of money or prefer to park the car yourself, several secure garages are within a 1-to-2 minute walk of the hotel:

  • 415 Taylor St Garage: Just a 1-minute walk from the hotel doors.

  • Mason O'Farrell Garage (325 Mason St): A slightly larger, highly-rated city garage located a 2-minute walk away.

  • Post & Taylor Garage: Located a brief block away, often utilized as an overflow option for guests.

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