Clift

Union Square, San Francisco

Lobby - artist impression
Library Lounge - artist impression
King Guest Room - artist impression
Lobby - artist impression
Library Lounge - artist impression
King Guest Room - artist impression

The hotel

After a big renovation at the end of 2019, you’ll get to check out a brand new Union Square hotel. The Clift Royal Sonesta is a stunning meeting of the glamourous Italian Renaissance-style and the beautiful modern design, reflective of this cutting edge city. The legendary Redwood Room, always a San Francisco favourite, has been refreshed while preserving its iconic history, and there's a new bistro to check out. Even the bees are busy producing honey on the rooftop, ready to add to your drinks and salads.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Room Service
  • Valet parking
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Close to City Centre
  • Restaurant

Where is it

In the heart of Union Square in walking distance to shops, theatre district, cable car and SOMA.

Hotel information

372 rooms on 17 floors in 1 building with 3 lifts. All with air-conditioning, satellite flatscreen TV, Bose® docking station, WiFi access*, radio alarm clock, mini-bar, in-room safe, iron, board, plush bathrobes and hairdryer. Standard King Rooms have 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Deluxe King Rooms have 1 king-size bed, sleeping max 2 adults.

Standard Double/Double Rooms have 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

Deluxe Double/Double Rooms have 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

Fredericks (café, brasserie and drinks). Redwood Room (lounge and cocktail bar). Living room (lobby bar/library serving an array of drinks and snacks). Fitness centre. Complimentary bicycles. 24-hour room service*. In-room massage and spa services available*. WiFi available*. Valet parking approximately $59 plus tax per day (payable locally, subject to change).

This hotel has a resort fee of $31 plus tax per room, per day (payable locally, subject to change)

Resort fee includes: - WiFi – $10 breakfast credit per room per day – Tea/coffee in lobby – Local and toll-free calls – Access to 24-hour fitness centre. Resort fee, tax and inclusions are subject to change - please see hotel check-in for current inclusions available to you upon arrival.

* Denotes local charge.

One person must be aged 18 years and over in each room.

Rating summary

  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (9)
  • Very good (4)
  • Average (2)
  • Poor (1)
  • Terrible (1)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great Place to Stay

Jul 30, 2021 LB7300

This hotel is conveniently located to many attractions, including Union Sq shops, the cable car, etc. plus easy access to public transportation. Appreciate the minimalistic chic of furniture in the lobby and rooms, and make sure to check out the Redwood Room (recently re-opened) for drinks. Comfortable bed, clean room, relatively quiet… Read more
This hotel is conveniently located to many attractions, including Union Sq shops, the cable car, etc. plus easy access to public transportation. Appreciate the minimalistic chic of furniture in the lobby and rooms, and make sure to check out the Redwood Room (recently re-opened) for drinks. Comfortable bed, clean room, relatively quiet location, and hand sanitizer available in public spaces. One of the better overall hotel experiences in SF. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A new gem in San Francisco

Jul 29, 2021 sgarc328 Miami Beach, Florida

The staff is very friendly and helpful, especially Albert. Great location. The rooms are large and completely redone.. Easy access to all places in San Francisco. Beautiful hotel. Should even better when renovations when completed. A great deal for the area.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating An excellent choice

Jul 22, 2021 KPboulder Boulder, Colorado

From the moment we drove up to the front door we were taken care of. The doorman was excellent and assisted with parking. A classic old San Fran building, it has been entirely renovated and the work was nicely done. Close to the Tenderloin district, we did not see any homeless around the property and felt safe at all times. I very much… Read more
From the moment we drove up to the front door we were taken care of. The doorman was excellent and assisted with parking. A classic old San Fran building, it has been entirely renovated and the work was nicely done. Close to the Tenderloin district, we did not see any homeless around the property and felt safe at all times. I very much recommend this property, and the price is very attractive for what you are getting. Service is also very good!! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Helpful staff; clean, elegant, fun

Jul 17, 2021 Brian M

Jing at the front desk helped my family with kindness and compassion. He was exceptionally thoughtful, present, and understanding. The Clift is a really nice hotel: the lobby is immaculate, the guest rooms are comfy; elegant without pretense. There is a touch of mischievous fun in the decoration. The ambiance is relaxing. I would stay again
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel—Clean and refreshing. Find Albert in the lobby. He will help make your stay enjoyable!

Jul 2, 2021 Shuji K

Hotel Guest Services Expert ALBERT WAS THE BEST (read the end of my review.) Booked a 4 night stay (6/26-6/30) at the historic Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel in San Francisco. This hotel, listed in ‘the Hotel Collection’ of American Express Travel, was one of the lower priced hotels in San Francisco. I did some research on the hotel, and discovered… Read more
Hotel Guest Services Expert ALBERT WAS THE BEST (read the end of my review.) Booked a 4 night stay (6/26-6/30) at the historic Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel in San Francisco. This hotel, listed in ‘the Hotel Collection’ of American Express Travel, was one of the lower priced hotels in San Francisco. I did some research on the hotel, and discovered that although it is located at the edge of the Tenderloin District (kinda sketchy area) near Union Square, it had recently undergone major renovations, and had just recently reopened. At check-in, the front desk clerk was very polite, and was apologetic that he could not upgrade my family to a higher category room (one of the perks for using my American Express Platinum Card to book through the Hotel Collection). The hotel restaurant, bar, and in room dining were not yet reopened, so I was told that the other benefit of $100 hotel credit would have to be used towards valet parking. Lastly, I received a complimentary third night by booking through the Hotel Collection. (I’m grateful for these benefits, given the extremely high annual cost just to have a Platinum Card from American Express.) —-a little note—- there is no hotel self parking lot available. They offer valet parking for $72 per night (after taxes). That astronomical cost was DEFINITELY not worth it, as I would find out after my first night’s stay that they were terribly understaffed (or of course extremely busy) when I summoned my car using a convenient QR code on the valet ticket. I waited half an hour for my car to only cancel my request entirely and walk instead to our destination. Later that day, I moved my car to the Mason O’Farrell Garage, where the self park cost is $35 per night, and I could get my car myself in less than 10 minutes. The hotel lobby was new, clean, fresh—all the things you’d expect from a renovated hotel. They always had one of their available elevators waiting for you with doors open on the lobby floor—a small but well thought out detail. As mentioned earlier, the hotel’s food and beverage services were not operational at the time of my stay. I was told by staff that it was due to staffing problems related to the pandemic. (I thought that explanation was understandable…) It’s worth calling the hotel about this if this a critical feature of your stay. Our room was large enough for my wife and two kids (ages 16 & 19). We could lay out several suitcases on the floor and still navigate through the room. We got to stay on the 15th floor of this 16 story hotel, and had a great city view. The room was essentially brand new—beds, drapes, paint, carpeting, furniture, shower, sink, and toilet to name a few… It was definitely worth staying in this hotel just knowing that everything was clean and new. Room cleaning service was optional during our stay. It needs to be requested ahead of time. We opted to just receive fresh towels. Overall, our stay was great. Finding a ‘clean’ place to stay is important these days given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel is CLEAN. The only blemish was valet parking. I’d recommend self parking at the Mason O’Farrell Garage if you have a car. Or better yet, don’t have a car. Just Uber or Lyft. There are several rental car companies that are available and operating from the Mason O’Farrell Garage. Hertz is one of them. I didn’t pay attention since we already had a car. ALBERT was the best. He was working in the lobby throughout our stay. You can tell that ALBERT GENUINELY CARES about his hotel guests. He is such a personable, sincere, kind, helpful, engaging, patient, and hard working individual. He helped take our luggage to our room and gave us directions to nearby restaurants. He was very clear in telling us how to stay safe in the city and what areas to avoid. THANK YOU Albert, for really making our stay enjoyable!!! Read less