Four Seasons San Francisco

The Four Seasons offers luxury and impeccable service in the heart of downtown San Francisco.

• Spacious corner rooms with their huge glass windows overlooking Yerba Buena Gardens
• Notable collection of contemporary works from established local artists
• Central location, with easy access to art galleries, shopping, the Embarcadero and the Financial District

The 277-room Four Seasons is located in a modern downtown high-rise, but its art-crammed lobby–with large-scale paintings and sculpture by such contemporary Bay Area artists as Nathan Oliveira and Raymond Saunders–and spacious suites give it the ambience of a traditional grand hotel. While the lobby area is not as much a social scene as that of the Ritz-Carlton, the Four Seasons also hosts plenty of posh benefits and fundraising events.

This is a hotel that aims to please, with unfussy contemporary décor. In April 2018, all rooms and suites underwent a $20 million renovation. The updated design was inspired by local materials and the history of San Francisco. You’ll find shades of blue with cool steel tones that complement the brass and gold accents in the room, plus coffee tables made of wood meant to resemble the redwoods and abstract paintings of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The lobby, with comfortable corners for conversation and views over the city, is ideal for casual meetings. The lobby is also located on the fifth floor, giving the hotel a discreet and private feel. The well-organized front-desk team can arrange everything from opera tickets (tip: grab a quick bite at Rich Table before the show) to reservation for dinner at the the top restaurants The hotel's restaurant, MKT, is also very good, with a chic atmosphere and décor inspired by San Francisco's famous newspaper publishing roots. The hotel’s central location puts it close to sites like the SFMOMA and Yerba Buena Gardens, as well as shopping near Union Square. A short ride on the scenic F-Market streetcar takes you to the waterfront and the enchanting San Francisco Ferry Building.

Although the Four Seasons doesn’t have its own pool, it still does its best to cater to families, with several interconnecting rooms and suite options. With advanced notice, the hotel will furnish the kids’ room with smaller bathrobes, an appropriately stocked minibar and other thoughtful touches. Adults can head next door to swim in the pool of the Equinox Fitness Club (children ages 15-18 may swim if accompanied by an adult), to enjoy classes and the workout facilities at the Club or to indulge in a massage at the spa. There is also an entrance to Equinox right off the hotel’s lobby. 

Tip: If you are driving, ask the reservations agent for very specific directions to the hotel; the entrance court is at the end of a hard-to-find alley off Third Street, not on Market Street.

Anyone who appreciates luxury and top-notch service in a striking contemporary setting.