The Clift Royal Sonesta

Union Square, San Francisco

Virgin rating

King Bed room
Executive Two Queen room
Lobby - artist impression
Fredericks
Redwood Room
Library Lounge - artist impression
Fitness centre
King Bed room
Executive Two Queen room
Lobby - artist impression
Fredericks
Redwood Room
Library Lounge - artist impression
Fitness centre

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

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, coffee maker, 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, including yoga mats and Peloton bikes. Complimentary bicycles. In-room massage and spa services available*. WiFi available*. Valet parking approximately $59 plus tax per day (payable locally, subject to change). Concierge service. 

This hotel has a resort fee of $35 plus tax per room, per day (payable locally, fee subject to change).

Resort fee includes: - WiFi access for unlimited devices – $10 food and beverage credit per room per day – 2 bottles of water in-room on arrival - In-room tea and coffee - Local and domestic long-distance 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

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • 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 (141)
  • Very good (29)
  • Average (25)
  • Poor (9)
  • Terrible (13)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great overall- would stay again.

Nov 16, 2024 jessietenenbaum Raleigh, North Carolina

I would have given it a 5 if the shower pressure had been stronger. But everything else was great! Much more character than the big chains in the area. Excellent light in the bathroom. And I've always loved the bar there. Also, the staff are not on strike- I wouldn't have wanted to have to cross a picket line.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating An old hotel but really comfy

Nov 5, 2024 Sadielouise1 Leeds, United Kingdom

We stayed for 4 nights and our initial reaction was 'there's a funny old smell in the corridors' but it was a really nice hotel. The room was a nice size with a big bed and a good coffee machine with hot chocolate (woo hoo!). We felt like we were in a bit of a precarious area. If we left out of the hotel there were lots of homeless people shooting… Read more
We stayed for 4 nights and our initial reaction was 'there's a funny old smell in the corridors' but it was a really nice hotel. The room was a nice size with a big bed and a good coffee machine with hot chocolate (woo hoo!). We felt like we were in a bit of a precarious area. If we left out of the hotel there were lots of homeless people shooting up, yet turning right took us to Union Square so I wouldn't like to be there on my own. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Such a poor experience

Nov 1, 2024 jerome C

I have rarely been to a hotel that was so not amicable. The breakfast staff seemed to have just gotten out of Alcatraz outside of one who was okay-ish, friendly, and polite (I mean, he would say Thank you and goodbye with a smile). The valet staff (including Luggage and Parking), I think, were understaffed, to be fair. However, outside of 2 of… Read more
I have rarely been to a hotel that was so not amicable. The breakfast staff seemed to have just gotten out of Alcatraz outside of one who was okay-ish, friendly, and polite (I mean, he would say Thank you and goodbye with a smile). The valet staff (including Luggage and Parking), I think, were understaffed, to be fair. However, outside of 2 of them, the other ones were just rude overall or not educated civilly, to say the least, The front desk staff is globally mono-tasking at a languid pace, so be ready to wait 15 to 30 minutes even to drop your car key. Overall, I don't think I will go back there. The bar that used to be a place to be in SFO is only a shadow of itself. So yes, rooms have been renovated, and yes, they are somewhat comfortable outside of the proximity of the next room where you can share moments with the people next door, but overall, the room was comfortable. The service (which service), the politeness, and overall the Hotel Business concept are gone with the Wind. It's like a dorm, functional but not for a 5*; I almost forgot to mention that room service doesn't exist either, and the entertainment system in the room is as old as Elvis. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Beautiful Hotel w/ an Amazing Bed !

Oct 24, 2024 Wendy M New York City, New York

THE BED !!!!! I slept in one of the most comfortable beds than I have in a long while! I travel a lot and I can’t get the comfort of that bed out of my mind! When I checked out I spoke to two of the managers that happened to be near the checkout area.. I had to let them know 😊❤️ This hotel is very well maintained inside and outside. The staff… Read more
THE BED !!!!! I slept in one of the most comfortable beds than I have in a long while! I travel a lot and I can’t get the comfort of that bed out of my mind! When I checked out I spoke to two of the managers that happened to be near the checkout area.. I had to let them know 😊❤️ This hotel is very well maintained inside and outside. The staff was very professional & pleasant from the front desk to housekeeping. I was on the 16th floor and had requested and paid for an Executive King room. I like having a little more space. It was worth it. The bathroom was a little smaller than expected, but enough for one person. I will definitely stay here again when I come back to the Bay Area. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Iconic location not to be missed.

Oct 22, 2024 Royaumont Zug, Switzerland

Very elegant and charming hotel, ideally located a few steps away from Union Square. Dive into the spirit of the 1920ies. The staff of the hotel is very welcoming, kind and efficient. Valet parking has a certain cost, but we found it was absolutely worth it! Do not miss the Red Room for drinks, it is an iconic location. The cable car stops just… Read more
Very elegant and charming hotel, ideally located a few steps away from Union Square. Dive into the spirit of the 1920ies. The staff of the hotel is very welcoming, kind and efficient. Valet parking has a certain cost, but we found it was absolutely worth it! Do not miss the Red Room for drinks, it is an iconic location. The cable car stops just one block away. Thans a lot! Read less