Checking In: Stanford Court Hotel - San Francisco
In my entire life of growing up in the Bay Area and living in San Francisco, I’ve only stayed in the City less than a handful of times. And, never had I stayed in Nob Hill.
If you go to Nob Hill looking for the historic details of an old-school hotel, Stanford Court isn't your best choice. It's a much better fit for the tech-savvy. Located at the top of Nob Hill, the Stanford Court Hotel is just a few steps from Union Square, cable cars, and the spectacular Grace Cathedral. It offers top-tier rooms and the best in amenities: Complimentary WiFi Complimentary, bike-sharing, pet-friendly, Peloton bikes, on-site EV Station… these are just to name a few. My room itself boasted jaw-dropping views of the city skyline, where waking up to the sunrise is something to be said.
Location
The Stanford Court is a modern urban retreat, set in San Francisco's trendy and affluent Nob Hill district. It makes a convenient base from which to explore the city, with restaurants and bars aplenty on your doorstep. If you'd prefer to dine in the hotel, there's a cafe and lounge serving soups, salads, and sandwiches, in addition to a range of hot and cold drinks.
The city's three cable-car lines are adjacent to the hotel, while Union Square, Chinatown, and the Financial District are just a few blocks away.
Around The Hotel
The Stanford Court hotel itself is a gem with plenty of history to it! Its uniquely distinct architecture of the historic hotel that was once the residence of 19th-century railroad tycoon and former California governor, Leland Stanford. The hotel started a massive renovation in 2017, updating to embrace both its historic location on Nob Hill, as well as San Francisco's role as a tech capital. It's great that they've kept the classic stained-glass dome and fountain in its port-cochere.
Still, the lobby has a far more modern feel, with low, round leather benches, modular gray couches, white tiled floors, herringbone wood floors, and pops of color in upholstery, artwork and throw pillows. And it's going all-in on tech. Instead of a standard check-in process at a front desk, arriving guests can expect to check in on mobile, or snag a member of the staff to check in on a tablet, Apple store-style.
The Room
The rooms boast sleek, minimalist vibes with a white, gray and blue color palette. I stayed in a newly redesigned Premier View King Room, with a view of the city skyline. If you're like me and appreciate a good view, you'll love any of the exterior facing rooms! I also found the hotel staff to be extremely attentive, friendly and helpful throughout my stay.
Situated over eight floors, many of the hotel's bedrooms offer excellent views over San Francisco Bay and the San Francisco skyline. Each features an LCD flat-screen TV, air conditioning, coffee-making equipment, and bathrobes. Stark whites, subtle grays, and bold blues accented by gold highlights set the tone for total relaxation. But, it doesn't stop there; guests can choose from four different kinds of pillows, including down and hypoallergenic.
Each room also comes with complimentary water bottles that you can refill at FloWater stations. The bathrooms have details like rain showers, sustainable toilets, heated towel racks, and repurposed textiles.
Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. High-speed Wi-Fi is complimentary, and In-room Google Chromecast to stream your favorite Netflix, Hulu and HBO shows. Binge away!
Amenities
The new Stanford Court is skipping room service in favor of a new model, a grab-n-go style spot where you can self-pay for goods like espresso, juice, snacks, and sandwiches. During your stay, you also have access to bicycles, which can be borrowed for exploring the city, electronic magazines and newspapers, and a reusable water bottle (water filling stations are dotted throughout the hotel). Off-site parking costs around $36.00 per day, while valet parking at the hotel prices around $52.00 per day.
