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With a prime address next to Union Square, Nob Hill luxury hotel The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco sets the tone for an urban retreat in the heart of the city. Built to house the original headquarters of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, the building has seen additions over the years, and reopened in 1991 as a Ritz-Carlton property.

[A view of the lions from the Club Lounge]

Heralded as a “Temple of Commerce” upon its September 1909 opening, the massive, 17-columned building spanning Stockton Street between California and Pine Streets has been expanded five times and is considered one of San Francisco’s best examples of neo-classical architecture.

[The building’s history can be viewed in photos on the first floor]

The lobby is no less opulent, lined with 19th-century artwork and crystal chandeliers with an adjacent lobby lounge, plus a manicured courtyard garden where seasonal afternoon tea, a Ritz-Carlton tradition, is served.

While the hotel’s Club Lounge offers stunning views of San Francisco’s skyline, there are several ballrooms and spaces that can be configured for events, celebrations, and meetings.

Rooms

Combining modern technology with classic elegance, rooms here feature a deep blue and grey colour palette with chrome fixtures and cream wallpaper.

Get sound sleeps on a bed dressed with 400-thread-count Frette linens, a down comforter, feather bed, and a duvet on the comfy mattress.

[Courtyard view room]

Luxurious touches in the rooms include 46-inch HD TVs with dual speakers, plush terry bathrobes, Frette slippers, and a mini honour bar.

A sleek dresser in the center of the room contains lots of space for clothing and essentials.

Sparkling Italian marble bathrooms feature double sinks, separate water closets, and rainforest shower heads. There’s an array of amenities, including OLAS Marine Bio-Active toothpaste and sustainable bamboo toothbrush, Diptyque shampoo and shower products, plus a drawer containing a loofah, comb, shaving cream, shaver, etc.

Inside the auto-lit closet is an in-wall electronic safe, a full-sized ironing board and iron, slippers, bathrobe, and umbrella.

Dining

Parallel 37 offers classic breakfasts made with local ingredients as well as brunch on Easter and Mother’s Day featuring lobster Benedict and French toast with macerated strawberries, honey cream cheese mousse and pistachios alongside a dessert buffet.

[Parallel 37]

[The Karl cocktail, named after the city’s famous ‘character’, Karl the Fog]

The stylish Lounge offers dishes created using local, seasonal ingredients. San Francisco’s neighbourhoods are celebrated through cocktails, showcasing each one’s personality, character, and history.

[House-made pappardelle with bolognese sauce, topped with fresh Parmesan]

The all-day menu includes fresh burrata, salads, truffle fries, signature burger, local market fish, pasta, poultry, plus small batch gelato, fried cherry pie, and the Ritz-Carlton dark chocolate layer cake with Grand Marnier chocolate ganache and orange crumble.

The second floor Terrace Courtyard is a lovely place to relax while enjoying city skyline views. Solaire Terrasse hosts the Madame Clicquot Afternoon Tea on the last Sunday of every month (with Veuve Clicquot bubbly) and a first-of-its-kind Veuve Clicquot-inspired zero-proof sorbet: La Grand Dame Sorbet by Gelato Festival.

[La Grande Dame Sorbet]

[Chef’s Herb Garden at The Terrace Courtyard]

And during the winter (just after Thanksgiving to Christmas), a family-friendly Teddy Bear Tea is offered. Kids 2-11 get a teddy bear and elves entertain the children while an array of treats is presented on tiered trays.

Krigler perfumers are exclusive to the Ritz-Carlton and there’s a beautiful little boutique to discover on the lobby level. Launched in 1904, Krigler scents have appealed to an A-list clientele that includes Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Marlene Dietrich. The shop stocks the range of perfumes in two sizes as well as candles.

German-born Albert Krigler moved to Moscow from Berlin in 1872, and in 1879 created his first perfume. Drawn by its favourable climate and an interest in ingredients, Krigler and his wife bought a small home outside Rheims, and christened it Château Krigler, the namesake of one of his landmark scents in 1912.

Fitness Center

Open 24/7, the hotel’s complimentary fitness center provides lockers, a steam room, cardio equipment, free weights, and a full range of exercise and weight-training machines.

Area Attractions

Hop on one of San Francisco’s beloved cable cars just outside the hotel for a scenic ride around Nob Hill, or take the Powell/Mason cable car over to North Beach to enjoy Coit Tower, fresh-roasted coffee in a Italian café, gourmet Italian cuisine or a visit to San Francisco’s historic City Lights Bookstore on Columbus Avenue.

Both Union Square and Chinatown are adjacent to Nob Hill. From the Ferry Building (a gourmet destination food hall), ride one of the charming historic streetcars from the foot of Market Street to the Castro District on the F line (MUNI one-day bus passes – a bargain at $5 – can be purchased via the MuniMobile app).

Between 6 and 9:30 pm, guests can also reserve a complimentary ride for trips within a 1.6 km (one-mile) radius of The Ritz-Carlton.

[The Warfield Theatre on Market Street]

San Francisco is filled with world-class museums, restaurants, shops, clubs, concert venues, and cafés, and is very walkable, so pack a pair of comfy walking shoes.

The attentive service and concierge service is what makes this hotel such a pleasure to call home. On returning from my first day of exploring, my room was sparkly clean and one of my charging cables was neatly wound with a Velcro Ritz-Carlton cable band! Overall, I felt well taken care of at the Ritz-Carlton, and being in such a gorgeous building in a beautiful courtyard-view room made my visit complete.

The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco is located at 600 Stockton Street, San Francisco.

I was a guest of The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco for the purpose of this feature. Opinions, as always, are my own. Non-watermarked images courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco.