The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel

I stay at the Clift Royal Sonesta regularly—often once or twice a month when traveling between New York, Milan, and San Francisco—and it consistently delivers a welcoming, well-run experience. What stands out most is the staff across every level of the operation. From the porters to the front desk team, I am always greeted warmly, and it’s clear they make an effort to remember returning guests. That personal recognition makes a meaningful difference and keeps the experience from ever feeling transactional. The hotel itself is thoughtfully updated, with clean, fresh bathrooms and a quiet, comfortable atmosphere that makes it easy to rest well after long travel days. Housekeeping is consistently responsive and friendly, and the overall service is smooth and attentive. I also appreciate the flexibility in room selection and the added value from Sonesta Travel Pass and American Express Platinum benefits, especially breakfast and late check-out. Combined with a strong location, this property continues to be a reliable and genuinely enjoyable place to stay. The management and staff create an experience that feels personal, and that is what keeps me coming back.

Clean room, it was upgraded and ended up right behind an elevator that made it impossible to sleep When we checked in we were told we had $130 In credit but they didn’t explain that it certain amount was per day and if we didn’t use it we lost it. Bar was great and staff was nice in the bar with good drinks Wished there were more food options

We had a wonderful stay! The location was perfect, with easy access to major attractions, dining, and shopping. The atmosphere was welcoming and relaxing, and our suite was spacious, comfortable, and spotless. The property was quiet, making for a restful stay. The service was outstanding. A special thank you to Amanda at the Front Office for her friendly and professional assistance, and to the housekeeping team for keeping our suite impeccably clean throughout our visit. We highly recommend this property and look forward to staying again!

I had a very disappointing stay at this hotel. The biggest issue wasn’t even the room/stay itself — it was how management handled concerns. Staff and managers came across as dismissive and uninterested in resolving problems or showing basic customer care. When guests bring up issues, professionalism and empathy matter, and that was completely lacking here. Unfortunately, the experience left me feeling ignored rather than valued as a customer. I would not choose to stay here again.

The hotel decor is pretty dark and you can tell it’s a renovated hotel. I thought it was located on Union square but it’s a block away and also close to the tenderloin area. Union square is also run down and there are a lot of homeless around so I didn’t like the location to walk around. The rooms are decent but look a lot nicer in the photos. I had a noisy room and was woken by inconsiderate fur sets however the management did allow me to change rooms and compensated me with money towards breakfast. I wouldn’t recommend this hotel though or stay again.