The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel

The hotel is fine. The accommodation and cleanliness of the room was fine. The employees are pleasant. The rooms are not very soundproof. The decor in the lobby was nice but the sleeping rooms satisfactory. There is no restaurant/room service. However, for the price point, it lacks many items. It took me awhile to accept that I was paying to be in Union Square. I will be honest and say that my experience was soured by me not being afforded a complimentary upgrade. I booked my room through American Express which traditionally is at Bar rate (above market rate), so it was more expensive then the traditional room type and you are afforded various benefits, including a complimentary upgrade upon availability. So upgrades were available but not for free. Even when I went online I saw the rate I paid was higher than the cost of their jr suite. The gentleman told me that I had a base level room and could only be upgraded to a higher floor and not a different class. This was a hard introduction to the brand for me. No room service, no upgrades, and being called base level while spending more than others. It was a reminder of why I tend to still to Marriott and Hilton brands. I won’t be back and I wouldn’t recommend the property to anyone.

I have been coming to Clift for over 20 years however this experience was not exactly as luxury as past experiences. They remodeled and the lobby with large chair is now very bright and doesn’t have the same ambiance as the last. The Redwood room no longer has the changing digital art and less food options… Many past famous chairs have been removed throughout the hotel and replaced or seemed to be more for corporate / business conference rooms. There was no bellman to help with luggage, no room service (calling room service is a message to use food delivery services), no minibar or microwave. The overall experience seems changed more for a conference hotel than a boutique. The location is great and our room was upgraded which was nice. They did bring up a bottle of champagne for being there during Americas 250th birthday which was nice. The AMEX room upgrade was very large which again was disappointing to see no options for room service or minibar. Best part was the size of the suite complete with dining table and large windows with natural light.

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!