The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel

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.

I understand why AmEx selected this hotel: the staff were professional and friendly, the hotel decor was chic and thoughtful, the sheets and bed were exceedingly comfortable, the hotel was clean and lovely. Some parts of the hotel were a bit worn and the cafe was overpriced for ok quality food but overall a good value. So, why a 3-star review? I was not going to volunteer a review but they asked so here is the truth. The glaring problem that cannot be fixed here is the location. The hotel is near Union square and lower Nob Hill—but it also borders the Tenderloin. That’s the major problem, and it’s one that high thread count sheets cannot fix. Beginning a block over the tragedy of the fentanyl crisis unfolds. Countless people folded over standing up, folks with mental health issues talking to no one, squads of SFPD cars unable to control the large open air drug markets or to stop the bleeding so to speak. Every day they hose down the streets to clean the urine and feces from unhoused folks (or I suppose people who like to poop on the sidewalk because they don’t like to poop indoors??) but on the street outside our hotel there was an enormous pile of human waste. It was just exceedingly gross and felt unsafe. That is the reality. And it can’t be fixed. The proximately to theTenderloin and all the vice just makes it unsafe and frankly gross. When we arrived we nearly left because the neighborhood was so questionable but we were in town visiting family and just elected to finish out our reservation. They don’t have an on site garage or valet so you have to pay $40 a day to park at the crappy self park a block over. I reasoned at least we had a car so we only had to walk a block through the neighborhood but the inconvenience was hard to justify and not sure NOT having a car and walking everywhere would be a better option for travelers given the location. Maybe I sound like someone who hates cities (though I also live in one) but the reality is we stayed in the financial district on our last visit to the City and it felt safer there.

I loved my room and I thought the hotel was very nice. My stay was uneventful and pleasant, until after I checked out and reviewed my bill. It turns out that the breakfast cafe (Frederick's) charged me 18% gratuity without my knowledge or approval. How is this allowed? In addition, the "destination fee" was supposed to include $10 off my total bill per night's stay, but when I inquired with the front desk, they said that it was already applied. Turns out, it was not and I could have had an additional $20 to spend (two nights, $10 each night). Whenever I encounter issues, I always try to resolve it with the hotel directly. I submitted a request to Sonesta, and I received an email saying that the hotel would be in touch. It's been a week and I've heard nothing, so I'm making my review public. To all future travelers staying in this hotel, make sure to review your bill thoroughly before you leave the hotel and ensure that they give you the $10 credit per night that you already paid for in your "destination fee". It is such a bummer to have to leave a negative review, but dishonesty is something that should always be called out, especially by a large company.

Had such a great experience at The Clift last weekend. Every employee I came in contact with was lovely and helpful. Special shout out to the female bartender working Friday night, I wish I remembered her name. The room felt recently refurbished, or at least very well kept up. Location is so perfect and central. Value is awesome, especially considering these two things. Would definitely stay here again!

The room was large and spotless with good amenities. The historic bar is beautiful. The casual restaurant is great for breakfast. And the location is fantastic if you are going to the theater.