Fairmont San Francisco

I recently stayed at the Fairmont San Francisco for a business trip, and unfortunately, the experience fell well short of expectations. While my room on the 19th floor offered a very nice view, it was located directly adjacent to the elevator. The noise from the elevator going up and down went on throughout the night and made it extremely difficult to get any rest. Beyond the noise issue, the property itself felt surprisingly shabby. Many areas—including my room—are in clear need of fresh paint and basic upgrades. For a hotel at this price point, the level of upkeep was disappointing, and the overall value simply wasn’t there. I also dined at the Lobby Lounge, and the food and service were, at best, mediocre. Combined with the already exorbitant cost of the stay, this made the experience even more underwhelming. In the end, the Fairmont San Francisco did not live up to its reputation or its price. I hope management invests in meaningful updates soon, but based on this stay, I can’t recommend it—especially for business travelers who need a quiet and comfortable night’s rest.

Room was missing one side of an entire curtain. Both USB were broken (on their bedside lamps) . Concierge and front desk could not help us obtain distilled water for a medical device. (The Ritz keeps distilled water on site) Staff seemed aloof, rude and unhelpful. I will never stay at this hotel again.

This was my first stay at the Fairmont San Fran after visiting the property with friends last year, and the hotel certainly delivers on charm and history. Pros: • The views are spectacular — some of the best in the city, especially from higher floors. 🌊 • The staff were genuinely friendly; special thanks to Lanette at the front desk for her warm welcome. • The lobby is stunning — grand, elegant, and full of old-world character. • The in-room Nespresso machine was a nice morning touch. • The iconic Tonga Room is a fun and unique experience that adds personality to the stay. 🍛 Cons: • The bed wasn’t very comfortable, and the sheets weren’t soft; even after requesting another set, the comfort didn’t improve much.🫩 • No 24/7 gym — access is through a third-party facility that opens at 6 a.m. • No swimming pool or lounge, which limits the luxury experience. • Breakfast starts late at 7 a.m., and while tasty, the prices were extremely high for what you get.💸 • The amenity fee adds little real value. Overall: The Fairmont San Fran offers iconic views, a beautiful lobby, and warm staff, but it lacks several modern comforts and amenities expected at this level. The stay was enjoyable, but based on the full experience, this will likely be our first and last visit — wonderful to see once, but not compelling enough to return.

It is an iconic hotel with an amazing history. The food is mediocre and the prices are high. We had a very nice room. The staff is accommodating and very nice. Two major red flags. Breakfast is buffet only. Stupid expensive and bad. Poor selection and just yuk. Also, YOU NEED TO PAY FOR THE FITNESS CENTER.WTF. I wanted to love this hotel, and while the staff was super, the value proposition was poor.

Writing a bad review for a Fairmont hotel comes as a shock for me as a Diamond member and a supporter of the brand. However this stay at the San Francisco Fairmont felt like I was staying in badly managed MOTEL not a 5 star Hotel.... The number of let-downs from poor service to rudeness of staff is incalculable. Never again will I stay at this hotel which is a shame as the building and its history deserve better.