SAN FRANCISCO, CA – (September 25, 2019) – The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel is being reimagined. Closed as of September 19, 2019, one of the world’s most iconic hotels will reopen on January 8, 2020 with a new look and redesigned interior spaces. Guests can look forward to a stunning new modern lobby and Library Lounge experience, dramatically updated guest rooms with a sophisticated fresh look and feel, a new restaurant concept with both sit down and “grab-and-go” options, up-to-date meeting spaces, and a refreshed Redwood Room. Designed by Gensler, a global design and architecture firm, the improved hotel will continue to deliver the legendary personal service The Clift is renowned for, while embracing the past and accelerating into the bright future. Now more than ever, the hotel will be a destination that reflects and enhances the beauty and bustle of today’s San Francisco.
The reimagined lobby will have a noticeably brighter look, accentuating a palette of warm neutrals with light driftwood, rich charcoal greys and metallic bronze accents. New furniture complements the elegant, modern style while cutouts at the upper level will suffuse the space with light. The fireplace remains in the same location while exhibiting a completely different look and feel. To the left of the lobby is the new Library Lounge with several seating options for working, having a drink, or just relaxing and people watching. The tones of the Library will be a perfect complement to the open, inviting lobby space.
All 372 guest rooms and suites will be updated to a refined neutral palette of color and textures to promote a handcrafted look that augments the warmth and indulgent sophistication of the rooms. The bathroom areas will be enlarged and updated with all new plumbing fixtures and finishes.
Art throughout the guest rooms and corridors is inspired by the Pan American Pacific International Exposition of 1915, honoring the fact that The Clift was built specifically to cater to attendants of the Expo. The guestrooms will display images of lifestyle icons of the early 1900s in a modern presentation.
There will be a new restaurant where guests can grab food or drink with selections designed to complement the offerings in Redwood Room. The new restaurant will feature the beautiful black and white floor similar to what adorned the space in the 1920’s, as well as neutral walls with exposed brick, also part of the earlier space. The floor itself was the inspiration for the rest of the decor, which will feature a classical look from the hotel’s original restaurant while echoing the chic feel of modern-day San Francisco. The restaurant will have an area for quick to go orders, with high seating and smaller tables to sit and have a cup of coffee. The remainder of the restaurant will have a combination of booth, banquette and square table seating for guests who want to linger, enjoy their meal, and soak up the ambiance.
Meeting spaces will receive modern touches and additional natural light. The previous restaurant on the first level will transform into an event and meeting space. New lighting will be added along with A/V equipment to make the room versatile for a multitude of programs. The redwood paneling will remain and the drapery will be removed to expose new walls in a light neutral color. Blackout shades will be added to provide the correct light levels for screen presentations. The meeting rooms on the Mezzanine Level remain the same size but receive all new lighting and ceilings. Cut-outs to the lobby below help engage the space with the rest of the hotel and provide even more light. The Boardroom will have a large conference table that can seat twenty-six. Meeting organizers have the option of dimming the room with motorized shades hidden in the ceiling when not taking advantage of the abundant natural light. The pre-function areas will have finishes similar to the lobby, forming a bridge between the two spaces and encouraging mingling.
A legend in the San Francisco nightlife scene, Redwood Room retains its namesake redwood walls and glamorous lighting, only undergoing a change in furniture and flooring. The new Art Deco-inspired furniture, a salute to the post-prohibition era when the lounge opened, will be coolly neutral toned to let the original redwood millwork shine. Additional recessed lighting will be added above the existing bar to highlight the original wood marquetry.
The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel looks forward to unveiling these spectacular changes in January 2020 and re-introducing a hotel that has been integral to the social life of San Francisco for more than one hundred years. In its new incarnation, the hotel will remain a hub for the creativity and energy of the city while providing a cherished haven to rest and recharge.
