The Clift Royal Sonesta

Union Square, San Francisco

Virgin rating

King Bed room
Executive Two Queen room
Lobby - artist impression
Fredericks
Redwood Room
Library Lounge - artist impression
Fitness centre
King Bed room
Executive Two Queen room
Lobby - artist impression
Fredericks
Redwood Room
Library Lounge - artist impression
Fitness centre

The hotel

After a big renovation at the end of 2019, you’ll get to check out a brand new Union Square hotel. The Clift Royal Sonesta is a stunning meeting of the glamourous Italian Renaissance-style and the beautiful modern design, reflective of this cutting edge city. The legendary Redwood Room, always a San Francisco favourite, has been refreshed while preserving its iconic history, and there's a new bistro to check out. Even the bees are busy producing honey on the rooftop, ready to add to your drinks and salads.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Restaurant
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Valet parking
  • Close to City Centre

Where is it

In the heart of Union Square in walking distance to shops, theatre district, cable car and SOMA.

Hotel information

372 rooms on 17 floors in 1 building with 3 lifts. All with air-conditioning, satellite flatscreen TV, Bose® docking station, coffee maker, WiFi access*, radio alarm clock, mini-bar, in-room safe, iron, board, plush bathrobes and hairdryer. Standard King Rooms have 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Deluxe King Rooms have 1 king-size bed, sleeping max 2 adults.

Standard Double/Double Rooms have 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

Deluxe Double/Double Rooms have 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

  • Booking Bonus: Book before 31 Mar '25 and receive up to 25% off accommodation costs when staying between 23 Dec '24 - 31 Dec '25 (3 night minimum).  Plus $75 F&B Credit per stay.  Terms & conditions apply. Any applicable offers have been calculated into the prices shown. Offers may not be combinable. Black out dates may apply.

Fredericks (café, brasserie and drinks). Redwood Room (lounge and cocktail bar). Living room (lobby bar/library serving an array of drinks and snacks). Fitness centre, including yoga mats and Peloton bikes. Complimentary bicycles. In-room massage and spa services available*. WiFi available*. Valet parking approximately $59 plus tax per day (payable locally, subject to change). Concierge service. 

This hotel has a resort fee of $35 plus tax per room, per day (payable locally, fee subject to change).

Resort fee includes: - WiFi access for unlimited devices – $10 food and beverage credit per room per day – 2 bottles of water in-room on arrival - In-room tea and coffee - Local and domestic long-distance calls – Access to 24-hour fitness centre. Resort fee, tax and inclusions are subject to change - please see hotel check-in for current inclusions available to you upon arrival.

* Denotes local charge.

One person must be aged 18 years and over in each room.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (143)
  • Very good (30)
  • Average (26)
  • Poor (9)
  • Terrible (14)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating So many other properties are well worth your money - NOT this one.

Jan 25, 2025 Chrissy M

I regret staying at The Clift Hotel. While it may present itself as a luxury property, my experience was far from it. First, the hotel is located in the Tenderloin, a notoriously unsafe area. During my stay, I witnessed people being mugged right on the curb outside the property. To make matters worse, homeless individuals had unrestricted access… Read more
I regret staying at The Clift Hotel. While it may present itself as a luxury property, my experience was far from it. First, the hotel is located in the Tenderloin, a notoriously unsafe area. During my stay, I witnessed people being mugged right on the curb outside the property. To make matters worse, homeless individuals had unrestricted access to all areas of the hotel, making the environment uncomfortable and unsafe. Second, the renovation is a huge letdown. It feels like the "designers" stripped away the charm and cachet that once made the Clift special. Everything is bland and grey. What’s left is a soulless and poorly thought-out space that doesn’t justify the prices. Sonesta feels so generic. And what happened to the Redwood Room?? Finally, speaking of the Redwood Room, their security is overzealous to an almost laughable degree. His focus seemed to be on catching sex workers rather than ensuring the actual safety and comfort of guests. I watched as they approached any woman at the bar dressed even slightly provocatively. I don't know but it seems discriminatory to me. At another point, I visited the gym to find one of the other security personnel from the bar using the facility. I mentioned my concern to the front desk but I doubt anything came of it. Totally unprofessional. Overall, The Clift is not worth the hype or the money. The location is unsafe, the atmosphere unwelcoming, and the management ineffective. If you’re considering staying here, I’d highly recommend looking elsewhere. There are plenty of other hotels in San Francisco where safety, respect, and quality are taken seriously. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Top location

Dec 29, 2024 guido-krystyna Wommelgem, Belgium

The hotel is situated on a top location. We could do everything on foot (we love to walk - even long distances). The staff was very friendly and helpful. Breakfast was more than enough although a pity that so much was in plastic cups, platic forks and spoons, ... The valet parking was also expensive but we didn't want to look for a parking… Read more
The hotel is situated on a top location. We could do everything on foot (we love to walk - even long distances). The staff was very friendly and helpful. Breakfast was more than enough although a pity that so much was in plastic cups, platic forks and spoons, ... The valet parking was also expensive but we didn't want to look for a parking garage. Afterwards we should have looked it up before going to San Francisco because there were plenty in the neighbourhood and so much cheaper. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great Hotel

Dec 22, 2024 Israel O

The hotel has a great location, good service and great facilities, the only inconvenience was the surrounding areas with a lot of people who was sleeping on the street and a little rude with the pedestrians that were walking around and visiting the area.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Beware of Parking $$

Nov 25, 2024 Michelle R Los Angeles, California

I loved the Hotel, but beware of the hotel parking prices: $75 per night. So, if you're planning to rent a car, avoid it and save for a ride-sharing service, depending on your plans during the stay. The hotel price is reasonable, but with almost $200 extra in parking doesn't seem right.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Clean hotel with good bar/ coffee options

Nov 21, 2024 mrittman08 Seattle, Washington

We loved our stay here! Friendly staff. Clean space. Great bar/ coffee options. Good price. Would def stay again! Centrally located and easy to get around town. We did park at a lot next door to save about $40. We used Spot Hero to find a cheaper parking spot.