Clift Hotel, San Francisco

Old meets new at the ultra-stylish Clift Hotel, located in the heart of San Francisco’s Union Square. Brainchild of world-renowned designer Philippe Starck, the Clift blends old-world elegance and sophistication with distinctly contemporary energy and glamour – taking modern luxury to a new level.

The hotel’s almost century-old Italian Renaissance-style building, with fittingly grand proportions and sumptuous period details, has been lovingly restored in a unique and contemporary way – from the captivating lobby with its 25 foot ceiling to the historic and legendary Redwood Room with its digital art exhibitions (rumoured to have been crafted from a single giant redwood tree, the Redwood Room is a cherished San Francisco landmark) – the Clift is all about old world charm with a 21st century twist!

The 363 guest rooms are generously proportioned and elegantly appointed with luxurious fabrics in tranquil shades of ivory, grey and lavender, beautifully crafted sycamore sleigh beds and oversized bathrooms with sumptuous porcelain bathtubs and custom-designed Starck sinks.

The Clift is home to San Francisco’s outpost of Jeffrey Chodorow’s acclaimed Asia de Cuba restaurant, which offers innovative Asian-Latin cuisine in spectacular surroundings.

It is worth allowing at least 2 or 3 nights to explore San Francisco, arguably the most beautiful city in the United States. ‘Must-sees’ include Golden Gate Park and Alcatraz – it is also worth visiting Chinatown and legendary Haight-Ashbury. San Francisco is a compact and friendly city – and exploring is easy aboard the famous cable cars which pass close to the hotel.

PRICES Prices from £77 per person per night in a Superior Room, based on 2 people sharing.