Last weekend, my sister, brother-in-law, niece, significant other, and I, had a sleepover at the St. Regis in San Francisco. Separate rooms of course, and I don’t think anyone slept on the floor except the dog, but calling it a grownup sleepover wouldn’t be too far off.
This is one of my most favorite hotels in the world. Since it’s in the Starwood network, they take Starwood points. Booyah. Given its dignified, urban decor, sleek with exotic woods and unpolished marble, one might think it suitable only for fancy sorts. In fact, one could not find a better reward for umpteen nights in Sheratons, and the resultant time away from home, than to bring the family to San Francisco.
Where you will sleep in a bedroom like this.
The taupe, gold, and grayed blue palette speaks to me like Morgan le Fay across a gin martini. Seductive, ageless, with a twist.
Of course, you might want to move the bedroom succulents if you bring very young children. Otherwise, they make for nicely focused meditation. We’re big meditators here in Northern California.
Do watch the kiddies’ noggins in the enormous bathtub. Luckily you can see the tub from your lush bed, if you open the panel between rooms. Notice the artwork hanging on the bedroom wall. Artwork abounds.
The whole family will be happy about breakfast. From the silver teapot to the truffled frittata to the brioche French toast. Delicious.
Dinner will come round eventually. The bar doesn’t seem to mind if a well-behaved kid, and her many adults, settle into a post-prandial sofa. We ate, by the way, at Prospect. Very good place for groups in which some eat a Mad Men kind of diet, and others prefer the nose-to-tail approach. SF foodies might take their cousins from elsewhere to dinner, quite happily.
The highlight of our evening was a nighttime swim. Imagine this pool, illuminated, dark sky and city lights in the windows. Imagine most of us sat in the alcove you see at back, while the niece and her father swam. We all felt the this is special switch click on, tick, endorphins and recognition spreading throughout our bodies. This can happen anywhere, especially with family. Hospitable water ups your odds.
The tiles of the showers that line the pool walls verge on the Hearstian.
And when the joys of hotel living pale, one can saunter out. Those flowers will still be sitting in the lobby.
The St. Regis is right next to San Francisco’s convention center, Moscone. And in true California style, we’ve got a garden slash park slash skating rink up top. It’s called Yerba Buena. Take a merry-go-round, a park with giant slide, add modern architecture and our January blue skies. What’s not to like? (OK, so you may have to ignore the smell of marijuana. Apparently the name, Yerba Buena, has multiple meanings. It’s California. What can I say?)
If you’ve still got some energy, or the kids do, head up past Market Street. You’ll come to another part of San Francisco that children love. Me too. Chinatown.
Speaking of which, Happy Lunar New Year to all. We love our tourists in this city, we depend on you. So please come visit some time, even if you’re not going to stay at the St. Regis. May and September are particularly nice, and don’t forget to wear layers. You’ll wind up carrying your kids’ fleeces, but life is ever such. Besides, we’re very good at salads.
No remuneration was received for this post. The opinions are wholly my own.
7:46 am
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I want a truffled fritatta right now, please.
9:21 am
I’ll take the brioche French toast! Mmmmm.
8:13 am
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You make a great case for a visit. It is someplace I’ve never been, but is definitely on my list of must do’s! Thanks!
7:22 pm
You’re welcome.
8:30 am
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I always stay at the Regis when in SF.
The pool is great for a morning swim;-)
8:58 am
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I really must find a conference in San Francio soon!
8:58 am
That would be San Francisco!
7:22 pm
It was orthopedic surgeons this week:).
9:31 am
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I like it, when your postings have this certain happy melody, just like today.
9:49 am
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Dream of a weekend. Ida
9:50 am
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Dreamily delightful! And I am ignoring the smell of marijuana because…?
7:22 pm
Hahahahahaha.
10:06 am
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I’m wondering how they got peonies for that bouquet this time of year or maybe those are roses that look like peonies.
10:10 am
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Peonies are a winter flower in the SF Bay Area.
Oh, that pool!
10:13 am
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Oops, I was thinking of camellias, which those may be.
10:15 am
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Just saw the CEO of Starwood on the business channel this morning. They are opening a hundred new hotels in China this year. Someone has to be organized to pull that off.
Thanks for the tour. Lovely hotel.
Sam
10:15 am
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We walked through the lobby of the St. Regis when we visited SF last year and were very impressed. And what a fabulous location. Sadly, we don’t Starwood . . .
10:32 am
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Yay! I’ll be up the first weekend in March!!
7:21 pm
Fun! Do let me know if I can give you any more suggestions!
10:35 am
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Truffled frittata, nose to tail dining, enormous bathtubs and luxurious swimming pool. Sounds like my kind of place!
10:59 am
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Right now, under blankets, damn cold weekend coming, I ” could ” consider packing me+ my small bag over to the SF St. Regis ; ).
11:09 am
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My absolute favorites……………..hotels and room service. What’s not to like? Looks like you had a great family time, great pool. I can picture it. XO
11:57 am
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I have stayed there, too, but years ago and only for one night (a holiday party in the city, too late to drive home.) Though it was a work party and my little family was not invited, I convinced them to come take advantage of the hotel room. My kids, ages 4 and 5 at the time, watched TV from the bathtub and thought they’d died and gone to heaven.
7:21 pm
I bet they did:).
12:44 pm
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Looks so lovely! I am overdue for a nice hotel getaway!
xo Mary Jo
12:49 pm
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That sounds like my kind of sleepover. Can you believe I’ve never been to San Francisco? You are a lovely ambassadress.
1:28 pm
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They always have the best flowers!
2:23 pm
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Growing up, whenever New York was mentioned by either/both parents, the next three words were “The St. Regis,” almost always. When it was San Francisco there were two words, “The Fairmont”. It’s so lovely to see the two blended with such lovely results!
Sounds like a delightful weekend, I’m glad you enjoyed it. :)
tp
3:50 pm
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Oh yes! Nearing the end of my rose (sorry my Nokia does not support French accents) wine bottle I realise this is life as it should be. Lovely, lovely, bliss.
5:27 pm
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The St. Regis sounds like the place for me. Now onto figuring out my way to San Francisco, have never been and always wanted to!
5:54 pm
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Looks lush, elegant and comfy.
Breakfast sounds delicious!
I hope that you had a relaxing weekend :)
1:12 pm
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Oh goody. Now I don’t need to research hotels to stay in whenever I come to San Fran. This looks like jusssssst the ticket!
6:54 am
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This photography is beautiful. Well done.
I don’t know why, but I’m surprised to see that traditional style of tea/coffee service in an otherwise sleekly-modern tableau. Did it strike you as incongruous? I love it, but it made me wonder.
7:36 am
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So overdue for a trip to SF. I’d like to take a leisurely drive up from LA, and stop along the way. It’s been years since I’ve done that. Have to look at where the St. Regis is in the city. It’s been so long, I’m geographically confused about the city. Looks lovely.
9:58 am
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I would love, love, love to visit San Francisco. It has been on my bucket list for many years, I hope one day I’ll be able to finally go :)
12:18 pm
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Lovely review and it looks like it was a lovely time. Those moments of “this is special” awareness are especially enchanting when shared by others. Thank you -
5:00 am
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I <3 SF!! Thanks for the beautiful reminder. Day trips into the city were my fav! Sausalito too, oozing talent and imagination. Nothing quite like it on this coast.