The Fairmont Hotel San Francisco can confidently be called one of the most iconic buildings in the city. Located atop Nob Hill, this historic hotel has been described as “a hotel so grand they built a city around it.” Saved and completed after the 1906 earthquake by Julia Morgan, California’s first licensed female architect, the Fairmont is deeply woven into San Francisco’s history. Just take a look at the historic photos and glowing reviews and it’s easy to see why it remains a city landmark.
The hotel is truly fit for a king. Whether you’re stopping by for a drink, one of its iconic Candlelight concerts, or an overnight stay, the Fairmont blends historic charm with modern amenities, including a pool and convenient parking. Almost every U.S. president has stayed here, earning the Fairmont its nickname, the “White House of the West.” Today, many visitors come for the legendary Tonga Room and the spectacular Christmas season, when the famous gingerbread house transforms the hotel into one of San Francisco’s most beloved holiday attractions.
Why is the Fairmont Hotel San Francisco so iconic?
Built in memory of someone who truly encompassed the American dream. Irish immigrant James Graham Fair struck it rich in the Nevada silver mines leaving the plot at the top of the hill to his daughters who subsequently built the hotel in his honor. Since its construction, the Fairmont has long been a hub for celebrities and cultural icons. Music legend Tony Bennett first performed “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” live in the hotel’s Venetian Room in 1961. Today, that legacy continues with events like The Jazz Room. In 1945, world leaders and delegates from 50 nations met in the hotel’s historic spaces to officially draft and sign the United Nations Charter.
Anthony Bourdain’s “greatest place in the world”
But perhaps its most iconic feature is the Tonga Room, dubbed by late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain “the greatest place in the history of the world.” The Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar is a legendary tiki lounge built over the Fairmont’s former indoor swimming pool. In 1945, the hotel hired MGM set designer Mel Melvin to transform the space into a tropical, cruise-ship-inspired escape. The venue’s famous indoor rainstorms, complete with thunder, lightning, and pouring rain over the lagoon every 30 minutes, were added in the 1950s and remain a beloved feature today.
What can you do at the Fairmont Hotel?
Aside from a night’s stay, the Fairmont has plenty to offer for those just wishing to pop in. Aside from the iconic Mai Tais in the Tonga room, there’s a cosier vibe for coffee in a library of curated classic board games. Alternatively, for art lovers, there are expert-led gallery tours on Fridays at the lobby-level Gefen Gallery to inspect museum-quality contemporary masterpieces. Alternatively, you can experience one of Fairmont’s most iconic rooms, filled with thousands of candles and the sound of talented, local Bay Area classical musicians.
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Where is the Fairmont Hotel and how to get there?
Getting to the Fairmont from the center of San Francisco is remarkably easy and gives you a classic city experience. If you are starting near Union Square or the Powell Street BART station, your absolute best bet is to hop on the iconic Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason cable car lines. They climb straight up the steep hill and drop you off right at the hotel’s front doors on California Street. Alternatively, you can take the Muni 1 California bus line, which also leaves you just steps from this historic Nob Hill landmark.
