The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco

Hotels
Sonesta Hotels
8.5 (2736 reviews)
495 Geary Street , San Francisco , us

Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Fitness facilities
WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Fitness center
24-hour front desk
Business center
Heating
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Good location
Nice room decor
Excellent food
Cons:
High coffee prices
Cleanliness concerns
Value for money issues

Categories

Cleanliness
7.64
Some suggestions of uncleanliness noted in reviews.
Service
9.11
Staff were friendly and attentive based on multiple reviews.
Location
9.15
Conveniently located near Union Square with easy access to attractions.
Room Quality
8.6
Rooms described as large and nicely decorated.
Amenities
8.63
Amenities reviewed positively, but some coffee prices noted as high.
Value for Money
7.59
Concerns over value due to pricing and some negative experiences.
Food and Beverage
8.64
Food described as excellent by various guests.
Overall Experience
8.61
Overall enjoyable stay with positive feedback about the hotel.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-11 14:46

Property Description

Luxurious Accommodation

The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco offers luxurious accommodation just steps away from Union Square. Guests can enjoy air-conditioned rooms with modern amenities including a flat-screen TV, coffee machine, and private bathroom. The hotel also features a fitness centre, private parking, and a stylish bar and lounge.

Convenient Location

Situated in the heart of San Francisco, this hotel is within walking distance to popular attractions such as Moscone Center and Coit Tower. With the city centre just 300 metres away, guests have easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Exceptional Service

The multilingual staff at The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco are dedicated to ensuring a memorable stay for every guest. Whether you need assistance planning your itinerary or have special requests, the reception is available 24/7 to cater to your needs.

Experience luxury and convenience at The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco. Book now for an unforgettable stay!

Important information:

There is a Clift USD 35 Tax Inclusive Mandatory Urban Facility Fee per night, per room which includes:

-Two (2) bottled waters in room upon check in,
-Daily $10 F&B credit
-voucher for complimentary 1-hr e-bike ride or 2-hr pedal bike ride
- Complimentary wifi access".



When travelling with pets, please note that an extra charge of $75 per stay applies. A maximum of 2 pets per room is allowed.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: SFO

Property Policies

  • Groups

    When booking more than 5 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed. Charges may be applicable.

  • Parking

    Private parking is possible on site (reservation is not possible) and costs USD 75 per day.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 17 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    People no matter the age stay for US$40 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Property Accessibility

Total Disability Score: 50
Public Area
  • Ramp: No
  • Entrance Leveled: No
  • Pet Friendly: No
Reception And Restaurant
  • Reception Hearing Accessible: No
  • Reception Wheelchair Accessible: No
  • Restaurant Wheelchair Accessible: No
Elevator
  • Elevator Audio Signals: No
  • Elevator Braille Numbers: No
  • Elevator Contrasting Buttons: No
  • Elevator Visual Signs: No
Show all accessibility features

Guest Reviews

8.5
Based on 2736 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.64
Service: 9.11
Location: 9.15
Room Quality: 8.6
Amenities: 8.63
Value for Money: 7.59
Food and Beverage: 8.64
Overall Experience: 8.61
E
Equipe family_with_children it
7
2026-07-03 via Nuitee
S
Stacy family_with_children us
7
Old but well kept. Overpriced
Pros:

Size of the room. Beds were good.

Cons:

Location was awkward. On a one way street not as close to the Pier as we thought. Parking was not available. Paid 120.00 to park for 2 nights.

2026-07-02 via Nuitee
M
Manuel Antonio extended_group us
9
2026-07-01 via Nuitee
N
NICOLAS couple fr
10
2026-06-30 via Nuitee
C
Carlos J couple us
6
The room was smelly and old. The smell drove me crazy and we had the sensation that we were staying in an abandoned buil
Pros:

The location was very centric but I felt unsafe during the night.

Cons:

The hotel doesn’t have any restaurant, only a lobby bar with a very limited menu.

2026-06-28 via Nuitee
R
Riley extended_group ca
9
2026-06-28 via Nuitee
K
Katarzyna couple gb
10
2026-06-27 via Nuitee
P
Paul family_with_children ie
9
Nice hotel for a short stay.
Pros:

Hotel is very good located. Walking distance to the hop on hop off bus, couple of nice coffee shops, cable car very close too.

Cons:

I’ve tried the Frederick’s restaurant for a breakfast and I think value vs. quality - I didn’t like it. So for that reason I went every morning for a breakfast different places and was happy.

2026-06-27 via Nuitee
L
Laura family_with_children us
7
2026-06-26 via Nuitee
E
Esquivel Leon solo_traveller mx
10
Pros:

Todo excelente

2026-06-25 via Nuitee
T
thierry solo_traveller fr
8
Pros:

Situation de l hôtel..
Confort..modernité. personnel.

Cons:

Matelas un peu mou.
Isolation phonique n est pas top.
On entend les conversations de la chambre d à côté et les bruits de la rue. Alors que nous étions au 9e étage...

2026-06-24 via Nuitee
A
ANFNYC Business New York City, New York
10
Consistently Reliable and Welcoming
Pros:

I stay at the Clift Royal Sonesta regularly—often once or twice a month when traveling between New York, Milan, and San Francisco—and it consistently delivers a welcoming, well-run experience. What stands out most is the staff across every level of the operation. From the porters to the front desk team, I am always greeted warmly, and it’s clear they make an effort to remember returning guests. That personal recognition makes a meaningful difference and keeps the experience from ever feeling transactional.

The hotel itself is thoughtfully updated, with clean, fresh bathrooms and a quiet, comfortable atmosphere that makes it easy to rest well after long travel days. Housekeeping is consistently responsive and friendly, and the overall service is smooth and attentive. I also appreciate the flexibility in room selection and the added value from Sonesta Travel Pass and American Express Platinum benefits, especially breakfast and late check-out. Combined with a strong location, this property continues to be a reliable and genuinely enjoyable place to stay. The management and staff create an experience that feels personal, and that is what keeps me coming back.

2026-06-23 via Tripadvisor
L
Liliana family_with_children us
6
2026-06-23 via Nuitee
R
Richard solo_traveller py
8
2026-06-22 via Nuitee
K
Kiosha couple us
10
This is always my go-to hotel in San Francisco—I love the rooms, the views, and the overall experience every time I stay
Pros:

This is my third time staying at The Clift Royal Sonesta, and it continues to be one of my favorite hotels in San Francisco. The rooms are always beautiful, clean, and well-maintained, and I especially love the modern design and city views. The location is great, and every stay has been comfortable and enjoyable. I don’t mind paying a little extra because the rooms and overall experience are always worth it.

Cons:

My only complaint was the parking situation. During a previous stay, valet parking was available, but this time I had to find a nearby parking garage on my own. Since I’m not very familiar with the area, it was a little stressful and inconvenient. Other than that, I had a great stay.

2026-06-22 via Nuitee
S
Simon family_with_children gb
8
2026-06-19 via Nuitee
I
iSlavo solo_traveller cz
9
Historic, yet modern. SFO staple in the great location.
Pros:

The Clift is a SFO staple and despite Sonesta modernised it, it still has its charm. The building is historic, the rooms are spacious, the bathrooms are new, the staff is super friendly, the location is just off the Union Square.

Cons:

The complimentary wifi was tad slow and couple of the conference calls had frozen image. I did not tried the paid wifi as I believe in a hotel like this, the high speed internet should be complimentary.

2026-06-19 via Nuitee
C
carolyn solo_traveller gb
4
2026-06-18 via Nuitee
K
Kelly couple us
8
2026-06-17 via Nuitee
K
Kaoru solo_traveller us
9
Pros:

I got to the hotel via train and was early for the check-in time; however, the front staff led me check in because a room was available. The room was spacious and well-appointed. It's two door down from the theatre I went in the evening, so the location was perfect.

Cons:

I wish they offer breakfast or evening cocktail hour.

2026-06-17 via Nuitee