Marriott Palace San Francisco review: a glamorous downtown hotel full of history

Few of San Francisco’s big-name hotels are more synonymous with old-school, gilded elegance than the Palace. When it opened in 1875 it was San Francisco’s first luxury hotel and the largest in the world. The original building was destroyed and rebuilt following the 1906 earthquake, but over a century later, the hotel — now a Marriott — has retained the grandeur and historic charm of its heyday. It still feels like a city-centre palace too, with a stately exterior, immaculately-maintained marble floors, ornate cornices, crystal chandeliers, and high ceilings. The beaux-arts style Garden Court restaurant — a gold-edged atrium that even the most seasoned traveller would find impressive — is the hotel’s centrepiece and a San Francisco monument in its own right. It’s no wonder that presidents and Hollywood stars alike have been spotted dining under its stained-glass-domed roof over the decades. Yet despite the hotel’s history, modern design touches and amenities (such as the heated pool and hi-tech TOTO Japanese toilets) keep it up to date. Service is excellent, and the central downtown location is ideal for travellers looking to explore the city by foot.
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Score 9/10There are 556 rooms and 53 suites spread across eight floors and even the smallest — spread out over at least 300 sq ft — feels spacious. All have high ceilings, king-sized (or two double) beds topped with crisp Frette linen, and roomy marble-clad bathrooms. Bedrooms are decorated in shades of muted blue, cream, and dove grey offset by rich mahogany furniture. The more expensive suites have interconnecting living and sleeping rooms, Parisian balconies with views over Market and New Montgomery streets, chic upholstery and — in some — four-poster beds. Suites have double marble-clad sinks and a separate bath and shower too. But the best in-room amenity here has to be the robotic TOTO washlets toilets (available in rooms on floors 6-8 and all suites), which come with adjustable heating and cleansing settings. The only catch: you’ll resent having to return home to an ordinary loo.
Score 8/10Breakfast is served in the magnificent Garden Court, featuring fried chicken, waffles, challah french toast, a live omelette station and a range of smoothies. It’s on the expensive side, though, especially given that you’ll have to pay £6 extra if you want your morning latte (only black coffee and tea are included in the buffet plan) or a dish like avocado toast which is only made to order. Lunch here is good, but you’ll want to book in for the signature afternoon tea if you’re here on a Saturday (served between 2pm and 4pm). There are few settings more picturesque for salads, scones and tea than this light-dappled atrium.
The Pied Piper Bar is named after the 16ft-long painting by Maxfield Parrish which hangs above the original oak bar and is around the corner from the hotel reception. Since its opening in 1909, the low-lit spot has been one of the city’s chicest meeting points — and yet the vibe remains laid-back and children are very welcome. Food is delicious, upmarket pub grub-style: whipped feta with sourdough, seabass served on creamy mashed potato, homemade crisps and cocktails are original; try the zesty ‘Sunny in San Francisco’, made with orange liqueur, agave and lime. There’s also live music here every Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 5pm and 8pm.
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Score 7/10Make sure to visit Landmark 18, the Palace’s free-to-visit museum in miniature round the corner from the lobby, which stocks artefacts and images that showcase the hotel’s history. There’s a well-equipped 24-hour fitness centre that overlooks a lovely, glass-roofed indoor pool but no spa.
You’ll have to pay a daily fee for wi-fi if you’re not a Marriott Bonvoy member — basic wi-fi costs around £12 a day, while enhanced connections will set you back £15.50. Concierge parking is on the expensive side at £55 per day, and there are charging points for electric vehicles.
Score 9/10The hotel occupies an entire block in the middle of downtown San Francisco on the corner of Market and New Montgomery streets. Some of the city’s best sights are a short walk away — SFMOMA, the city’s modern art museum, requires a 10-minute stroll, while Union Square, one of San Fran’s most popular shopping hubs, is two blocks away. Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39 and California’s famous Golden Gate Bridge are between 10 and 15 minutes away by car.
Price Room-only doubles from £217 Restaurant mains at the Garden Court restaurant from £18Family-friendly YAccessible Y
Claudia Rowan was a guest of Marriott Palace San Francisco
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