The Luxe St. Regis in San Francisco
by Susan Van Allen

My waiter sets down a picture-perfect plate before me.

“Ms. Van Allen, a mini-chocolate chip pancake with raspberry and toasted almond steamed milk,” he says.

I only ordered oatmeal for breakfast, but here was this handsome young man presenting me with a divine amuse bouche. An amuse bouche at breakfast? Throughout my entire stay at San Francisco’s Hotel Saint Regis, elegant touches such as this subtly slipped their way in.

Ultra modern lobby

I pop a tasty bite of the pancake into my mouth, reclining back in culinary bliss. Vibrant yellow orchids in the Vitrine restaurant add dramatic color to the simply styled, white dining room where a wall of windows opens to a beautiful San Francisco morning. Classical guitar music fills the soft, foggy morning.

I’ve become a big fan of Saint Regis since having stayed at its landmark New York hotel and The Grand in Rome. It's not just because every inch of these properties are exquisitely beautiful and luxurious, but also because my stays at both brought on such deep relaxation — creating a feeling that I could easily move in and call these places home.

As I drove from San Francisco to Los Angeles, I wondered if this Saint Regis — opened in November 2005 — would have the same magic as the others.

I’d lived in San Francisco during the 80s when the neighborhood where the hotel currently stands was a no-man’s land at the edge of the city's Financial District. As I made my way to the Saint Regis, I found the neighborhood had transformed itself into one of the city’s most happening spots. Neighboring the Saint Regis are the impressive San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Yerba Buena Arts Center and Gardens. Hip natives and tourists filled the windy streets, toting bags from the nearby shops including Gap, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales.

Hotel Fireplace

As I set foot inside the hotel, I let out a gasp at the 16-foot long, narrow fireplace in the Zebra wood lobby. Though the décor in the Rome and New York hotels is elegantly European, this west coast property pays homage to Asian influences. Its sleek lines and style is quintessentially contemporary San Francisco — seamlessly blending earth tones, splashes of vibrant red and lighting to create an airy ambiance.

I sunk into the "I’m at home' feeling" when I entered my 20th floor room. A Mozambique wood door opened to the limestone entranceway, leading to a spacious room of cream colored, leather-stitched walls. Warm touches including a chaise lounge, separate vanity area, pretty pillows and succulents on the window ledges accented the room, where I settled in to enjoy the city view. The butler who showed me in demonstrated the digital bedside control panel where I could adjust the room's lighting, temperature and window shades at my desire.

“And here’s the closet,” he said, popping open a limewood door that blended into the wall. Apparently many guests had a difficulty time locating it.

The room's huge bathroom featured a deep tub, separate rain head shower and a vanity sink with a small TV at its side. I indulged in a bubble bath and pampered myself with Remede spa amenities, before wrapping up in a soft terry robe and stretching out on the king-sized bed. In front of the bed was 40-inch plasma TV and a view of the evening fog as it rolled past one wall of windows. Ahhh... there it was again — that heavenly Saint Regis feeling.

Standard Room

I reluctantly checked out the next morning, but not before deciding to prolong my stay at the hotel's Remede spa. I started off my relaxation adventure in the 50-foot heated pool. I had the entire glorious place to myself, which allowed me to quietly enjoy the light streaming in from the glass walls. Curling up near the window, I laid back on a leathered, window ledge cushion to relax before my massage.

The spa offers customized massages and facials, which allowed me to create my own experience. As gentle flute music played in the background, my masseur started off with a parafango foot wrap. He then mixed Swedish and Shiatsu techniques to expertly rub the knots out of my aching body, ending with a pleasant scalp massage. Afterwards, so euphoric out I could hardly walk, I was led into a relaxation room. There, alongside water, tea and fruit, was another Saint Regis elegant surprise — chocolate truffles and champagne. I sipped the bubbly slowly, popping a rich chocolate into my mouth, and slid back into that that calm, “only at the Saint Regis,” experience.

If You Go…

St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco
125 Third Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-284-4000