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Fairmont San Francisco
San Francisco, California, United States · Fairmont · High Luxury
Named for Senator James Graham Fair by daughters Theresa Fair Oelrichs and Virginia Fair Vanderbilt, the Fairmont on Nob Hill was nearly finished when the 1906 earthquake and fire gutted the interior. Julia Morgan helped bring it back for a 1907 opening that marked the Fairmont Hotels vanguard; in 1945 it hosted statesmen drafting the United Nations, and later claimed America's first hotel concierge desk.
- 591 rooms
- Opened 1907
- Neighborhood: Union Square
- Architect: Julia Morgan; Reid Brothers
About Fairmont San Francisco
- Built atop Nob Hill in honor of mining magnate and U.S. Senator James Graham Fair by his daughters.
- The 1906 earthquake and fire wrecked the nearly complete interior; architect-engineer Julia Morgan was central to the rebuild before the 1907 opening.
- In 1945 the hotel hosted international meetings that helped create the United Nations.
- It was the first American hotel to offer concierge services; Tom Wolfe held the post from 1974 to 1981 and returned in 1995.
- The 6,000-square-foot 1927 penthouse presidential suite spanning the eighth floor has hosted U.S. presidents at reported five-figure nightly rates.
History
Fairmont San Francisco rose on Nob Hill as one of the city’s defining Beaux-Arts landmarks, opening in 1907 after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake interrupted work on the nearly finished building. The hotel’s architectural story is tied to Julia Morgan, who was brought in after the earthquake to help repair the structure; her name is now inseparable from the property’s place in San Francisco history. Fairmont’s own materials still describe it as the original Fairmont atop Nob Hill, and as a beacon of style for more than a century.
The hotel’s social history is just as durable. Fairmont says the concierge profession in the United States began here over half a century ago, and its multilingual concierge team continues that legacy. The property also links itself to a long ritual of afternoon tea, described as a Fairmont tradition since 1907. In the hotel’s Venetian Room, Tony Bennett first performed “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” in December 1961, a moment later memorialized with a statue outside the hotel.
Fairmont San Francisco’s role in world affairs is notable as well: in 1945, international statesmen met there in the lead-up to the United Nations, with work on the UN Charter conducted in the hotel’s Garden Room. The hotel has also remained relevant through careful preservation and updates, including a major restoration referenced by Fairmont in recent years and continued stewardship of its historic main building alongside later additions. Heritage recognition includes listing on the National Register of Historic Places, San Francisco Designated Landmark status, and membership in Historic Hotels of America.
Fairmont San Francisco opened in 1907 after the 1906 earthquake delayed its completion, and Julia Morgan was brought in to repair the damaged building.
The setting
Perched atop Nob Hill at 950 Mason Street, the Fairmont San Francisco anchors the city's most storied promontory, where the Gilded Age railroad magnates built palatial mansions before the 1906 earthquake leveled the district. The Fairmont itself survived the quake structurally, was restored by Julia Morgan, and reopened one year later as the vanguard of the Fairmont Hotels brand — hosting the 1945 drafting of the United Nations Charter in its Garden Room. Three cable-car lines converge at its doorstep, Union Square lies ten minutes on foot, and sweeping Bay views reward guests at every turn, cementing Nob Hill's apex as San Francisco's preeminent luxury address.
Restaurants and bars
- Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar — Bar
- Crown Jewel Holiday Lounge — Bar
- Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar — Bar
- Cirque Bar — Bar
- The Venetian — Restaurant
Experiences
- Afternoon Tea in Laurel Court — Afternoon tea in Laurel Court, a tradition since 1907.
- Honey Bees & Herb Garden — Visit the rooftop herb garden and urban honey bee haven.
- Live Fit Gym and Chateau de la Beauté — Fitness and indulgence options, including the Live Fit Gym and Chateau de la Beauté.
- Holiday season experiences — From November 21 through December 31: a life-sized Gingerbread House, Festive Afternoon Tea, rooftop Winter Faire and seasonal dining.
- Heritage Hallway — A journey through the hotel's heritage, with cherished keepsakes and iconic images of the Fairmont legacy.
Amenities
- Spa
- Pool
- Sauna
- Fitness center
- Fine dining
- Pet-friendly
Awards
- AAA Four Diamond (2026)
- National Register of Historic Places
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