How to Compare the Two Four Seasons Resorts in San Francisco

Clients traveling to San Francisco now have not one, but two options for a Four Seasons stay: Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco — located in the heart of the Yerba Buena neighborhood on Market Street — and the new Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero in the Financial District.

Just a few blocks apart, both properties offer Four Seasons’ five-star service and signature amenities while also providing unique experiences for clients visiting the City by the Bay. Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco caters to families and leisure travelers, while Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero is well-suited for couples and business travelers.

We complement each other.

"We complement each other,” said Gigi Vega, general manager for Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero, noting that Four Seasons guests staying on Market Street near the cable cars will enjoy a classic San Francisco experience, while those overnighting in the Financial District can soak in the gorgeous Bay views.

Here’s what else clients can expect from these sister properties.

Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

In 2018, all 277 guestrooms and suites at Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco underwent a remodel as part of a $20 million enhancement of the 42-story building. Rooms are designed with a color palette meant to evoke a sense of place, with grays representing the city’s characteristic fog; blues and greens for the waters of the Bay; and touches of “Golden Gate orange” in honor of San Francisco’s most famous landmark.

Accommodations also feature upholstered benches that take advantage of the views from the nearly floor-to-ceiling windows — a feature that’s particularly popular with families, according to Peter Falke, director of marketing for the property.

“Every family we speak to says their kids made it a fort or made it a tent,” Falke says. “We have so many pictures of kids reading a book or playing on their Nintendos on that window seating. It really makes a big difference.”

Connected to the spacious fifth-floor lobby is the hotel’s MKT Restaurant & Bar, which features 180-degree views of downtown San Francisco. The California-centric menu showcases seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, including honey that the chefs and mixologists harvest from the hotel’s rooftop beehives for dishes and cocktails. (The beeswax is even used for house-made lip balm.)

Hotel guests have private, direct access to the connected Equinox Sports Club and spa, which offers a junior Olympic-sized saline pool, a dedicated boxing studio, group exercise classes and mind-body studios with yoga, Pilates, and Gyrotonic training. (Access to Equinox is complimentary, but spa treatments are not included.)

"Equinox is a big, big part of our experience, whether guests are traveling for leisure or business,” Falke said.

Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero

Meanwhile, at the 48-story Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero, every guest is treated to skyline views of the Bay Bridge or Golden Gate Bridge. That’s because the 155 newly renovated rooms and suites (including two one-bedroom Terrace Suites that debuted last month) are all located on floors 38 to 48. 

But the most spectacular views can be found from the all-glass Sky Bridges that connect the hotel’s two towers on floors 40 to 48. One Sky Bridge even features the interactive Eye Spy from the Sky experience, a visual hunt from the sky.

“The way the building is shaped, we have all these corner views,” said Cesar Gomez, sales manager for the property. “One of the favorites is ‘Golden Gate Corner’ … with rooms that have the famous bathtubs with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.”

Like its Market Street sister property, this hotel’s decor is inspired by the city below, complete with splashes of orange. And although many guests tend to be business travelers, Gomez notes that there are plenty of kid-friendly activities in the area, including the Ferry Building and Pier 39. He says the “outer connecting” category is popular with families, as it offers two adjacent rooms — one deluxe room and one corner suite — and a third door to the hallway.

Clients who want a workout will love the newly remodeled fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment at Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero. Currently, there is no spa, but the hotel has plans to add one and has allocated space. There are also plans to add a new signature restaurant that will feature California cuisine and locally sourced produce and wine.

“We are so proud and delighted that all our guestrooms and suites at Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero are now complete and open,” general manager Vega said. “We welcome guests to indulge in our luxury boutique atmosphere, magnificent views and spacious accommodations, all presented with Four Seasons’ first-rate, personalized hospitality.”