Grand Hotels of San Francisco: Fairmont

Majestic San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel has been at the center of history since 1907

San Francisco's majestic Fairmont Hotel has been at the center of history since 1907

photo courtesy of Fairmont Hotel

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The stately Fairmont Hotel has been the center of history ever since it opened in 1907. Originally scheduled to open on April 18, 1906, the date of the infamous Great Earthquake, the hotel performed its duty, serving as a command center for the devastated City. Although the hotel was not affected by the Earthquake, the subsequent fires destroyed the interior. It was the first hotel to re-open after the Earthquake, exactly one year later, at a cost of $5 million. The interior was designed by Architect, Julia Morgan, a recent graduate of the prestigious Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris and unknown at the time.

Both San Francisco and The Fairmont trace their roots to the California gold rush of 1849 and the silver strike in nearby Nevada. James Graham Fair, a burly miner who made his fortune from silver, purchased property at the summit of Nob Hill to stake his claim of respectable social standing among the city’s fashionable, elite residences. What was created instead of a residence, however, was a world-class hotel that would play host to international dignitaries and high society.

The Fairmont has always embodied luxury. From the moment you step into the lobby you will be impressed by the ornate furniture and rich architectural design. Experience San Francisco history and the Fairmont's by strolling down the long corridors lined with historic photos and mementos. The hotel has served as a movie set and inspiration for numerous Hollywood television shows and movies including Aaron Spelling's series, "Hotel." You will feel as though you are staying in a museum, one with five-star service and amenities.

Known as the White House of the West, this is the residence of Royalty, Presidents, and many noteworthy individuals. President Barack Obama, President George H.W. Bush, President Jimmy Carter, President Bill Clinton, President Gerald Ford, President Lyndon B. Johnson, President John F. Kennedy, President Ronald Reagan, President William Howard Taft and President Harry S. Truman have all graced the gilded guest list of The Fairmont San Francisco. A long list of royalty, heads of state and celebrities have also stayed here during its 100-year history. (above photo: View from Penthouse Suite Terrace)

The presidential visits have often marked momentous occasions in U.S. history. On April 22, 1945, President Truman opened the United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco. During the course of the conference, the U.N. Charter was drafted in The Fairmont’s Garden Room. To this day, the flags which fly at the hotel’s entrance represent the countries that participated in the drafting of this charter. During the "Cold War" the Fairmont was designated a “foreign mission” to thaw Cold War tensions during a visit by U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and South Korean President Roh Tae Woo.

The Fairmont San Francisco offers 591 newly renovated guest rooms and suites with unrivaled views of San Francisco, three distinctive restaurants, a health club and easy access to the city’s most popular attractions. The Penthouse Suite, former residence of Benjamin Swig rents for $12,500 per night, the hotel's most expensive and luxurious accommocation. It is designed in a Persian style with an exotic game room and Arabian nights décor with arched doorways and windows. The two-story library with its rotunda depicting the constellations of the nighttime sky and 'map room' bedroom were decorated by artist Robert Boardman Howard, and alone are worth a visit. View the slideshow for more photos of the Penthouse Suite.

There is a total of 55,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space available to fit any requirement. The hotel features 20 meeting and function rooms, including three classical ballrooms with convenient pre-function space as well as The Crown Room with its panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay Area. This is a great choice for a memorable wedding reception, gala, or corporate event. The impeccable service will exceed expectations and the Fairmont will create an unforgettable event experience.

The Tonga Room has delighted guests with its tropical décor, decadent libations and Asian cuisine since 1945. Having reigned as a swanky outpost of South Seas high-style for much of its storied history, The Tonga Room more recently gained a following as an icon of Tiki’s pop culture heyday of the 1940s and 1950s. Following a $1 million restoration, The Tonga Room has rekindled the excitement of its unique and time-honored décor to recapture the glory of one of the nation’s first Tiki palaces. The Tonga Room features a top-40 band performing from a thatch-covered barge on the lagoon; a dance floor built from the remains of the S.S. Forester, a lumber schooner that once traveled regularly between San Francisco and the South Sea Islands; and periodic light tropical rainstorms, complete with thunder and lightning. Today, The Tonga Room is riding the wave of the Tiki revival and recently has been recognized as one of the nation’s hottest bars by InStyle, Gourmet, Travel & Leisure, Harper’s Bazaar and Wallpaper magazines, as well as The Food Network.

The Laurel Court Restaurant is a wonderful dining experience for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or the famed afternoon tea. The beautiful dining room is crowned by three ornate domes. Gazing around the room it is easy to envision the elegance and glamour of high society patrons in years past.

Don't miss the outdoor terrace located beyond the meeting rooms on the main level, pictured above. Come celebrate at the Fairmont.