EXTRA PERKS AVAILABLE
Enjoy breakfast, upgrades, & more

Want to take advantage of Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits, including a space available room upgrade, complimentary breakfast, a hotel credit, and more? Contact Ford ([email protected]) for more details. He may even be able to help if you already have a stay booked.

During our recent trip to California (where I also reviewed Alila Marea Encinitas), we spent a night at the new Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero. The hotel has breathtaking views (it’s the highest hotel in San Francisco) and extremely friendly service, though the hotel hasn’t quite reached its full potential yet.

Booking the Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero

For our date, the nightly rate at the Four Seasons was around $420 when booking in advance, though pricing does vary considerably (closer to our stay, the rate was roughly $600). The best way to book any Four Seasons hotel is through a Preferred Partner travel advisor. When booking through Preferred Partner you pay the same rate you’ll find directly on Four Seasons’ website, but you’ll receive extra perks, including the following:

• A room upgrade, subject to availability
• Complimentary daily breakfast
• A hotel credit to use during your stay

Four Seasons Preferred Partner is generally combinable with promotions being offered directly through Four Seasons, like a third or fourth night free offer. Note that booking Four Seasons properties through Preferred Partner is better than booking through programs like Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts. Why?

• With Preferred Partner you have the option of room service breakfast in place of restaurant breakfast (though that’s a moot point at this hotel, since currently only room service breakfast is available
• Upgrades are prioritized for Preferred Partner bookings, given that it’s Four Seasons’ own proprietary program (and the value of an upgrade at a hotel can be significant)
• You can combine Preferred Partner perks with virtually any rate on Four Seasons’ website (other programs don’t allow you to stack promotions in the same way)

You can’t beat getting all of these extra perks just for booking through an eligible travel advisor. Ford is of course more than happy to help anyone book Four Seasons properties through Preferred Partner, and can be reached at [email protected] He doesn’t charge any booking fees for Four Seasons properties.

Full disclosure — Ford got a travel agent rate here. To be honest, it wasn’t that much cheaper than the best published rate if you were to factor in the $100 food & beverage credit we would have gotten through Preferred Partner.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero location

The Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero is located in the 345 California Center building, at 222 Sansome Street. The hotel takes up the top floors of the 48-story building, making it the highest hotel in San Francisco. It’s so awesome to have a hotel that occupies the top floors of a high-rise, rather than the bottom floors (the latter seems to be most common nowadays).

The hotel has a great location, as far as I’m concerned. It’s just a few blocks to the Ferry Building, and a few blocks to Chinatown. Interestingly the hotel is also quite close to the Four Seasons San Francisco (the one that doesn’t have the Embarcadero branding).

Four Seasons San Francisco in 345 California Center

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero history

There’s an interesting backstory to this hotel, in case the building and views sound familiar. This was originally the Mandarin Oriental San Francisco, which opened back in 1986. Then in 2015 the hotel was sold, and it was rebranded as the Loews Regency San Francisco. Then the hotel was sold again in 2019, at which point it closed for renovations and was rebranded as the Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero.

The Four Seasons is the hotel’s third brand. The Four Seasons finally opened in October 2020, but then closed again in December 2020, given the lack of demand due to coronavirus. The hotel then finally reopened in May 2021, and has been open ever since. I don’t envy operating a hotel in San Francisco right now, given that the city was so dependent on conventions and business travel, and that’s something that hasn’t recovered all that much yet.

The other interesting element here is that Four Seasons is doing a full renovation of the hotel, and that’s still a work in progress. While the hotel will eventually have 155 rooms, only 40% of those rooms are currently operational, as the rest are still being renovated. Fortunately they’re doing this floor-by-floor, and we didn’t notice any noise issues.

It’s also worth noting that the hotel doesn’t yet have a restaurant or spa, but rather the only amenities are in-room dining and a gym. That should change soon, and I’ll talk more about that below.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero lobby & check-in

The Four Seasons has an entrance off Sansome Street. When we arrived at the hotel we were promptly welcomed by the friendly bellmen, and directed to the front desk.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero entrance

Reception was located just inside the lobby, and our check-in process was quick and friendly. Four Seasons consistently has phenomenal employees, and this hotel was no exception.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero reception

There’s not a whole lot to the lobby as of now, aside from some Christmas decorations — it’s just a small space. There’s an area to the side of the lobby that will eventually become the hotel’s signature restaurant, but it’s not yet operational.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero lobbyFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero lobbyFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero lobby

The elevators are located at the end of the hallway. One thing I love about this hotel is that you can take a single elevator from the ground floor all the way to your room. Many hotels with guest rooms at the top of a building require you to take two sets of elevators, so it’s awesome to be on a high floor while only having to take a single elevator ride (and the elevators here are fast).

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero elevators

Guest rooms at the Four Seasons are on floors 36 through 48, though I believe only the top several floors are operational as of now.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite

We were assigned room 4714, a corner suite on the 47th floor.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero elevators

The single coolest thing about the Four Seasons Embarcadero is the views, and what enhances that is that each hotel floor has a glass “bridge” that connects the two sides of the building.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero glass bridge

How unreal are these views?!?! I’m going to go out on a limb and say that these might just be the best views from a hotel hallway anywhere in the world…

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero views

If you go to the 48th floor, there’s even an “EYE SPY” feature, where you can scan a QR code and then identify various landmarks in the city.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero EYE SPY feature

Our room was located at the end of a hallway, and it had two sets of doors, so that presumably the two rooms next to each other could be turned into one room if needed.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero hallway

The corner suites at the Four Seasons Embarcadero are 575 square feet, so they’re more junior suites than full suites (the “real” suites are marketed as being one-bedroom suites). It goes without saying that the second we stepped into the room, our eyes were immediately drawn outside to the views.

Anyway, the room as such was beautifully appointed, as you’d expect from Four Seasons.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suiteFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite

The room had a signature Four Seasons bed, which I consider to be the best hotel bed out there.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite

The living area featured a lounger chaise, a chair, a dining table with a chair, and a wall-mounted TV. The room primarily had hardwood floors, and then there was a nice carpet in the living room area. Waiting on the dining table was a welcome amenity, consisting of some fresh fruit and popcorn.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suiteFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suiteFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite

Back towards the entrance was the minibar area, which had a Nespresso coffee machine and a tea kettle.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suiteFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suiteFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite

Interestingly there was no stocked minibar, but rather just a mini-fridge. However, we were given a sheet at check-in explaining that the minibar could be stocked on request, and this was part of the property’s policy of minimizing the number of people entering rooms.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite

The bathroom was back towards the entrance, and featured a sink, a soaking tub, a walk-in shower, and a toilet.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite bathroomFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite bathroomFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite shower

Toiletries were from CODAGE Paris — this was my first time using these toiletries, and I quite liked them.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero toiletries

Of course the highlight of the room was the views in every direction. Simply amazing.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite viewsFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite views

Ford and I both usually sleep best when a room is really dark, but in this case we couldn’t help but keep the curtains open, because it seemed like a shame not to with views like this. In the morning we were treated to an incredible sunrise.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite viewsFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite views

The views were even better from the glass bridge down the hallway.

Four Seasons Embarcadero views

It goes without saying that the pièce de résistance of our room (and the hotel in general) is the view, but even beyond that the room was beautifully and functionally appointed.

However, I didn’t get the sense that this was a “no expenses spared” renovation, as we’ve seen at some other Four Seasons properties. I imagine a hotel being renovated during the pandemic doesn’t exactly help with that, especially in a market like San Francisco, which is recovering slowly.

For example, the curtains and blinds in the room were manual, rather than electric. Furthermore, while the bathroom was beautiful, it didn’t have double sinks and the toilet wasn’t partitioned off, etc. (in fairness, making major changes to bathrooms and plumbing in buildings like this can be very costly).

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero room service breakfast

Currently the only food available at the Four Seasons Embarcadero is through in-room dining. You can find the hotel’s breakfast menu here, and find the hotel’s all-day dining menu here. Breakfast is served from 6AM until 11:30AM, and we had an excellent room service breakfast, which is also included with Four Seasons Preferred Partner.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero breakfastFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero breakfast

We ordered a berry parfait to share.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero breakfast

Then I had the avocado toast with poached eggs.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero breakfast

Ford had the two scrambled eggs with breakfast potatoes and turkey bacon.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero breakfast

As is standard at Four Seasons properties, there was also complimentary coffee in the lobby in the morning, which is a feature I love.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero complimentary coffee

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero gym

Four Seasons properties consistently have very good gyms, and this property is no exception. The hotel’s gym is located on the third floor, and it features a great selection of cardio and weight equipment. The gym is open 24/7, and you’re asked at check-in if you plan to use it. In the event that you do, your vaccine card is checked, in line with current guidelines in San Francisco.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero gymFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero gymFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero gymFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero gymFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero gymFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero gymFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero gym

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero service

With the limited services being offered by the hotel at the moment, admittedly interactions with staff were fairly limited. However, every employee we interacted with was friendly, from the bellmen, to the front desk agents, to the in-room dining staff.

Because of how few rooms are in operation right now, this really does feel like a boutique hotel. For example, some of the staff welcomed us back by name after returning to the hotel, which is always a nice touch. That’s one benefit of so few rooms being in operation right now.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero restaurant & spa plans

The Four Seasons Embarcadero is still a work in progress, so what can we expect in the future? The Four Seasons is supposed to open a ground floor signature restaurant in 2022. There are no details yet on what kind of a restaurant it will be or who the chef is behind it, though hopefully we learn more soon.

Currently the restaurant section next to the lobby is just roped off. Below are some pictures of what the space looks like, though note that it still has the old decor from when the hotel was a Loews, so expect the decor to change completely.

Four Seasons San Francisco Embarcadero restaurant

While not open yet, it’s expected that the Four Seasons Embarcadero will have a Sky Deck on the 40th floor. The building has some outdoor space there, so we’ll see what exactly the hotel chooses to do with it, and whether it’s just used for events, or if it eventually turns into a bar. Suffice to say this could be an incredible space (below are a couple of pictures from Four Seasons’ website that give you a sense of this potential venue).

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero Sky DeckFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero Sky Deck

Furthermore, both the Mandarin Oriental and Loews had a spa, located on the third floor, near the gym. While no official plans have been announced yet, it’s my understanding that a spa is under consideration, and could be opened here.

Bottom line

The Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero is one of Four Seasons’ newest properties in the United States, and there’s a lot to like about the hotel. I feel confident saying that the Four Seasons has the best views from any hotel in San Francisco, and some of the best views from any city hotel in the United States. That’s something really special. On top of that, the hotel has newly renovated rooms, friendly service, a good gym, and a solid in-room dining menu.

That being said, this hotel is still a work in progress — a signature restaurant should be opening soon, and we may also see a spa and amazing outdoor space on the 40th floor at some point in the future. Admittedly those are amenities that some people value greatly, so this hotel isn’t for everyone for the time being.

For now I’d recommend staying at the Four Seasons Embarcadero if you care a lot about views and an intimate-feeling property. Meanwhile if you’re someone who likes a lively hotel with a popular restaurant & bar, this isn’t the place to stay… for now.

This stay was a good reminder of how uneven the travel recovery is in the United States. While hotels in Florida are busier than pre-coronavirus, San Francisco hotels still really seem to be struggling.

What do you make of the Four Seasons Embarcadero?

EXTRA PERKS AVAILABLE
Enjoy breakfast, upgrades, & more

Want to take advantage of Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits, including a space available room upgrade, complimentary breakfast, a hotel credit, and more? Contact Ford ([email protected]) for more details. He may even be able to help if you already have a stay booked.

Read Four Seasons reviews: Athens, Boston, Cap-Ferrat, Denver, Desroches Island, Hualalai, Lanai, Los Cabos, Madrid, Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, Maui, Miami, Napa Valley, Oahu at Ko Olina, Paris, San Francisco at Embarcadero, Seychelles, and Surfside

Learn about Four Seasons deals & offers: Anguilla, Athens, Atlanta, Austin, Bahamas, Bora Bora, Boston, Cap-Ferrat, Costa Rica, Dubai, Fort Lauderdale, Hawaii, Jackson Hole, London, Los Cabos, Maldives, New York, Napa Valley, New Orleans, Orlando, Palm Beach, Paris, Philadelphia, Punta Mita, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Seattle, Sicily, and Vail

Learn about Four Seasons basics: Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Four Seasons Private Retreats, Four Seasons Private Jet, Four Seasons travel agents, Four Seasons loyalty program, and maximizing value at Four Seasons

The post Evaluate: 4 Seasons San Francisco At Embarcadero appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

San Francisco HVAC Contractor, HVAC All Seasons installs and services top-of-the-line heating and air conditioning systems.

HVAC All Seasons is proud to announce the expansion of their business into the San Francisco Bay Area. They are committed to providing the best heating and air conditioning services in the area and look forward to working with new and existing clients. The company ensures their top-of-the-line heating and cooling systems are on point to keep your home or office comfortable all year round.

For over 12 years, HVAC All Seasons has been installing and servicing heating and cooling equipment for homes throughout the Bay Area. Their high level of service means that clients can rest assured that their homes will be comfortable no matter how extreme the weather is outside. With a wide variety of HVAC systems to choose from, users can find the perfect one for their needs.

Why Choose HVAC All Seasons?

Dealing with pipe installation and air circulation can be troublesome and require much maintenance. There are many HVAC companies in the Bay Area, but few provide good customer and top-notch service. HVAC All Seasons is the complete package someone can ask.

All technicians working at HVAC All Seasons are licensed and specialize in heaters and cooling installation, repair, and maintenance. The team members are well trained to follow their strict SOPs to diagnose the customer’s existing systems and provide solutions. The company can also install and service all brands and 24-hour emergency system maintenance.

HVAC All Seasons offers a wide range of services:

– Heating and cooling system installation

Installing a heating and cooling system can be a daunting task. But with the help of a professional, it can be a breeze. First, ensure enough space to install the system, ideally in an open area, so it can properly circulate air. Next, consider the type of system you want to install. Do some research and find the one that best suits your needs.

– Furnace repair and maintenance

– Home appliance repair and maintenance

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ff1mx-_HCcs

HVAC All Seasons can handle many house appliance maintenance. Typically, the issue is within the lint filter on the dryer that needs regular cleaning to keep it running efficiently and wiping down the coils on your refrigerator to keep it cool.

– Air conditioner repair and maintenance

– Heat pump repair and maintenance

– Ductless mini-split repair and maintenance

No matter what the problem is, HVAC All Seasons has the solution. They have a wide range of experience with different systems and can help their customers find the perfect one for their needs. They also offer various services to keep their systems running smoothly all year round.

About HVAC All Seasons

HVAC All Seasons is a reliable contractor specializing in heating, cooling, and appliance repair services. They have been in the business for over 12 years and have a team of highly-trained technicians who can help you with any issue that you may have. Their current coverage areas include San Jose, Fremont, San Mateo, Oakland, Hayward, Berkeley, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Stanford, Foster City, and Millbrae.

Request a free quote today through their number, +1(510)342 80 96, or visit their website, https://www.hvac4seasons.com/. Their customer service team will be more than happy to assist you.

Media Contact
Company name: HVAC All Seasons
Contact person: Ievgen Prohorenko
E-mail: send email
phone: (510) 342-8096
Address:842 Los Padres Blvd
City: Santa Clara
State: CA, 95050
Country: United States
site: hvac4seasons.com

The post HVAC All Seasons expands to San Francisco Bay Space appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

HVAC All Seasons Keeps You Comfortable No Matter the Weather

For over 12 years, HVAC All Seasons has been installing and servicing heating and cooling equipment for homes throughout the Bay Area. Their high level of service means that clients can rest assured that their homes will be comfortable no matter how extreme the weather is outside. With a wide variety of HVAC systems to choose from, users can find the perfect one for their needs.

Why Choose HVAC All Seasons?

Dealing with pipe installation and air circulation can be troublesome and require much maintenance. There are many HVAC companies in the Bay Area, but not many provide good customer service and top-notch service. HVAC All Seasons is the complete package someone can ask. All technicians working at HVAC All Seasons are licensed and specialize in heaters and cooling installation, repair, and maintenance. The team members are well trained to follow their strict SOPs to diagnose the customer’s existing systems and provide solutions. The company can also install and service all brands and 24-hour emergency system maintenance. Visit their website for more details, https://www.hvac4seasons.com/.

HVAC All Seasons offers a wide range of services:

-Heating and cooling system installation

Installing a heating and cooling system can be a daunting task. But with the help of a professional, it can be a breeze. First, ensure enough space to install the system, ideally in an open area, so it can properly circulate air. Next, consider the type of system you want to install. Do some research and find the one that best suits your needs.

– Furnace repair and maintenance

– Home appliance repair and maintenance

HVAC All Seasons can handle many house appliance maintenance. Typically, the issue is within the lint filter on the dryer that needs regular cleaning to keep it running efficiently and wiping down the coils on your refrigerator to keep it cool.

– Air conditioner repair and maintenance

– Heat pump repair and maintenance

– Ductless mini-split repair and maintenance

No matter what the problem is, HVAC All Seasons has the solution. They have a wide range of experience with different systems and can help their customers find the perfect one for their needs. They also offer various services to keep their systems running smoothly all year round.

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ff1mx-_HCcs

About HVAC All Seasons

HVAC All Seasons is a reliable contractor specializing in heating, cooling, and appliance repair services. They have been in the business for over 12 years and have a team of highly-trained technicians who can help you with any issue that you may have. Their current coverage areas include San Jose, Fremont, San Mateo, Oakland, Hayward, Berkeley, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Stanford, Foster City, and Millbrae.

Request a free quote today through their number, +1(510)342 80 96, or fill out their online form. Their customer service team will be more than happy to assist you.

Media Contact
Company name: HVAC All Seasons
E-mail: send email
phone: +1(510)342 80 96
Country: United States
site: hvacallseasons.com

The post San Francisco HVAC Contractor, HVAC All Seasons installs and companies top-of-the-line heating and air con methods appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

The newly renovated 155-room sky-high urban retreat offers dramatic city views from everyone spacious guest room, impressive new private terrace suites, a 40th floor open-air terrace – The Overlook, and Four Seasons signature hospitality and services.

With a bold new look, ubiquitous city views, and legendary Four Seasons service, Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco At Embarcadero debuts its newly renovated 127 guest rooms and 28 suites, lobby, and fitness center, as well as its dramatic private Terrace Suites and reopening of the 40th floor open-air terrace, The Overlook. Primely located atop a 48-storey landmark building, Four Seasons Embarcadero offers unparalleled, sprawling city and Bay views spanning the Golden Gate Bridge and iconic skyline, as well as walkable access to some of San Francisco’s best neighborhoods such as Jackson Square and the Embarcadero waterfront .

Phased over the past two and a half years, the completion of the multimillion-dollar renovation included beautifully appointed rooms and suites by luxury design firm Marzipan, a state-of-the-art fitness center with Precor cardio and strength training equipment, and a refreshed lobby, and corridors. Ideal for business trips and leisurely getaways – and times that mix a bit of both – Four Seasons Embarcadero offers spacious guest rooms and luxurious suites with ample open space and separate sleeping and living areas – perfectly equipped for lounging or remote work. The spa-like bathrooms boast deep soaking tubs, as well as plush amenities including Codage Paris bath and beauty products, for the ultimate city refuge from which to unwind and restore.

Two premium private Terrace Suites – the Golden Gate Terrace Suite and the Embarcadero Terrace Suite – are newly debuted, showing panoramic views of the city and Bay. The suites offer an expansive 2,000 square feet (185 square metres) of indoor and outdoor living space, encompassing a living room, dining room, kitchenette, powder room, rain shower, elegant freestanding soaking tub, and – at 800 square feet (74 square metres) – some of San Francisco’s largest private terraces.

Marzipan took inspiration for the hotel’s chic interior from San Francisco’s world-class views, as well as the city’s signature character and history, with touches such as furniture and lighting inspired by the famed cable cars, and ornate metallic detailing and exquisite wallcoverings woven with threads of gold to pay homage to the city’s Gold Rush past. The new design presents a distinctive aesthetic with welcoming floor plans that allows guests to truly make themselves at home. Outfitted in a clean, contemporary style and a tranquil, cool-toned palette, the guest rooms present sophisticated and eclectic interiors that seamlessly support the urban landscape and are enhanced by bright colors and abstract imagery that capture the spirit of San Francisco. Layered in luxury with natural wood floors, a warm palette of textures complements vibrant splashes of colour, hand-tufted wool rugs, and bespoke millwork detailing that frames the windows, creating an intrinsic sense of place.

The completion of the renovations also coincides with the July 1 reopening of one of the property’s defining features – The Overlook, the open-air terrace located on the 40th floor, featuring panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and marina with exclusive access for hotel guests for a host of future events and activations.

Located in San Francisco’s bustling Financial District atop the iconic 345 California Center building, the lifestyle-driven property affords guests a dynamic connection to San Francisco, enhanced by Four Seasons signature hospitality and services. Exclusive to hotel guests, Four Seasons Embarcadero looks forward to announcing a series of experiences, in partnership with prominent Bay Area thought leaders and brands within the food and beverage, wellness, art, and fashion industries.

Four Seasons Embarcadero offers first-rate amenities and services, including a state-of-the-art fitness center on the third floor that welcomes guests with ample natural light from wall-to-wall windows that overlook the energetic Sansome Street and Financial District, as well as Sky Bridges across floors 40-48 that connect the two towers of the Hotel while providing scenic views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Four Seasons Embarcadero offers all-day dining at The Lounge & Bar with a menu of elevated bar bites and hearty entrees, alongside craft cocktails, draft beers, and an exceptional list of curated wines. Additionally, guests may enjoy an impeccable menu from the comfort of their guest rooms or suites with 24-hour in-room dining. Still to come, Four Seasons Embarcadero will unveil a brand-new signature restaurant featuring the best of California cuisine that showcases locally sourced produce and the finest wines.

Four Seasons Embarcadero serves as an ideal home base for a memorable San Francisco adventure. The hotel is surrounded by renowned Michelin-starred restaurants and top global company headquarters, and is just minutes from the Embarcadero waterfront, the historic Ferry Building, the California Street cable car lines, and some of the city’s best neighborhoods and attractions.

Hotel website

Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero
222 Sansome St
San Francisco, CA 94104
United States

+1 415-276-9888

The post 4 Seasons Resort San Francisco at Embarcadero Reveals Extremely Anticipated Enhancements, Commemorates Its Full Opening appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

With its fantastic atmosphere and adventurous film music, “Nutcracker” conjures up the magic of Christmas and enchants the audience with its enchanting magic. For many, the beloved ballet represents an essential cultural totem that heralds the merry Christmas. This year the “Nutcracker” is of particular importance as it heralds the return of the San Francisco Ballet to the stage of the War Memorial Opera House after a 21-month absence.

Choreographer Helgi Tomasson fills “Nutcracker” with a glowing imagination that makes the well-known story appear both new and nostalgic. The venue itself seemed to shimmer golden and embellished the aristocratic ambience of the opening party scene. The set is a triumph, complete with a soft glowing fireplace, a towering Christmas tree and a “Cinderella” -style staircase.

Visually impressive, the villa feels like home due to the characters who inhabit it. Glittering ball gowns swirl around the exquisite set and the children are a charming mob of ribbons, bows, mittens and ringlets. Uncle Drosselmeyer (Tiit Helimets) storms into the air with ease, and Clara and Fritz – played by the cute Abby Cannon and the hilarious Kai Hannigan – are lovely to look at.

Tchaikovsky, the composer of the original ballet, folded new and original melodies into the score with the enthusiasm of the cheerful Nicholas who hopped over the roofs. In this performance, conductor Martin West approaches each motif with intent and care, as if each song were a miraculous gift under a Christmas tree. The orchestra gives each atmosphere its own character – the romantic “Grand Pas de Deux”, the proud “Trepak”, the comical “Mother Ginger and the Polichinelles”. The dancers and the musicians blossom in harmonious marriage and take the audience into the fantastic worlds of a young girl’s imagination.

The story dissolves into Clara’s brilliant and fantastic daydreams, and the characters of her dreams move with ethereal grace. Tomasson’s choreography is an ode to the human body and its potential. The body becomes papyrus for poetic expression while the characters flaunt exquisite expansions and sleek jumps. Cannon is popular as Clara, and her older co-stars are generous dance partners. Above all, Joseph Walsh shines as the handsome nutcracker prince, all with charming heroism and dramatic flair.

The Snow Queen and the Snow King (Yuan Yuan Tan and Henry Sidford) pose like glass figures, but move with the smooth, liquid grace of running water. The accompanying snowflakes are an ethereal sight, wearing tulle skirts that move like jellyfish. The Sugar Fairy (Nikisha Fogo) turns and jumps through the air with inexhaustible, tireless buoyancy that leaves the audience breathless.

The set transformation itself swells into an amazing magical work. The first act culminates in a deeply moving sequence in which snowflakes fall from above. The show’s dynamism builds in its more episodic second act as Clara and the Nutcracker Prince travel the world in search of candy. The vignettes conjure up different national characters, but some numbers inherit outdated stereotypes about non-European countries. Despite the unchanged material, the dancers shine as captivating portraits of technique and skill.

The grandiose spectacle of “Nutcracker” – of glittering costumes, elaborate staging, incredibly difficult, but effortlessly executed movements – arouses a rare pathos. One that lingers long after the break and settles down on the drive along the Bay Bridge.

The “Nutcracker” of the San Francisco Ballet feels like a reunion – an event that always brings a special intimacy with it during the holidays. It is a catharsis to dissolve alienation, to thaw what was frozen in time. The pain of a 21 month absence is eased by the show’s warm embrace and everything is happy and bright again at the War Memorial Opera House. To see “Nutcracker” means to experience a homecoming – the kind that is bursting with magic and elicits enough indescribable joy to float into the new year.

Maya Thompson is an arts and entertainment editor. Contact them at [email protected].

The post San Francisco Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ is shining star atop this season’s Christmas tree appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

During our recent trip to California (where I also reviewed Alila Marea Encinitas), we spent a night at the new Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero. The hotel has breathtaking views (it’s the highest hotel in San Francisco) and extremely friendly service, though the hotel hasn’t quite reached its full potential yet.

Booking the Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero

Four our date, the nightly rate at the Four Seasons was around $420 when booking in advance, though pricing does vary considerably (closer to our stay, the rate was roughly $600). The best way to book any Four Seasons hotel is through a Preferred Partner travel advisor. When booking through Preferred Partner you pay the same rate you’ll find directly on Four Seasons’ website, but you’ll receive extra perks, including the following:

• A room upgrade, subject to availability
• Complimentary daily breakfast
• A hotel credit to use during your stay

Four Seasons Preferred Partner is generally combinable with promotions being offered directly through Four Seasons, like a third or fourth night free offer. Note that booking Four Seasons properties through Preferred Partner is better than booking through programs like Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts. Why?

• With Preferred Partner you have the option of room service breakfast in place of restaurant breakfast (though that’s a moot point at this hotel, since currently only room service breakfast is available
• Upgrades are prioritized for Preferred Partner bookings, given that it’s Four Seasons’ own proprietary program (and the value of an upgrade at a hotel can be significant)
• You can combine Preferred Partner perks with virtually any rate on Four Seasons’ website (other programs don’t allow you to stack promotions in the same way)

You can’t beat getting all of these extra perks just for booking through an eligible travel advisor. Ford is of course more than happy to help anyone book Four Seasons properties through Preferred Partner, and can be reached at [email protected] He doesn’t charge any booking fees for Four Seasons properties.

Full disclosure — Ford got a travel agent rate here. To be honest, it wasn’t that much cheaper than the best published rate if you were to factor in the $100 food & beverage credit we would have gotten through Preferred Partner.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero location

The Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero is located in the 345 California Center building, at 222 Sansome Street. The hotel takes up the top floors of the 48-story building, making it the highest hotel in San Francisco. It’s so awesome to have a hotel that occupies the top floors of a high-rise, rather than the bottom floors (the latter seems to be most common nowadays).

The hotel has a great location, as far as I’m concerned. It’s just a few blocks to the Ferry Building, and a few blocks to Chinatown. Interestingly the hotel is also quite close to the Four Seasons San Francisco (the one that doesn’t have the Embarcadero branding).

Four Seasons San Francisco in 345 California Center

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero history

There’s an interesting backstory to this hotel, in case the building and views sound familiar. This was originally the Mandarin Oriental San Francisco, which opened back in 1986. Then in 2015 the hotel was sold, and it was rebranded as the Loews Regency San Francisco. Then the hotel was sold again in 2019, at which point it closed for renovations and was rebranded as the Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero.

The Four Seasons is the hotel’s third brand. The Four Seasons finally opened in October 2020, but then closed again in December 2020, given the lack of demand due to coronavirus. The hotel then finally reopened in May 2021, and has been open ever since. I don’t envy operating a hotel in San Francisco right now, given that the city was so dependent on conventions and business travel, and that’s something that hasn’t recovered all that much yet.

The other interesting element here is that Four Seasons is doing a full renovation of the hotel, and that’s still a work in progress. While the hotel will eventually have 155 rooms, only 40% of those rooms are currently operational, as the rest are still being renovated. Fortunately they’re doing this floor-by-floor, and we didn’t notice any noise issues.

It’s also worth noting that the hotel doesn’t yet have a restaurant or spa, but rather the only amenities are in-room dining and a gym. That should change soon, and I’ll talk more about that below.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero lobby & check-in

The Four Seasons has an entrance off Sansome Street. When we arrived at the hotel we were promptly welcomed by the friendly bellmen, and directed to the front desk.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero entrance

Reception was located just inside the lobby, and our check-in process was quick and friendly. Four Seasons consistently has phenomenal employees, and this hotel was no exception.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero reception

There’s not a whole lot to the lobby as of now, aside from some Christmas decorations — it’s just a small space. There’s an area to the side of the lobby that will eventually become the hotel’s signature restaurant, but it’s not yet operational.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero lobbyFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero lobbyFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero lobby

The elevators are located at the end of the hallway. One thing I love about this hotel is that you can take a single elevator from the ground floor all the way to your room. Many hotels with guest rooms at the top of a building require you to take two sets of elevators, so it’s awesome to be on a high floor while only having to take a single elevator ride (and the elevators here are fast).

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero elevators

Guest rooms at the Four Seasons are on floors 36 through 48, though I believe only the top several floors are operational as of now.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite

We were assigned room 4714, a corner suite on the 47th floor.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero elevators

The single coolest thing about the Four Seasons Embarcadero is the views, and what enhances that is that each hotel floor has a glass “bridge” that connects the two sides of the building.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero glass bridge

How unreal are these views?!?! I’m going to go out on a limb and say that these might just be the best views from a hotel hallway anywhere in the world…

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero views

If you go to the 48th floor, there’s even an “EYE SPY” feature, where you can scan a QR code and then identify various landmarks in the city.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero EYE SPY feature

Our room was located at the end of a hallway, and it had two sets of doors, so that presumably the two rooms next to each other could be turned into one room if needed.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero hallway

The corner suites at the Four Seasons Embarcadero are 575 square feet, so they’re more junior suites than full suites (the “real” suites are marketed as being one-bedroom suites). It goes without saying that the second we stepped into the room, our eyes were immediately drawn outside to the views.

Anyway, the room as such was beautifully appointed, as you’d expect from Four Seasons.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suiteFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite

The room had a signature Four Seasons bed, which I consider to be the best hotel bed out there.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite

The living area featured a lounger chaise, a chair, a dining table with a chair, and a wall-mounted TV. The room primarily had hardwood floors, and then there was a nice carpet in the living room area. Waiting on the dining table was a welcome amenity, consisting of some fresh fruit and popcorn.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suiteFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suiteFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite

Back towards the entrance was the minibar area, which had a Nespresso coffee machine and a tea kettle.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suiteFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suiteFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite

Interestingly there was no stocked minibar, but rather just a mini-fridge. However, we were given a sheet at check-in explaining that the minibar could be stocked on request, and this was part of the property’s policy of minimizing the number of people entering rooms.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite

The bathroom was back towards the entrance, and featured a sink, a soaking tub, a walk-in shower, and a toilet.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite bathroomFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite bathroomFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite shower

Toiletries were from CODAGE Paris — this was my first time using these toiletries, and I quite liked them.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero toiletries

Of course the highlight of the room was the views in every direction. Simply amazing.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite viewsFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite views

Ford and I both usually sleep best when a room is really dark, but in this case we couldn’t help but keep the curtains open, because it seemed like a shame not to with views like this. In the morning we were treated to an incredible sunrise.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite viewsFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero corner suite views

The views were even better from the glass bridge down the hallway.

Four Seasons Embarcadero views

It goes without saying that the pièce de résistance of our room (and the hotel in general) is the view, but even beyond that the room was beautifully and functionally appointed.

However, I didn’t get the sense that this was a “no expenses spared” renovation, as we’ve seen at some other Four Seasons properties. I imagine a hotel being renovated during the pandemic doesn’t exactly help with that, especially in a market like San Francisco, which is recovering slowly.

For example, the curtains and blinds in the room were manual, rather than electric. Furthermore, while the bathroom was beautiful, it didn’t have double sinks and the toilet wasn’t partitioned off, etc. (in fairness, making major changes to bathrooms and plumbing in buildings like this can be very costly).

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero room service breakfast

Currently the only food available at the Four Seasons Embarcadero is through in-room dining. You can find the hotel’s breakfast menu here, and find the hotel’s all-day dining menu here. Breakfast is served from 6AM until 11:30AM, and we had an excellent room service breakfast, which is also included with Four Seasons Preferred Partner.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero breakfastFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero breakfast

We ordered a berry parfait to share.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero breakfast

Then I had the avocado toast with poached eggs.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero breakfast

Ford had the two scrambled eggs with breakfast potatoes and turkey bacon.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero breakfast

As is standard at Four Seasons properties, there was also complimentary coffee in the lobby in the morning, which is a feature I love.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero complimentary coffee

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero gym

Four Seasons properties consistently have very good gyms, and this property is no exceptions. The hotel’s gym is located on the third floor, and it features a great selection of cardio and weight equipment. The gym is open 24/7, and you’re asked at check-in if you plan to use it. In the event that you do, your vaccine card is checked, in line with current guidelines in San Francisco.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero gymFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero gymFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero gymFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero gymFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero gymFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero gymFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero gym

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero service

With the limited services being offered by the hotel at the moment, admittedly interactions with staff were fairly limited. However, every employee we interacted with was friendly, from the bellmen, to the front desk agents, to the in-room dining staff.

Because of how few rooms are in operation right now, this really does feel like a boutique hotel. For example, some of the staff welcomed us back by name after returning to the hotel, which is always a nice touch. That’s one benefit of so few rooms being in operation right now.

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero restaurant & spa plans

The Four Seasons Embarcadero is still a work in progress, so what can we expect in the future? The Four Seasons is supposed to open a ground floor signature restaurant in 2022. There are no details yet on what kind of a restaurant it will be or who the chef is behind it, though hopefully we learn more soon.

Currently the restaurant section next to the lobby is just roped off. Below are some pictures of what the space looks like, though note that it still has the old decor from when the hotel was a Loews, so expect the decor to change completely.

Four Seasons San Francisco Embarcadero restaurant

While not open yet, it’s expected that the Four Seasons Embarcadero will have a Sky Deck on the 40th floor. The building has some outdoor space there, so we’ll see what exactly the hotel chooses to do with it, and whether it’s just used for events, or if it eventually turns into a bar. Suffice to say this could be an incredible space (below are a couple of pictures from Four Seasons’ website that give you a sense of this potential venue).

Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero Sky DeckFour Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero Sky Deck

Furthermore, both the Mandarin Oriental and Loews had a spa, located on the third floor, near the gym. While no official plans have been announced yet, it’s my understanding that a spa is under consideration, and could be opened here.

Bottom line

The Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero is one of Four Seasons’ newest properties in the United States, and there’s a lot to like about the hotel. I feel confident saying that the Four Seasons has the best views from any hotel in San Francisco, and some of the best views from any city hotel in the United States. That’s something really special. On top of that, the hotel has newly renovated rooms, friendly service, a good gym, and a solid in-room dining menu.

That being said, this hotel is still a work in progress — a signature restaurant should be opening soon, and we may also see a spa and amazing outdoor space on the 40th floor at some point in the future. Admittedly those are amenities that some people value greatly, so this hotel isn’t for everyone for the time being.

For now I’d recommend staying at the Four Seasons Embarcadero if you care a lot about views and an intimate-feeling property. Meanwhile if you’re someone who likes a lively hotel with a popular restaurant & bar, this isn’t the place to stay… for now.

This stay was a good reminder of how uneven the travel recovery is in the United States. While hotels in Florida are busier than pre-coronavirus, San Francisco hotels still really seem to be struggling.

What do you make of the Four Seasons Embarcadero?

The post Assessment: 4 Seasons San Francisco At Embarcadero appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

In the two wet seasons from 2019-21, only 20.46 inches of rain fell, only second to 1975-77 when only 18.53 inches fell.

The 20.46 inches is 45% of the normal amount, which is roughly 45 inches.

“It’s been two very dry rainy seasons in a row,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Drew Peterson.

In the Bay Area, the total rainfall last season was between 39% and 41% of normal. Downtown San Francisco received 8.76 inches of rain, only 41% of normal, while San Francisco International Airport received 39% of normal.

Peterson said California generally has two to three years of rainy weather and two to three years of dry weather.

“This is a very boom or bust state,” said Peterson.

It was a little wetter in the Monterey Bay Area thanks to two new atmospheric rivers that brought rain to the area and missed most of the San Francisco Bay Area, he said.

The post San Francisco has driest 2 wet seasons in 170 years | Native Information appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.