Where Sustainability Blends with a Luxurious Vibe: A Stay at the 1 Hotel San Francisco
by Krish Patel
When you think of a luxurious hotel, sustainability is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. Many luxury hotels don’t even focus on being eco-friendly and prioritize comfort instead. However, there is a group of luxury hotels that value both sustainability and the guest experience. 1 Hotels have become increasingly popular, with many locations in North America. If you’re looking for a nice hotel in the Bay Area that’s also sustainable, then the 1 Hotel San Francisco is the perfect city getaway.
1 Hotel San Francisco Location
The 1 Hotel is about a 45-minute drive from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and located on the end of Mission street, right near the waterfront. It’s right across from the ferry building and situated along the Embarcadero.
There’s plenty of public transport found near the hotel, including San Francisco cable cars and the Bay Area Rapid Transit line. Best of all, the outpost is within walking distance of many attractions and restaurants in the city.
1 Hotel San Francisco Amenities, Ambiance, and Layout
From outside, the 1 Hotel building doesn’t look very lush, aside from the small section covered in plants. Instead, it has a brick exterior and limestone foundation. Most other 1 Hotel properties have a garden-inspired wall on the outside. The design of the exterior wall clearly indicates that this was once another hotel.
Once you step foot in the lobby, you’re greeted by the front desk area, which is surrounded by lush greenery. Off to the side, you’ll find another desk for the concierge. I found this lobby to be slightly smaller compared to the ones I’ve seen in some other hotels.
I love the aesthetics of the hotel’s interior, with plants and furniture that gives off a cozy vibe as if you’re at home. 1 Hotels do a great job bringing the outdoors inside, and this is done by the hanging and potted plants found at every corner.
To the left of the lobby is a lounge area with some comfortable seating. There are plush throw pillows and coffee tables, making this a great space to get some work done or take a break from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco. If you’re thirsty, there is a rotating choice of flavored water that varies from day to day. The shelves hanging above the flavored water dispenser were especially fascinating, with moss terrariums that contributed to the appearance of a garden.
On the second floor is the on-site gym accessible to all hotel guests with a room key. It’s not a very big hotel gym, but includes Peloton workout machines, a full rack of weights, and a pull-up bar. The gym tends to be the most busy in the morning, but never feels too crowded.
The Bamford spa is located on the eighth floor of the hotel. The spa has two treatment rooms where you can pay to have a massage or facial. In addition, the spa’s private outdoor patio has several bathtubs where you can book a bath.
Found near the elevators on the ground level is a sign that lists the daily activities offered at 1 Hotel San Francisco. These include DJ sessions, yoga classes, and even art workshops.
1 Hotel San Francisco Rooms/Suites
The property has 186 rooms and 14 suites. Each suite features a connecting bedroom, but it’s also possible to only reserve the main room if you’re traveling with less people. On the outside of my room was a rectangular section covered in live moss, as well as a small platform for the “do not disturb” rock (indicator).
Inside, the suite is very modern and luxurious. There’s a mini bar located in the entrance foyer of the space, which comes stocked with snacks and drinks. You’re also provided with a reusable water bottle that you can fill up at the various refill stations located on each floor.
The sink and coffee machine are both kept separate from the mini bar. They can be found at the end of the corridor that leads you into the bedroom. Of course, the potted plant made for a nice touch surrounded by the brown wooden wall.
I love the views from the suite overlooking the San Francisco Bay and bridge. It’s not always the case to get a great view of a famous city attraction from a hotel, and this was a real treat.
The bedroom feels very large and spacious for the standards of any hotel suite. If you’re looking to get some work done or order in room service, there’s a large wooden desk complete with a lamp and two chairs.
As is the case with other 1 Hotel suites, there’s a living room couch accented with throw pillows and a cotton blanket. I loved to sit here in the morning and admire the views of the market square and bay.
Across from the couch is a queen-size bed with nightstands on either side. The left nightstand features a stack of cafe books and a speaker. On the bed itself is an accented pillow and four main pillows for sleep.
In the left corner of the room is a cozy chair and TV. The chair isn’t a very traditional one and feels more like a plush bean bag.
At the back of the suite is the bathroom space, which comes with a massive closet backed by a wooden wall. In the closet, you’ll find a yoga mat, safe, bathrobe, and pool noodle.
To the right is a powder room with a spacious toilet and sink. The walls are made of gray limestone, which complements the light counter by the sink well.
The shower is situated right across from the powder room and is quite big, also featuring a sink. At the sink and in the shower, you’ll find Bamford soaps and skin creams that you can use. The showers feature an hour glass that you can use as a timer to help you reduce using lots of water, which is a very unique touch. The wooden pedestal in the shower for bottled soaps is very innovative and appealing. It’s these small touches that make you feel like you’re surrounded by lush nature.
1 Hotel San Francisco Food and Drink
Found on the ground floor of the property is Terrene, the hotel’s only restaurant and bar. Terrene offers Mediterranean cuisine for dinner, with an extensive menu that consistently rotates. While variety is great on a menu, it would be preferred to have more than one dining establishment on property like some other five star hotels.
When you first step foot in Terrene, you’ll notice that there’s a selection of pastries, sodas, and juices available for purchase. All of the meals aren’t complimentary to hotel guests.
The restaurant has a very relaxing vibe, with wooden finishes, hanging greenery, and netted orb light bulbs. You can choose from many high or low-top tables with cushioned seats and bar stools.
My favorite part of Terrene is the outdoor patio, overlooking the bay and Embarcadero. Every Thursday night, you’ll find DJ sets on the outdoor patio, making it a popular space in the restaurant. There’s plenty of comfortable seating with bright wooden finishes. Terrence’s outdoor patio serves as a great space to have meals, drinks with friends, or a coffee and snack.
Breakfast includes various healthy options, such as overnight oats and a wellness wrap complete with eggs of any style. I had overnight oats with almond milk, berries, dried raisins, and cinnamon. There are also plenty of coffee and tea drinks, but I was very intrigued by the interesting choices of smoothies. Instead of a server asking you for your order during breakfast, you’ll place it at the front counter and it will then be brought to your seat.
The jars in which the smoothies, iced coffee drinks, and iced teas come in are very cute. They have words on them describing the 1 Hotels brand.
Booking Information for the 1 Hotel San Francisco
Prices to stay at the 1 Hotel San Francisco start at close to $390 per night.
1 Hotels don’t take part in a points program like other hotel chains, but it’s still possible to book a stay through various credit card hotel portals and enjoy perks during your time on property.
The property is among those listed on Amex’s Fine Hotels + Resorts program, Chase’s The Edit, and Capital One’s Premier Collection. You can enjoy benefits such as late checkout, room upgrades if they’re available, and a $100 credit to spend on property. If using a card such as the Platinum Card from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Capital One Venture X, it’s possible to earn points on your hotel purchase. It’s best to book through one of the travel portals so that you can get the most maximum value from your purchase.
Overall Thoughts
1 Hotel San Francisco has great service and excellent accommodations, with spacious rooms and a cozy atmosphere. The lush greenery found at nearly every corner of the hotel’s interior contributes to a sense of peace, making it a great place to take a break from the city. I loved the breakfast available on property, but wish that there was at least one more restaurant in the hotel. If you’re looking for a luxurious room with spacious beds, then this is the hotel for you in San Francisco.