THE FAIRMONT SAN FRANCISCO
STORY IDEAS

The Quintessential San Francisco Hotel: Like the Golden Gate Bridge and cable cars, The Fairmont is part of the fabric of San Francisco.  Scheduled to open soon after April 18, 1906, The Fairmont survived The Great Earthquake but was ravaged by the subsequent fire.  When The Fairmont opened exactly one year after the earthquake, it symbolized the rebirth of San Francisco. 

Through the decades, the landmark hotel has represented San Francisco in television, film and song.  The pilot for the popular television series “Hotel” was shot at the hotel and Warner Bros. Studio created a replica of The Fairmont for use throughout the show’s five-year run.  The iconic hotel also has played a starring role in numerous movies ranging from Vertigo to The Rock.  And, of course, Tony Bennett first sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” in the hotel’s famed Venetian Room.

White House of The West:  Since 1907, The Fairmont has served as the San Francisco residence for US presidents, royalty and world leaders.  In addition, it continues to be the site of important world events.  In 1945, the United Nations Charter was drafted at the hotel and, today, the flags that hang at the entrance represent the nations that participated in the formation of this treaty.  Later, in 1990, The Fairmont was designated a “foreign mission” to thaw Cold War tensions during a visit by US President Ronald Reagan, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and South Korean President Roh Tae Woo.

America’s First Concierge:  An innovator in the hospitality industry, The Fairmont was the first hotel to offer the services of a concierge in the United States.  In the 1970s, a pioneering staff member named Tom Wolfe, who trained as a concierge in Europe, set up shop in the hotel’s lobby as America’s first concierge.  Because most Americans were not familiar with the concept, a note explaining the concierge’s role and the ways in which he could assist travelers was placed in each guest room.  Wolfe founded the US chapter of the international society of concierges, Les Clefs d’Or, and today is the hotel’s chief concierge.

Working at The Fairmont – A Tradition for Generations of Families:  Just as The Fairmont has attracted a loyal clientele of guests through the years, generations of families continue to enjoy hospitality careers at the world-class hotel.  Following in her family’s footsteps, a young woman currently works as an assistant restaurant manager at The Fairmont; her grandfather served as the hotel’s general manager for more than 15 years and her uncle is now a regional director of sales & marketing for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.  A longtime doorman at the hotel was introduced to the business by his father who was also a doorman.  Throughout his career, the father collected postcards of The Fairmont which helped architects restore the beloved hotel in 2001. 

Grand Dame of Hotels Gets Facelift:  In March 2008, the landmark hotel luxuriously refurbished its 591 guest rooms and suites.  Key design elements include pillowtop mattresses and Frette linens, 37" flat panel televisions, cordless telephones, ihomes with alarm clocks and new leather desk chairs to provide the ultimate level of comfort and style.

The Fairmont San Francisco completed an $85 million restoration to recreate architect Julia Morgan’s original vision for the 1907 hotel in 2001.  Comparing the project to an archeological dig, the restoration team uncovered and restored original marble floors, ornate domes and intricate design work throughout the landmark hotel during the two-year restoration project.  In addition to the restoration

The Penthouse – One of The World’s Most Celebrated Suites:  Spanning the entire eighth floor of the historic Main Building, The Penthouse features 6,000 square feet of luxury – offering one-of-a-kind accommodations for today’s discerning traveler as well as the ultimate venue for important events.  The grand dame of hotel suites, which was constructed as a private residence in 1926, showcases a stylish décor that blends contemporary sophistication with old-world glamour.

The Penthouse features three large bedrooms, a living room with grand piano, a formal dining room, a kitchen, a two-story circular library, a billiard room covered in Persian tile, a terrace with sweeping views of San Francisco, and round-the-clock butler and maid service for $12,500 per night.

A Grand Tradition of Afternoon Tea:  Since 1907, The Fairmont San Francisco has delighted generations with its tradition of afternoon tea.  The Laurel Court, which served as the hotel’s main dining room and bar from 1907 to 1937, reopened in 2001 after six decades of closure to once again offer San Francisco’s most sophisticated tea.  (From 1938 to 2000, afternoon tea was served in the hotel’s grand lobby.) 

Restored to her original splendor, The Laurel Court is crowned by three ornate domes under which guests of all ages can celebrate special occasions, from bridal showers to birthdays, with afternoon tea parties. During the holiday season, The Fairmont presents Nutcracker Tea in conjunction with San Francisco Ballet.

The Tonga Room Rides Crest of Tiki Revival:  More than sixty years after its transformation from the hotel’s indoor swimming pool to a renowned tiki haven, The Tonga Room, having just completed a $1 million restoration, continues to delight guests with its tropical décor, frothy libations and delicious Asian cuisine. 

In addition to serving dinner nightly, The Tonga Room is famous for its award-winning Happy Hour that offers a tantalizing buffet of Pacific Rim delights Monday through Friday for just $9.50 per person.
The eclectic Polynesian ambiance features a top-40 band performing from a thatch-covered barge on the pool; 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 lightening.

THE FAIRMONT SAN FRANCISCO
In 2007, The Fairmont San Francisco celebrated 100 years of unparalleled hospitality.  When the hotel first opened on April 18, 1907, it marked the rebirth of San Francisco following the Great Earthquake.  The San Francisco residence for US presidents, world leaders and entertainment stars, The Fairmont continues to delight guests with awe-inspiring views, incomparable cuisine and a heritage of service excellence.