See and be seen at the Redwood Room at the Clift Hotel.
Celebrities love a dark, styly hotel. That’s why, when anyone who’s anyone arrives in San Francisco, it’s a good bet that before long they’ll turn up at the Clift.
There’s good reason for this. The Clift has hipster-celeb cred. There is no sign — you (or rather, your driver) just need to know. It’s on the edge of the theater district in the dodgy Tenderloin area. (Hipsters love marginal neighborhoods.) The furnishings in the lobby and throughout the hotel were designed by Philippe Starck.
It also has a landmark San Francisco bar, the Redwood Room and well-known Asia de Cuba restaurant. The dark, glamorous Redwood Room has an ever-changing display of digital art displayed on plasma screens around the room.
And did I mention it’s dark? Even the elevators feel like being inside of a trendy nightclub.
I’ve only been to there a handful of times, but enough to sit in on an interview with Parker Posey, assist on a photo shoot with Lily Tomlin, and see Lucinda Williams and her band knock back a few in the bar.
Philippe Starck-designed furnishings at the Clift Hotel in San Francisco.
The rooms are bright and comfortable though. With lots of mirrors, goose down comforters and Frette linens. There are 373 rooms in 17 floors. Prices range from $180 to $800 and they offer special deals and upgrades on the website.
Oh, and it’s located at 495 Geary at Taylor. Just tell the driver.
Photos courtesy of Flickr.
