The Fairmont San Francisco

The Fairmont San Francisco provides the consummate stage for important West Coast gatherings. Groups meet in the Garden Room, for instance, where the delegates of 40 countries met to draft the United Nations charter. They attend galas in the Venetian Room, where Tony Bennett sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” for the very first time. And, from the top of Nob Hill, they take in glorious views of the bay and Golden Gate Bridge.

In 2001, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts restored its flagship property to the tune of $85 million. The project recaptured the near-century-old glamour of the city's grand dame while providing everything expected by today's modern travelers.

In 2007, the hotel renovated its meeting spaces, from ballrooms for conventions to intimate spaces for smaller groups. In 2008, all 591 guest rooms received a soft goods renovation. The renovation went on to add the new Caffé Cento, and renovated and relaunched the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar, where the exotic tropical decor comes complete with the occasional rain storm. Gold Key and Gold Platter Awards, along with AAA Four-Diamond and Mobil Four-Star Awards, attest to the ongoing standard of excellence.

Delegates between sessions find inspiration in Heritage Hall, which traces the hotel's history through rare photos and memorabilia. Those with even more time to spare explore the city with ease: San Francisco's three cable car routes stop right outside the front door.