There’s a lot of history at Stanford Court, the classically-proportioned, century-old hotel perched atop San Francisco’s Nob Hill, but visitors will still find it perfectly attuned to the digital age. The 393-room property underwent a “cultural transformation” with new independent management in 2014, and now features high-tech access, contemporary art and design elements, unique experiences and amenities, and artisanal food and drink sourced from local California purveyors.
Situated on the site of railroad baron and Stanford University founder Leland Stanford’s elaborate private mansion, the hotel still retains the grace of an earlier age while catering to the busy modern traveler. Stanford Court offers complimentary high-speed “autobahn” Wi-Fi throughout the hotel (the fastest in San Francisco) and an always-accessible collection of complimentary MacBooks, iPads, iPad Minis and Jawbone JAMBOX bluetooth speakers. Other tech-savvy features include an electric car charging station and a Google Glass Explorer program.
Guests can also perform wireless printing of photos and documents from all the hotel’s devices as well as their own. Not rocket science perhaps, but another service that very few properties provide. In the lively lobby, which features a curated display of artwork by up-and-coming Bay Area artists, a live-feed video installation relays views from the hotel’s rooftop camera, while an 80-inch flat screen TV depicts scenes of the Bay and adjacent areas.
Stanford Court is now also home to its own eatery, the Aurea Café. Breakfast is served daily featuring Equator Organic coffee and teas. Come cocktail hour it transforms into the Aurea Lounge with regional wines, local craft beer and spirits. Drinks are designed exclusively for the space using seasonal and local ingredients, and tasty bar bites round out the menu. When it’s time to recover, head to the hotel’s 24-hour fitness center.
Nob Hill is within easy walking distance to the central attraction of Union Square as well as the Financial District, and home to perennial favorites like the Tadich Grill, California’s oldest restaurant. Nob Hill's elevated position also provides the classic hilltop San Francisco experience.
