We stayed: 1 Hotel San Francisco review

If you’re heading to The City by the Bay, there’s really only one place you want to position yourself – by the bay. Situated on the waterfront, directly opposite the Ferry Building, 1 Hotel San Francisco affords guests a prime location and incredible views. It’s the perfect place to start your adventure – especially if it’s your first time in the city, as it was for me.  

The hotel is everything you’d expect from 1 Hotels: luxury through a sustainability-first lens. But here, it’s filtered through a cool Northern California palette of terracotta accents, with native greenery, exposed brick and redwood salvaged from the original San Francsico Bay Bridge . I felt an immediate warmth as I entered the hotel lobby, welcomed in by the cheerful staff, nature-inspired design and calm atmosphere.  

What’s the deal? 

1 Hotels may be known for its sustainable initiatives, but what makes this address truly stand out is how these practices are embedded in the guest experience. Low-flow fixtures and a five-minute shower timer are installed in the bathrooms, hangers are made from recycled paper and filtered water systems feature throughout the property – with carafes in every room. Complementary e-bikes are available for guests, as well as an electric Audi house car for lower-impact exploring, while the hotel’s “1 Less Thing” programme encourages guests to donate unwanted clothing to local partner St Anthony’s – a charity dedicated to feeding, healing, sheltering and clothing those in need.  

Rooms are soothing rather than showy, and range from the 303sq ft Alcove King to the 630sq ft Panoramic Waterfront Suites. Terrace options include the 694sq ft Ferry House Terrace Suite. Across the board, however, you’ll find the same emphasis on natural materials, comfort and views. I stayed in one of the waterfront rooms and was rewarded with the full San Francisco Bay postcard effect. 

The wellness care is fully worth succumbing to: a Bamford Wellness Spa with holistic treatments built around organic ingredients and a rooftop stone spa tub with Pacific Ocean mineral-rich bath salts. The Field House Gym is open 24/7, and there’s a fantastic weekly mind and movement programme for guests. If you have time, take advantage of it; sunset yoga on a terrace overlooking San Francisco Bay is a particularly unbeatable experience. 

And then there’s Terrene, the hotel’s restaurant, coffee shop and bar. Its menu is grounded in local, organic and sustainably sourced ingredients, with produce, herbs and honey drawn partly from the rooftop chef’s garden and beehive. Arrive early in the morning and you’ll find dishes like homemade overnight oats and sweet potato waffles – both equally delicious. The build-your-own healthy bowl was my favourite item on the lunch menu, while the vegetables (yes, really) stole the show at dinner – roasted carrots with chili honey, toasted pistachios and feta, to be precise. Drinks continue the sustainability theme with zero-waste cocktails, biodynamic wines and organic agave spirits. If weather permits, head out to the patio overlooking the Embarcadero, Bay Bridge and Ferry Building – the perfect spot for a slow breakfast or sundowner with stunning views. 

Why stay? 

It’s honestly hard to think of a reason not to stay here. Few San Francisco hotels can offer what 1 Hotel does: access to the waterfront, unpretentious comfort, an immediate sense of place and enough self-awareness to not confuse luxury with excess.  

Given its location, the hotel is a particularly great choice for first-time visitors to the city. Just across the road is the Ferry Building marketplace – I happened to be visiting at the weekend, when the market spills outside and vendors sell everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to homemade chilli sauces. But continue your walk along Embarcadero and you’ll make it to the cinematic Pier 39 , home to some very noisy sea lions. Alcatraz is just a short boat ride away from Pier 33 – another must-visit on your San Francisco holiday – and if you continue down to Fisherman’s Wharf , you can jump on the Powell & Hyde Cable Car Turntable at the very start. Alternatively, leave the hotel along Mission Street, and you’ve got Chinatown, Union Square and North Beach on your doorstep, filled with boutique stores, incredible restaurants, and even more landmarks. 

editors say...

“Location aside, my favourite hotel perk was the electric house car: the Audi e-tron. It’s available for guests to take out for a drive – my friends and I wound down the windows and blasted California by Phantom Planet on repeat as we followed a small section of Highway 1, taking in the dramatic ocean views along this classic American road trip route.”