Fodor's Expert Review Fairmont San Francisco

Dominating the top of Nob Hill like a European palace, the Fairmont indulges guests in luxury: rooms in the main building, adorned in sapphire blues with platinum and pewter accents, have high ceilings, decadent beds, and marble bathrooms; rooms in the newer Tower, many with fine views, have a neutral color palette with bright-silver notes. Architect Julia Morgan's timeless 1907 lobby design includes alabaster walls and gilt-embellished ceilings supported by Corinthian columns. Amenities and special services—like free chicken soup if you're under the weather—keep guests coming back. Don't miss drinks at the Tonga Room, an over-the-top tiki lounge serving tropical cocktails. It's also a winter wonderland during the holiday season, with a giant gingerbread house anchoring the lobby each December.