The writer was hosted.
The Jay Hotel, part of the J.W. Marriott Autograph Collection, opened recently in the Financial District in the Embarcadero neighborhood of San Francisco. For a solo traveler doing research on San Francisco as a destination, it proved to be a perfect oasis in the city.
Following a multi-million dollar renovation, the 360-room, 4-star hotel that used to be Le Meridien, reopened and features incredible bay views, a new outdoor rooftop terrace, and a stunning dining outlet on the third floor. The Jay Hotel is the sixth Autograph Collection hotel in San Francisco.
You’ll feel the warm atmosphere as soon as you’re greeted by the doorman at The Jay. You’re swept up to the 3rd floor for the easy, breezy check-in. You’ll notice the elegant furnishings and paintings that line the walls. Everything is first-class, but understated.
Lofty Accommodations
The king-size bed was comfy and luxurious and a welcome retreat after a long day of touring. The first thing I always notice when I walk into my hotel room is how many and where the outlets are located. They were conveniently located throughout the guestroom – yeah!
The lighting was subdued, while the furnishings were contemporary with interesting touches. My 19th-floor room even had a window that opened. And the city views of the skyline were terrific.
All guest rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious granite luxury bathrooms, deluxe hairdryers, and custom-designed bath products inspired by San Francisco resident and sculptor, Ruth Asawa. The warm, contemporary interiors were designed by the world-renowned AvroKo for comfort and luxury.
I loved the ergonomic desk so I could enjoy working in comfort with super-speedy free wifi. When I needed a snack, the minibar is packed with local and artisanal treats.
Room service, valet parking, key card access, ATM, ironing services, and alarm clock are also available. The concierge was extremely helpful in getting me to help with connecting my phone to the wifi as well as the best way to get to my destinations that were within walking distance of The Jay.
Read More: San Francisco Weekend Guide: Explore the Charm of the Bay Area
Dining at the Jay – Third Floor Restaurant
It’s all happening on the Third Floor with both the restaurant and the lounge located here, run by the Omakase Restaurant Group. Executive Chef Michael Magallanes has created seasonal menus that reflect the bounty of California, which has become a popular dining spot for hotel guests and locals alike.
This upscale, comfortable lounge serves three meals a day, cocktails, and a contemporary menu based on traditional afternoon tea. It truly is farm-to-table with menu items coming from local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen bringing in their catch from around the Bay Area. It doesn’t get any fresher than this.
Look for The Third Floor to feature progressive San Francisco cuisine – a California slant on Asian flavors such as duck wonton soup, a selection of yakitori, and Korean fried cauliflower. The Third Floor also introduces a fresh take on traditional afternoon tea service, offering local Red Blossom Teas with sweet and savory selections that include raw oysters served with apple mignonette, champagne espuma, and persimmon cream puffs.
The restaurant, the cuisine, and the ambiance were exquisite. They serve an eclectic mix of global cuisine with San Francisco influences. I started with the green bib leaf salad with toasted almonds.
Because I wanted a lighter fare, I chose the roasted chicken with sliced carrots as an entree. But I must tell you the Grand Seafood Tower of oysters, shrimp, and lobster looked divine. The guests in the restaurant were enjoying this visual as well as a delicious feast, too.
Dessert was a tough choice between the persimmon cheesecake, chocolate custard and assorted cookies. I went with the cookies and had enough for that little midnight snack later. Good choice.
Check out the Third Floor Terrace with its community fire pits, a retractable pergola, windbreaks, and a full bar. What a dazzling place to sip an expertly hand-crafted cocktail or get a quick bite to eat.
Thirsty for more?
Check out their specially crafted cocktail menu which also features local and seasonal ingredients, an extensive wine list of domestic and international choices with a beer selection from Northern California as well as local brews. You’ll get a chance to try everything from local to global tastes in a warm, friendly environment.
The Coffee Bar in the hotel lobby is open daily from 6:00 – 10:30 am and serves a variety of coffee produced by local roaster, Bay Area Equator Coffee. Enjoy rich expressos, smooth lattes, and frothy cappuccino as well as daily coffee drinks, house-made pastries, and fresh juices to get your day in San Francisco off to a great start.
Celebrating a special event?
The Jay Hotel has the perfect solution with their Private Dining options at the Third Floor restaurant that creates a cozy event space. They have a secret lounge at the third-floor restaurant that offers an ideal environment for up to 10 seated guests and 25 for standing cocktails.
Work Out!
If you want to keep up your exercise routine, check out the on-site fitness center which offers cardiovascular equipment, free weights, treadmills, rowing machines, and more. The gym is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is available at no charge.
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Program
If you are not a member of the free Marriott Bonvoy program, I would sign up for it to get easy access to express check-in or check-out as well as other Marriott hotel benefits like collecting points on Marriott stays.
Great Centralized Location
Being located in San Francisco’s Financial District puts you near Chinatown, the Embarcadero Center, Union Square, and the ferry building where you’ll find a great farmer’s market three times a week. Better yet, the Jay Hotel is connected to the Embarcadero Center via a pedestrian bridge so it’s easy to get to San Francisco’s premier destination for boutique shopping, outstanding restaurants, and popular local events.
Other attractions not to miss are Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the Golden Gate Bridge where you can see exquisite city views for miles. If you want to hit a round of golf, you’ll find a golf course located around two miles away.
What I also liked about the location is its proximity to the Cable Cars, which gives you easy access to other transportation options. You really don’t need a car here to get around.
The Jay Hotel is located at 433 Clay Street in the Financial District of San Francisco. I can’t wait to be a guest at the Jay Hotel in San Francisco again.
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