By FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER

Rarely do I linger in a hotel room until the last seconds tick down to checkout time. But during a recent overnight stay at Four Seasons San Francisco, staff nearly had to drag me out of my newly remodeled quarters. Like a cat in leisurely repose, I spent my last minutes curled-up on my eastward facing window seat, 17 stories above the city fray, gazing at the sights as the sun streamed in. Unfurled below: SFMOMA, St. Patrick’s Church, Yerba Buena Gardens, and the Bay. One last yawn and stretch and I was eventually on my way back to the East Bay, restored, rejuvenated, and reminded of the healing powers of a 24-hour San Francisco respite.   

In a city with more than 200 hotels, San Francisco provides plenty of lodging options for a quick staycation. But you’ll be hard pressed to find anything more sumptuous, indulgent, and convenient than the Bart-adjacent Four Seasons San Francisco, especially after a recent $20M remodel of its 277 refined rooms and suites. Featuring shades of Bay blue with cool steel tones that complement brass and gold accents, each spacious guest room welcomes with floor-to-ceiling views of downtown to the west or the Bay to the east. Furniture is modern and comfy, and the cozy window seat that fully claimed me is standard in every room. Table/desk space allows for either work or dining; outlets and USB ports are plentiful, Bose speakers pair with smartphones, and large flat-screen televisions have DVR and casting capabilities. Heighten your relaxation by raiding your stocked mini-bar. Enjoy a bottled Cosmo or Old-Fashioned while soaking in your marble bathroom’s large tub. 

The Four Seasons is situated at Grant and Market, but its main entrance is hidden away, off of Stevenson Street. The lobby is located on the building’s fifth floor – providing insulation from the teeming urban energy below. Such stealth is likely one reason that notable and well-known faces choose this hotel over others. But one need not be an NBA superstar or tech titan to enjoy all that the hotel offers, such as the polished, urbane lobby with varied seating nooks, an expansive moon and sun-dappled 5th floor veranda terrace, more than 90 artworks by varied California artists, full access to the state-of-the-art Equinox Sports Club on the fourth floor, transport in the Tesla house car, and the gourmet cuisine and craft cocktails at lobby-adjacent MKT Restaurant and Bar.

The retro-urban chic design of MKT makes it a stylish spot to dine while surveying the city’s vivacity. Start with a craft cocktail at the expansive, TV-bedecked bar while watching the Warriors win another. (Try the California Beaming featuring Hibiki Harmony whiskey, orange shrub, Calisaya, and fire tincture -  served over a singular circular ice cube.) Keep it casual with a selection of bar bites (chicken sliders, lobster roll, hamburger, etc.) or move to the dining room with its seafood-oriented menu. (Chicken and steak options are also offered.) Small plates, such as the exceptional Heirloom Baby Beets, Burrata Fritti, and Tuna Crudo are as Insta-worthy as they are delicious and are meant to be shared. And leave room for dessert – specifically the So Much S'more - brown butter Panna Cotta, cocoa-graham crumb, and torched espresso meringue. Yum.

Equinox Sports Club

In the morning, take full advantage of your room’s spectacular view by ordering room service. If during your stay you feel the urge to leave the premises (despite finding within arm’s reach all that you need for a weekend’s happiness) the hotel is centrally located and within walking distance to nearly everything for which San Francisco is known: Union Square, cable cars, the Embarcadero, Ferry Building Marketplace, Chinatown, AT&T Park, boutique shopping, cultural museums, and theaters.

Tip: An excellent and convenient feature of Four Seasons hotels is their Four Seasons App, downloadable via iTunes, Google Play or Amazon. Guests can experience seamless access to Four Seasons reservations, services and amenities. Check in and out quickly, confirm wake-up calls, make dinner reservations, and connect with a concierge - all with a few taps to your phone.