Checking into 1 Hotel San Francisco feels like stepping into a riverside retreat—if the river just happened to be the Embarcadero. The property–reborn in 2022 from the shell of the former Hotel Vitale–now serves as the West Coast flagship for 1 Hotels, the eco-conscious brand launched by Starwood Capital’s Barry Sternlicht. With 186 rooms and 14 suites, it’s large enough to hum with the city’s energy, but intimate enough to feel like a sanctuary.
The hotel transformation was more than cosmetic. Designers leaned into the city’s industrial bones, weaving in reclaimed wood, salvaged brick, and even redwood beams rescued from the old Bay Bridge. The result is a space that feels as though nature gently reclaimed a downtown tower. On a sunny July weekend, it was easy to forget we were mere steps from the Ferry Building and some of San Francisco’s busiest intersections.
The hotel’s restaurant, Terrene, is as central to its identity as the garden walls that frame the lobby. During the day, it’s a breezy café with flatbreads and seasonal salads that spotlight produce from Northern California farms (and occasionally the hotel’s rooftop garden). At night, Terrene morphs into a moodier, candlelit dinner spot, serving steaks, seafood, and cocktails infused with house-grown herbs and honey harvested from on-site hives. Yes, they have their own beehive and beekeeper.
And the Skuna Bay Salmon–seared salmon with a harissa corn purée, grilled date sauce, haricot verts, and hazelnut granola- that we had for dinner on Saturday was quietly magical.
Meanwhile, the Lobby Farmstand—a whimsical cart stocked with local fruit and snacks—is a reminder that luxury doesn’t need to hide its roots in the soil.
But the real story here is sustainability. From the reclaimed materials underfoot to filtered water taps in every room, nearly every choice feels like an act of environmental intent. Guest rooms are equipped with smart climate systems that dim lights and temper the thermostat the moment you step out. Showers and faucets are fitted with low-flow fixtures; linens are organic; carpets and rugs are woven from natural fibers. Even the building itself is optimized for energy efficiency, with dual-pane windows and reflective roofing to cut heat absorption.
And the rooms have Marshall bluetooth speakers, which we love.
What’s most refreshing is that all this green talk doesn’t come across as preachy. Instead, it’s baked into the experience—like the greenery spilling from living walls or the terracotta accents warmed by sunlight. You notice it, you feel good about it, and then you get on with your cocktail, or mocktail, if that’s how you roll.
In a city where hotel stays often blur together, 1 Hotel San Francisco offers something different: a getaway that leaves you rested, inspired, and just a little more hopeful about how travel and sustainability can coexist.
The 411
1 Hotel San Francisco is at 8 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. (415) 278-3700. Www.1hotels.com
