Merely steps from San Francisco’s Union Square, Hotel Nikko unveiled a $60 million renovation this spring. The three-month renovation commemorates the Landmark hotel’s 30th anniversary. Hirsch Bedner Associates leads the contemporary revamp of the hotel’s interior, taking inspiration from the Nikko’s Japanese heritage. The fresh look and updates encompass 405 of the 533 guest rooms, the suites, lobby, public areas, third floor ballroom, meeting spaces, infrastructure and technology
“We are thrilled to bring travelers a completely reimagined and elevated hotel experience in the center of San Francisco,” says Anna Marie Presutti, vice president and general manager of Hotel Nikko San Francisco. “When Hotel Nikko San Francisco first opened, it represented the most advanced technological and architectural hotel design available of its time. We are happy to continue that legacy into our 30th year.”
Launched in 1987 under the ownership and leadership of the Takenaka Corporation, one of Japan’s largest architecture and engineering firms, Hotel Nikko San Francisco embodies a modern Asian-inspired aesthetic. However, it continuously evolves in order to best accommodate its guests. In February 2016, the hotel updated its indoor pool with glass atrium and adjoining outdoor terrace by adding an outdoor grass dog run on its fifth floor. This made the hotel one of the most pet-friendly properties in the United States.
Hotel Nikko boasts 405 new residential-styled guestrooms and suites. Living spaces include deep seated sofas, plush carpets and quality fabrics, while the marble bathrooms feature parquet flooring, deep soaking bathtubs and separate oversized showers.
The third floor is home to the 6,652-square-foot, revamped ballroom, which is a quality setting for large gatherings, conferences and events. Complete with tall metal-cut wall screens with modern Japanese design features and crystal glass drop light chandeliers anchored from the ceiling, the spacious pre-function space offers ample natural light and contemporary art-inspired fixtures and furnishings such as copper finished tables, grey marble worktops and cozy armchairs.
Located on the 25th floor, 20 flexible meeting rooms overlook the city and the San Francisco Bay. Thanks to recent enhancements, the meeting rooms feature the latest in audiovisual equipment for presentations. Additional hotel amenities include a 10,000-square-foot health club and fitness center with indoor pools, steam rooms and dry saunas, as well as a 140-seat live music venue and bar.
ANZU, the hotel’s signature restaurant, is now open. It is led by award-winning Swiss chef and food and beverage director Philippe Striffeler. Serving the best in California-inspired Japanese cuisine since 1999, the restaurant is a go-to address for East Asian cuisine enthusiasts. Signature dishes include thinly sliced Wagyu beef cooked tableside on a sizzling Japanese river stone and Misoyaki black cod served with purple yam dumplings, edamame, baby shiitake mushrooms and ginger dashi broth.
Just in time for the city’s 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love, Hotel Nikko San Francisco re-emerges as the city’s newest destination and most ideal choice for travelers who want to be close to the celebration of one of the largest cultural movements. The event hosts a series of concerts, festivals and exhibitions centered on the music, art, fashion and literature of 1967. For the full calendar of Summer of Love events, visit the San Francisco Travel website www.sftravel.com.
Hotel Nikko San Francisco is a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Lifestyle Collection and one of only five hotels in San Francisco on the prestigious list of 4 Star Hotels, rated and ranked by the Forbes Travel Guide. For more information visit www.hotelnikkosf.com. Okura Nikko Hotel Management was founded in October 2015 to consolidate and strengthen its hotel management business. It continues to be the top Japan-based hotel operating company.
