1 Hotel San Francisco Combines Sustainability with Luxury

1 Hotel San Francisco is taking sustainability to the next level, going way beyond LED lighting and asking guests to reuse their towels. Combining sustainability and luxury, the hotel is making strides that guests can experience, such as sustainably-sourced bedding, filtered water taps, vintage clothing pop-ups, and zero waste mixology classes. In addition, behind the scenes they are doing even more, including being carbon neutral, growing food in a rooftop garden, and offsetting the C02 emissions through zero waste food management, using intentional insulation and having post-consumer recycled paper hangers.

To stay within the 2 degree Celsius threshold agreed upon by the Paris Climate Accord, research from the International Tourism Partnership indicates that the hospitality industry will need to reduce emissions 66 percent by 2030 and 90 percent by 2050.

The hotel is not only focusing on environmental sustainability, with innovative amenities such as shower timers, reclaimed wood furniture and Audi electric vehicle usage, but they are also giving back to the community through things like their “1 Less Thing” program. Guests can leave used clothing behind (we all have clothes that we’re tired of!) and they will be donated to St. Anthony’s free clothing program for residents that are homeless or living in poverty.

According to a survey of 72,000 Hilton (1 Hotel is not a Hilton property) guests, around 33 percent said they prefer hotels with environmental and social programs.

Just a few of the environmental initiatives that 1 Hotel San Francisco focuses on includes the following:

Interiors and furnishing using local and reclaimed materials
Nature-inspired indoor and outdoor spaces
Electric bikes available for guests to borrow
Local, fresh, organic, sustainably-sourced cuisine
Lobby farm stand with produce from local farmer’s market
Bee hives on property with honey used in dishes and cocktails
100% certified carbon neutral
Plenty of live plants in the guest rooms and public spaces

One of the best features of the hotel is its location…right across the street from the waterfront Embarcadero and only a couple blocks to the Ferry Building. Take a stroll out to the end of the pier, grab an al fresco coffee while appreciating the views of the bay and the Bay Bridge, shop for picnic items and products made by local artisans.

There are also quiet outdoor patios, with wonderful views and comfortable seating, on nearly every level of the hotel. A perfect place to enjoy a morning coffee, read a book, or get some work done.

Warm and Inviting Guest Rooms

Guest rooms are cozy and comfortable (and pet friendly), ranging in size from 303 square feet to 700 square feet, with many offering views of the city or the bay. They feature cork headboards, an in-room yoga mat, a mini-bar featuring carefully curated snacks and beverages, such as locally-sourced products 9th & Larkin chocolate and Nana Joes gluten-free granola bars.

Additional Room Amenities:

Free-WiFi
Locally-sourced and sustainably-sourced bedding
Non-toxic, organic mattress
Filtered water taps
Bamford bath products
Cotton robes and slippers
Nespresso machine

Amenities that go above and beyond the traditional, include shower timers (to help you save water), QR code engraved on a piece of wood to view the in-room menu, a rock with the words “not now” painted on it, in place of a plastic door hanger for housekeeping, re-fillable glass water bottles made from recycled wine bottles, and in-room greenery. These were nice touches that show their commitment to sustainability and the guest experience.

Farm-to-Table Dining at Terrene

The on-site restaurant, Terrene, serves menu items that are made from fresh, organic and sustainably-produced ingredients sourced within 100 miles of the hotel, from the rooftop chef’s garden and local purveyors. Guests can dine on dishes such as Sweet Potato Waffle ($18), Harissa Marinated Chicken Bowl ($19), Merguez Flatbread ($19), Seared Scallops ($38) and Za’atar Fries ($9). There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian selections. For those who might like more traditional meals, the menu can be a little challenging, you won’t find things like buttermilk pancakes or grilled cheese to choose from.

Beverages at Terrene are also thoughtfully curated, highlighting organic wines, spirits, and sodas, local brews, healthful smoothies and pressed juices. They serve zero-waste cocktails and use ingredients sourced within 50 miles of the hotel.

The restaurant features an expansive outdoor patio with string lights and beautiful views of the Bay Bridge. On weekends, they sometimes feature a DJ.

Wellness at 1 Hotel San Francisco

The hotel features the Bamford Wellness Spa with three treatment rooms. Bamford products, most of which are sustainable, natural and organic, are used for face and body treatments. Indulge in a relaxing massage or clarifying facial. Before or after your treatment, enjoy a clothing optional aromatic salt bath in a stone tub, outside on the rooftop terrace, with a beverage and a snack. It offers stunning views of the city, but keep in mind that even though there are umbrellas over the tubs, there are high-rises above you with windows that have views of the terrace (you might want to go nude during the week when people are working in those buildings). The spa does not offer any amenities, such as a steam room, sauna, showers or jacuzzi, and there is no pool at the hotel. The check-in area has a small retail space featuring wellness products, as well as a snack area for guests that has dried fruit, nuts, tea and water. Be warned that the space is small and the treatments rooms are right off the check-in area, so it can be a bit loud.

The hotel does feature a state-of-the-art fitness facility with cardio and strength equipment, as well as Pelton bikes. Personal training and complimentary group classes are offered.

Activities at the 1 Hotel San Francisco

While I was there, the hotel had an offering of complimentary activities available to guests (mostly on the weekends), such as a Sunrise HIIT Bootcamp class, Watercolor Workshop, Zero Waste Mixology class, Floral Design Workshop.

Nearby Attractions

The 1 Hotel San Francisco makes a great base camp to explore the city. Check out an e-bike and go for a spin down the Embarcadero, hop on a ferry for a tour of the bay, walk to nearby shops or the Railway Museum, hop aboard a classic trolley to Fisherman’s Wharf, or take a spin in the Audi e-tron to explore a little further out.

Contact Information

1 Hotel San Francisco
8 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
(833) 602-7111
https://www.1hotels.com/san-francisco

More Northern California Hotels:

Images courtesy of 1 Hotel San Francisco.

Disclosure: Accommodation was provided by the hotel in order to do my review, but all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.