Fairmont San Francisco

The Fairmont San Francisco sits at the top of Nob Hill, and it has been one of the city's grand hotels for well over a century. The building was almost finished when the 1906 earthquake struck, and the opening was delayed until 18 April 1907. The architect Julia Morgan was brought in to repair the damage, chosen for her then-innovative use of reinforced concrete. In 1945 the hotel hosted the statesmen whose meetings led to the founding of the United Nations, and work on the UN Charter was finalised in its Garden Room, where a plaque marks the event.

Today the hotel describes itself as a five-star luxury hotel and Beaux Arts landmark. It has 606 rooms and suites split between the historic Main Building and the more contemporary Tower. The most famous is the penthouse suite, which occupies the whole eighth floor and has hosted several American presidents. The hotel also has a Tony Bennett Suite, honouring the singer, who first performed his signature song here in 1961.

Food and drink are a big part of a stay. Afternoon tea has been served since 1907 and now takes place in Laurel Court, which is also the hotel's restaurant and bar. Inside the hotel, the Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar is a famous tiki bar that opened in 1945, and it is worth a visit even if you are staying elsewhere. There is a spa, Chateau de la Beauté, and a fitness centre called Live Fit Gym.

Practical details: check-in is from 4pm and check-out is by 11am. Valet parking is available, as is an indoor self-park garage with 75 spaces, entered from Powell Street at California Street, both at extra cost. Pets are welcome for a fee per stay, accessible rooms and assistive devices are available, and multilingual concierges help with plans; the hotel says the concierge profession in the United States began here. San Francisco International Airport is about 13 miles away, roughly 30 minutes by car.

The hotel suits couples, history lovers and anyone who wants a classic grand-hotel experience. Nob Hill is steep, so taxis and the cable cars are the easiest way up and down. The California Street and Powell lines both pass close by, which makes Union Square, Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf easy to reach. The hotel also holds Green Key Global's four-key certification and keeps a rooftop herb garden and bee hives.