Luxury Penthouse

Considered one of the world's ultimate hotel suites, the iconic Fairmont San Francisco Penthouse was built during the Roaring Twenties by famed American archeologist and Persian art historian, Arthur Upham Pope.

The Fairmont Penthouse was completely redesigned in September 2009 by designer Alexandra Champalimaud, who remained true to its turn-of-the-century glamour and Old World opulence while adding modern touches and conveniences throughout.

Today, the luxury penthouse, valued at $20 million, offers 6,000 square feet of luxury on the entire eighth floor of The Fairmont San Francisco's historic Main Building.

Throughout its storied history, famous Penthouse guests have included President John F. Kennedy, Prince Charles of Wales, Mikhail Gorbachev, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and King Hussein of Jordan. A few celebs have also taken up residence here, including Elton John, Nat King Cole, Mick Jagger and Marlene Dietrich.

"If only these walls could talk," said Thomas Klein, the hotel's Regional Vice President and General Manager.

For $15,000 per night, you'll get a team of attentive personnel, including your own personal chef, massage therapist, round-the-clock butler, personal trainer and team of housekeepers. Need to get around town? You'll have the use of a Ferrari for the entire length of your stay.

Decorated with an impressive art collection of original David Hockney works and Chinese porcelain vases, the suite has a distinct East-meets-West Moorish influence, with hand-painted silver and black Chinoiserie wall coverings and other fine touches throughout.

“The Penthouse of The Fairmont San Francisco is like no other hotel suite," said Champalimaud. "This mansion in the sky is a perfect example of the grand and richly detailed residences that were built for families of San Francisco’s great fortunes almost a century ago."

In addition to a large terrace with sweeping views of San Francisco, the suite also boasts 3 oversized bedrooms, a palatial-sized dining room with seating for 60, state-of-the-art designer kitchen with sleek white Italian cabinets and checkerboard marble floor, a living room with grand piano, and a private billiards room covered in Persian tile.

The Billiards Room in the Penthouse has a Moorish Design. Photos courtesy of Fairmont Hotels.

If you want to cozy up with a good book, the 2-story library will certainly impress with its circular rotunda and gold-leaf celestial map. On the second floor, you can even sneak inside the secret passageway located behind the bookshelves.

“The Penthouse offers one-of-a-kind accommodations for today’s most discerning traveler (and) an unparalleled pedigree among hotel suites today," said Klein. "As the home-away-from-home for U.S. Presidents and world leaders, the suite has witnessed history-changing events and served as the meeting place for leaders of the Big Four as they prepared to draft the United Nations Charter at The Fairmont in 1945.

"It’s breathtakingly beautiful.”
 
One of the most famous luxury penthouses in the world, the history of the Fairmont Penthouse dates back to 1926, when American Trust Company president John S. Drum took up residence here for $1,000 per month. Drum lived here until 1938, when mining heiress Maude Flood moved in, living here for nearly 30 years.

Its last full-time resident was former Fairmont Hotel owner Benjamin Swig, who lived here from 1966 until his death in 1980. It opened to the public in 1981.

The Fairmont San Francisco is located on Nob Hill at 50 Mason Street, San Francisco, California. For more information or reservations, please call 1-800-441-1414 or visit www.fairmont.com.

Photos: Courtesy of Fairmont San Francisco