The highly anticipated opening of the Jay Hotel couldn’t have come at a better time for San Francisco. After all, it’s the only new hotel this year, and just in time for the holiday season. What’s more, it’s part of the economic boost to the local hospitality industry, along with some fascinating new restaurants. Once you see and experience the Jay Hotel Marriott Autograph Collection, you’ll quickly realize how exceptional it is. On top of that, despite being open for just about a month, it already ranks amongst the city’s finest luxury hotels. Because of this, you should consider the Jay Hotel on your next visit, whether for business or leisure.
The Jay Hotel
433 Clay St.
San Francisco, CAย 94111
(866) 837-4184
www.jayhotelsf.com
The newest segment of growing Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the Jay Hotel is a welcome addition to luxury accommodations. Occupying the former space of the Le Meridien, it features a multi-million dollar renovation of its entire property. Yet, the Jay Hotel offers a distinctive new look among the best San Francisco Bay Area hotels. Marriott International’s Autograph Collection also features such luxury hotels as Maison Rouge Strasbourg, St. Ermin’s London, and Lexington, New York City. According to Jay’s marketing director, Todd Statz, the hotel comes from a Latin word that means “to rejoice.”
Location
The Jay Hotel Autograph Collection lies in the heart of San Francisco’s Financial District at Battery and Clay Streets. That makes it within easy walking distance of attractions like Union Square and Chinatown. Moreover, it’s also quite close to the Embarcadero and the historic Ferry Building. If that’s not enough, the Jay Hotel has a pathway that leads you to the enormous Embarcadero shopping mall. If you’re interested, Clay Street was a pier along the San Francisco Bay during the 19th-century gold rush era. The remains of General Harrison, a gold rush supply ship, lie beneath a building across the street from the Jay Hotel.
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How to Get to the Jay Hotel
From SFO
If you’re driving from the San Francisco Airport (SFO), you can take Highway 101 N. Stay on Highway 101 north until you reach Bryant Street, where you will turn right. While on Bryant Street, take exit 2 for Fourth Street, then leave on Third Street. Stay on Third Street as it merges with Kearny Street and connects with Clay Street. Please note that your GPS will lead you in whatever route is most efficient.
South Bay/ San Jose International Airport
The easiest route from the San Jose International Airport is via Highway 280 north. Its lanes are more comprehensive than Highway 101 north and generally have less traffic. However, your GPS may direct you to the Mariposa or King Street exit as you approach San Francisco. For example, while on King Street, you can turn left onto Third Street, which then merges with Kearny Street. From Kearny, Clay Street will be on your right.
From Oakland/East Bay
If you’re coming from the East Bay, you must take Highway 80 west. This route will take you across the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. You will take Fremont Street (exit 2C) as you enter San Francisco. As you continue up Fremont Street, you turn right on Clay Street. Of course, your GPS may have you on a different route with less traffic.
Parking
The Jay Hotel Autograph Collection offers valet parking for a daily rate of $82.08. In addition, off-site parking is available at the Embarcadero Center. In some detail, this is known as Lot 50 at the Golden Gateway Garage. This off-site garage is just minutes from the hotel entrance. These two parking garages are your best options.
Public Transportation
If you prefer public transportation, you can choose from SFO by taking BART, the regional transit system. The Millbrae/SFO BART line can transport you within a half mile of the Jay Hotel. If you like this option, you can stay on the BART train until the Embarcadero station. From there, it’s just a .4-mile walk to the hotel. On the other hand, there is no practical public transit connection from the Embarcadero station to the hotel. Despite this, it’s a good option unless you want to take a ride share the rest of the way.
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Accommodations
The Jay Hotel features 360 elegantly furnished rooms, including 88 magnificent suites. Room sizes range from 413 square feet for a king or double queen to 1,660 square feet for the penthouse suite. Among your other lodging options are a king with a skyline or bay view and other suite categories. In other words, there will be virtually a room category to meet your needs and desires completely. The room designs are said to be inspired by the late San Francisco artist Ruth Asawa.
Room Amenities
Each guest room at the Jay Hotel, Autograph Collection, features several outstanding amenities. These include floor-to-ceiling windows, a walnut wardrobe closet and drawers, and a marble bathroom vanity. That’s not to mention a 65-inch HDTV, writing desk, plush bedding, and high-speed Wi-Fi.
Accessibility
Some guest rooms at the Jay Hotel have accessible features, including mobility-accessible rooms and roll-in showers. In addition, accessible rooms have visual alarms and notification devices. Of course, the hotel itself has accessible features, including the main entrance, conference space, and lobby. Valet parking, high-speed elevators, and additional guest room amenities are also available. Above all, staff at the Jay Hotel can help you and, if applicable, your service animal.
Pet Friendly
Like most leading San Francisco hotels, the Jay Hotel is pet-friendly. This means you can bring one pet weighing up to 50 pounds for your comfortable stay. At the same time, a pet policy is in place, including not leaving your furry friend alone in the room.
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Current Hotel Offers
Like other premium Marriott properties, Jay offers the best rate guarantee if you book directly with the hotel. Additionally, there are special rates for older guests, AAA members, government and military members, and corporations. Then there are special rate packages, such as the Unveiling the Jay package, with up to 30 percent off your stay. Of course, if you are a Marriott Bonvoy member, you can get awarded points for your stay. Incidentally, you are not free to become a Marriott Bonvoy member.
Dining at the Jay
While the Jay Autograph Collection features two dining spaces, only the Third Floor restaurant and bar are open. However, Third Floor is the newest addition to the Omakase Restaurant Group, which includes Michelin-starred Niku Steakhouse. Moreover, there is an excellent menu curated by Chef Michael Magallanes. Before joining the Omakase Restaurant Group, Chef Magallanes served as chef de cuisine at San Francisco Proper Hotel.
Availability
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Third Floor offers moderately priced items, like seared black cod ($34) and grilled flat iron steak ($36). For breakfast, you can choose from items like yogurt and granola ($13) and eggs benedict ($25), among others. In addition to breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Third Floor offers an afternoon tea service.
Third Floor Terrace
The gorgeous Third Floor Terrace is an extension of the restaurant’s namesake. Here, you will find comfortable seating, fire pits, and splendid views of the city. The third floor also holds the check-in counters and additional lobby space with plush furnishings.
Conference/Meeting Space
As expected from a San Francisco luxury hotel, Jay offers event space for most social functions. There are approximately 13,000 square feet, with 16 meeting spaces overall. This includes the 2,526 square foot Terrace and 1,900 square foot B Level Foyer. Of course, there are small event spaces, like the 629 square foot Asawa and 399 square foot Joanne. They are all available directly through the hotel if you need audio-visual, banquet, or catering services.
Fitness Center
The spacious fitness center is on floor C, two levels below the street entrance. Inside, you will find state-of-the-art exercise equipment, including treadmills, elliptical trainers, and spin cycles. In addition, there are Life Fitness and Synrgy 360 workout stations, exercise balls, a BOSU ball, and much more. Complimentary water and hand towels are also available.
Additional Hotel Services
In addition to valet parking and daily housekeeping, the Jay offers you the highest level of concierge service. These top-flight staff are Les Clefs d’Or USA members, which is said to be the only national association for concierge professionals. That’s not to mention the exceptional hospitality amongst all hotel staff, which is a signature trademark of the Marriott brand.
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About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University in 2012.
