Changed - for the better or worse?
Before its renovation, the Clift had a warm, most inviting and charming lobby/reception area. I had passed by the hotel entrance many times on my trips to San Francisco, thinking I'd love to stay there one day; and eventually I did get to stay, and enjoy the hotel. Then came the renovation....
On my second visit, I arrived at the hotel on a Friday night, quite late, in March, 2003. There was industrial music pumping out from the back of the lobby area; the crowd was spilling out onto the sidewalk outside. I asked the doorman "is there a party going on?" He replied "it's Friday night, and it's the Clift!" At the reception desk, I had to be shouting to the receptionist (who was very helpful, and upgraded the room so that I could stay smoke-free) in order to overcome the music.
Alas, the lovely lobby is no more. The new lobby is a square, gray space dominated by a curious, way oversized French chair. There are seating areas around the periphery of the lobby areas, recessed and rather dark. I liked the elevators, each with differently colored (although very dim) interior lighting.
Even before the renovation, I didn't think the room itself was all that remarkable; and that impression carried over to the post-renovation Clift. Philippe Starck's interior design is light, elegant and delightful (I liked the acrylic bedside tables) but, at least in my room, it couldn't quite mask the fact that the room was basically a shoebox. Especially after dark, when the room lost natural light, it turned somewhat dreary. On the other hand, I liked the "Agua" toileteries.
Perhaps working in a hotel like this makes employees themselves feel self-conscious? While I have no complaints whatsoever about their friendliness, competence etc., I had a vague feeling that many of them themselves didn't feel quite comfortable about the place either!
Unique Quality: Go to the Clift for the style. Keep in mind though that style is not the same as character or personality.
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