The joy of finding pockets of calm in a busy city may be akin to the “Eureka!” of a miner striking gold. In a buzzing hub such as San Francisco, especially, quiet oases are often ephemeral, and unearthing them can be a matter of luck. But boutique hotel Stanford Court, located in the city’s upscale Nob Hill neighborhood, aims to provide peace-seekers with a de facto hideout for recharging.
The chic, 400-room property offers all the tech-forward touch points modern travelers require, but now, it’s also offering wellness-minded clients a new way to unwind: the Urban Sanctuary Experience. In partnership with travel startup Well + Away, Stanford Court has carved out an opportunity for on-the-go guests to slow down and rejuvenate in their rooms, with amenities including healthful snacks, meditation app access, in-room yoga mats and more.
The property is situated in San Francisco’s high-end Nob Hill neighborhood.
Credit: 2019 Stanford Court
During my recent stay at the property, I was able to sample some of the Urban Sanctuary offerings. My first order of business: Digging into the Well + Away VitalKit. Stocked with vegan, gluten-free snacks such as a Square Organics protein bar, Justin's dark chocolate cashew butter cups and Hippeas vegan white cheddar organic chickpea puffs, the kit also contains products such as Lather cucumber-and-ginseng facial mist, a Morning Recovery detox drink and a Well + Away San Francisco VitalGuide (a guidebook to city wellness spots such as juice bars, jogging routes, outdoor adventures, vegan eateries and more).
Rooms feature muted color palettes with pops of color.
Credit: 2019 Stanford CourtI was also given 30-day complimentary access to Calm, an app for guided meditation, and Aaptiv, a fitness app that offers thousands of audio-based guided workouts and programs, such as outdoor and treadmill running, strength training, stretching and yoga.
Inspired to unplug a little, I browsed “The Spirit Almanac: A Modern Guide to Ancient Self-Care,” also available to guests as part of the program. The highly rated book, written by two wellness journalists, is a compendium of easy-to-practice rituals for those who wish to enrich their spiritual life.
As part of the Urban Sanctuary package, guests receive complimentary access to the Calm meditation and sleep app.
Credit: 2019 Stanford CourtA perfect complement to the wellness amenities is the design of Stanford Court’s guestrooms. Decor is sleek and modern, and color palettes are subtle and soothing — whites, grays and beiges are offset by pops of blue or orange, and rustic wood furniture. Thanks to Nob Hill’s perch above the city, my 250-square-foot Premier Accelerator king room featured lofty views of the San Francisco skyline — a lovely way to appreciate the iconic metropolis without feeling overwhelmed by its hubbub.
The Urban Sanctuary experience also includes in-room meditation cushions and yoga mats from fitness and yoga brand Gaiam, along with a Gaiam gear-lending program, which provides access to just-released activewear from the brand. As a sweet bonus, guests booking the Urban Sanctuary package will also find a selection of in-room plants for a mood (and oxygen) boost.
Seven Stills Nob Hill is the hotel’s gastropub, brewery and distillery — popular with guests and locals alike.
Credit: 2019 Stanford CourtWellness seekers won’t want to miss a workout in the recently updated 1,500-square-foot fitness center, with features such as Kinima virtual personal training, Peloton bikes and FloWater water refilling stations. Access to the gym is included with the hotel’s Urban Bundle (a required $30 nightly fee), which also offers rentals of Blix Electric Bikes and custom-made New Albion Cycles; digital newspapers and magazines through the PressReader app; loans of devices such as iPads and Bluetooth speakers; morning beverage service including Mighty Leaf Tea and local Equator Coffee; and Wi-Fi with unlimited device connections.
It’s tempting to remain in the Urban Sanctuary Zen bubble for an entire stay, but I highly recommend a stop in Seven Stills Nob Hill, the hotel’s gastropub, brewery and distillery that serves incredible, simple cuisine, along with its brews and spirits on tap. Start with a craft beer or whiskey flight, then head straight into the menu’s heartier fare: I suggest the grass-fed hangar steak with cheesy mash; coffee-rubbed ribeye steak with crispy polenta; and grilled Atlantic salmon with roasted potatoes and rainbow carrots.
Urban Sanctuary amenities include healthful snack packs from Well + Away and CBD tea from Buddha Teas.
Credit: 2019 Stanford CourtTo wind down at the end of a day, clients will find a “Nod Hill” sleep menu offering a selection of hypoallergenic pillows, earplugs and other amenities. I rounded off my night with a warm cup of chamomile CBD tea from Buddha Teas — another amenity included with the Urban Sanctuary experience.
Had anyone been listening, they may have heard a faint, mumbled “Eureka!” as I drifted into serenity.
The Details
Stanford Court
www.stanfordcourt.com
