Hotel of the Week: A San Francisco Icon Is Reborn Atop Nob Hill
The historic Huntington Hotel has undergone a refresh led by beloved Bay Area interior designer Ken Fulk with his signature theatrical flair
Founded in 1924 and named after Collis P. Huntington—one of the “Big Four” California railroad magnates of the time—the 12-story Georgian-style Huntington Hotel has welcomed worldly, loyal guests ever since. A shutdown at the beginning of Covid in 2020 provided an opportune moment for Flynn Properties and Highgate, a hospitality and investment management firm, to undertake a thorough reimagining of the hotel’s sumptuous rooms and suites.
Together with interior designer Ken Fulk—a colorful creator synonymous with cinematic experiences and luxury hospitality—the team has also reinvigorated The Big Four restaurant and the luxurious Nob Hill Spa. The results of their combined efforts are flawless; from the elegant reception desk to the in-room amenities (hyperlocal snacks and sumptuous linens) to the indoor-outdoor pool deck where light lunch is served, no detail has been overlooked at this unique urban oasis.
Long favored by savvy tourists and local tech types, the Huntington has retained its collegial, old-world elegance, but with added comfort and flair. Each of the 143 guest rooms—72 are spacious suites—are appointed in soothing hues of cream and olive, with original plasterwork ceilings and boiserie panels, and with endless light-filled views of Grace Cathedral, the San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean beyond. “The Huntington has a built-in legacy for gracious suites, a beloved restaurant, and the most luxurious spa in town,” explains Fulk, of the hotel-as-neighborhood-nexus. “Our design reflects Nob Hill’s residential character, presenting a destination with the comfort and charm of a grand residence for repeat visitors and locals alike.”
In addition to cossetting overnight stays, visitors are returning to The Big Four—the hotel’s all-day dining destination—for everything from morning breakfast meetings to evenings with the signature Chicken Pot Pie (a comforting classic, with a delicate puff pastry crust) and a perfectly chilled Vesper or Cable Car cocktail. In addition to the main 72-seat dining room with its leather banquettes, rich green palette, and walls lined with historical imagery, there is the adjacent Crimson Room—the ultimate clubby private dining space with rich wool and felt wall coverings, and original stained-glass elements.
For intimate evenings and the best drinks in town, the bijou 25-seat Arabella’s salon is just steps from the lobby. Named for the effervescent Arabella Duval Huntington—once one of the wealthiest women in America—the theatrical, art-filled space channels her exuberant spirit through murals and more. Rich mahogany wainscotting and a trompe l’oeil ceiling add to the enveloping atmosphere—one where guests are immersed in Gilded Age romance.
“When I first discovered Arabella’s story, I was struck by both the life she lived and the mark she left on the city,” says project developer Greg Flynn. “This space is our way of honoring that legacy—an experience shaped by true storytelling, elevated hospitality, and a sense of occasion from the very moment you enter the room.”
In addition to wining and dining, The Huntington is now home to the destination-worthy Nob Hill Spa, which offers 9,000 square feet of luxurious treatment rooms, a terrace with sweeping city views, and that rarest of city amenities, a swimming pool. Encompassing12 treatment rooms, saunas, and steam rooms, and a state-of-the-art fitness facility, this luxurious oasis is the perfect place to retreat for a relaxing afternoon.
The Huntington remains the grand dame of Nob Hill and sets guests up for everything from sailing on the Bay to exploring nearby Chinatown—always in discreet elegance.