Hotel Spero San Francisco
We Have a History
Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, Hotel Spero San Francisco shoulders a rich legacy. Debuting as the iconic Hotel Californian in 1923, its renovation skillfully preserves the original Spanish Colonial style so that guests may experience modern comforts while appreciating historical design elements that echo the structure’s storied past. This harmonious convergence of the contemporary and the traditional highlights the property's enduring elegance and heritage.
Inspired by “Hope”
Hotel Spero draws its name from the philanthropic legacy of former owner Lizzie Glide, embodying "Spero"—Latin for "hope." We uphold her spirit by instilling hope through enriching guest experiences, philanthropy, sustainability, and mindfulness. Echoing Lizzie's commitment to positive change, we strive to make a meaningful impact.
Design Concept
Hotel Spero marries distinctive San Francisco flair with the timeless beauty of Spanish Colonial architecture. In our lobby, we've carefully preserved historical features—such as hand-painted ceiling beams, original marble flooring, and ornate grillwork—seamlessly integrating them into a contemporary design. Our 236 rooms, bathed in natural light from large windows, are adorned with calming colors and patterns.
Our Legacy
San Francisco's Hotel Spero has roots as a haven of hope. In 1935, visionary philanthropist Lizzie Glide transformed it into the city's only temperance hotel, an alcohol-free refuge for women. Her enduring Glide Foundation, a beacon of social justice, continues to offer vital services and empower those in need. Looking back, it’s easy to notice how whispers of hope resonated even back then —a silent prophecy carried by the blue sparrow, a symbol of resilience that graces the hotel to this day.
Pet Welfare
Our pet-friendly hotel warmly welcomes furry guests and actively supports animal welfare. We donate a portion of each pet fee to a local animal shelter, aiding in the rescue and care of homeless animals.
We Volunteer!
Our team shares our positivity by organizing and participating in various volunteering events. Our past initiatives include partnering with St. Anthony’s Foundation for a shoe donation drive, beach clean-up day with San Francisco Surfrider Foundation, and tree-planting with the Tenderloin Community Benefit District.
Sustainable By Design
We've replaced single-use toiletry containers with refillable ones, diverting 75% of waste through recycling and composting with Recology, and saving 245 acres of forest with reduced carbon efforts. The hotel uses energy-efficient LED bulbs and low-flow water fixtures, saving 1.1 million gallons of water annually. These initiatives collectively contribute to significant environmental savings, mirroring the equivalent of 25 years of water usage for a typical American family.
The "Giving Rack"
As part of our philanthropic efforts, we invite our guests to participate in "The Giving Rack." Simply leave any spare, gently-used clothing items on the luggage rack, and our team will collect and donate the items to St. Anthony’s Foundation, a local non-profit organization committed to helping San Franciscans in need.
Magic Water
Instead of traditional cleaning products, we use Tersano's 'magic water,' which infuses tap water with ozone to create stabilized aqueous ozone. This powerful solution eliminates germs, odors, mold, and viruses like E. coli and Salmonella, reducing chemical residues and toxic waste by using only water and oxygen.
BeeKind Toiletries
Our ethos of kindness is reflected in our choice of BeeKind products for our guest rooms. Embracing self-care, these products are free from parabens, phthalates, and artificial colors. Additionally, our commitment to environmental stewardship is evident as BeeKind contributes a portion of its profits to UC Davis' Honeybee Research program.