San Francisco’s new nest

The Jay, Fidi, San Francisco

GETAWAYS • San Francisco 

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The brutalist San Francisco hotel that most recently operated as Le Méridien has reopened as The Jay, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, after the company spent millions in an effort to revive the city’s luxury lodging scene.

It just might work. The years-long renovation by design firm AvroKO introduced 360 brighter, lighter, and sexier rooms than at any other Bay Area hotel. The penthouse, nicknamed “The Nest” due to frequent visits from the city’s wild parrot flock, is stunning, a 1,660-square-foot space with a bathtub that might be the wildest place to ride out San Francisco’s next big earthquake.

The Jay’s restaurant and rooftop terrace also take big swings, intended to lure locals to mingle with the out-of-towners. The Omakase Restaurant Group, also behind Michelin-starred sushi spot Omakase and steak and whiskey destination Niku, is hoping for similar cred at The Third Floor, the hotel’s all-day offering. The menu is a work in progress, but echoes the group’s overall East-meets-West vibe. Highlights so far include a duck dumpling soup and a truly ambitious passionfruit Pavlova.

Next up: a concise “power lunch” menu and afternoon tea service. Until then, there’s always a “Here’s Johnnie” cocktail (Scotch, apple brandy, carpano, and Earl Grey) at the sky-scraping bar. –Eve Batey

→ The Jay (Fidi, San Francisco) • 433 Jay St.