Taj Campton Place

"From Tuesday, October 29, to Saturday, November 2, the newly-opened Bombay Brasserie at Taj Campton Place in Union Square will serve a special six-course menu ($89) for the holiday, led by chef Thomas George. Diners will choose between two dishes for each course, such as salmon tikka in a Pommery marinade or lotus root kofta with lasooni kale. For the main course, there is a choice between tandoori chicken kalmi with lababdar, a tomato and cashew curry; or an achari cauliflower steak with millets khichdi, served with a choice of saffron pulao, tandoori naan, or dal makhani. The menu concludes on a sweet note with paan kulfi served with seasonal berries and saffron falooda. An optional wine pairing is available for $55 per person. Reservations can be made via OpenTable." - Dianne de Guzman

"With a peacock-blue awning and well-coiffed potted plants flanking the front door, the Taj Campton Place calls to mind a luxury apartment building on New York’s Upper East Side. At 17 floors, the Taj keeps a lower profile than its neighbors—notably the 35-floor Grand Hyatt San Francisco across the street—and the lobby feels intimate. Yes, there’s marble flooring and a crystal chandelier, but orchids, tabletop topiaries, and couches soften the space. It’s glamorous without being grandiose." - Megan McCrea, Jenna Scatena

"For now, the kitchen in Palo Alto offers dishes from Gopinathan, who earned two Michelin stars while cooking at Campton Place in San Francisco." - Lauren Saria

"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe? With a peacock-blue awning and well-coiffed potted plants flanking the front door, the Taj Campton Place calls to mind a luxury apartment building on New York’s Upper East Side. At 17 floors, the Taj keeps a lower profile than its neighbors—notably the 35-floor Grand Hyatt San Francisco across the street—and the lobby feels intimate. Yes, there’s marble flooring and a crystal chandelier, but orchids, tabletop topiaries, and couches soften the space. It’s glamorous without being grandiose. What's the backstory? The hotel is part of Taj Hotels. The India-based company runs properties worldwide, but they’re probably best known for taking over centuries-old palaces and operating them as luxury resorts. This property, too, has a past. The hotel is made up of two historic buildings, erected in 1909 and 1910, joined by an atrium. Given this history, the rooms differ in size, layout, and design. Repeat guests know what they like; some will even request a specific room number. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book? I stayed in the Executive Suite King Bed. A true suite—with a full bed, full bath, and a separate living room/dining room—this room was gloriously spacious. With goldenrod carpet, taffeta curtains, and lots of antiques, it felt warm and inviting—the perfect spot to curl up with a cup of tea. The bed was massive, the bathroom had me at “soaking tub,” and I couldn’t stop smelling the Molton Brown Orange & Bergamot Shower Gel. If I had my choice of rooms here, I’d pick this one. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? The Wi-Fi is complimentary, and the quality is good enough to work and stream! Drinking and dining—what are we looking at? The Campton Place Restaurant has simplified into a high-end breakfast restaurant, serving fluffy masala omelets and Belgian waffles with homemade vanilla cream. Also within the hotel, for dinner the Bar & Bistro whips up mushroom velouté and slow-cooked salmon with sunchokes. The bartender, David, knows his way around the liquor cabinet. Tell him your favorite spirit, ask him to surprise you, and you won’t be disappointed. I would definitely eat at the restaurant even if I weren’t staying at the Taj. And the service? I felt well taken care of, from check-in to check-out. The front desk staff was unfailingly helpful. Case in point: When I called down because I was having trouble with a bike on the fitness terrace, the clerk immediately sent an engineer to fix it. The bartender David, in particular, anticipated my every need, and truly went above and beyond. Cool bonus: The concierge can book massages, and a masseuse will come straight to your room. What type of travelers will you find here? The Taj draws a couple of groups: the discreet high rollers, and a sort of Schitt’s Creek-meets-Cheers crowd, where everyone’s classy (stilettos, cufflinks, designer handbags) but also down to carouse and rib each other. Guess which crew hangs in the bar. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene? Just a block off Union Square, the Taj feels like a quiet world away. Still, its bar and restaurant draw locals… and travelers staying at nearby hotels. The rotating lobby art comes from the nearby Meyerovich Gallery, on Post Street. Other neighbors include Gucci, Valentino, and Hermès, all just steps away. At 110 rooms, this is a boutique property, but it’s as luxurious as SF’s other four-star hotels. I’d recommend the Taj for anyone who’s looking for great amenities and a high level of personal attention. Any other hotel features worth noting? Perched atop the ninth floor and sheltered by a high tent, the open-air fitness terrace is a can’t-miss, particularly on warm days, when the front of the tent is raised, revealing a bird’s-eye view of Union Square! I also love the “as you wish” quality to the place—the fact that, as a guest, you can request a room with the bathroom configuration, furniture, and location of your choice. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? One hundred percent. It’s a beautiful property with a dynamite location, and top-notch service." - Megan McCrea

"The restaurant on the ground floor of the Taj Campton hotel has earned a Michelin star many years in a row, thanks to Chef Srijith Gopinathan’s Californian-Indian tasting menus. And it’s served in a soothing dining room filled with colorful flowers and glass light fixtures." - Becky Duffett