Fairmont San Francisco Celebrates 100+ Years as Iconic City Landmark

The historic hotel has hosted presidents, royalty, and celebrities since its opening in 1907.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Fairmont San Francisco, a landmark hotel that opened in 1907 after being delayed by the 1906 earthquake, has hosted a wide array of VIP guests over the past century. The hotel's general manager, Markus Treppenhauer, discusses the property's Fairmont Suite, which offers panoramic views of the city and bay, as well as the hotel's role as a crossroads of ideas in San Francisco.

Why it matters

As one of San Francisco's most iconic and historic hotels, the Fairmont has played a significant role in the city's cultural and political landscape for over 100 years. Its continued success and evolution highlights San Francisco's enduring appeal as a hub for innovation, creativity, and global influence.

The details

The Fairmont San Francisco was originally set to open on April 18, 1906, but the devastating earthquake that struck the city that day delayed the grand opening by a year. When it finally opened in 1907, the hotel quickly became known as 'a hotel so grand they built a city around it.' Over the past century, the Fairmont has welcomed a wide array of VIP guests, including politicians, celebrities, and other cultural icons. The hotel's general manager, Markus Treppenhauer, highlights the property's Fairmont Suite, located on the 23rd floor, which offers panoramic 270-degree views of the city and bay. Treppenhauer also discusses the hotel's role as a 'crossroads of ideas' in San Francisco, attracting a diverse clientele of global business leaders, creatives, diplomats, and families.

  • The Fairmont San Francisco was originally set to open on April 18, 1906.
  • The 1906 earthquake struck San Francisco on April 18, 1906, delaying the hotel's grand opening by a year.
  • The Fairmont San Francisco finally opened in 1907.

The players

Fairmont San Francisco

A landmark hotel in San Francisco that has hosted presidents, royalty, and celebrities since its opening in 1907.

Markus Treppenhauer

The general manager of the Fairmont San Francisco.

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What they’re saying

“San Francisco as a city of optimism and possibility—one that has always welcomed big ideas and bold thinking.”

— Markus Treppenhauer, General Manager, Fairmont San Francisco

“As a city landmark for more than a century, the hotel has borne witness to San Francisco's most defining moments, standing at the intersection of history and progress.”

— Markus Treppenhauer, General Manager, Fairmont San Francisco

The takeaway

The Fairmont San Francisco's enduring success and status as a cultural landmark reflect San Francisco's ongoing appeal as a hub for innovation, creativity, and global influence, even as the city has evolved over the past century.