The Jay, Autograph Collection

Excellent, rien à redire 👌🏻

This hotel is beautiful. The rooms and bath are wonderful, and beautifully appointed. But the attention to the lighting in the room, that’s offered, is exceptional, right down to the bed that is under-lit and softly lights up if one is moving to the bathroom in the middle of the night. The hotel, the third floor reception, restaurant, bistro area, outdoor bar and lounge are stunning. Excellence in design is everywhere, from the beautiful curved wood structures and gorgeous furnishings. The staff was delightful. A 5-star experience that we loved. We will return often.

The Jay positions itself as a refined, boutique experience under Marriott’s Autograph Collection, but unfortunately, it doesn’t deliver on that promise. The branding suggests thoughtful design and elevated service, but what we experienced felt under-resourced and poorly executed. From arrival, it was clear staffing is an issue. Only one person was available to assist guests at the front entrance, juggling multiple cars and requests. Check-in was similarly understaffed, with a single front desk associate handling a growing line of tired travelers. While the staff were courteous and clearly doing their best, they were spread too thin — an issue of management, not effort. Our room was set up for two, even though the reservation was for three. Only two towels were provided, and even those were thin and undersized — not what you’d expect from a hotel in this category. The room bedding showed signs of wear, including a visible hole in the sheets. One puzzling feature was a timer that shuts off the bathroom lights after 30 minutes — a strange design choice when motion sensors are a far more functional and common solution. The hotel also omits bottled water in favor of a filtered water station at the end of the hallway — a reasonable eco-conscious move. But without providing a jug or reusable bottles in the room, it comes across as an incomplete solution that prioritizes cost savings over guest comfort. We've had far better experiences at similarly positioned properties, particularly in Hilton’s Curio Collection, where attention to detail and overall guest experience feel much more aligned with the branding. The hotel’s location is one of its strongest assets. Situated in a highly walkable part of the city, it offers easy access to public transportation and is just a short stroll from vibrant neighborhoods like North Beach and Telegraph Hill. Whether you're exploring local cafés, climbing up to Coit Tower, or hopping on a streetcar, the area offers plenty to enjoy. The Jay has potential, and the staff deserve credit for their professionalism, but the overall execution falls short. With more thoughtful resourcing and attention to guest needs, it could live up to its Autograph Collection designation. Until then, I’d recommend looking elsewhere.