Inside The Jay, Autograph Collection with Todd Statz, Director of Sales + Marketing

The Jay, Autograph Collection’s design was inspired by San Francisco’s storied artistic history, from artist Peggy Caserta to the iconic Ruth Asawa. Their influence is interwoven throughout the property, from guest rooms and shared amenities to the smallest intricate design details.

The Jay was designed by award-winning global design firm AvroKO, which was tasked with reimagining the building originally created by renowned architect John Portman, the visionary behind the Embarcadero Center. AvroKO’s San Francisco studio wove the city’s rich cultural heritage into every detail, telling the story of San Francisco’s dynamic past and gilded future.

AvroKO transformed the Brutalist shell of glass and concrete into an ode to San Francisco’s legacy and influential figures. The Jay emphasizes a warm, tranquil respite that balances the intimacy of Portman’s home with the energy of a contemporary destination.

I couldn’t name just one thing that makes The Jay, Autograph Collection special. What stands out most to me is the contemporary design and remarkable attention to detail. The homage paid to Ruth Asawa through replicas and references to her intricate wire forms, woven textures, and thoughtfully curated color palette throughout the hotel’s design is incredibly special.

Beyond the design, The Third Floor Terrace offers visitors an urban oasis in the heart of the city, while the partnership with the renowned Omakase Restaurant Group provides an impeccable dining experience on property. There’s something for everyone at The Jay, Autograph Collection.

The team is honored to be highlighted as a design hotel by the MUSE Hotel Awards, as design is truly the cornerstone of our success. With The Jay, Autograph Collection, seeing is believing.

Photos tell part of the story, but the views, ambiance, and curated tactile design are best experienced in person. I think the most challenging part was preparing an entry that could fully capture that story, but it was incredibly rewarding to see it come to life and receive such recognition.

Modern travelers want to feel comfortable while away from home, but they also seek unique experiences that reflect the destination — something distinct from their day-to-day lives. The Jay, Autograph Collection provides exactly that: a cozy yet elevated retreat that serves as the perfect reprieve for both business and leisure travelers.

The hotel’s thoughtfully curated guest rooms feature locally designed luxury bedding, spacious accommodations, and breathtaking city views. Guests will also discover locally commissioned artwork, artfully inspired décor, and design-driven books thoughtfully placed throughout each room.

The hotel’s shared amenities offer everything needed for a seamless stay — from morning coffee and a full-service bar with signature cocktails to standout dining experiences, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and much more.

San Francisco is experiencing a revival, and with this meaningful recognition, we’d love to welcome even more guests to The Jay, Autograph Collection as they discover our incredible city.

We hope guests connect with the property as deeply as we have, and we envision a new audience of travelers — and even locals — experiencing everything The Jay, Autograph Collection has to offer through the exposure and recognition this incredible program provides.

Sustainability is incredibly important to the team at The Jay, Autograph Collection, particularly given the hotel’s proximity to a thriving aquatic ecosystem. Over the past month, the hotel’s guest floor water dispensers prevented 13,047 single-use plastic bottles from entering the waste stream. Extrapolated over the course of a year, that equates to approximately 157,000 plastic bottles avoided annually — a meaningful environmental impact driven by a thoughtful guest-facing amenity.

Additionally, The Jay, Autograph Collection partners with the International Ocean Film Festival, which showcases powerful stories that celebrate the ocean, highlight marine life and coastal cultures, and explore urgent environmental challenges.

The program features breathtaking cinematography and compelling storytelling across categories including ocean adventure, marine wildlife, ocean sports, science, and conservation — all designed to educate, inspire, and connect a global community dedicated to protecting our blue planet.

The Jay, Autograph Collection is a reflection of and celebration of the soul of San Francisco, offering a luxury, design-forward urban oasis in the bustling Embarcadero neighborhood.

The goal at The Jay, Autograph Collection is to inspire travelers to live more beautifully. Every detail of the hotel was intentionally selected to make an impact, and every choice tells a story. The MUSE Hotel Awards beautifully spotlight that story, and this recognition will help introduce The Jay, Autograph Collection to an even wider audience.

The hotel prides itself on excellence from the moment guests step through its doors, and the team will continue striving for greater visibility while elevating the guest experience even further.

Consistent feedback from guests is that the hotel is not only beautiful and approachable, but also inviting to the touch, with a distinctive atmosphere unlike anything else in San Francisco.

We hope this win inspires others in the industry to believe in the value of what they’ve created. So much care and attention to detail went into The Jay, Autograph Collection, and this accolade is a meaningful acknowledgment of that hard work.

Those in the hospitality industry pour an incredible amount of passion and care into their properties, and I appreciate that the MUSE Hotel Awards celebrate such a diverse range of hotels. The program gives hoteliers the opportunity to showcase what makes their property unique while recognizing an inspiring variety of accommodations.

The innovation behind The Jay, Autograph Collection lies in its design. While the original structure provided strong architectural bones, the true inspiration came from the city’s most influential tastemakers. Much of that vision was brought to life through a collaboration with world-renowned interior design firm AvroKO, celebrated for blending storytelling with modern hospitality.

The hotel also draws inspiration from Ruth Asawa, the acclaimed San Francisco sculptor known for her intricate wire forms. Subtle references to her artistry can be seen throughout the property in its patterns, materials, and textures.

We’re excited about several upcoming packages and partnerships. The Jay, Autograph Collection is currently collaborating with ICA SF and the San Francisco Ballet, partnerships that strongly reflect the hotel’s identity as a design-forward destination while celebrating the local arts community.

The hotel is also hosting biweekly “Mahjong & Martini” nights inspired by the revitalization of the game, creating a lively and engaging experience for both the local community and visitors alike.

I’d say to put yourself in the guests’ shoes. When crafting this entry, we certainly considered all the features we wanted to highlight, but we were primarily inspired by the aspects of The Jay, Autograph Collection that matter most to the guest experience.

We were careful to balance the rich design history of the hotel with its amenities and the feeling guests experience the moment they enter the space.

Above all, I’d say that no one knows your hotel better than you do. Choose the category that best reflects what makes your property stand out, and craft an entry that authentically highlights that uniqueness.