58 Best Hotels in San Francisco, California

Directly facing Alcatraz with (mostly) unobstructed bay and island vistas on one side, this Fisherman's Wharf hotel pays tribute to San Francisco's shipyard past and features an impressive outdoor courtyard playground with firepits, giant interactive games, and a periscope, along with a large indoor game room. The lobby has vibrant 3D art and makes use of metal shipping containers as walls and street signs as chairs. Some rooms have portholes framing Alcatraz, and the most premium water-facing rooms have balconies.

With a playful lobby lounge, London-style brasserie The Cavalier, and slick-yet-homey tech-friendly rooms, this trendy spot behind a stately 1913 neoclassical facade is a leader on the SoMa hotel scene. The location, near most SoMA museums, restaurants, and attractions, is a major plus (though its immediate area can be dicey at times). The lobby is outfitted with all sorts of reclaimed materials and the S&R Lounge, and the fun continues in a game room with a pool table and shuffleboard. Room amenities include smart TVs, a Bluetooth docking station, pillow-top beds with tufted leather headboards, and a quirky central photograph made of floppy disks. 

A little removed from the heart of the wharf area craziness, this smart-looking boutique hotel with guest-room interiors inspired by luxury Mediterranean yachts aims for subtle contemporary elegance in the form of lightly stained woods and soft-brown and golden fabrics and walls. The rooms facing the courtyard are quieter than street-side ones but lack bay views. The on-site Italian restaurant Pescatore serves family-friendly breakfast and dinner, and the daily s'mores offered by the hotel are arguably the most popular amenity.

This perfectly located property near the Ferry Building has a dramatic 17-story atrium lobby that starred in several 1970s flicks, most notably the disaster epic The Towering Inferno, and is worth seeing even for nonguests. All the guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows revealing city or bay views, and many have balconies. While the public spaces are gorgeous, the actual room design is a bit of the typical generic urban business traveler-centric hotel style, with charcoal-colored carpets, plain white walls in suites (newly renovated standard rooms have splashes of blue and wood elements), and some gentle contemporary art on the wall (some of which features San Francisco landmarks). It's definitely a larger, busy hotel geared towards conventions and big events, but also manages to feel a bit charming.

Soaring 36 stories, this Hyatt anchors one of the most prominent areas in the city, between Market Street, Moscone Center, and SFMOMA. An extensive renovation and redesign during the COVID-19 pandemic has given a renewed sense of energy to one of the longtime anchor business hotels of the neighborhood. All guest rooms have large smart TVs, locally-produced Pharmacopia bath products, sleek white walls with artistic black-and-white photographs of the city, plenty of sunlight, and nicely sized bathrooms. Most rooms have striking city views. Blackout curtains help convention-goers get quality sleep before the next day's talks.

For decades this Italianate Victorian mansion decked out in ornate poster beds, opulent area rugs, and precious Victorian artifacts has welcomed visitors to the Mission District. Guest quarters range from cozy (yes, that means small) to spacious enough to fit a family (in the garden cottage), and all guests have access to a generous buffet breakfast and a hot tub—great for chilly nights, although this inn is located in the warmest slice of San Francisco.

The circular redbrick drive of this towering 1926 architectural landmark leads to an opulent, mirrored, marble-floor lobby that's the gateway to luxurious rooms aglow with gold, cream, and yellow tones. Rooms on the upper floors have views of either the Golden Gate Bridge or the downtown cityscape; bathrooms throughout are lined with multicolor Italian marble. The rooftop lounge, the Top of the Mark, serves a lovely array of classic cocktails in the evening, but the real star is the breathtaking, nearly 360-degree city view that can also be enjoyed during an elaborate Sunday brunch.  The hotel oozes with history. Stroll around and learn about the rich past of San Francisco's Big Four railroad barons, including Mark Hopkins (Central Pacific Railroad).

The arctic-blue glass exterior and Zen-like lobby may mimic an airport concourse, but it's merely a prelude to generally expansive, nicely thought-out guest rooms supplied with all the ultramodern tech conveniences sophisticated travelers expect and striking floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel lies within shouting distance of the Moscone Center, so its business is geared toward the convention and corporate crowd, which sometimes results in lower weekend rates. Bar 888 specializes in craft cocktails, and Luce Restaurant, one of the grandest dining settings in the city, has earned recognition for its inventive modern cuisine and inspired wine list. 

As one of the few hotels to open in the downtown area in recent years, this Bonvoy branded property adds a very welcome jolt of energy to the city's flagship business district. Design firm powerhouse AvroKO created the sleek look that balances a sharp modern aesthetic with the original 1980's Brutalist concrete building by architect John Portman. The spiral staircase at the entrance and the unique diagonal floor-to-ceilings in rooms are the two most notable examples of this sleek contrast of different design palates brought together. Guest rooms feature great views, giant 65-inch flat-screen TVs, plush beds, and local food and drink artisans in the mini bar. 

Bullet elevators whisk guests skyward from the grand, third-floor marble lobby with a Matisse-inspired bronze sculpture to contemporary guest rooms that are outfitted with business-oriented clientele in mind and situated around a dramatic, 19-story atrium. Amenities include the on-site Level III restaurant and bar, a state-of-the-art fitness room, a full-service business center, and meeting rooms with up-to-date technology.

Built in the 1920s in a Moorish and Gothic style, this former Elks Club retains its period feel and features, with rich marble and dark-wood accents, crystal chandeliers, vaulted ceilings, and antique furnishings in the lobby and vintage touches in the comfortable guest rooms. Complimentary morning coffee and evening tea and sherry are served in the lobby. Convenience and service are highlights here; guests have commented that staying here is more like visiting a friend than being at a hotel.

A breath of fresh air in touristy Fisherman's Wharf, the popular and approachable boutique hotel chain is hands down the leading hotel option for travelers on the waterfront between the Presidio and the downtown area. Like at every Kimpton hotel, there are plenty of winning amenities like the evening wine hour, no pet fees, in-room yoga mats, and loaner bikes that are perfect for journeys along the Embarcadero. Unlike many of its peers, there are extensive in-room spa offerings, rotating contemporary art exhibitions in the public spaces, and even Victrola record players in each room for enjoying tunes before bed. Guest rooms are a pleasant mix of functional and artistic with mostly white walls, colorful work desk chairs, navy blue carpets, and Frette linens.

With minimalist design and a nod to Zen serenity, this updated and rebranded Kimpton property named for the Zen circle of togetherness welcomes guests into its elegant lobby, lighted by fixtures reminiscent of Japanese lanterns and decorated with plants and a table made of reclaimed Japanese whiskey barrels. Spacious guest rooms are done in blond wood and neutral tones with blue and green accents, a nod to Japanese sensibilities and the natural world. Beds are plush and comfy, and bathrooms have green ceramic tiles and Atelier Bloom bath products.

The blue-and-tan facade of this boutique Hyatt property, punctuated on two sides by garage entrances, hints at its 1963 motor-inn origins, yet the spacious rooms feel modern. Some rooms have fold-out sofas, and 18 rooms have kitchenettes. Accommodations in the rear have cityscape views and tend to be quieter. Guests can purchase discount day passes to the extensive exercise facilities at the Jewish Community Center across the street, and diverse shops and restaurants are one block away on Sacramento Street. Other perks include complimentary Wi-Fi, coffee, tea, and afternoon cookies. Laureate Bar & Lounge is a nightlife destination in its own right, with stylish mid-century furnishings, a fireplace with floor-to-ceiling terrazzo, and bartenders slinging creative cocktails.

The stylishly contemporary Le Méridien scores well on both form and function, with compelling artwork throughout the lobby and guest rooms outfitted with polished granite sinks, wall-size San Francisco maps, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Gray carpeting and fabrics and splashes of orange offset the warm earth tones of the rooms and suites, many of which have bay or city views. Pet owners take note—this is the exceptionally rare San Francisco hotel with no pet fee (limit one pet per room).

Bougainvillea, fuchsia, and other foliage—real and trompe l'oeil—add color and verve to this 1939 motor court operated by the granddaughters of the original owners, creating a magical mood when everything's in bloom and hummingbirds flit through the quiet courtyard. All the rooms have French country-style furnishings, thick windows, spotless baths, and small shower stalls; 17 units have full kitchens with eating areas. Street noise can be heard in the accommodations along Lombard Street whose bedrooms don't face the courtyard, but most rooms are off the street. The enclosed garages underneath the units are a boon in a neighborhood notorious for its paucity of street parking.

Behind a cheery 1910 Beaux-Arts facade and with smartly designed public spaces, the Marker delivers a comfortable experience amid the theater district hubbub, plus one of the area's better restaurant/bars with the Italian-themed Tratto. Some guests find standard rooms too small, but they're cleverly laid out. The hotel's amenity fee includes morning coffee and tea and late-afternoon wine, plus access to a 24-hour fitness center.

In a 1926 Florentine Renaissance–style structure that once housed banks and other financial enterprises, this upscale chain draws travelers seeking historical flavor and a prime downtown location right on the California Street cable car line. The lobby's glittering crystal chandeliers, dark mahogany paneling, and iron-and-marble staircase recall a bygone era of gentility. Meanwhile, the ample, immaculate guest rooms, with their high ceilings, crown molding, San Francisco–theme imagery, carved-mahogany furniture, and bathrooms with marble vanities, reinforce the period feel while being contemporary with the usual tech amenities.

One of the largest hotels in town, the Parc 55 (a Hilton hotel) brims with activity, but its size is by no means overwhelming, thanks to features like the acclaimed Kin Khao restaurant and spacious but dated standard rooms with flat-screen TVs, handsome desks, and ergonomic chairs. Love seats placed by picture windows offer a comfortable respite to take in city and bay views. A FedEx business center and other amenities for professionals are provided, along with full concierge services, and the well-equipped 1,500-square-foot gym is open 24 hours.

Reliable and slightly refined, this chain property is a good choice for families and business travelers wanting to be on the fringes of Fisherman's Wharf, highlighted by a sleek lobby (more hip-looking than the typical Marriott) and smartly designed rooms with tech amenities. Rooms feature very comfortable beds topped with an abundance of pillows for leisurely lounging on foggy mornings; they also have a desk with an ergonomic chair. Ask for a room on floors three and above for a quieter night's sleep.

The distinctive upper window design of the 39-story Marriott Marquis has been compared to a parking meter and a jukebox (it's probably the third most recognizable building in the city skyline), but the guest rooms, decorated in tasteful neutrals, satisfy the business set with spacious desks and a host of technological amenities. Techies gather in the lobby's bar, restaurant, and strategically placed seating areas that all look simultaneously bland-corporate and modern-chic. The top-floor View Lounge has huge, fan-shaped windows revealing stunning city vistas and quickly fills up with guests and nonguests alike.

Railroad baron Leland Stanford's mansion once stood at the top-tier location where the Stanford Court is today, and the warm tones and handsome leather chairs are reminiscent of a grander time. Reopened in 2022 after nearly two years of renovation, the hotel marries classic style with modern accessories and attention to technological detail, from the strength of the Wi-Fi signal to the laptops, iPads, and Bluetooth speakers available on loan. Interior rooms are smaller and quieter, while larger exterior rooms provide splendid views but come with a bit of cable-car din (earplugs available). The lobby and hallways display a striking collection of local art, including the beloved sculpture of penguins by Beniamino "Benny" Bufano outside the lobby entrance. Blackout shades, a modern fitness center with Pelotons, day use of regular and e-bikes, and the Mixing Room bar and lounge are among the amenities.

Recently rebranded as part of Hilton's boutique Curio Collection, this art-driven hotel draws creatives and tech workers with its effortlessly chic design, central location, and rooftop bar. Tiny local artworks composed of found wood, metal, clay, and moss lead into the white-washed, high-ceilinged registration area; more art awaits around the corner in the modern but comfortable lobby, done in white, light blue, and gray. Oversize windows onto city views dominate the roomy guest rooms—soothing in earth tones and blues with exposed-cement touches—which come equipped with 55-inch LED TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi, Grind-brand Nespresso machines, and fun local art accents. Bathrooms have vertical tiles in green hues and walk-in showers (suites have deep soaking tubs); Cowshed bath products, robes, and slippers come standard. On street level, Spoke Coffee & Cafe offers morning coffee and light meals, and rooftop bar Rise Over Run draws a trendy crowd.

Chic, urbane, and nicely laid out, the W's colorful guest rooms (and unique Spectacular Studio indoor-outdoor suites with a heated patio) come with an abstract Gold Rush theme (both the 1800s one and the current tech wave) and include such comforts as upholstered window seats, pillow-top mattresses, Nespresso machines, and sleek baths with MOMO amenities by Davines. Upper floors have excellent views of SFMOMA, Yerba Buena Gardens, and the Bay Bridge. Business guests dominate during the week, but on weekends the hotel attracts families with children and pets are always very welcome. This is the first LEED-EB (for large brand hotels in existing buildings) Platinum-certified building in North America. As far as W Hotels go, this one feels a little more grown-up.

The survivor of two major earthquakes, some headline-grabbing scandals, and even an attempted presidential assassination, this richly appointed and superbly located grande dame dating to 1904 is comprised of the landmark building, renovated in 2018, and a modern 32-story tower whose glass elevators reveal Union Square views from the upper floors. Regulars debate the virtues and drawbacks of the older and newer sections—the former historic with sometimes small rooms, the latter with great views and larger rooms but less atmospheric. Either way, it is undoubtedly one of the city's most famous hotels.

This 1930s art-deco motel lures families, dog lovers, surfers, and locals wanting to escape the hustle of the city and retreat to these quiet, spacious, wood-paneled rooms in the Outer Sunset neighborhood. The retro exterior hugs two landscaped courtyards, one with a Monterey pine and the other with a wooden play structure. Interiors are simple, though many units offer kitchens with sitting areas. The enclosed hot tub, free parking and Wi-Fi, and proximity to Muni and the San Francisco Zoo up the ante.

A palm-lined entrance and sparkling fountain welcome you to this bay-front airport hotel that caters mainly to business travelers and conventioneers. Uncluttered, soundproof accommodations have cream-colored walls, simple furnishings, and decent-sized work desks. About a hundred rooms have bay views, and all bathrooms are outfitted with double showerheads. An atrium with skylights encloses the pool and hot tub area, and the fitness center has circuit, free-weight, and yoga equipment. The Grill & Vine restaurant serves straightforward dishes like Black Angus New York strip steak and salmon with a miso-mustard glaze. The 24-hour business center has public computers, copiers, printers, a fax machine, and, for a fee, high-speed Internet access. The hotel provides complimentary dog beds for pets.