94 Best Hotels in San Francisco, California

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.

With its compact yet thoughtfully designed rooms and its Mason Social Club—a lively, Union Jack–theme bar/living room/game room—the King George has upped its game to match its service and hospitality, points of pride since the hotel's 1914 opening. The front-desk and concierge staff cater to your every whim: they can book anything from a Fisherman's Wharf tour to a dinner reservation. Morning coffee, tea, and pastries are served in the lobby and are covered by the new $10 amenity fee. Online packages vary during the year but may include breakfast, reduced-rate parking, and other perks.

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).

Located just over a block away from Oracle Park, the second-ever location of this emerging boutique hotel brand is the first hotel in rapidly growing Mission Bay. The hotel's flagship features are the stunning rooftop bar, Cavaña, and an in-room food delivery robot named Henry. However, the rooms and amenities themselves are well worth a stay on their own, nicely balancing sharp modern design with a refined touch. Frette bedding, robes, and slippers ensure a comfortable evening; guests will also enjoy a number of thoughtful amenities like handheld garment steamers, an expansive work desk, and motorized window shades that truly block out sunlight. Above all, travelers will be thankful that this is that increasing rarity in the hotel world these days—there is no destination or resort fee.

San Francisco doesn't get much more old-school elegant than this Lower Pac Heights Victorian mansion transformed into a luxurious, intimate lodging with spacious, individually decorated rooms. The building is known as the Payne House, having been built originally for the Payne family, which made its fortune from the mid-19th-century gold rush. Luckily, the amenities are far more sophisticated than those at a Gold Rush–era campsite, with deluxe Belisari Italian linens. Art lovers will appreciate the collection of paintings, a Murano Venetian glass chandelier, and haute design and furnishings in the public areas.

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.

Unlike many of the area's other boutique hotels, which occupy century-old buildings, the Orchard was built in 2000—though the marble lobby, with dramatic architectural embellishments like arched openings, vaulted ceilings, and stone floors, evokes another era. Rooms done in a soft palette of relaxing colors create a soothing refuge, and with just 12 per floor, an intimate feeling prevails. Like its green sister property, the Orchard Garden, this hotel is also LEED-certified.

Situated at the foot of the Stockton Tunnel, this beautiful property is now under the careful, hip eye of the Palisociety boutique hotel group, but its strong suits continue to be food and drink, a prime location, and a modern-meets-vintage aesthetic. Patrons enter the small lobby before ascending in a caged elevator to guest rooms and suites or going up a set of stairs to the second floor, where Fisher Loft serves complimentary coffee and pastries mornings. Rooms have exposed white-brick walls that contrast with the chic furnishings (small, café-style round tables in most rooms) and high-end touches like rainfall showerheads and Nespresso machines.

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.

The French provincial room decor of Petite Auberge—bright flowered wallpaper and an armoire that compensates for a lack of closet space—pleases Francophiles seeking old-world charm. Many rooms have gas fireplaces, and the lone suite has its own outdoor deck and a whirlpool tub. Afternoon tea, wine, and hors d'oeuvres are served in the lobby by the fire, and breakfast is laid out in the downstairs dining room. The staff has been delivering cordial, personalized service for years.

Built in the 1890s as a girls' finishing school, this Victorian mansion is a taste of old San Francisco, with a large parlor and guest rooms that have classic touches, such as painted cherub murals and, in some, wood-burning fireplaces. Burgundy brocade, lace, heirloom antiques, stained glass, and inlaid wood floors add character throughout. Complimentary amenities include an expansive continental breakfast, Wi-Fi, and afternoon tea and sherry. The versatile parlor, salon/library, boardroom, and covered outdoor courtyard make this a popular spot for weddings.

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.

Business travelers appreciate the 30-floor Marriott's easily accessible plugs, movable desks, ergonomic chairs, and laptop connectors to flat-screen TVs—and its prime location near shopping, restaurants, nightspots, and public transportation. Some rooms have views of the bay, city lights, and Union Square. Guests are encouraged to bring their laptops or newspapers to the Great Room lobby where you can sit on autumn-hued couches at the picture windows and watch the cable cars go by.

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 handsome, if small, rooms at this 1913 theater district hotel evoke an aristocratic feel with geometric wallpaper, black-and-white framed historic photos curated by the San Francisco Public Library, and ornate wooden furnishings. Designed by Arthur Brown Jr., also responsible for City Hall and Coit Tower, this classic retains the original chandelier in the lobby, carved griffins in the hallways guarding guest rooms, and antique headboards and armoires, all accented with contemporary light fixtures and furnishings.

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.

A cozy library with a crackling fireplace and comfortable chairs and sofas is the heart of this inviting English-style bed-and-breakfast, a sister property to the French-style Petite Auberge next door. The homey atmosphere (with a few mod touches) extends to the sizable rooms, which have floral carpeting and wallpaper, Edwardian-style furniture, and gas fireplaces topped by book-lined mantels. Guests enjoy wine and cheese in the afternoon and a gourmet breakfast basket. Adding to the charm are the century-old cage-style elevator and caring staff members who seem to know everyone's name.

On the southern edge of SFO's runway, this Starwood-branded property has comfortable, compact rooms with triple-paned windows and blackout curtains that help diminish the noise. The glass-front lobby is the place to be, as guests can take advantage of the live music, well-made cocktails at the W XYZ bar, and a pool table and other house games. Throw in Re:fuel, the hotel's grab-and-go eatery, the Re:mix lounge, a heated pool, outdoor sun beds, and a state-of-the-art fitness center (Re:charge, of course) open 24/7, and this funky property starts to seem attractive to those not wanting to trek into the city. Another added bonus: A popular jogging trail runs parallel to the bay.

The European-country style of this airport hotel—think poster beds and heavy wooden furnishings—is pleasant enough, but the selling point is the bayfront address, promising unsurpassed views out of the double-paned windows. In the entrance hall, guests play chess or read before the crackling fireplace, looking up from time to time to photograph planes that pass close by (strangely quiet) as they approach the runway.