61 Best Hotels in San Francisco, California

Antiques, unique artwork, fine linens, and windows opening to a lovely courtyard or Union Street view make this charming Edwardian inn popular with honeymooners and those looking for a romantic getaway with an English countryside ambience. Rooms are equipped with comfortable beds and double-paned windows, and some have stained-glass windows. The hosts serve an elaborate breakfast, plus coffee, tea, and freshly baked goods throughout the day.

The three-story Lodge occupies former Army barracks, built in the 1890s, and is at the Main Post green's northwestern edge, allowing some rooms to have Golden Gate Bridge views; all rooms are far more upscale and chic than military accommodations, with large flat-screen TVs, well-appointed bathrooms, workstations, and dreamy, custom-made pillow-top mattresses. The best vantage point for the Golden Gate Bridge is from the fire pit just outside the lobby, where guests can warm up with coffee and a complimentary breakfast or enjoy an aperitif from the late-afternoon wine and snacks reception. Rooms, hallways, and the lobby feature a transitional combination of century-old paintings and photographs of the early Presidio military days along with contemporary military- and San Francisco–themed artwork.

These tiny rooms, with simple yet modern decor and private bathrooms, are within walking distance to the lively Haight, Hayes Valley, and Castro neighborhoods. This place is ideal for guests not expecting to spend much time in their rooms but wanting to repair to a decent retreat after a long day of exploring. The friendly staffers can assist with airport shuttles and tips on street parking (a chore in this part of town). The back garden, shared by the excellent Italian restaurant Ragazza, is a fine place to unwind in the evening.

Feel virtuous and eco-friendly while enjoying a junior terrace room with private outdoor space and views of downtown at this service-oriented and environmentally friendly boutique hotel close to the Financial District and Chinatown that was the city's first LEED-certified hotel. Local artist Archie Held's glass water sculpture in the lobby sets the green tone, and a high aesthetic standard. The simply styled rooms have low-flow toilets, textiles in hues of green and gold, and natural woods.

Open since 1875 and rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake, this legendary hotel continues to be one of the city's elite places to stay, with a prominent location at the border of SoMa and downtown plus a delightful mix of modern amenities (an indoor lap pool beneath a glass-domed ceiling) and deluxe architectural details of a bygone era. The entrance area is a time-traveling stunner, with Austrian crystal chandeliers and eight pairs of bronze-filigree marble columns supporting a magnificent dome ceiling. The former carriage entrance, which reemerged as crystal-roofed The Garden Court restaurant, is a favorite of ladies who lunch and those who enjoy an elaborate Sunday brunch (it's also where Green Goddess salad dressing was invented). Even if you're not staying here, sip a cocktail at the Pied Piper Bar, named for its Maxfield Parrish painting.

Two yellow 1909 Edwardian houses enchant travelers wanting an authentic San Francisco experience; dark hallways and steep staircases lead to bright, earth-toned rooms with tiled baths (most with tubs), comfortable sitting areas, and cozy linens. The innkeepers serve continental breakfast in the light-filled dining area or out in the lush gardens. If you're lucky, you'll catch a visiting San Francisco Symphony pianist who might be staying here during the season and sometimes plays the grand piano in the sophisticated living room.

The owners of this 1883 Victorian house, a historic landmark, have created a one-of-a-kind bed-and-breakfast steps from the lower Haight and Hayes Valley, with many of the original mantelpieces, fireplaces, and mirrors, as well as the ornate ceiling molding, still intact. The innkeepers treat visitors like houseguests, offering elaborate breakfasts—imagine starting the day with a goat-cheese soufflé with strawberry sauce—and after-dinner drinks and candies around twilight. Massive windows fill the rooms with light, and spruced-up bathrooms have large showers; several even have claw-foot tubs and fireplaces. Guests congregate in the downstairs area to watch TV in the parlor, read in the living room, or dine in the attractive eating area.

Inside the magnificent, flatiron-shape Beaux Arts–style building is one of the city's most spectacular places to stay, a sharp, upscale, ultra-hip boutique hotel; in contrast, outside is one of the roughest intersections for street life in San Francisco. The Proper rates high both for the eye-catching redesign by Kelly Wearstler (she also designed the guest room blankets and kimonos) and for amenities like SF's premier rooftop bar (Charmaine's) and Bellino fine Italian linens, towels, and down comforters.

Three blocks west of Union Square and loaded with high- and low-tech amenities, this Pineapple Hospitality boutique property delivers value in a stylish package, starting with the lobby's paintings and sculptures and the giant black-and-white art above the adjacent bar. Inside a renovated 1913 structure, the hotel has rooms with bright-yellow curtains, light-colored walls, and Carrara marble-tiled bathrooms. All accommodations have air-conditioning, high-speed Wi-Fi, Keurig coffeemakers, USB charging stations, and 50-inch HD LED TVs with cable.

Built in 1903, this two-story, Georgian revival–style structure once served as officers' quarters but these days is a standout boutique hotel where the rooms and suites have a nice sense of modern refinement and historical touches varying by the room, such as wrought-iron beds, vintage black-and-white photos, and Pendleton blankets. In addition to the main quarters, the nearby Funston House contains four rooms surrounding a common living room, dining room, and kitchen, making it ideal for larger groups. Perks include a nightly wine-and-cheese reception and a continental breakfast. This place is as homey as it gets, complete with rocking chairs on the porches and an outdoor fire pit.

The nautically themed Argonaut's guest rooms have exposed-brick walls, wood-beam ceilings, and best of all, waterfront rooms windows that open to enjoy Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge views. It's easy to relax here, far from the downtown bustle, with in-room yoga kits, fire pits outside, and some rooms have ultra-comfortable plush chaise-style lounge chairs. The building is part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, whose visitor center is next door to the lobby.

This 1928 landmark—renovated and reopened in 2022—welcomes guests in its ornate, high-ceilinged lobby and classically elegant rooms that come equipped with 21st-century tech amenities but evoke the hotel's heyday with gorgeously restored wood plank floors and plush white comforters. Together the lobby—decked out with chandeliers, Italian marble, and velvet furnishings—and wood-paneled library next to the mezzanine bar's grand fireplace bring to mind a half-restored Italian castle. Gloriously reincarnated in 2024, the legendary, top-floor bar Starlite is well worth a visit.

A handy Castro location, reasonable prices, and the holy grail of San Francisco lodging—free parking—make this courtyard-style motel with cool mid-century vibes a favorite. The spacious guestrooms have fun splashes of color, generous bathrooms, minifridges, and coffeemakers, and there's a rooftop terrace for lounging in the sun. For those without cars, the historic F-line trolley passes the motel, and there are plenty of dining and shopping options right outside.

A relatively inexpensive option (look for online specials), this 1913 Edwardian is part of the Best Western chain's Premier Collection, and it retains a period feel, especially in the tile-floor lobby with a fireplace and adjoining wood-paneled bar. The rooms are San Francisco small and lack for style, but they're comfortable and have desks, flat-screen TVs, and spacious closets. A computer and printer are available in the business center, and Wi-Fi is free.

European sensibility, a youthful vibe, reasonable rates, and a safe Union Square location make this art-filled hotel a smart and popular choice, and though rooms are compact---with in-room sinks; oval, glass-walled shower/WC pods; and king-size beds that run literally wall to wall---smart organization helps offset the size, as do the lobby's large and colorful Living Room and bar. 

This 18-floor Marriott-affiliated hotel is arguably the best of the few mid-range hotels in SoMa. Guest rooms have a subtle glamorous touch with catchy black-and-white carpets and tufted headboards. There is also a unique set of allergy-free rooms that come with an air purifier and special hypoallergenic bedding and pillows. The public areas are particularly noteworthy with colorful San Francisco–inspired art pieces, plus an outdoor courtyard with fire pits that is a rare breath of fresh air in the dense downtown area.

Built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition world's fair, this longtime favorite bridges the gap between hip modern and timeless classic style. Its swanky lobby and nicely polished rooms have some decorative touches inspired by that major early 20th-century global event when the hotel was born. Rooms are spacious by San Francisco standards and include stylish modern furniture, 50-inch flat-screen smart TVs, and luxury touches like rainfall showers and Coco Mango bath products by Poggesi. The gorgeous signature bar, the Redwood Room, is equally known for its creative cocktails and art-deco design.

A Tuscan-theme Wyndham owners' club and boutique hotel may hardly be a traditional San Francisco arrangement, but it's the setup for one of the prime Union Square places to stay for luxury without grande-dame prices or pomp and circumstance. Nonresident hotel guests enjoy all the perks of residents, including access to the lounge with its stunning views and to the excellent fitness center with plenty of workout equipment and saunas.

Dominating the top of Nob Hill like a European palace, the Fairmont indulges guests in luxury: rooms in the main building, adorned in muted earth tones with sapphire blue accents, have high ceilings, decadent beds, and marble bathrooms, while rooms in the newer Tower, many with fine views, have a neutral color palette with bright-silver notes. Architect Julia Morgan's timeless 1907 lobby design includes alabaster walls and gilt-embellished ceilings supported by Corinthian columns. Amenities and special services—like free chicken soup if you're under the weather—keep guests coming back. Don't miss drinks at the Tonga Room, an over-the-top tiki lounge serving tropical cocktails. It's also a winter wonderland during the holiday season, with a giant gingerbread house anchoring the lobby each December.

Location is the main draw at this hotel, where rooms done in warm autumnal tones, with textured custom furniture, original artwork, and teak beds, are showing their age but still offer high-tech features: windows can be blacked out from your bed, and you can stream from your mobile or other device to a swiveling flat-screen. Business travelers appreciate the good-size workstations and large closets in many rooms, while down in the light-filled lobby, gas fireplaces warm homey nooks.

This Spanish Colonial Revival–style hotel has nice touches that enliven the guest quarters, including 42-inch high-definition TVs, quirky mathematical wall clocks, ultra-comfortable beds, blackout shades to keep out the direct sunrise light, high-quality Malin + Goetz bathroom products, and the convenience of being attached to the Ozumo sushi restaurant. The ubiquitous amenity fee includes evening wine, continental breakfast, loaner bikes, and access to the excellent adjacent YMCA fitness facilities.

This is the largest hotel in California—sometimes the lobby feels like downtown at rush hour—and many rooms in the silvery tower enjoy views that rank among San Francisco's finest. The rooms have sleek earth-tone furnishings and soundproof windows; some of the bathrooms have glass shower stalls. The hotel borders the sometimes-dicey Tenderloin area, but the 46th-floor Cityscape lounge offers panoramic views and good cocktails, so you should stay in at least one night.

The Spanish-colonial facade of this 16-story theater-row hotel complements its chic interior with good-size rooms that have beautiful sea-blue carpets and plenty of tech amenities. Half the rooms have city views, and two penthouse suites have terraces overlooking the neighborhood. Behind a geometric wall of mirrors and glass bottles is the popular lobby bar, the Mortimer. Additional amenities include large HD flat-screen TVs and docking stations with good sound.

Located in the heart of North Beach, this small hotel takes you back in time with cast-iron beds, large mirrored armoires, and memorabilia recalling the Beat generation—whose leading light, Allen Ginsberg, often stayed here (legend has it that in his later years he could be seen sitting in a window, typing away). Rooms have a bistro table and two chairs; bathrooms have cheerful yellow tiles and small showers.

The Castro has been waiting for this 12-room hotel, designed for travelers who appreciate smart design and embrace self-service. There’s no staff on-site—upon reserving, guests receive simple instructions for accessing the building, followed by a code for the front door, elevator, and room just before check-in. The five-story property is close enough to the action to be convenient and just far enough away to blend in with this lovely residential area. Done in crisp whites with colorful splashes, the small rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, a terrace, and clever details that maximize space (like under-the-bed luggage compartments and drawers) and Nespresso machines. In place of headboards, rooms have murals made up of tiny photographs of LGBTQ+ life that together form images of gay icons. Snug bathrooms have black fixtures and blue hexagonal tiles in cool designs; the marble-top sink is in the sleeping area. The hotel’s Lobby Bar next door and a rooftop lounge with fire pit overlooking the neighborhood add hangout spaces.

Inspiration is everywhere at this intimate hotel, with a prominent literary theme that celebrates San Francisco’s Beat poets, from its lobby wall of books and poetry-laced carpet to in-room libraries and typewriters. Ranging from spacious to smallish, rooms are smartly decorated with gray carpets and splashes of color; some overlook the street, others the tree-filled courtyard. Photos of Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac preside over the lobby Obscenity Bar and Lounge, and a small café offers breakfast, snacks, and coffee. The Union Square location is hard to beat.

Opened in 1902, the five-story Majestic is the city's oldest continually operating hotel; its elegant lobby is a graceful haven of antique chandeliers, plush Victorian chairs, antiquarian French books, and Edwardian architecture. Rooms are just as noteworthy for their early-20th-century design, featuring pillow-top beds with soft duvet covers as well as claw-foot tubs and other period touches. Modern notes include flat-screen televisions in each room and complimentary Wi-Fi. The hotel, which survived both of San Francisco's major 20th-century earthquakes, is said to have a friendly ghost. At the Butterfly Lounge, you can peruse the collection of exotic butterflies over a glass of wine or a specialty cocktail.

Known for impeccable service and satin-smooth style, this youngish grande dame takes its visual cues from traditional kimonos and Japanese calligraphy, with rooms that soothe upscale business and leisure travelers with muted colors offset by judicious splashes of stronger hues. Rooms have smart TVs and other high-tech amenities, and deep soaking tubs and oversize showers in the marble bathrooms. The 10,000-square-foot Club Nikko fitness facility has dry saunas and steam rooms and a glass-enclosed, 16-meter rooftop pool.

A high-style haven on the top five floors of the green-tiled Pacific Building, the Zelos offers an upscale-hip oasis above the busiest part of town, with spacious rooms decked out with modern art pieces, eye-catching textured carpeting, and sleek furniture echoing a 1930s sensibility. The hotel's softly lighted lounge area with plush sofas gives way to the Dirty Habit restaurant and bar, renowned for its outdoor patio and creative menu. Additional amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, luxury bath products, and a spacious desk for in-room working.

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.