57 Best Hotels in San Francisco, California

Green, pet-friendly, and equipped with high-speed fiber-optic Wi-Fi, the tech-oriented Axiom nimbly provides a boutique experience business and leisure travelers applaud. Just steps from the Powell Street cable-car turnaround, the hotel offers service that’s polite, intuitive, and efficient. The public spaces, including a check-in area filled with California-themed books, evoke the past while projecting an au courant vibe. Many rooms are old-school small but make sensible use of the available space.

Occupying 12 floors of a skyscraper, the Four Seasons delivers subdued elegance in rooms with contemporary artwork, fine linens, floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Yerba Buena Gardens or downtown, and lovely marble bathrooms with soaking tubs. Highlights include the city's plushest robes and slippers, thoughtful touches like a jogging route guide, housekeeping twice a day, and 24/7 gourmet room service. The main amenity perk for most guests is access to the adjacent Equinox Sports Club, where you have free access to the junior Olympic pool, full-size indoor basketball court, and the rest of the magnificent facilities, classes, and spa services. For an extra special dinner during a stay, make sure to reserve the Chef's Table experience at the hotel's MKT restaurant where the elaborate multicourse menu is specifically unique to your party.

Travelers looking for charming accommodations around Union Square will enjoy this four-story Edwardian building with bay windows, an original birdcage elevator, hallways lined with historical photographs, and rooms decorated with antiques, wicker pieces, and Laura Ashley bedding and curtains. Only 14 rooms have private baths, some with claw-foot tubs, but every guest can enjoy the afternoon tea and homemade cookies served in the cozy parlor. Breakfast is served down the block at the Cornell Hotel de France.

A frothy homage to 1950s Beat writers, 1960s hippies and rockers, and other local agents of change, the hip Hotel Zeppelin appeals to a youngish crowd with high-tech amenities and an inviting, sometimes boisterous, game room with a pool table, quick-shot basketball wall, and other entertainments. A fireplace and bar area give the lobby a warm communal atmosphere, while smart TVs, blackout shades, and spacious maple-top work desks in the guest rooms satisfy the desires of 21st-century travelers. The hotel's restaurant, PLS on Post, serves towering burgers and shakes with peace, love, and soul (PLS).

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.

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.

A tribute to beauty and attentive, professional service, the Ritz-Carlton emphasizes luxury and elegance, which are evident in the Ionic columns that grace the neoclassical facade and the crystal chandeliers that illuminate marble floors and walls in the lobby. This luxe feeling continues in the fog-and-blue-hued guest rooms with modern furniture, marble bathrooms stocked with Asprey London amenities, and plush beds with 400-thread-count sheets and dreamy combed cotton linens. Club Level rooms include use of a lounge with a dedicated concierge and complimentary food throughout the day. Traditional afternoon tea and excellent cocktails are served in the Lobby Lounge, overlooking the beautifully landscaped Terrace Courtyard, and guests enjoy breakfast at the sophisticated Parallel 37 restaurant.

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.

With a strong location at the convergence of Chinatown, the Financial District, and Union Square, this boutique anchor attracts a design-conscious crowd and is highlighted by its intricately decorated lobby featuring marble floors, a wood-beam ceiling, and art from around the world. The focal point is a 1940s mural depicting Mission Dolores, uncovered during demolition work. Rooms are sophisticated and homey, with white wainscoting, cool blue custom-upholstered headboards and benches, bright-red splashes, and Frette linens. Complimentary coffee and biscotti are served every morning, and the afternoon's free beer, wine, and canned cocktail hour is well attended.

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 sustainability and green-everything boutique hotel concept planted its flag in San Francisco in 2022 and quickly emerged as one of the city's most in-demand places to spend the night for both leisure travelers and the well-heeled business set. From the actual moss that resides in a frame by every guest room, to the reclaimed wood design elements and leather headboards in each room, nature—hip, somewhat posh nature—is the clear theme. It curiously feels like a Tulum jungle yoga getaway meets upscale urban aesthetic. Some rooms have spectacular bay views where you almost feel on top of the Ferry Building and a few suites have stunning terraces overlooking the skyline. Don't miss the cocktails in the ground-floor restaurant, Terrene, which frequently incorporates discarded or upcycled ingredients into its drink creations.

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.

Fancy moldings and 10-foot-tall windows grace the red-carpeted lobby of this brick Victorian listed on the National Register of Historic Places that has rooms of varying size and setup. Rooms have dark-wood antique-reproduction furniture; standard rooms can feel cramped, but the suites and junior suites are more spacious and have different kinds of kitchen facilities. All suites have a bidet in the bathroom and whirlpool bathtubs. The generous breakfast baskets have a good variety of offerings, and afternoon tea and wine are served beneath a crystal chandelier in the lobby.

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.

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.

Located in the former Ghirardelli chocolate factory, these one- to three-bedroom residences deliver elevated comfort and style, with fully equipped gourmet kitchens, brick walls, plush bedding, in-room laundry facilities, fireplaces, and well-appointed contemporary design furnishings. Most rooms have views of Alcatraz and the bay. These are undoubtedly some of the city's most spacious rooms, which make it an excellent upscale choice for families or those working remotely. While there is no on-site restaurant, there are many options within Ghiradelli Square, and butler delivery service is offered for guests to enjoy food from McCormick & Kuleto's in their suites. A wine and cheese reception is also offered each Monday and Friday.

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.

Each luxurious room at the city's second Four Seasons has spectacular city and bay views; the hotel occupies the top 11 floors in two wings connected by a glass skybridge atop one of San Francisco's tallest and most recognizable buildings. There are touches of San Francisco history throughout the chic, wonderfully appointed guest rooms—headboard reading lights inspired by the city's streetcars; gold wall coverings in the terrace suites—and guests can rely on all the usual Four Seasons pampering with a spiffy fitness center, spacious rooms at all levels, cotton bathrobes and slippers, massive flat-screen TVs, and deep soaking tubs in most of the bathrooms.

At the edge of the FiDi and Union Square areas, this boutique hotel manages to be both hip and welcoming, with modern touches on historical bones and cozy guest rooms with all the technological amenities modern travelers require. Guests lounge in the lobby by the hotel’s pièce de résistance, a massive, hand-sculpted art-nouveau fireplace that looks like it leaped out of a fairy tale. For guests visiting on business or working remotely, the marble-topped desks with ergonomic chairs (and the Illy espresso machine for caffeine) are a big plus.

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.

Business travelers patronize this centrally located Hilton for its airy guest rooms and large work desks with an ergonomic chair. But even in high season, the weekend rates drop significantly, luring leisure travelers who will appreciate the giant TVs, chaise lounge, and blackout curtains. The third-floor Sky Bridge over Kearny Street connects this giant hotel with Chinatown's Portsmouth Square, and the Financial District and North Beach are steps away. Constructed in the early 1970s, the Hilton is nothing to look at but occupies a plot of land whose history dates back to gold-rush days.

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.

Near Union Square shops, theaters, and restaurants, this appealing hotel has small but tastefully appointed rooms with smart TVs, device docking stations, comfortable bedding, and fancy bath products. The lobby's fireplace and warm wood and stainless-steel accents lend a modern feel.

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.

This rejuvenated, beach-theme 1950s motor lodge with nicely appointed rooms and a fun, heated outdoor pool is all alone in a higher, hipper class of Cow Hollow/Marina boutique hotels. Blown-glass bedside lamps, a bright orange accent wall, and tufted white and silver headboards set an effervescent mood in the guest rooms. The Del Sol is nicely situated halfway between Union Street and Chestnut Street, with easy walking access to both.

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.