The Best Hotels in San Francisco

SD › San Francisco › Best Hotels
Updated: April 16, 2021
By Santorini Dave

Our Favorites

• Best Hotel: Fairmont
• Boutique Hotel: Hotel Vitale
• Cheap Hotel: Stanyan Park
• Family Hotel: The Palace
• Best Pool: The Palace
• Near Airport: Grand Hyatt SFO
• Fisherman’s Wharf: Argonaut
• Golden Gate Bridge: Cavallo Point

The 17 Best Hotels in San Francisco

1. Fairmont Nob Hill

Fantastic rooms come in all sizes for families or individual travelers. Known for its connection to celebrities like Tony Bennett, its ornate ballrooms, and popular eatery Tonga Room. Lesser-known gems include the shops, event centers, multiple fitness rooms, rooftop gardens, and prohibition-era bars. Can’t beat the location on top of Nob Hill, towering over the rest of San Francisco.

2. Four Seasons SF

One of the nicest all-around luxury hotels in San Francisco. Location is perfect, in the heart of Market Street, close to SoMa, the Financial District, and Embarcadero, and right on the BART and trolley lines so you can get anywhere in the city easily. Very simple, comfortable, bright rooms and a top-notch in-house restaurant and bar. Partnership with Equinox gym allows guests free access. Proximity to the Yerba Buena Gardens, lots of nightlife, Westfield Centre shopping, and restaurants like Tropisueno top it off.

3. St. Regis

Beautiful open-room concepts and aesthetically pleasing interior design. Conveniently located around the corner from the Moscone Center’s movie theater, carousel, and food court. Their in-house restaurant Vitrine is popular for its well-prepared American cuisine; they also boast a pop-up restaurant downstairs that specializes in grilled favorites. A huge pool and nice fitness center complete the residential-feeling property.

4. Four Seasons Embarcadero

Spacious, modern rooms. Muted tones and elegant layouts. Many rooms offer either city or bay views right from the heart of San Francisco. Chinatown, the Financial District, and North Beach are all within easy walking distance. Bars, restaurants, and shopping are steps from the front door.

5. Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square

Look out over Ghirardelli Square and enjoy the views of the bay and Alcatraz from any point in the hotel. Thirty-five residences, each with ensuite bathrooms attached to every bedroom. King beds, fireplaces, sleeper sofas, microwave, gas range stove, dishwasher, and washer/dryer comes standard in each residence. Take the complimentary car to Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, or the Presidio.

6. The Palace

Service, size, and decor reminiscent of an actual palace. The hotel itself is an attraction worth wandering, but you can always explore the restaurants and watering holes of SoMa, the Financial District, and the Embarcadero. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better fitness facility than the one at the Palace, complete with a full indoor pool and locker rooms. Check out their on-site restaurant Pied Piper for food and drink, or if you want to wander, start across the street at House of Shields or around the corner at Novella and go from there.

7. Hotel Vitale

A stylish, quintessentially San Francisco boutique hotel in a red-brick building with unobstructed views of the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island from any perch. Plenty of outdoor space for lounging on vacation or meeting on business. Local affiliations with The Bay Club and The Y fulfill guests’ fitness needs. Pier 39, AT&T Park, the Ferry Building, and Vitale’s own popular restaurant and bar are close by.

8. Hotel Zelos

Hip SoMa location does a good job of representing the vibrant spirit of the city. The rooms are bright and clean. The fitness center and restaurant are spot-on San Francisco, with the latter especially becoming a huge draw at night. Right next to BART, Union Square, the Westfield Mall, and the Metreon.

9. Orchard Hotel

Cozy, traditional bedrooms with plenty of space. King beds and unique Oriental artwork come standard. Catch three meals a day at Daffodil in-house, or wander to Chinatown for a delicious meal. Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, and the Financial District are all within striking distance. Guests traveling with kids can request a rollaway or crib; the nearby Exploratorium makes for a fun family activity.

10. Omni Hotel

A well-planned mix of family-friendly amenities, business leisure, and luxury. In the heart of everything, and just steps away from North Beach, Chinatown, and downtown. Large, luxurious rooms with a comfort-focused design. The intimate in-house restaurant and bar give way to a beautiful lobby space. The program offering children a backpack of goodies upon check-in is a family-friendly bonus.

11. Hotel Emblem

The 1920’s literary salon theme really stands out in this dimly-lit, quaint hotel near downtown. The rooms are on the smaller side, but comfortable and homey-feeling. Stick around the lobby for movie night, live music night, Cabaret, and more. Nearby attractions include Union Square, Yerba Buena Gardens, and great restaurants. For a full city tour, Big Bus Tours picks up right next to the hotel entrance.

12. Grand Hyatt

Slick, apartment-style rooms offer plenty of comfort and the “living in the city” feel travelers crave from San Francisco. A well-decorated lobby is overlooked by trendy restaurant and bar areas called OneUp. With Union Square just steps away, you’re in the heart of everything. Ask the friendly concierge for a walking route to Pier 39 and hit all their suggested stops along the way. Nice touch: V.I.B. (Very Important Baby) program equips parents with rubber duckies, bottle brushes, etc.

13. Taj Campton Place

A lot of hotel squeezed into a very little space. Just up the street from Union Square in the middle of San Francisco, Taj Campton boasts a rooftop fitness center, pleasantly-decorated large suites, and a 2-Michelin star restaurant. There is a courtesy car to take you to attractive nearby dining and nightlife locations, like Chinatown, SoMa, and North Beach.

14. Hotel Drisco

One of the best boutique hotels in San Francisco. Very regal, historic building with rooms to match. There’s an old-school feel to the whole place, including complimentary wine reception for guests, and buffet-style continental breakfasts. Located in the middle of residential San Francisco, so prepare to walk to see the nearby Presidio, Marina, and Fillmore districts.

15. Clift Royal Sonesta

Artsy, unique lobby area extends to dining and event space, as well as the famous Redwood Room bar and lounge. Rooms are large and bright and have all the amenities needed, especially for a business traveler. Near Union Square and fun nightlife spots like Johnny Foley’s Irish Pub and Bourbon and Branch. Plenty of food and tourist options within walking distance, too.

16. Ritz-Carlton

Superb hotel, great restaurant & lounge, and a strong wine program. The kids’ program gives families traveling with kids a scavenger hunt around the hotel. Comfortable, quaint rooms have expansive views of downtown. Located in the heart of San Francisco, between Nob Hill and North Beach. Walking or trolley distance to Italian food in North Beach, Chinese in Chinatown, or nightlife downtown.

17. The Argonaut

A luxury hotel with nautical themes. In the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf, just steps from Ghirardelli Square. Beautiful, comfortable rooms with original wood and brick accouterments. Check out the Blue Mermaid restaurant’s delicious chowder or take the kids through the Park Service-run Visitor Center exhibits. Endless bars, restaurants, and attractions within just a few blocks.