Those planning a visit to San Francisco have a growing number of wonderful hotels to select from—they usually range from luxury properties that embody the spirit of town to boutique hotels with rooftop bars that draw locals. You’ll find plenty of options across the central but busy downtown area around Union Square, which could be fun if you happen to’re within the mood for it, but neighborhoods just like the Embarcadero or Nob Hill offer a quieter (yet still central) retreat. Or, consider basing yourself in Japantown, considered one of our favourite neighborhoods in town.
Afar’s latest Hotels We Love list reveals the ten best hotels in San Francisco, whether you wish an expensive spa vacation, a hip boutique stick with a way of place, or a dreamy escape on the fringes of town.
1 Hotel
- Neighborhood: Embarcadero
- Why we adore it: A wellness-minded property that has a sustainability ethos and overlooks the bay
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If you happen to seek a serene, wellness-minded stay in considered one of San Francisco’s most central neighborhoods, the 1 Hotel, which opened in 2022, ought to be at the highest of your list. Afar Deputy Editor Katherine LaGrave said of a recent stay that the 200 guest rooms and 14 suites feel “plucked out of a Nancy Meyers beachside rom-com in one of the best ways possible: Think upcycled wood furniture and headboards, knitted beige throws, white and cream-colored linens. They’re cool, calm, and offer a respite from the hubbub of town, which really, truly, is correct outdoors—the Ferry Constructing, visible from my room, was a three-minute walk.”
The hotel’s sustainability credentials are also truly impressive. Beyond the usual reusable water bottles and bulk-sized toiletries which can be fairly standard in San Francisco, the hotel features local and reclaimed materials for the biophilic interior design, sustainably sourced bedding, a rooftop garden with beehives, and a zero-waste philosophy for the kitchen. It also sources “ugly” (but edible) produce for the lobby snack bar from the weekly farmer’s market across the road.
On sunny days, grab a seat on the happening large terrace patio of the 1 Hotel’s restaurant, Terrene, for a drink or dinner. Or, retreat to the spa and wellness center for a massage and a calming bath on the property’s rooftop. From $500
The Battery
- Neighborhood: Jackson Square
- Why we adore it: Interiors with a way of place, and access to a vigorous private social club of San Francisco entrepreneurs, creatives, and bon vivants
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Most individuals in town know The Battery as an exclusive social club, however it also houses a 14-suite boutique hotel, open to members and nonmembers alike. Featuring a maximalist decor that channels the various sides of San Francisco—be it Chinatown-inspired motifs on the curtains or beams from the old ships that used to dock within the immediate location (the world was once water)—the hotel’s design has a definite sense of place.
Hotel guests have access to the club’s social spaces, bars (yes, there are multiple, including a stunning outdoor terrace and a comfortable, secret bar hidden behind a movable bookcase), restaurant, and near-daily events, comparable to comedy and burlesque shows, readings, and live shows. Due to the built-in community and social vibe, the Battery is a singular place to remain that may permit you to truly get to know town and the individuals who live here.
The situation within the historic Jackson Square neighborhood is a draw, too: It’s central yet quiet, and a brief walk to nearby North Beach and the Embarcadero. From $495
Beacon Grand
- Neighborhood: Union Square
- Why we adore it: A historic boutique hotel that has been reimagined and revitalized for today, complete with considered one of the buzziest cocktail bars on the town
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The Beacon Grand, formerly referred to as the historic Sir Francis Drake, underwent a serious renovation before reopening within the spring of 2022. Within the central and bustling Union Square neighborhood, this iconic constructing originally opened its doors as a hotel in 1928. Even though it has since received a really modern upgrade, elements of the historic constructing—comparable to the lobby’s grand staircase, marble floors, and chandeliers (considered one of which is claimed to still have a bullet lodged in it from a kerfuffle within the Twenties)—have been preserved. The 418 guest rooms have been refreshed with oak hardwood floors, white bathrooms with brass fixtures, and a jewel-toned color scheme. Small San Francisco–themed touches abound, comparable to sourdough motifs within the wallpaper.
Certainly one of the highlights of the property is the rooftop cocktail bar and lounge, the reimagined Starlite Room on the twenty first floor. In its prior heyday within the mid-Twentieth century, it was a preferred dance hall. Today, it’s reclaiming that repute and has quickly grow to be a preferred downtown nightlife spot. The hotel also has a wonderful whiskey program within the downstairs bar that may suit any guest who prefers a more subdued drinking atmosphere. From $229
Cavallo Point Lodge
- Location: Sausalito
- Why we adore it: A historic escape inside easy reach of San Francisco
- Loyalty program: I Prefer (Preferred Hotels & Resorts)
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Cavallo Point Lodge just isn’t technically in San Francisco, which is just a number of minutes’ drive north of the Golden Gate Bridge. However it does have among the finest views of town. In the previous residences of high-ranking U.S. Army officers in the course of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, a preferred Bay Area attraction for locals and tourists alike, it’s a standout selection for its historic charm and exquisite, nature-filled setting.
The 142 accommodations are in either the unique colonial revival residences with large verandas or newer lodgings with floor-to-ceiling windows facing San Francisco Bay. Contemporary interiors feature wood and leather furnishings and gas fireplaces. If you happen to can, ask for considered one of the 12 newly remodeled suites, designed by Restoration Hardware. Fresh-air activities range from paddleboarding and browsing within the bay to mountaineering along nearby mountaineering trails. Guests also can explore the world on considered one of the hotel’s vintage electric bicycles.
The 11,000-square-foot Healing Arts Center & Spa (day passes are also available to nonguests) offers soaks in a heated outdoor meditation pool, saunas, and massages. Launched in Fall 2022, the Latest American–meets-Mediterranean restaurant Sula showcases regional ingredients in such dishes as oysters from nearby Point Reyes and Niman Ranch beef filet. From $735
Fairmont San Francisco
- Location: Nob Hill
- Why we adore it: A reinvented grande dame steeped in history
- Loyalty program: Accor Live Limitless
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Built by California architect Julia Morgan, who also designed Hearst Castle, Fairmont San Francisco opened to much fanfare in 1907 at the highest of Nob Hill (a previous construct of the hotel burned down within the 1906 earthquake and resulting fires). Today it’s full of a century’s value of stories: It was the primary U.S. hotel to rent a concierge, and it served as a movie location for Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo. The late Tony Bennett sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” for the primary time here in 1962. The Polynesian-themed, Mai Tai–slinging Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar is known. In 1926, the hotel added a 6,000-square-foot penthouse suite with a two-story library that outstanding guests (including John F. Kennedy and Mick Jagger) have checked into.
The hotel has evolved with the times—having added all the pieces from a health club to honeybee hives—while serving as a perennial playground and meeting place in the center of San Francisco, with views of town and bay to match. The historic constructing and newer tower together feature 606 guest rooms and suites that were recently renovated and now feature a palette of grays and browns. For a few of one of the best views, ask for a Golden Gate suite. From $249
4 Seasons Hotel San Francisco
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Why we adore it: Modern luxury in a central, downtown location
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San Francisco is lucky enough to haven’t only one, but two 4 Seasons hotels. The unique 4 Seasons commands a central location on Market Street, while the 4 Seasons Embarcadero—the hotel group’s newer property, a 12-minute walk away, within the Embarcadero neighborhood—features warm-toned decor and stunning views of the Transamerica Pyramid. Although business travelers are inclined to gravitate toward the unique, 277-room hotel, it’s our pick for leisure travelers, too.
The Market Street location gives travelers easy accessibility to major attractions just like the SFMOMA, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, and Yerba Buena Gardens, in addition to to excellent dining and nightlife (don’t miss a night of jazz at historic The Dawn Club, right round the corner). A stay at this 4 Seasons also comes with access to a multilevel Equinox gym, complete with an indoor swimming pool and a basketball court.
Although town is teeming with incredible dining options, it’s value reserving an evening for a meal on the hotel’s California-centric, fine-dining establishment, MKT Bar & Restaurant. Due to its views overlooking the predominant thoroughfare, Market Street, the restaurant is a preferred spot for watching the annual Pride Parade. Each the restaurant and the hotel’s lobby have plenty of subtle nods to the world’s former, post–Gold Rush life as a hub for the printing industry. From $499
The Jay Hotel, Autograph Collection
- Neighborhood: Embarcadero
- Why we adore it: A well-located retreat with minimalist decor that exudes calm
- Loyalty program: Marriott Autograph Collection
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The comfortable and quiet Jay Hotel was probably the most anticipated addition to town’s hotel scene in 2023. This boutique hotel is within the brutalist constructing that formerly housed Le Méridien. The 360 guest rooms and suites have warm, textured, minimalist decor (like cozy, neutral-hued sofas and natural picket headboards) that evokes calm and serenity. Adding to the oasis vibes are seriously comfortable beds, blackout curtains, and minibars stocked with local goodies, comparable to St. George gin. If you happen to can, book a room with a balcony (a rarity among the many city’s hotels), and luxuriate in the impressive views of the Bay Bridge and the nearby Transamerica Tower.
Guests and locals alike also won’t need to miss the hotel’s aptly named bar and restaurant, The Third Floor, which has an expansive terrace complete with firepits, cocktails, and food by restaurant group Omakase (also behind several beloved local restaurants, including Niku Steakhouse and Dumpling Time).
But among the finest parts of this hotel is its location. Tucked away on a comparatively quiet block of town’s downtown Embarcadero neighborhood, it’s central without feeling chaotic. Guests can easily walk to the bayside promenade (also called the Embarcadero), the Ferry Constructing, Jackson Square, and North Beach. From $429
Kimpton Hotel Enso
- Neighborhood: Japantown
- Why we adore it: Welcoming staff and a likelihood to remain in an enchanting—but underrated—corner of town.
- Loyalty program: IHG
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San Francisco doesn’t have plenty of hotel options outside of the downtown area, but branching out to other areas, comparable to the six blocks of Japantown, is among the finest ways to get to know town like a neighborhood. In the center of this petite neighborhood is Kimpton Hotel Enso (formerly the Buchanan Hotel) a warm and welcoming boutique hotel.
In 2022, the rebranding of the property brought with it a whole renovation, bringing light and airiness to the once-dark interiors of its 130 guest rooms and introducing more eco-friendly features like water-efficient showers in lieu of bathtubs. Little touches, comparable to kimono-style bathrobes, light wood furniture, and indigo-dyed textiles, bring a distinctly Japanese feel to the hotel’s interior design—a nod to the world’s heritage. A few of the rooms even include a small balcony. If you happen to can, request one which overlooks the enduring Peace Plaza.
Characteristic of Kimpton properties, the staff listed below are warm, welcoming, and desirous to help guests get to know this corner of town—be it with a restaurant suggestion or sake tasting within the lobby (to provide you some ideas). From $260
The St. Regis San Francisco
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Why we adore it: Understated elegance and top-notch service round the corner to the SFMOMA
- Loyalty program: Marriot Bonvoy
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In the center of the downtown SoMa neighborhood, the St. Regis San Francisco is an oasis of calm and unpretentious luxury. Opened in 2005, this property has earned its status as considered one of town’s most luxurious stays, because of the impeccable service—from the personalized butler service to world-class concierges—and the handsome 260 guest rooms and suites. With comfortable beds, bespoke toiletry products, and enormous windows overlooking town below, the guest rooms are all built to maximise privacy, comfort, and quiet.
In 2022, the hotel’s lobby and the ground-floor restaurant, Astra, were redesigned, transforming the space right into a vibrant, maximalist bar area. The colourful and geometric-pattern–filled space beckons guests to linger initially or end of their day.
Other notable on-site amenities include a sunny indoor pool area designed by San Francisco–based firm TEF Design and a state-of-the-art fitness center. As a part of its efforts to provide back to town, the hotel houses the Museum of the African Diaspora on the bottom floor of the constructing, in addition to several notable sculptures in the general public spaces. Art lovers can even be pleased to know the SFMOMA is directly round the corner. From $475
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
- Neighborhood: Nob Hill
- Why we adore it: Classic, over-the-top luxury—and a mean martini
- Loyalty program: Marriott Bonvoy
- Book now
In Nob Hill, The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco makes a powerful impression from the outset. It’s housed inside a neoclassical constructing that was originally designed because the Pacific Coast headquarters of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. The doorway’s large columns and ornate stonework befit its 1909 birth yr, a mode that continues within the chandelier-and-marble–decorated lobby.
Though historic, the hotel just isn’t stuck in time. A 2015 revamp brought the 336 guest rooms and suites squarely into the current day, with elegant decor (think floor-to-ceiling drapes, plush armchairs, and touches of marble and silver throughout), luxurious Frette linens, and cozy, lounge-worthy spaces. And despite the culinary temptations that await just beyond the top-hatted valets, make sure you enjoy no less than one cocktail on the in-house bar and lounge (our favourite: a martini shaken with a novel turn-of-the-century contraption) or a glass of champagne within the sunny outdoor courtyard. From $489
