A superb Union Square location is the main draw of this upper-middle-range, European-style boutique hotel. Renovated top to bottom in 2017, this hotel has a polished look and lively contemporary artwork. Amenities such as a wine and cheese hour, cookies in the evening, and gathering areas on each floor (some with fireplaces) create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Its 30 rooms are bright and modern, if on the small side, but they're well equipped with tablets, robes, and pillow-top mattresses. Freebies like breakfast and overnight shoeshines add to the hotel's value, and a water bottle-filling station is a nice touch. All in all, The Inn is an appealing choice, but it is more buttoned up compared to other boutique hotels in the area. For something flashier in the same neighborhood, consider the Hotel Triton.

This budget, 25-room bed-and-breakfast is situated in a prime spot between Union Square and Nob Hill, with many of San Francisco’s attractions within easy walking distance and public transportation. The cozy, family-owned hotel is best suited to adult travelers, couples, and families with older children -- particularly those who appreciate meeting other guests over breakfast, which includes fresh baked goods. Rooms are individually decorated and full of antiques, and a friendly house cat functions as the hotel’s mascot. Guests wanting more amenities along with a homey vibe could consider the Nob Hill Hotel, which has a gym and restaurant. 

This is one of the San Francisco's most special hotels. One block from busy Union Square, the 110-room boutique hotel is an enclave of quiet luxury and pampering service. The posh rooms come with Nespresso machines, flat-screen LED TVs, limestone bathrooms, and knitted cotton Ploh robes. The Taj Campton Place restaurant is not just a hotel restaurant -- it is its own institution with a distinguished reputation and two Michelin stars. Travelers may also consider San Francisco's grande old dames -- like the nearby Westin St. Francis or the Fairmont San Francisco on Nob Hill. 

The upscale Hotel Nikko looks and feels more like a boutique hotel than the mid-size chain it actually is. Though the hotel's multiple conference rooms, stylish suites, and on-site UPS store make it an obvious draw for business travelers, the Union Square location, indoor lap pool, and sushi bar appeal to tourists as well, though small children might be happier elsewhere. Watch out for added charges tacked on to use premium Wi-Fi, the international breakfast buffet, and more -- though these are covered for guests who book an Imperial Club Room or Imperial Suite. The hotel re-opened in March 2017 following a three-month, $60 million renovation that brought upgrades to the majority of the guest rooms, common areas, and meeting space.

A sexy 202-room property that doubles as a hip art gallery, the Hotel Zelos San Francisco (formerly Hotel Palomar) has spacious, comfortable rooms, free coffee and tea in the mornings, free Wi-Fi, and an upscale restaurant on the 5th floor. Other downtown boutiques may cost less, but the Zelos is a cut above for a hip, romantic getaway.

One block from Union Square, this charming boutique hotel offers attractive rooms that mix antique furniture and modern comforts. But amenities are few -- there's not even a fitness center on-site (though guests can access one at a different hotel a few blocks away). Still, its impressive historic building, intimacy, and stately feel make it one of the better options for the price in this location. Travelers should compare Kensington's rates with the ones at Hotel Cartwright, another early-20th-century charmer that's low on frills but a short walk from Union Square.

This stylish boutique hotel is one of the best upscale options near Union Square. It's not the cheapest option in this pearl category (the nearby Clift and Hotel Nikko often have lower rates), but many guests will prefer it for its fun, eclectic decor and thoughtful freebies. The rooms are on the small side but have comfortable beds, quirky-yet-elegant style, and modern technology. The lobby and "living room" are great places to hang out, especially for the free wine receptions and morning coffee.

This 94-room Union Square boutique, themed after 1920s and '30s literary salons, is a bit quirky, with fairly hands-off service and few amenities. But the tiny quarters are nicely furnished with up-to-date amenities, there's a daily wine hour in the reading-room-style lobby bar, and an on-site bistro offers up well-priced Californian fare.

King George Hotel is a historic three-pearl property with a great central location right next to Union Square and close to attractions, restaurants, shops, and public transport. Its 153 elegant rooms come with flat-screen TVs, work desks, tablets, and coffeemakers, though not all have air-conditioning and some get bothersome street noise. Other downsides include dated interiors and no proper restaurant, but there is a breakfast buffet available (for a fee), as well as a bar, 24-hour room service, and meeting rooms for rent. Travelers might also want to consider Hotel Union Stay which has a more modern style and a free wine hour. 

More vintage than executive in most aspects, this mid-range hotel is a good value for San Francisco’s Union Square neighborhood. It occupies an historic 1912 building with lots of character, and as of 2015 was in the process of being updated. With amenities like On Demand TV, minibars, and meeting space, the 107-room property feels more like a boutique than a large hotel. There's a somewhat trendy restaurant serving new American cuisine, and free wine is served every evening. Rooms are modern and have minibars, but are generally on the smaller side.

This artistic, three-pearl, 82-room hotel appeals to adult tourists and couples looking for a stylish, boutique experience. Rooms are on the small side but are quirky and modern, some with exposed brick or historic masonry walls. The hotel has a Charlie Palmer restaurant and craft cocktail bar, plus a spacious, stylish lounge. Delicious breakfast is included, and the location is superb for those wanting to be in the heart of San Francisco’s downtown near Union Square.    

Located in the heart of Union Square, Villa Florence is a 189-room upper-middle-range boutique hotel with chic modern design and a touch of whimsy on great historical bones. The 1908 hotel’s location, directly on the Powell Street cable car line, couldn’t be more central: It’s surrounded by shops, restaurants, theaters, and all modes of public transportation. Rooms in fresh gray, white, and magenta hues have comfortable beds, solid amenities, and smallish bathrooms with C.O. Bigelow bath products, but those overlooking Powell Street can pick up noise. A mandatory nightly facility fee covers Wi-Fi, beverages in the lobby, and use of the fitness center, but parking and breakfast cost an additional fee. For fewer fees and more amenities in the same neighborhood, consider the Handlery; it offers free Wi-Fi, and a heated outdoor pool -- a rarity in this part of town.

The Sir Francis Drake attracts both business and leisure travelers with its great location close to Union Square and public transportation (including the cable car that runs right outside the hotel). But the business traveler might be slightly disappointed with the amenities: The business center and fitness center are both minimally equipped and Wi-Fi comes at a cost to everyone except Kimpton loyalty program members. There are, however, ample meeting rooms for groups. Staying at a Kimpton hotel does have several perks, including free coffee and tea in the lobby each morning and a free wine happy hour in the evenings. The hotel is also pet-friendly, with no extra costs and no size or weight restrictions. The hotel is one of the oldest in the area and takes pride in its history, but the property nonetheless feels modern with its clean, quiet, and comfortable guest rooms (each features a work space).