The Four Seasons' huge, well-outfitted rooms and attentive service are among the city's best, but the 277-room property falls a bit short of expectations. Its pool and fitness center are outsourced, and its business-centric SoMa location lacks the prestige of Nob Hill, where some if its strongest competitors reside.

The upscale Hotel Vitale has a great location on the Financial District waterfront, surrounded by fine dining and across the street from the famous Ferry Building. Its 200 rooms are warm and spacious, with a soothing neutral palette, free Wi-Fi, and upscale amenities such as Bose sound systems, LCD TVs, fully stocked minibars, and limestone bathrooms. Americano Restaurant & Bar is known for its popular happy hour, which spills over to its cute outdoor terrace, and the spa offers a serene bamboo patio with soaking tubs. Rates are average for location and style, but there is a steep fee for valet parking, and the mandatory “Urban Fee” (which includes basic Wi-Fi, daily 10-minute massages, and Nespresso machines) may make some guests feel nickel-and-dimed. In this price range Le Meridien San Francisco offers a comparable experience. 

It's not quite as fashionable as its competitors in SoMa, near the Moscone Convention Center and the downtown musuems, but the 374-room Courtyard by Marriott San Francisco Downtown was renovated in 2009 and its indoor pool and larger-than-average guest rooms make it an attractive choice for the price.