The luxury Ritz-Carlton occupies a Neoclassical mansion sandwiched between Chinatown and Union Square in Nob Hill. Elegant interiors rife with marble and chandeliers are coupled with doting service for a luxurious experience -- but a handful of quibbles prevent it from a five-pearl status, including shower/tub combos in bathrooms and lack of views in most rooms. The 336 rooms are still spacious and chic, with mod-cons like Nespresso machines and iPod docks. It might be worth upgrading to a Club-Level Room for perks like free breakfast, light lunches, and drinks in the Club Lounge. Dining open to all includes a stylish restaurant and a lounge with casual fare, plus there's an atmospheric wine tasting lounge. Other features include an impressive gym and L'Occitane spa. For great window views, check out the nearby Fairmont San Francisco.
The luxury Ritz-Carlton occupies a Neoclassical mansion sandwiched between Chinatown and Union Square in Nob Hill. Elegant interiors rife with marble and chandeliers are coupled with doting service for a luxurious experience -- but a handful of quibbles prevent it from a five-pearl status, including shower/tub combos in bathrooms and lack of views in most rooms. The 336 rooms are still spacious and chic, with mod-cons like Nespresso machines and iPod docks. It might be worth upgrading to a Club-Level Room for perks like free breakfast, light lunches, and drinks in the Club Lounge. Dining open to all includes a stylish restaurant and a lounge with casual fare, plus there's an atmospheric wine tasting lounge. Other features include an impressive gym and L'Occitane spa. For great window views, check out the nearby Fairmont San Francisco.
Parker Guest House is a charming boutique bed-and-breakfast in the heart of the Castro District. While geared toward to gay travelers, everyone is made to feel welcome at this three-pearl property. Housed in two four-story 1909 Edwardian mansions painted a striking yellow, the Parker Guest House offers thoughtfully decorated interiors, rooms with plush beds and free Wi-Fi, a steam room, and a free breakfast and free evening wine reception. Be aware that not all rooms have private baths. The Parker Guest House is away from the bustling tourist areas but conveniently situated on the MUNI line with service to the downtown sights. For lower prices, check rates at other bed-and-breakfasts in the Castro such as the Inn on Castro or Willows Inn.
Parker Guest House is a charming boutique bed-and-breakfast in the heart of the Castro District. While geared toward to gay travelers, everyone is made to feel welcome at this three-pearl property. Housed in two four-story 1909 Edwardian mansions painted a striking yellow, the Parker Guest House offers thoughtfully decorated interiors, rooms with plush beds and free Wi-Fi, a steam room, and a free breakfast and free evening wine reception. Be aware that not all rooms have private baths. The Parker Guest House is away from the bustling tourist areas but conveniently situated on the MUNI line with service to the downtown sights. For lower prices, check rates at other bed-and-breakfasts in the Castro such as the Inn on Castro or Willows Inn.
The three-pearl Queen Anne evokes San Francisco at the turn of the 20th century, and is one of the city's most charming small historic hotels. Housed in a four-story Victoria-era building erected in 1890 and originally used as a girl's school, the Queen Anne was refurbished in 1998 but still retains its period flavor. The 48 guest rooms feature Victorian antiques, but they have been updated with such modern amenities as free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Some have wood-burning fireplaces, microwaves, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges. Breakfast and an evening social hour with tea, sherry, and cookies are included in the room rate. Located a bit far from tourist attractions, the hotel is for travelers seeking intimacy and historic charm.
The three-pearl Queen Anne evokes San Francisco at the turn of the 20th century, and is one of the city's most charming small historic hotels. Housed in a four-story Victoria-era building erected in 1890 and originally used as a girl's school, the Queen Anne was refurbished in 1998 but still retains its period flavor. The 48 guest rooms feature Victorian antiques, but they have been updated with such modern amenities as free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Some have wood-burning fireplaces, microwaves, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges. Breakfast and an evening social hour with tea, sherry, and cookies are included in the room rate. Located a bit far from tourist attractions, the hotel is for travelers seeking intimacy and historic charm.
The 96-room Hotel Emblem is a quirky, literary-themed boutique hotel located in downtown San Francisco, two blocks from Union Square. The stylish property has a sceney vibe and a fun style that pays tribute to the Beat Generation (think throw pillows that read “Pot Is Fun” and William Carlos Williams quotes embedded on custom carpeting). The attractive rooms have funky, midcentury-inspired decor, as well as flat-screen TVs and glass decanters by the bedside (each floor has a station with filtered water and afternoon fruit and cookies). Perks include a hip lobby bar with excellent cocktails, a billiards room, and an outpost of the Brooklyn-based Bluestone Lane coffee shop. However, there’s no full-service eatery, and no fitness center. All in all, it’s a cooly mellow spot for couples or solo travelers; for something a bit more buttoned-up, consider The Inn at Union Square - A Greystone Hotel.
The 96-room Hotel Emblem is a quirky, literary-themed boutique hotel located in downtown San Francisco, two blocks from Union Square. The stylish property has a sceney vibe and a fun style that pays tribute to the Beat Generation (think throw pillows that read “Pot Is Fun” and William Carlos Williams quotes embedded on custom carpeting). The attractive rooms have funky, midcentury-inspired decor, as well as flat-screen TVs and glass decanters by the bedside (each floor has a station with filtered water and afternoon fruit and cookies). Perks include a hip lobby bar with excellent cocktails, a billiards room, and an outpost of the Brooklyn-based Bluestone Lane coffee shop. However, there’s no full-service eatery, and no fitness center. All in all, it’s a cooly mellow spot for couples or solo travelers; for something a bit more buttoned-up, consider The Inn at Union Square - A Greystone Hotel.
The upper-middle-range Hotel Spero is a chic boutique that dates back to 1923 and occupies a convenient location three blocks from Union Square and within a six-minute walk to a BART station in San Francisco. Renovated in 2018, interiors here are full of style that melds original details like beautiful hand-painted wooden ceiling beams in the lobby with contemporary decor. A diner-like restaurant and bar serves American fare and offers happy hour specials, plus there’s a fitness center well stocked with modern Precor machines and Peloton bikes. Other features include a co-working space and five meeting rooms. The 236 rooms are a bit small, but they’re attractive and equipped with flat-screen TVs and robes. Suites add living rooms. Wi-Fi is covered by the resort fee. For a cool boutique property with more amenities like an infinity pool and spa, consider the Huntington Hotel in Nob Hill.
The upper-middle-range Hotel Spero is a chic boutique that dates back to 1923 and occupies a convenient location three blocks from Union Square and within a six-minute walk to a BART station in San Francisco. Renovated in 2018, interiors here are full of style that melds original details like beautiful hand-painted wooden ceiling beams in the lobby with contemporary decor. A diner-like restaurant and bar serves American fare and offers happy hour specials, plus there’s a fitness center well stocked with modern Precor machines and Peloton bikes. Other features include a co-working space and five meeting rooms. The 236 rooms are a bit small, but they’re attractive and equipped with flat-screen TVs and robes. Suites add living rooms. Wi-Fi is covered by the resort fee. For a cool boutique property with more amenities like an infinity pool and spa, consider the Huntington Hotel in Nob Hill.
The 94-room Donatello Hotel is an upper-middle-range, all-suite property conveniently located a block away from San Francisco’s Union Square. Spacious suites offer wet bars with microwaves, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and sinks, plus sleeper sofas means that families with kids are frequent visitors. There’s also an on-site Italian restaurant. The club lounge is open to all guests and offers a lovely outdoor terrace as well as free hot beverages like coffee and tea. Other amenities include a large fitness center, whirlpool, sauna, and massage services. Guests should note, however, that noise in street-facing rooms can be a problem and that parking is expensive. The Handlery Union SquareHotel nearby has a pool but rooms lack the microwaves and sleeper sofas found here.
The 94-room Donatello Hotel is an upper-middle-range, all-suite property conveniently located a block away from San Francisco’s Union Square. Spacious suites offer wet bars with microwaves, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and sinks, plus sleeper sofas means that families with kids are frequent visitors. There’s also an on-site Italian restaurant. The club lounge is open to all guests and offers a lovely outdoor terrace as well as free hot beverages like coffee and tea. Other amenities include a large fitness center, whirlpool, sauna, and massage services. Guests should note, however, that noise in street-facing rooms can be a problem and that parking is expensive. The Handlery Union SquareHotel nearby has a pool but rooms lack the microwaves and sleeper sofas found here.
Formerly the Radisson Hotel Fisherman's Wharf, the three-pearl Hotel Zephyr ditched its outdoor pool in favor of a sprawling playground that's filled with fire pit lounge spaces and giant yard games. Some guests may mourn the loss of a pool, but overall the Zephyr raised the bar on its family-friendly amenities, which extends to the interiors. Common spaces feel like an urban amusement park, including a game room. Even its 361 guest rooms have a playful spirit, stocked with dart boards, iPod docks, and huge 48-inch smart TVs. Its location right across the street from the waterfront is appealing, and rates are cheaper than the nearby Hyatt or the Holiday Inn Express. If Hotel Zephyr is booked up, check out the nautically themed Argonaut Hotel farther along the waterfront.
Formerly the Radisson Hotel Fisherman's Wharf, the three-pearl Hotel Zephyr ditched its outdoor pool in favor of a sprawling playground that's filled with fire pit lounge spaces and giant yard games. Some guests may mourn the loss of a pool, but overall the Zephyr raised the bar on its family-friendly amenities, which extends to the interiors. Common spaces feel like an urban amusement park, including a game room. Even its 361 guest rooms have a playful spirit, stocked with dart boards, iPod docks, and huge 48-inch smart TVs. Its location right across the street from the waterfront is appealing, and rates are cheaper than the nearby Hyatt or the Holiday Inn Express. If Hotel Zephyr is booked up, check out the nautically themed Argonaut Hotel farther along the waterfront.
Luxury vacation rental meets upscale hotel at the city's best, if most expensive, residence-style lodging. The Ghirardelli Square factory setting has plenty of character, and 53 modern one-, two-, and three-bedroom units feel like designer model homes with fireplaces, full kitchens, and top-of-the-line amenities. Personal grocery shopping, 24-hour butlers, and free breakfasts are among service highlights, though there's not much here in terms of features save for a fitness room and large terrace with fire pits and great views over the bay. Travelers searching for a similarly luxurious hotel with more facilities could look into the St. Regis San Francisco, which has two restaurants, a pool, and a spa, plus it's close to Union Square -- but rooms don't have kitchens.
Luxury vacation rental meets upscale hotel at the city's best, if most expensive, residence-style lodging. The Ghirardelli Square factory setting has plenty of character, and 53 modern one-, two-, and three-bedroom units feel like designer model homes with fireplaces, full kitchens, and top-of-the-line amenities. Personal grocery shopping, 24-hour butlers, and free breakfasts are among service highlights, though there's not much here in terms of features save for a fitness room and large terrace with fire pits and great views over the bay. Travelers searching for a similarly luxurious hotel with more facilities could look into the St. Regis San Francisco, which has two restaurants, a pool, and a spa, plus it's close to Union Square -- but rooms don't have kitchens.
Pier 2620 Hotel Fisherman's Wharf is an upper-middle-range boutique hotel that’s located near San Francisco's waterfront attractions. The 233 industrial chic rooms feature nautical decor and coffeemakers, but have thin walls. The well-equipped gym is open 24 hours and parking, although pricey, is on-site. The hotel has a stylish bistro, lounge bar, mini-market, and a VIP clubhouse. Multiple meeting rooms, and a large courtyard are available for private events. There’s no full-service restaurant, but this property is one of the best options in its category in Fisherman’s Wharf. For a pool in the same neighborhood, check the Hyatt at Fisherman's Wharf.
Pier 2620 Hotel Fisherman's Wharf is an upper-middle-range boutique hotel that’s located near San Francisco's waterfront attractions. The 233 industrial chic rooms feature nautical decor and coffeemakers, but have thin walls. The well-equipped gym is open 24 hours and parking, although pricey, is on-site. The hotel has a stylish bistro, lounge bar, mini-market, and a VIP clubhouse. Multiple meeting rooms, and a large courtyard are available for private events. There’s no full-service restaurant, but this property is one of the best options in its category in Fisherman’s Wharf. For a pool in the same neighborhood, check the Hyatt at Fisherman's Wharf.
Built in 2008 near the Moscone Convention Center in the business-oriented neighborhood of SoMa, the modern, 550-room InterContinental's luxury-level service, high-tech guest rooms, lap pool, and Michelin-star restaurant make it one of the best values in San Francisco. But it's worth it to also check rates at the comparable W San Francisco.
Built in 2008 near the Moscone Convention Center in the business-oriented neighborhood of SoMa, the modern, 550-room InterContinental's luxury-level service, high-tech guest rooms, lap pool, and Michelin-star restaurant make it one of the best values in San Francisco. But it's worth it to also check rates at the comparable W San Francisco.