Known for its iconic hills, diverse neighborhoods, world-class dining, and stunning views of the bay, San Francisco offers a vibrant blend of culture, innovation, and natural beauty. We’ve handpicked the best hotels in San Francisco, based on expert recommendations and thousands of genuine guest reviews. All of our recommended hotels have a review rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars.
Best cheap hotel in San Francisco: The Inn at Union Square
Best boutique hotel in San Francisco: Hotel Zetta
Best luxury hotel in San Francisco: St. Regis
Best hostel in San Francisco: HI San Francisco Downtown
Best eco-friendly hotel in San Francisco: Hotel Nikko
Sort list by price, rating or by value for money.
Hotel Drisco is a hidden gem tucked away in the prestigious Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. Originally opening as a boarding house in 1903, this Edwardian estate has evolved into a sophisticated, family-owned boutique hotel. Its quiet residential setting offers a refined escape, feeling more like a private residence than a traditional hotel.
Lonely Planet + 4 more“The only hotel in Pacific Heights, a stately 1903 apartment-hotel tucked between mansions, stands high on the ridgeline. It’s notable for its architecture, attentive service and chic rooms, with their elegantly austere decor.”
The Palace Hotel is a true icon of the Gilded Age. First opened in 1875 by financier William Chapman Ralston, it was originally designed by John P. Gaynor to be the grandest hotel west of the Mississippi. Although the original structure was lost to the 1906 earthquake and fire, the hotel was reborn in 1909. Designed by Trowbridge & Livingston, this second iteration leaned into Renaissance Revival elegance and remains a historic landmark today.
New York Times + 3 more“The refurbished Palace Hotel, reopened in June 2015, has gone through several iterations since it first opened in 1875. The latest renovation modernized rooms, the gym and the skylit swimming pool, leaving intact the early 20th-century neo-Classical ambience.”
The Argonaut Hotel is a nautical-inspired gem nestled in the heart of San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. It is housed in the historic Haslett Warehouse, a stunning 1907 brick-and-timber building that once served as a fruit and vegetable cannery. The hotel beautifully preserves this industrial past, featuring exposed red-brick walls and massive, original Douglas Fir beams that give the space a warm, rugged character.
Fodors + 3 more“The Argonaut’s spacious guest rooms have exposed-brick walls, wood-beam ceilings, and best of all, windows that open to the sea air and the sounds of the waterfront; many rooms enjoy Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge views.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in San Francisco.
The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero offers one of the most elevated stays in the city. Occupying the top 11 floors of a 48-story tower at 345 California Center, this hotel is celebrated for its breathtaking, panoramic views of the Bay Area. The building itself is an architectural landmark, featuring twin towers set at 45-degree angles that are uniquely connected by glass skybridges.
Fodors + 3 more“One of San Francisco’s most exclusive properties occupies floors 5 through 17 of a skyscraper in the heart of the shopping district. Contemporary art lines the hallways and guest rooms.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in San Francisco.
1 Hotel San Francisco is a stunning waterfront retreat situated right on the Embarcadero. Designed with a deep commitment to sustainability and "biophilic" principles—which emphasize a connection to nature—the hotel creates a calming, earthy atmosphere in the middle of a bustling city. The interiors feature reclaimed wood, native greenery, and textures inspired by the Northern California landscape.
New York Times + 2 more“On the Embarcadero waterfront, with views of the Bay Bridge and Ferry Building, 1 Hotel San Francisco is among the most luxurious additions to San Francisco’s accommodations landscape.”
The Beacon Grand is a true San Francisco landmark, originally opening in 1928 as the iconic Sir Francis Drake Hotel. Located at the corner of Sutter and Powell, it was designed to be a "cathedral of travel" at the height of the Roaring Twenties. Following a massive renovation in 2022, the property was rebranded while carefully preserving its stunning Renaissance Revival architecture, including its ornate lobby, vaulted gold-leaf ceilings, and grand marble staircases.
New York Times + 2 more“Beacon Grand, formerly the 96-year-old Sir Francis Drake Hotel, reopened in 2022 with a new name and an extensive remodel. Its location in the heart of downtown, overlooking Union Square, along with its elegant bar, the Starlite, and whiskey lounge, the Hidden Library, evoke the hotel’s glamorous history.”
Hotel Zetta is a creative, tech-forward retreat located in San Francisco’s SoMa district. Designed by Dawson Design Associates, the hotel was crafted to cater to a "tech-geek" lifestyle, blending high-end luxury with a playful, interactive atmosphere. The lobby serves as a social hub featuring a massive, two-story Plinko wall where guests can drop balls from the mezzanine to win prizes, instantly setting a lighthearted tone.
New York Times + 2 more“Stay at the playful, tech-savvy Hotel Zetta, well situated downtown in SoMa and near the Powell Street BART station; it’s Viceroy Hotels’ first San Francisco property and home to the Cavalier, a modern British-style gastro pub by the local restaurateur-chef team Anna Weinberg and Jennifer Puccio.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in San Francisco.
The Axiom Hotel is a fantastic example of how San Francisco blends its rich history with a modern, tech-forward spirit. Originally constructed in 1908 following the city's devastating earthquake, the building once operated as the historic Powell Hotel. Today, it has been reimagined as a boutique destination designed specifically for the digital-first traveler, sitting right at the crossroads of Union Square and the SoMa district.
New York Times + 2 more“The Axiom Hotel aims to reflect the city that it’s in. Being tech-forward is the focus of this six-story, 152-room hotel, which opened in February 2016. iPad check-ins, fast and free fiber-optic Wi-Fi and breakfast tables featuring places for each diner to plug in a gadget, for example.”
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, is a true landmark of the city’s storied Nob Hill district. Housed in a striking 1909 neoclassical building, it was originally designed by Napoleon LeBrun and Sons to serve as the Pacific Coast headquarters for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. After an extensive rehabilitation, it opened as a luxury hotel in 1991, successfully preserving its elegant terra-cotta façade and historic character.
Fodors + 2 more“This stunning tribute to beauty, and attentive, professional service offers a modern twist on that classic Ritz style with a marble lobby, outstanding food, and a lovely wine tasting lounge. The afternoon high tea is a must ticket for the city’s elite.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in San Francisco.
The St. Regis San Francisco is a striking landmark in the South of Market (SoMa) district, famously occupying the lower floors of the St. Regis Museum Tower. Opened in 2005 and designed by the renowned architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the building held the impressive title of the tallest concrete structure west of the Mississippi River at the time of its completion. Its design represents a sophisticated blend of neomodern architecture and high-end luxury.
Frommers + 2 more“Full-blown high-tech luxury is yours at this über-chic 40-story SoMa tower. Strategically near the Museum of Modern Art and Yerba Buena Gardens, this shrine to urban luxury welcomes guests with a 16-foot-long gas fireplace and streamlined lobby bar that’s frequented by city socialites.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in San Francisco.
The Hotel Castro stands as a proud, modern addition to San Francisco’s iconic Castro District. Opened in 2022, it is the neighborhood's first boutique hotel in decades, uniquely designed to honor the area's rich history as a global epicenter of LGBTQ+ culture. The building itself is a clever piece of modern architecture, featuring an automated, contactless service model that emphasizes both privacy and efficiency for its guests.
CN Traveler + 1 more“Bringing San Francisco’s iconic Castro neighborhood to life, Hotel Castro is an intimate boutique filled with fun vibes and loud interiors. With just 12 rooms, each inspired by an LGBTQ+ hero, past and present, the minimalist furniture is contrasted with the bespoke artwork and colorful feature walls displaying portraits of local heroes.”
Hotel Bohème is a charming 15-room boutique hotel that serves as a living tribute to the Beat Generation. Located in the heart of San Francisco’s North Beach, the building captures the spirit of the 1950s, an era when literary legends like Allen Ginsberg frequented the neighborhood. The hotel’s interiors, curated by designer Candra Scott, feature bold coral walls, cast-iron beds, and black-and-white photography of the era’s iconic poets and musicians.
Lonely Planet“Eclectic, historic and unabashedly poetic, this quintessential North Beach boutique hotel has jazz-era color schemes, pagoda-print upholstery and photos from the Beat years on the walls.”
The Grand Hyatt San Francisco Union Square is a towering landmark in the city’s downtown, originally opened in 1972 as the "Hyatt on Union Square" before earning its "Grand" status in 1990. Designed by the renowned architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the 36-story skyscraper is a staple of the local skyline and has become a central hub for business and leisure travelers visiting the heart of the city.
CNN“Great staff and famed Hyatt pillow-top mattresses help make the Grand Hyatt a reliable place to do everything from sip martinis to hole up flicking channels in high style.”
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet, Fodors, Forbes, Frommers, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times, CNN, Frommers, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Fodors, Lonely Planet, Frommers, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Fodors, Frommers, Forbes, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times, CN Traveler, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times, CN Traveler, Fodors
Recommended by:
New York Times, Fodors, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times, Fodors, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Fodors, Frommers, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Frommers, Fodors, Forbes
Recommended by:
CN Traveler, New York Times
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet
Recommended by:
CNN
San Francisco is synonymous with the Golden Gate, the steep hills engulfed in fog and the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Fisherman’s Wharf
Located on the water-front, this popular tourist destination is famous for crab cakes and clam chowder, dishes tantamount with the Wharf. The view is breathtaking of the Golden Gate and Alcatraz prison. Boutiques and cafes are found check and jowl close to the celebrated chocolate factory. Renowned hotels are located here.
Mission District
A vibrant area with strong Latin influence and happening vibe, there is an eclectic mix of taco shops, live music clubs, with celebrity chef restaurants and chic lounges and gourmet ice cream parlour. Top luxury hotels are found here.
Chinatown
One of the oldest Chinese establishment and its alleyways are filled with dim sum stalls. Gothic cock-tail lounges and karaoke bars are popular here. A bevy of luxury hotels as well as budget options are situated here.
The Castro
The name stands in conjunction with the gay culture. It has numerous bars and taverns that draw a huge number of revellers. Traditional homely restaurants are famous here and so are adult shops. The culinary revelation is as exotic as the inherent atmosphere of this place.
North Beach
A pulsating neighbourhood with rich Italian heritage offers you a plethora of options like jazz clubs, inns, family-run eateries, gelato parlours, cafe and retro flavoured bars. If you are looking for some authentic Italian experience while enjoying the wonderful Californian view, then this is the place for you.
Also check out our travel guide about the best areas to stay in San Francisco.
If you're looking for a cheap hotel in San Francisco, then book The Inn at Union Square. It's an excellent budget hotel offering great value for money. It's in a good location, it's been recommended by travel experts and the hotel has excellent customer reviews. Also check out our list of the best cheap hotels in San Francisco.
You like some luxury but don't like the famous chain hotels. If you're looking for the best boutique hotel in San Francisco, you should check out Hotel Zetta. It's a very cool hotel that has been highly recommended by travelers and experts.
Also check out our list of the best boutique hotels in San Francisco, it's a manually curated list of the most unique and romantic hotels in the city.
If money isn't a problem and you're looking for a luxury hotel in San Francisco, then go for Hotel St. Regis. The hotel offers excellent service, it's in a top location, it has been rated very highly by previous guests and renowned travel critics have recommended it. Also check out our list of the best luxury hotels in San Francisco, it's a manually curated list of the most exclusive 5-star hotels in the city.
Looking for a good and affordable private room or cozy dorm in San Francisco? Check out HI San Francisco Downtown. The hostel has been highly rated by backpackers. Also check out our list of the best hostels in San Francisco.
If you're looking for a room with a view, then try Grand Hyatt Union Square or Hotel Vitale. Both hotels offer amazing views of San Francisco according to recent customer reviews.
For a 3-star hotel you have to pay around $200 per night and for a 4-star hotel you would be looking at $290 per night. If you're after a luxury 5-star San Francisco hotel then you can expect to pay around $480 per night.
Try Palace Hotel if you're looking for a delicious breakfast at a hotel in San Francisco. The hotel has excellent customer review ratings for breakfast.
Try Hotel Drisco if you're looking for a romantic getaway in San Francisco, it has some excellent recent customer reviews by couples.
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge Catamaran Cruise. Take in views of San Francisco's iconic skyline, Alcatraz Island, and the Golden Gate Bridge like never before on this 1.5-hour catamaran adventure. Feel the wind in your hair and enjoy the ocean air as you look for sea lions lounging in the bay. Price: $60.
Napa and Sonoma Wine Country - Full Day Tour from San Francisco. Escape to California’s famous wine country on this full-day tour from San Francisco. Taste regional varietals at multiple wineries in Napa and Sonoma, including both big-name and family-run estates. Price: $149.
San Francisco Zoo Admission Ticket. Visit more than 2,000 exotic, endangered, and rescued animals set over 100 acres of majestic and peaceful gardens located directly on the Pacific Coast. Watch talks and feedings throughout the day as you find adventure around every corner. Price: $23.
More things to do in San Francisco
San Francisco stands as a storied peninsula at the mouth of the Golden Gate, a city defined as much by its dramatic topography as by its indomitable spirit. Its history is a tumultuous chronicle of transformation, rooted in the indigenous Ohlone lands and rapidly propelled into global consciousness by the frenzied promise of the 1849 Gold Rush. This period of explosive, chaotic growth forged a frontier town into a sophisticated metropolis, though it was later nearly leveled by the devastating earthquake and subsequent fire of 1906. That cataclysm, rather than signaling an end, catalyzed a remarkable architectural and cultural rebirth that solidified the city’s identity as a bastion of resilience and reinvention.
Today, San Francisco occupies a unique position as a global center of technological innovation, progressive social movements, and artistic expression. It remains an international symbol of inclusivity and countercultural heritage, often acting as the crucible for the next wave of societal shifts. Despite the modern gloss of its tech-heavy economy, the city retains a tangible connection to its past, where ornate Victorian architecture stands in deliberate contrast to sleek, contemporary skylines.
Beyond its famous landmarks, the city harbors curious, lesser-known facets that define its character. For instance, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge was originally proposed to be painted in bold yellow and black stripes to ensure high visibility for ships navigating the heavy fog, only to be saved by the aesthetic vision of consulting architect Irving Morrow. Furthermore, beneath the bustling streets, there exists a forgotten subterranean layer, including remnants of old shipwrecks used as landfill to expand the waterfront during the 19th century. Even the city’s legendary fog has a name, Karl, and is officially recognized as a distinct weather pattern that serves as San Francisco’s atmospheric signature, perpetually cooling the hills and casting the city in a cinematic, ethereal glow.
We recommend that you read our guide about where to stay in San Francisco. It provides an excellent overview of the most popular areas, highlighting the main attractions and hotel recommendations for each area.
If you like our list of the best hotels in San Francisco, then you should also check out our selection of recommended hotels in Los Angeles or the best hotels in Chicago.