20 BEST Hotels in San Francisco, California [2023 UPDATED]

San Francisco, the gem of Northern California, is perhaps one of the most famous cities in the United States. From the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge to the chilling silhouette of Alcatraz battered by San Francisco Bay, there is something for everyone. Take the famed streetcar up the steep incline of Nob Hill, admire the unique cityscape only found in San Francisco, or simply watch the sunset over the glistening bay. But while you are there, you might want to think about where you will be staying, that’s why we bring you the best 20 hotels in San Francisco. The hotel you choose to stay at will impact your trip as much as the sites you choose to see. Ensure that your San Francisco trip is the best it can be by staying in one of the best hotels in San Francisco!

See Also: 11 Areas to Avoid in San Francisco

1) Hotel Emblem

San Francisco has a reputation for being a city of the arts, no hotel captures this as well as Hotel Emblem. Located on the base of Nob Hill where Union Square and the Theatre District intersect, you will not be in want of things to do Tour Union Square or check out the bustling nightlife of the city.

The hotel itself is one made with aspiring artists in mind, with inspiration at every turn. From the eclectic furnishings and decor of each luxurious room to the Writer’s Alcove in the lobby, you will find what you need to create your art. Sip your coffee while you write at the Bluestone Lane Coffeeshop or spend a night at the Obscenity Bar and embrace your first amendment with a pint or cocktail! Enjoy this quirky hotel and underground recommendations from the concierge during your stay at this hotel in San Francisco.

*Some of the amenities are different due to Covid restrictions.

2) Fairmont Hotel

A luxury hotel sitting atop Nob Hill, your stay at this San Francisco hotel will offer the best of luxury and elegance. Take in the view from your luxurious room’s beautifully crafted balcony, or enjoy in-room dining while taking in the cityscape. Between the bird’s-eye view of this famed city and its proximity to Nob Hill’s cable car, San Francisco is at hand.

During your stay, check out the Fairmont fitness center or enjoy the tastes of Cali-Polynesian blends with the Tiki-themed Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar, with tropical drinks, or dine in fashion at the Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar. Take to the rooftop to see the Honey &Herbs Garden see bees hard at work or get your daily workout at the Fairmont’s fitness center. From luxury to humble beekeeping, Fairmont is a hotel in San Francisco truly has everything.

*Some amenities may be changed due to Covid restrictions.

3) The Ritz-Carlton

Stay in style at the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco! With the cable car stop right on the hotel’s doorstep, watch the city unfold before you. Located on the top of Nob Hill, many rooms are expertly appointed for spectacular views of the bay and cityscape.

Before you retire to your beautifully adorned room and comfortable bed, be sure to check out the in-house lounges! The Lounge is a cozy, chic lounge that offers armchairs for its patrons and lives musical performances on select evenings. Whether it’s evening cocktails or afternoon tea, the lounge is perfect! For a more upscale setting, try one of many elegant wines at the Jean-Charles Boisset wine-tasting lounge, and get your daily workout at the Ritz-Carlton’s fitness center. Take in the culture and beauty of the city with this luxury hotel in San Francisco.

*Some amenities may have changed due to Covid restrictions.

4) Argonaut

Right on the Fisherman’s Wharf, the Argonaut treats you to stunning views of the bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz. This nautical-themed hotel allows you to truly immerse in San Francisco’s maritime culture, from the Blue Mermaid, the Argonaut’s in-house seafood restaurant, to its proximity to Hyde Street Pier.

Not only is this hotel historical and nautical, but it also is eco-friendly! Unwind at the spa or use your room’s facilities guilt-free with their commitment to energy and water conservation. Feel free to bring Fido along on your trip, as the Argonaut is not only pet-friendly but also surrounded by dog-friendly parks! Enjoy the best of maritime culture, spectacular views, and guilt-free luxury at this hotel in San Francisco.

*Some amenities may have changed due to Covid restrictions.

5) Staypineapple Hotel

San Francisco is nothing if not quirky and the same can be said for this charming hotel! The Staypineapple Hotel unabashedly displays its theme on its furnishings, wall art, and tasty treats. This quirky and elegant hotel is in Union Square, steps away from the city’s best shopping and dining spots.

During your stay, cuddle up in your room and let their pineapple-themed treats with coffee come to you in the afternoon! You can even get pineapple beers delivered to your room. This centrally located hotel is perfect for those who share the fun-loving quirky spirit of the city. Bring your dog to enjoy the quirky fun as well! Where luxury meets fun, Staypineapple is a great choice for a hotel in San Francisco.

6) Palace Hotel

Reminiscent of San Francisco’s Gilded Age, the Palace Hotel fuses old-world elegance with modern convenience. Established in 1875 as San Francisco’s first luxury hotel, it still stands over Union Square as an integral part of the city’s history. Take in the City by the Bay’s eclectic past with many museums, shops, and dine with the city’s hottest spots, all only steps away from the Palace.

Luxuriate in the elegance of eras past with beautiful rooms evocative of California Impressionism, and eat in your suite like royalty. Dine in majestic surroundings in the Garden Court with the best of San Francisco fine dining or enjoy craft beers and grilled masterpieces at the gorgeous Pied Piper. You can even dine under the moonlight and chandeliers in the beautiful GC Lounge. Unwind at the spa, take a dip in the heated indoor swimming pool, or work out at the Fitness Centre. With so much to do in and around the hotel, you will always have something to do if you stay in this San Francisco hotel.

*All dining areas are closed due to Covid restrictions.

7) Huntington Hotel

This beautiful hotel fuses the opulence of San Francisco’s past with the conveniences of modernity! Stay atop Nob Hill in San Francisco’s first-ever highrise. In the heart of the city’s most exclusive neighborhood, you are merely steps away from some of the city’s best shops, restaurants, and historic sites.

Return to the luxury of the Huntington and check out the majesty of a gone-by era! Unwind at Nob Hill Spa with a treatment tailored to you, experience turn-of-the-century dining at the Big 4 Restaurant all before returning to a room fit for royalty. With a historic venue, a grand neighborhood, and the best modernity and the gilded era have to offer, this is a great choice for a hotel in San Francisco.

*Big 4 Restaurant and Nob Hill Spa are closed due to Covid restrictions.

8) Hotel Drisco

Located in Pacific Heights, Hotel Drisco boasts both distances from downtown and closeness to many of San Francisco’s iconic sites. Enjoy your stay in this quiet neighborhood, rent a bike to ride along the quiet streets, and take in all Pacific Heights has to offer.

This boutique hotel is gorgeous inside and out. From the stunning guestrooms and luxury suites with the best views and goose-down mattresses to an elegant dining area, you may not want to leave. Enjoy a complimentary breakfast with San Francisco’s best local gourmet dishes and evening wine receptions, or get your workout in at the state-of-the-art fitness center. If you want to stay in style Hotel Drisco is one of the best options.

*Some amenities may have changed due to Covid restrictions.

9) Hotel Kabuki

San Francisco has a thriving Japanese community and what better way to experience it than a stay at the Hotel Kabuki? Located in Japantown, you are a stone’s throw away from amazing restaurants, shops, and museums. Fillmore District is not only the heart of Japantown, but you also have easy access to Union Square and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Hotel Kabuki offers luxurious rooms with contemporary Japanese and old Japanese-American flair. Floor-to-ceiling windows in each room allow you to take in the city. But before you retire to your incredibly comfortable bed, check out the Haven Garden or the fitness center with a traditional Japanese meditation garden! Enjoy Japanese teas and cocktails at the Bar at the Kabuki or try traditional Thai dishes at Nari. Experience a bit of East in the West with this Japanese pet-friendly hotel in San Francisco.

*Dining areas are closed due to Covid restrictions.

10) Hotel Vitale

In the heart of San Francisco’s downtown, the Hotel Vitale offers a stay you won’t forget. The City by the Bay is ready for you to make yours. Take in the bustling Fisherman’s Wharf, stroll eclectic and vibrant Chinatown and tour historic Union Square.

Stay in style at Hotel Vitale and enjoy the many luxuries offered. Dine at the Americano Restaurant & Bar for a cocktail, or try Cali-Italian at San Francisco Waterfront Dining. Revitalize yourself at Spa Vitale with luxurious treatments you’ll find nowhere else. All before retiring to your beautifully decorated and comfortable room where you can take in San Francisco’s unique cityscape and bay. If you’re looking for luxury, centrality, and stunning views then look no further than this pet-friendly hotel in San Francisco.

*Accepting new arrivals from May 28th, 2021

11) Taj Campton Place

This landmark hotel in San Francisco is within walking distance of the city’s most iconic landmarks! Admire the famed Golden Gate Bridge, see foreboding Alcatraz battered by the bay, or take in the best Union Square and Chinatown have to offer.

Enjoy your stay in this towering white building with sweeping views of the city in your room. Enjoy spicy Cal-Indian dishes at Campton Place Restaurant crafted by an expert chef in an elegant fusion of Indian and European surroundings.  From centrality to comfort, this pet-friendly hotel in San Francisco will be a memorable part of your trip.

*Campton Place Restaurant is closed due to Covid restrictions.

12) Galleria Park Hotel

Galleria Park Hotel is a beautiful historic building in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Take in the city’s best shops and eateries, or explore the city further with its robust public transit system. From this centrally located hotel, everything on your San Francisco bucket list is easy to achieve.

Galleria Park Hotel boasts San Francisco’s “Best French Bistro” (San Francisco Magazine) at Gaspar Brasserie for Parisian dishes with a Californian flair, and tour Park Terrace, an urban garden perfect for taking Fido out for a walk! Get your cuppa in the morning at the Blue Bottle Coffeeshop That’s right, this is a pet-friendly hotel as well! Take in everything San Francisco has to offer at Galleria Park Hotel.

*Some amenities may be changed due to Covid restrictions.

13) Queen Anne Hotel

If you’re looking to blend history and modernity during your stay then this grand Victorian mansion is the place for you! Centrally located downtown Queen Anne is mere steps away from Union Square, museums, and the bay. Stroll the Victorian Home Walk to view the vast difference from home to home, and if chills and thrills are more your style, take the Alcatraz ferry to view the abandoned prison on the rock.

Luxuriate like turn-of-the-century Californians in rooms outfitted to match the era with stunning views of the city. Transport yourself into the Victorian era with breakfast at the elegant dining era. While the Queen Anne Hotel has done what it could to preserve the building’s rich history, you can enjoy the best of today with free wifi, and luxurious facilities in each room. Though, keep an eye out, as Queen Anne’s history still walks the halls taking the form of San Francisco’s friendliest ghosts.

*Some amenities may have changed due to Covid restrictions.

14) Inn at Union Square

This boutique hotel is in the heart of Union Square, a stone’s throw from the best shopping, eating, and sightseeing San Francisco has to offer. Whether it’s the Golden Gate Bridge, historic Union Square, or Fisherman’s Wharf you can easily get there, further destinations are a cable car ride away.

Enjoy your stay in a modern chic room with luxurious beds and floor-to-ceiling windows. When you wake between 7 AM and 10 AM, feel free to eat a breakfast of fruits and pastries with your coffee in room 206. If you are looking for a cozy yet luxurious stay, Inn at Union Square is the hotel in San Francisco for you.

*Re-opening on July, 1st 2021.

15) White Swan Inn

Experience San Francisco’s quirky side at the White Swan Inn. In the heart of Nob Hill, this English Countryside/Modern American fusion hotel is a little-known gem. Explore the city and take in all the sights on your list, from the steep incline of Nob Hill to the glistening Golden Gate Bridge.

Your exploration won’t be just confined to the city, as visitors have a free run of the manor. Check out their quaint English-style library, bask in the California sun on the patio or simply relax and take afternoon tea in the lounge! During your stay, you can start your morning off with a delectable coffee and your afternoon with red wine and “nibbles”. Treat yourself to some literal treats, as well as a plush bed and a luxurious bath! This hotel in San Francisco truly is a home away from home.

*Some amenities may have changed due to Covid restrictions.

16) Phoenix Hotel

Self-described as “an oasis amid downtown San Francisco”, you will get the best of relaxation and bustling energy! As an integral part of San Francisco’s music scene, it’s only fitting that this hotel is a stone’s throw from the Great American Music Hall of Fame.

Enter the rockin’ 50s in the eclectic motor hotel with the best of today’s amenities. Take in the chic colors of each room with 50’s style decor. Go for a dip in the heated pool or lounge on the poolside patio. If you’re hungry, Chambers Eat + Drink offers seasonal foods and cocktails that you can enjoy in the lavish restaurant or on the patio. Between it, eclectic aesthetic, good food, and central location, this pet-friendly hotel in San Francisco is one way to connect with the city’s rockin’ past.

*Some amenities may be changed due to Covid restrictions.

17) Mansion on Sutter

Stay at the only 5-star Victorian mansion in San Francisco at the Mansion on Sutter. Sutter Street runs through Japantown and is located on Lower Nob Hill. Walk or enjoy San Francisco’s robust public transit system to see the City by the Bay’s most iconic sites.

Step into a more elegant age when you walk through the front doors. Victorian antiques, wallpaper, and furniture decorate the lobby and guest rooms, lending it a fairy tale aesthetic. Enjoy art pieces from the era around the house with pieces worthy of a museum. Your stay may have Victorian elegance, but it will also have 21st-century service. Enjoy tea and coffee or breakfast in the dining area, and enjoy a bottle of wine during your stay! A gym is located in the mansion, so you can still get in your workout. Walk into another era with this hotel in San Francisco.

18) Hotel Nikko

This luxury hotel takes inspiration from San Francisco’s thriving Asian communities. Boasting Eastern charm with modern American convenience, Hotel Nikko has something for everyone. Located in Union Square, you are a stone’s throw from the city’s best restaurants, shopping spaces, and museums.

Enjoy Asian hospitality with in-room dining and gorgeous views. Go for a dip in the glass-enclosed heated swimming pool, or take your dog out on the beautiful pet terrace. Check out ANZU restaurant for authentic Japanese dishes with a California flair, all before winding down with coffee or tea made in your room! Take in San Francisco’s rich Asian cultures with this pet-friendly hotel.

*Some amenities may be changed due to Covid restrictions.

19) Harbor Court Hotel

A stay at the Harbor Court Hotel is a stay in luxury. This boutique hotel stands incredibly close to the bay commanding stunning views of the water, Bay Bridge, and Treasure Island. Centrally located, not only do you have incredible views, but access to many of the city’s iconic sites.

During your stay enjoy the best of comfort in chic yet quirky rooms to match the city’s bold aesthetic. While a gym isn’t on-site, Harbor Court guests get access to the YMCA. The onsite restaurant Ozumo offers traditional Japanese dishes and the largest selection of sake in Noth America. In the morning when you wake enjoy artisanal coffees and teas and before you hit the hay, hit the honor bar with wine and pastries.

*Some amenities may have changed due to Covid restrictions.

20) Omni San Francisco

This historic hotel in the heart of San Francisco’s financial district boasts proximity to Union Square, Chinatown, Embarcadero, and the Ferry Building. With the cable car line right outside their door, watch the City by the Bay unfold around you.

Omni San Francisco offers luxury at its finest. Stay in well-appointed rooms with stunning views, plush beds, and incredible bathrooms. Your doggie can stay in luxury as well! If you’re hungry enjoy a mouth-watering dish at Bob’s Steak & Chop House or have a beer or afternoon tea at Bob’s Bar. If you’re looking for centrality, a pet-friendly stay, and luxury, this is the hotel in San Francisco for you.

*Dining is closed due to Covid restrictions.

Enjoy your stay at the City by the Bay!

From iconic scenes such as Golden Gate Bridge, Nob Hill, and Alcatraz, to hidden gems in China, Manilla, and Japantown, there is something for everyone in San Francisco. Tour the beautiful city, take in the incredible history and maritime culture, but consider your stay. Your trip will only improve with one of these 20 best hotels in San Francisco!