From the majestic span of the Golden Gate Bridge to bustling Fisherman’s Wharf to the clanging cable cars rolling down its steep hills, San Francisco is a magical, dreamlike place. The city draws millions of visitors every year, and arguably the most important decision they’ll make while planning their trip is where, and in what kind of place, to stay.
The hotel options in the City by the Bay are vast, from luxury to affordable, offbeat to sophisticated, and everything in between. The lodging you choose will depend on the makeup of your group, and the goals of your getaway. Pick the right home base and you’ll squeeze maximum enjoyment out of your trip. Get it wrong and—well, you don’t have to worry about that: We’ve got you covered with this list of the best San Francisco hotels for every type of traveler.
Best Hotels in San Francisco for Families
Hotel del Sol
Why It’s a Great San Francisco Hotel for Families: With an open lawn, vibrant courtyard, and heated outdoor pool, the Hotel del Sol offers no shortage of play areas for families. Indeed, playfulness is at the top of the priorities list for this 1950s motor lodge converted into a breezy, color-saturated three-star hotel.
Top Tip: Families looking to save will appreciate del Sol’s self-parking option, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Hotel del Sol sits on the southern edge of San Francisco’s lively Marina district, a short distance from such family-friendly attractions as the Walt Disney Family Museum and Fisherman’s Wharf.
Staypineapple Hotel
Why It’s a Great San Francisco Hotel for Families: Pineapple water is served all day at this good-value option, and kids can feast on free mini-pineapple cupcakes every afternoon. Each extra-comfy bed is topped with a Pineapple-signature stuffed dog.
Top Tip: The Staypineapple is dog-friendly—and then some. It offers an extensive program for the four-legged members of your family.
The elegant, modern Staypineapple is an ideal launchpad for San Francisco exploration. It’s just minutes from Union Square, and within walking distance of Chinatown and the tony Nob Hill neighborhood. There’s also easy access to cable cars leading to other parts of the city.
Claremont Club and Spa, a Fairmont Hotel
Why It’s a Great San Francisco Hotel for Families: This grand hotel has two large outdoor swimming pools (both heated), a whirlpool, a kiddie pool, and four tennis courts. It also has sensational views of San Francisco Bay.
Top Tip: Don’t miss the world-class sunset views from the onsite Limewood Bar & Restaurant, where kids under the age of five eat free.
Nestled in the wooded Berkeley Hills across the bay from San Francisco, the Claremont Club and Spa offers enough tennis, yoga, swimming, and spa services for you and your family to recharge without ever leaving the grounds. But day trips to San Francisco are eminently doable, by car (20-minute drive), taxi, or various forms of mass transit.
Best Hotels in San Francisco for Couples
Chateau Tivoli
Why It’s a Great San Francisco Hotel for Couples: Romance should transport you, right? Well, stepping through the ornate entranceway at the Chateau Tivoli is like boarding a time machine to an upscale version of the late 1800s. Think canopy four-poster beds, fringed lamps, hand-carved woodwork, and vintage wallpaper. Romance is in the air, everywhere.
Top Tip: If you’re planning a summer visit, book one month in advance. For other times of the year, a week ahead should suffice.
Truly gorgeous, reasonably priced, and centrally located in the Alamo Square Historic District, this deluxe B&B has everything you need for a sensational San Francisco getaway, including nearby mass transit options to get out and see the sights.
Mansion on Sutter
Why It’s a Great San Francisco Hotel for Couples: This is a 5-star Victorian mansion with 12 glorious rooms that seamlessly blend contemporary and classical touches. Sip organic wines from the Mansion’s wine vault and achieve total relaxation in a lavishly appointed luxury setting.
Top Tip: Book directly through its website and get 10 percent off your entire visit.
The Mansion on Sutter is located in the Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood, with a quality range of dining, shopping, and entertainment options within walking distance. But you and your significant other may be tempted to stay on property.
Fairmont San Francisco
Why It’s a Great San Francisco Hotel for Couples: This is the third-oldest hotel in San Francisco, but when it comes to romance and grandeur, it is second to none. Commanding spectacular views of both the city and the bay from its perch atop Nob Hill, the enormous beaux-arts structure features spacious, refined rooms, top-notch service, and all the opulence that comes with an iconic 5-star hotel.
Top Tip: Join the ALL (Accor Live Limitless) Loyalty program—it’s free—to access complimentary WiFi and use of the gym.
Many of San Francisco’s main attractions are within striking distance, but if you’re walking, remember you’re on a serious hill, so you may want to book a cab for the return trip.
Best Hotels in San Francisco for Sightseeing
Beacon Grand
Why It’s a Great San Francisco Hotel for Sightseeing: “Location, location, location” is the realtor’s mantra when it comes to valued properties, and it definitely applies to the Beacon Grand. This hotel holds court on Powell Street in Union Square, the heart of San Francisco in more ways than one. Let the lodging’s two Social Hosts, with their deep local knowledge, guide you to the very best vantage points.
Top Tip: Book two months in advance and get 25 percent off. Ditto for bookings by both AAA and AARP members.
This luxury spot lives up to the word “grand” in its name. From the sweeping marble staircases ascending above the lobby to the stylish rooms to the atmospheric Beacon Lounge that features ornate chandeliers and a stately fireplace, there’s something special to experience around every corner.
Hotel Zeppelin
Why It’s a Great San Francisco Hotel for Sightseeing: First off, it’s situated in Union Square, a serious shopping mecca and home to loads of quality restaurants and bars. It’s also within walking distance of Nob Hill and the nation’s oldest Chinatown—and mere steps away from public transit that provides easy access to the rest of the city, including Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, and the Presidio.
Top Tip: The Zeppelin features discounts for booking early, and for booking directly through its website, along with a few other offers.
The vibe here is hip, bohemian, and rebellious, with a bar that features black light–revealed poetry and a fireplace that may or may not have been airlifted from Edgar Allan Poe’s former residence.
Club Quarters Hotel Embarcadero
Why It’s a Great San Francisco Hotel for Sightseeing: Ringed by the Embarcadero, North Beach (S.F.’s Little Italy), Chinatown, and Union Square, this property was made for San Francisco bucket-list questers.
Top Tip: Some hotels are pet-friendly—for a fee. But the CQ has a pets-stay-free policy and additional deals that could fetch a complimentary daily breakfast, 15 percent off available rates, and even a complimentary third night of your stay.
The Club Quarters Hotel Embarcadero is reasonably priced and strategically located. Combine that with comfortable rooms, friendly staff, and quality service, and you get a venue perfect for seeing the best that San Francisco has to offer.
Best Hotels in San Francisco with a View
The St. Regis San Francisco
Why You’ll Love the View: Unlike other luxury hotels that open up on San Francisco Bay and the northern waterfront area, the St. Regis affords commanding views of its urban SoMa neighborhood. Replete with high rises, cultural centers, and museums, it’s especially impressive at night.
Top Tip: The floor-to-ceiling windows in the 20th-floor Presidential Suite deliver stunning panoramic vistas. The Grand Deluxe and Executive Premier rooms also command imperious views.
Make no mistake: This is one of the finest luxury hotels in the city, skillfully designed to fit in with the art museums nearby. The St. Regis offers impeccable service and enormous, beautiful rooms with ultra-comfy beds and luxe amenities.
W San Francisco
Why You’ll Love the View: From some rooms, the views extend far over the glittering SoMa district, while others take in both SoMa and the Bay Bridge.
Top Tip: Revel in the neighborhood’s thriving art scene by visiting the San Francisco Museum of Modern Artright next door, as well as the Contemporary Jewish Museum and the Museum of the African Diaspora, both within walking distance.
The W San Francisco caters to hip aficionados of culture and is ideally located to do just that. Its sleek, design-forward setting and “whatever whenever” service model make for a practical, stylish HQ for a San Francisco visit.
Cavallo Point Lodge
Why You’ll Love the View: It’s a stunning tableau that includes the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay skyline. You simply can’t beat it.
Top Tip: When it comes to views at Cavallo, you can’t go wrong, as its Historic Rooms and its Contemporary Rooms alike provide vantage points of both the city’s most recognizable bridge and the bay.
Tucked beneath the iconic span in a state park in Sausalito, this property functioned as an army base in the late 19th century. The bucolic setting feels far removed from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco proper, but the lodge provides ready access to the city: The Cavallo provides a free shuttle to the ferry that can drop you in San Francisco in 30 minutes.
Best Hotels in San Francisco with a Pool
Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco
Why You’ll Love the Pool: Three words: Heated. Indoor. Skylit … and hot tub. OK, that was actually six words, but you get the idea. This luxury hotel near Union Square boasts a large and spectacular indoor pool with a barrel-vaulted glass roof. And did we mention there’s a hot tub?
Top Tip: Make sure to visit the Pied Piper Lounge, where an enormous Maxfield Parrish painting adorns the bar, and live music rings out Thurs.–Sat. from 5–8 p.m.
The Palace lives up to its name in every respect. It’s an ornate 552-room city landmark that was first constructed in 1875 and then rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake. Eight U.S. presidents have stayed here.
Hotel Nikko
Why You’ll Love the Pool: The decor is sleek and modern, with a glass atrium roof and plenty of elegant lounge chairs. The pool itself is a 50-foot rectangle with clearly marked lanes, perfect for lap swimming. It also has an adjacent whirlpool spa.
Top Tip: If you're bringing a furry friend, book Nikko's Pet Pride Package and you'll receive a dog bed, food and water bowls, and a gift bag. You'll also get access to the Pet Terrace complete with a dog run open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Hotel Nikko underwent a major renovation in early 2017, and the result is a high-end marble lobby and good-sized, contemporary rooms and suites that blend Japanese-style decor with California comfort.
Handlery Union Square Hotel
Why You’ll Love the Pool: With stylish copper fencing and elegant decorative archways, the balconies overlooking the courtyard pool evoke New Orleans. The setting is well-furnished and bedecked with greenery, while the pool itself is reasonably spacious, heated, and open year-round.
Top Tip: Check the Handlery website for offers catering to families, couples, and the occasionally tricky issue of parking in San Francisco.
This Union Square property’s rooms are divided into “Historic” and “Premier.” These sections were once two separate hotels, and while both are handsomely decorated and comfortable, consider upgrading to Premier for more space and amenities.
As you can see by the many choices above, San Francisco truly does afford great hotel options for any type of traveler. This makes perfect sense for a city that is one of the country’s best places to visit. There’s so much to do, from shopping and dining to hiking and outdoor adventures and visiting museums. It’s also one of the most family-friendly vacation destinations you’ll find anywhere, and an ideal option if you are planning to explore the surrounding area.
