Over 25 million people visit San Francisco each year, so finding the right hotel for your trip might not be the easiest task. SFist has taken a multifaceted approach to discovering the best hotels in SF, including weighted averages of user ratings, professional reviewers scores, and our own opinions, among other data points. How is this list ranked?

Hotel Drisco
#1 of 26 Best Hotels in SF
Pacific Heights, San Francisco

★★★★★ | $$$

Sleek, refined, and luxurious… Hotel Drisco in San Francisco is a beautifully realized boutique hotel that is loaded with modern amenities and features thanks to a 2017 remodel. The hotel sits in San Francisco’s posh Pacific Heights neighborhood, and even with the new renovation, the bones of the original 1903 Edwardian architecture are seen and felt wherever you look. Some of the terrific services for guests include free wine receptions, continental breakfasts, and bike rentals.

Of course free stuff is great, but it’s the courteous staff, rooms that feel like works of art, and the luxurious ambiance that make Hotel Drisco’s atmosphere special. Once you arrive, It’s not hard to see why the hotel was recently named to TripAdvisor’s top 25 hotels in America.

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Four Seasons Embarcadero (Previous Loews)
#2 of 26 Top SF Hotels
Financial District / Downtown, SF, CA

★★★★★ | $$$

Four Seasons at the Embarcadero is a beautiful and unique luxury hotel in downtown San Francisco that will leave you breathless. Formerly the Mandarin Oriental, then the Loews Regency from 2015 until 2020, the Four Seasons Embarcadero is truly one of the best hotels in the city. With 155 guest rooms and 7 suites, the hotel offers a totally unique perspective on the City by the Bay. It is known as the highest hotel in SF, but elevation would be nothing if it wasn't for the sparkling new designs and modern amenities that make this hotel rise above the competition – both literally and figuratively.

Besides the guest rooms, this Four Seasons also offers 5,000 square feet of public space which includes the world-famous 40th floor sky deck that SFist wrote about some years back. Its central location means guests can easily get to any number of major attractions, including spots like the Ferry Building and the Fisherman's Wharf.

The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco
#3 of 26 Top-Notch San Francisco Hotels
Nob Hill, SF, CA

★★★★★ | $$$

The Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco is the quintessential luxury hotel. Offering an unmatched experience for its guests in the beautiful, picturesque Nob Hill neighborhood, the newly renovated Ritz is within walking distance to other tourist trap locations such as Chinatown and Union Square. This gorgeous, neo-classical hotel has been offering luxurious accommodations to its guests since 1909, and there’s no sign of stopping any time soon.

Guests can enjoy a selection of the bay area’s finest wines in the tasting lounge or head to the spacious club level to relax and grab a peaceful bite. Beautifully renovated guestrooms include flat-screen TV’s as well as designer toiletries and splendid rainforest showers. With all these features and more, the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco lives up to its name and delivers an unforgettable luxury experience.

Lodge At The Presidio
#4 of 26 Leading Hotels San Francisco
Presidio / Marina, San Francisco

★★★★★ | $$

The sister property of the Inn at the Presidio, the Lodge at the Presidio is a total throwback to the vintage, plantation-style hotels of the 19th and 20th centuries. Located among the green trees and lush fields of the San Francisco National Park, the Lodge at the Presidio is a unique luxury hotel with spectacular views of the City, the Bay, and the Golden Gate Bridge. When it officially opened in 2018, the Lodge at the Presidio began receiving rave reviews from industry insiders and travelers who were finding a new way to escape the traffic jams and crowded noise of downtown.

Guestrooms feature terrific, one-of-a-kind views and include Smart TV’s and enough modern gadgetry to make James Bond jealous. For travelers looking to take in a bit of culture during their stay, the lodge is only 1 mile from the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre and is surrounded by amazing, farm-to-table restaurants and gastropubs.

Hotel Emblem
#5 of 26 Top Hotels in SF
Lower Nob Hill, San Francisco

★★★★★ | $$

Guests can enjoy a selection of the bay area’s finest wines in the tasting lounge or head to the spacious club level to relax and grab a peaceful bite. Beautifully renovated guestrooms include flat-screen TV’s as well as designer toiletries and splendid rainforest showers. With all these features and more, the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco lives up to its name and delivers an unforgettable luxury experience.

Whether you lived through the beat generation or are just a fan of its exports, your passion will be well met and cultivated from the moment you walk through Hotel Emblem’s doors. And if you’re looking to get out and explore the city, have no fear, because the hotel is only 2 miles from all the great bayside shopping at Pier 39. But fair warning: with so much going on at the hotel every night, it may be difficult to leave.

Best SF Hotels & Inns, From Luxury to BoutiqueSan Francisco is an international destination for tourism, but it is also one of the world's great business hubs. This city hosts renowned business conventions that take over large portions of SF's Downtown, it is home to some of the most recognized (and beautiful) architectural landmarks across the globe, and it is a stone's throw from some of the most spectacular natural wonders.

Fairmont San Francisco
#6 of 26 Leading SF Hotels
Chinatown / Downtown, SF, CA

★★★★★ | $$

Tony Bennett's "I left my Heart in San Francisco" has become one of the unofficial anthems of the City by the Bay, and when you choose to stay at The Fairmont San Francisco, you have the rare chance to see where Mr. Bennett first performed his world-famous ballad. The Fairmont is a unique and luxurious hotel with 606 guest rooms and numerous dining options, not to mention some of the largest and most refined event space in the world. In fact, the hotel was the location of the first meeting of the United Nations back in 1945, and since then its prestige and status have only gotten better.

But if you come for the history, you'll undoubtedly stay for the comfort and refined taste built in to every detail of the hotel, no matter how small. The Fairmont also works as a terrific launching pad for guests looking to explore the city, as it is the only location in San Francisco where all the different cable car lines meet up. You’ve got tons of choices when visiting San Francisco, but if you’re looking to stay in the most luxurious and culturally relevant hotel in the city, you’ve got an easy one with The Fairmont.

Taj Campton Place
#7 of 26 Top-Notch Hotels San Francisco
Union Square / Downtown, San Francisco

★★★★★ | $$

The Taj Campton Place is thought to be the crown jewel of Stockton Street, located in San Francisco's famous Union Square neighborhood. The hotel is an expertly realized nod to the classic European hotels of the last 100 years, and it beautifully blends classic designs with contemporary comforts.

The hotel is made up of two separate and unique buildings, meaning the style and texture of the guestrooms vary based on their location and date of last renovation. But since there are only 110 guest rooms to worry about, the staff and management take an extraordinary amount of time and care making sure that every detail is up to the highest possible standards of a modern four-star hotel. The hotel also includes a fine dining restaurant that has earned two Michelin stars and a one-of-a-kind open air rooftop fitness center, making the Taj Campton Place one of the most unique and visually arresting luxury hotels in the world.

Omni San Francisco
#8 of 26 Best San Francisco Hotels
Financial District / Downtown, SF, CA

★★★★★ | $$

One of the most stylish and unique luxury hotels in San Francisco, the Omni Hotel will make you feel like you’ve stepped out of the 21st century and into the swingin’ 60’s. What was once the original Parrott Building is now an elegant and ultrachic luxury boutique hotel that delivers comfort and peace to its guests along with convenience and fine living accommodations.

You'll swoon over the mid-century modern décor combined with the pristine location that makes for easy exploration of some of the city’s most famous points of interest, not to mention the close proximity to business venues such as the Ferry Building and Moscone Convention Center. So put on your skinny tie, grab an old fashioned, and enjoy your stay at the Omni.

The Battery
#9 of 26 Leading Hotels in SF
The Embarcadero / Downtown, San Francisco

★★★★★ | $$$

Generations ago, private members-only clubs like The Battery in San Francisco wouldn’t be considered unique. In fact there was a time when they were commonplace. But now, with the advent of social media, the need for face-to-face social gatherings has all but become a novelty. That is, of course, unless you are talking about the kind of luxury and precise craftsmanship that went into every tiny detail of The Battery. The beauty here is essential, and the club’s sophisticated throwback ambiance will make you feel like you’ve just stepped back in time and into the future simultaneously.

Though the club and its high-end clientele are strictly private, anybody who stays in one of the 14 unique guest rooms is entitled to nearly all the fringe benefits of being a full Battery member. Come to The Battery to escape the noise, eat at the high-end restaurant, and see where some of the most influential people in California spend their time hearing lectures, giving speeches, and discussing the ebbs and flows of our crazy, connected world.

Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco
#10 of 26 Top-Notch SF Hotels
SOMA / Downtown, SF, CA

★★★★★ | $$$

Playing home to celebrities, star athletes, visiting royalty, and the wealthiest executives around, the words “Four Seasons” have become synonymous with luxury accommodations around the world. At the Four Seasons San Francisco, those words stand for relaxation and perfect luxury for all hotel guests. At the Four Seasons, the professional and friendly staff will do everything in their power to make sure you are treated like royalty during your stay.

Visit the hotel and take in the five-star elegance of he carefully designed guest rooms, each one beautifully decorated with splashes of color that mirror the city’s natural surroundings. Then, experience the San Francisco’s best rated health club before dining at the sumptuous MKT Restaurant. Truly no matter what you do, you’ll enjoy your stay. Just don’t forget to take pictures.

Top Hotels in San FranciscoWhether you live in SF and need a place for visiting friends or your family is vacationing in the Bay Area & wine country this season (wine country hotels), this list can help you select the best San Francisco hotel for your trip

The St. Regis San Francisco
#11 of 26 Best Hotels San Francisco
SOMA / Downtown, San Francisco

★★★★★ | $$$

The St. Regis San Francisco has a style and elegance that is unique among SF luxury hotels. This beautiful aesthetic paired with personalized service, luxury amenities, and the finest accommodations. Each of their rooms has a generous layout and impeccable bedding. St. Regis offers a fitness center, and an indoor pool, and so many more amenities that will leave you rested, relaxed, and coming back for more. The property offers a variety of event spaces including high class meeting rooms and outdoor venues with beautiful views of the surrounding San Francisco landscape. This comfortable luxury hotel is ready and accessible to make your Bay City trip one to remember.

Fairmont Heritage Place
#12 of 26 Best Hotels in SF
Ghirardelli Sq. / Russian Hill, SF, CA

★★★★★ | $$$

Have you ever dreamed of living your own version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Well, Fairmont Heritage Place might be as close as you can get. Remodeled out of an old Ghirardelli chocolate factory, this elegant and beautiful piece of history will provide you with the comfort and rest that every traveler needs. Overlooking the Bay, many rooms offer stunning views of the natural and man-made wonders of the region, from Angel Island and Alcatraz to the Golden Gate Bridge. Fairmont also offers a variety of amenities including grocery delivery, concierge service, and everything in between. Giving their guests confidence in this luxury hotel’s willingness to take care of their every need.

Inn at the Presidio
#13 of 26 Top SF Hotels
Presidio / Marina, San Francisco

★★★★★ | $$$

Looking for a Georgian, plantation-style lodging experience without the sordid history? Look no further than the Inn at the Presidio. This boutique hotel is perfect for anyone who loves nature and seeks to tour an old military base turned into national park. With porches and scenic woods, or even the Golden Gate Bridge outside your window, it is easy to see why this is a popular location for those looking to explore nature while still holding onto the creature comforts that we have all come to love. With a 24-mile nature hike, and a number of converted military buildings, you will not want to leave the park.

Huntington Hotel
#14 of 26 Leading Hotels San Francisco
Nob Hill, SF, CA

★★★★☆ | $$

Sporting a classic, historic look while still remaining modern is what attracts guests to Huntington Hotel. Constructed 95+ years ago, this building began its journey as the first high-rise west of the Mississippi. Ever since then the owners have maintained high standards for their guests and have continuously met them. Borrowing international design ideas, this boutique hotel is a unique and beautiful sight throughout. With a fine-dining restaurant (Big Four) and three-level spa, you may never want to leave the hotel, despite being centrally located next to Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill. Huntington Hotel is dedicated to ensuring that you and yours are comfortable from the minute you walk into their doors to the minute you leave.

Hotel Vitale
#15 of 26 Top-Notch San Francisco Hotels
Embarcadero / Downtown, San Francisco

★★★★☆ | $$

An ecofriendly vacation on the Bay waterfront would allow even the most stressed people to relax and enjoy their tip with a light heart. Hotel Vitale offers that while still being one of the only highly successful, Bay-front, luxury hotels. The hotel restaurant, Americano, offers a bustling happy hour and light, seasonal food all day, with views across the Embarcadero to the Ferry Building and the Bay. The rooftop spa is also available to help you relax and enjoy the local atmosphere, where you can even take optional yoga classes to truly free your spirit. Hotel Vitale excels in pairing a beautiful waterfront experience with the current commodities that people come to expect from the best hotels.

Palace Hotel
#16 of 26 Top Hotels in SF
SOMA / Downtown, SF, CA

★★★★☆ | $$

An exceptionally grand luxury hotel that has been standing since 1875, reimagined with modern decor, the Palace Hotel in San Francisco could not be more appropriately named. Staff is trained to provide an exceptional level of service that perhaps SF royalty might enjoy, further proving their dedication to giving you the utmost professional and passionate service. The Palace Hotel’s concierge offers an unparalleled service, offering you even the most secret San Francisco locales. They also offer an exceptional choice of their two prestigious restaurants, satisfying any pallet.

Argonaut
#17 of 26 Leading SF Hotels
Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco

★★★★☆ | $$

This unique and legendary boutique hotel is inspired by the same thing that founded San Francisco, the Gold Rush. The Argonaut succeeds in providing a warm San Francisco welcome, complete with sunset views over the Bay and a prime location near the waterfront. Offering free bike rentals, it is clear that they want you to explore their neighborhood, taking in the essence and uniqueness that has made the San Francisco Bay famous. After you come home exhausted, you can take advantage of their extensive list of amenities and allow yourself to relax and recuperate. Beginning again the next day.

Hotel Via
#18 of 26 Top-Notch Hotels San Francisco
SOMA / Downtown, SF, CA

★★★★☆ | $$

Nestled in SoMa across from Oracle Park (home to the San Francisco Giants), the Hotel Via is walking distance from the Embarcadero, the Chase Center, Caltrain, and numerous dining options downtown. Food, shopping, and a variety of entertainment options are immediately within arm’s reach. If you prefer to stay at your comfortable hotel, you can still see most of San Francisco while having a drink from their exclusive rooftop Bar Via. Also located there are a variety of fire pits, private cabanas, and multiple bars. They also offer state-of-the-art technology and eco-friendly initiatives to completely reassure the guest that they can rest truly with a happy heart knowing that all of their needs are met.

Proper Hotel
#19 of 26 Best San Francisco Hotels
Civic Center / Downtown, San Francisco

★★★★☆ | $$

Proper is a boutique hotel that has recently been reinvented with completely new interiors designed and organized by interior decorators and artists alike. The property offers both a lobby restaurant/lounge (Villon) and a swanky rooftop bar that gets packed on weekends (Charmaine’s), as well as an all-day cafe. If you need a workout in their expansive gym, a movie on your room's HD TV, or a late-night craving, you will find all these amenities available. Also, the city views from Charmaine’s can’t be beat.

Axiom Hotel
#20 of 26 Leading Hotels in SF
Downtown, SF, CA

★★★★☆ | $$

Axiom Hotel is a classic building reimagined in a bright, electric style, with an emphasis on technology and innovation. They offer luxury hotel rooms with plenty of space, as well as comfortable modern furnishings. With ingenious lighting design, fiber internet, and large TVs, they are truly offering a technologically advanced vacation. Also, with their Turn Cafe “(overlooking the Powell Street cable car turnaround) you can spend your entire vacation relaxing in your hotel. If you don’t, their concierge is available 24/7 to help you find what you need.

Use this list of amazing San Francisco hotels to choose based on location, rating, and price. The ratings on this page have been created through a combination of statistical data points, including user reviews, professional rankings, and SFist's own opinions.

Best Downtown Hotels in SF Best Union Square Hotels Best Fisherman's Wharf Hotels Best SF Airport Hotels
Best Pacific Heights Hotels Best Marina Hotels Best North Beach Hotels Best SoMa Hotels

Staypineapple, An Elegant Hotel
#21 of 26 Top-Notch SF Hotels
Union Square / Downtown, San Francisco

★★★★☆ | $$

Staypineapple San Francisco is a remodeled 1913 hotel located in Union Square. A blend of modern decor and restored 1930s Victorian elegance is featured throughout the rooms. Pineapple Bistro & Bar in the lobby offers cocktails in a relaxing atmosphere. Their Naked Experience features European style double duvets, comfy robes, and over-sized fluffy towels. They also offer their signature Afternoon Delights treats and coffee every afternoon. All of this plus thoughtful amenities make a night at Staypineapple San Francisco a truly unforgettable experience.

Hotel Zetta
#22 of 26 Best Hotels San Francisco
SOMA / Downtown, SF, CA

★★★★☆ | $$

San Francisco was at the center of the 1960s counterculture and a hotbed of rock and roll, and Hotel Zetta uses this as the inspiration for its concept, design, and attitude. Set just off of Union Square, the hotel caters to a hip crowd and offers a unique downstairs arcade/lounge, with occasional weekend and weeknight parties. The hotel’s lobby bar and restaurant, Rambler, also offer top-notch cocktails and food to comfort a weary traveler.

Galleria Park Hotel
#23 of 26 Best Hotels in SF
Chinatown / Downtown, San Francisco

★★★★☆ | $$

An historic San Francisco landmark, Galleria Park Hotel offers comfortable and stylish rooms that will leave you both impressed and rested. Located in Downtown San Francisco, they are close to almost any attraction you could seek. You can relax in their serene terrace garden and drink from their variety of unique cognac and wine selections. With their style and willingness to raise the bar every time they see you, Galleria Park Hotel is a captivating destination.

InterContinental Mark Hopkins
#24 of 26 Top SF Hotels
Nob Hill, SF, CA

★★★★☆ | $$

The Intercontinental Mark Hopkins is best known for its top-floor bar and restaurant, known since the middle of the last century as The Top of the Mark, with sweeping views of the entire city. The building itself is an architecture gem atop Nob Hill, adjacent to the Fairmont and Grace Cathedral. And while the building may appear to be a relic, it has been renovated to include all the latest amenities that guests expect. And with a variety of packages and rooms available, this is a luxury property that is customizable to most budgets.

Hotel Nikko
#25 of 26 Leading Hotels San Francisco
Downtown, San Francisco

★★★★☆ | $$

Personal service is what makes Hotel Nikko an exceptional tool for any guest’s hotel needs. Offering a simple, yet beautiful design, you can rest comfortably in your new home away from home. Hotel Nikko’s on-site room service paired with their comfortable beds and modern amenities, you will spend most of your vacation sleeping in your room. If you don’t feel like eating in your bathrobe, head down to the lobby lounge for drinks, or the mezzanine restaurant Anzu, for excellent Asian-fusion fare, or grab a ticket for a show at the hotel’s cabaret, Feinstein’s at the Nikko. Hotel Nikko is the go-to place for tourists seeking comfort and a full belly away from home.

InterContinental San Francisco
#26 of 26 Top-Notch San Francisco Hotels
SOMA / Downtown, SF, CA

★★★★☆ | $$

Recently renovated to polish up this relatively young hotel’s interiors, this luxury tower boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant (Luce), and it was the favorite place to stay in SF for President Obama. Intercontinental San Francisco’s location is advantageous to either leisure or business clientele. Near the shopping and dining in Union Square, it would be near impossible to not enjoy your time exploring the area outside of your hotel room. Offering ecofriendly solutions to guests as well, this company clearly cares about the environment as much as they care about their clients. 



How Was This List Made?

 

Utilizing a combination of 7 sources, including Oyster, TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Conde Nast Travel, aggregated user reviews & SFist staff opinions, the above list includes SF hotels that we believe provide superior services. In some cases, promotional consideration is given to SFist sponsors in the local hospitality industry as well. Each of the above locations is widely recognized as one of the top hotels in San Francisco.

 


SFist / Best of San Francisco / 26 Best SF Hotels