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.
Hotel Griffon is an elegant, upscale hotel with a prime location on the Embarcadero waterfront on the edge of San Francisco Bay. Some of the 57 guest rooms and five suites have views of the Bay and the Bay Bridge, but many do not have a view at all, and most are very cramped and have small bathrooms. Throughout, decor is elegant and tasteful, and rooms have 32-inch flat-screen TVs and iPod docks, but no mini-fridges or minibars. Travelers may also want to consider the InterContinental - San Francisco, which offers bigger rooms and large bathrooms, an on-site spa, a fitness center, and a lap pool.
Hotel Griffon is an elegant, upscale hotel with a prime location on the Embarcadero waterfront on the edge of San Francisco Bay. Some of the 57 guest rooms and five suites have views of the Bay and the Bay Bridge, but many do not have a view at all, and most are very cramped and have small bathrooms. Throughout, decor is elegant and tasteful, and rooms have 32-inch flat-screen TVs and iPod docks, but no mini-fridges or minibars. Travelers may also want to consider the InterContinental - San Francisco, which offers bigger rooms and large bathrooms, an on-site spa, a fitness center, and a lap pool.
The 342-room Club Quarters can be a fine alternative to other, more costly business hotels in the quiet, skyscraper-lined streets of the Financial District. But with the drop in price come smaller standard rooms, cheaper bedding, scarce service (no doorman or concierge), an older fitness center, and a less-than-exciting restaurant.
The 342-room Club Quarters can be a fine alternative to other, more costly business hotels in the quiet, skyscraper-lined streets of the Financial District. But with the drop in price come smaller standard rooms, cheaper bedding, scarce service (no doorman or concierge), an older fitness center, and a less-than-exciting restaurant.
Four-pearl Hotel Zeppelin stands out from the chain masses with funky yet carefully curated '60s-themed decor and a boutique vibe. An upscale, casual-cool atmosphere is on display everywhere, from the cozy lobby bar with exposed-brick accents to the popular restaurant Rambles to the downstairs game room and lounge. There’s also a small gym, free bike rentals, and room service. The 196 rooms and suites are chic, though they run small, with funky bathrooms wallpapered in psychedelic lettering plus amenities like Nespresso machines, mini-fridges, and free bottled water. The location is ideal, near Union Square’s high-end shops and public transit. The area is pricey, though, and Hotel Zeppelin is no exception, charging a nightly resort fee, plus extra for breakfast and parking. For a more classic upscale vibe, consider Sir Francis Drake.
Four-pearl Hotel Zeppelin stands out from the chain masses with funky yet carefully curated '60s-themed decor and a boutique vibe. An upscale, casual-cool atmosphere is on display everywhere, from the cozy lobby bar with exposed-brick accents to the popular restaurant Rambles to the downstairs game room and lounge. There’s also a small gym, free bike rentals, and room service. The 196 rooms and suites are chic, though they run small, with funky bathrooms wallpapered in psychedelic lettering plus amenities like Nespresso machines, mini-fridges, and free bottled water. The location is ideal, near Union Square’s high-end shops and public transit. The area is pricey, though, and Hotel Zeppelin is no exception, charging a nightly resort fee, plus extra for breakfast and parking. For a more classic upscale vibe, consider Sir Francis Drake.
Price and location are the major calling cards for the budget Super 8 San Francisco/Union Square Area. It’s located in the gritty Tenderloin District in central San Francisco, but it’s a short walk to Union Square and its shopping, theaters, art galleries, and public transportation. Hotel amenities include a continental breakfast (included in rates), free Wi-Fi, and valet parking. Its 53 rooms are well-kept but small, and free Wi-Fi, safes, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges come standard. Low rates in a famously expensive city make the Super 8 an attractive choice for many budget-conscious travelers seeking to stay downtown. Travelers could also consider the mid-range Serrano Hotel, which has more amenities but also higher rates.
Price and location are the major calling cards for the budget Super 8 San Francisco/Union Square Area. It’s located in the gritty Tenderloin District in central San Francisco, but it’s a short walk to Union Square and its shopping, theaters, art galleries, and public transportation. Hotel amenities include a continental breakfast (included in rates), free Wi-Fi, and valet parking. Its 53 rooms are well-kept but small, and free Wi-Fi, safes, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges come standard. Low rates in a famously expensive city make the Super 8 an attractive choice for many budget-conscious travelers seeking to stay downtown. Travelers could also consider the mid-range Serrano Hotel, which has more amenities but also higher rates.
A sexy 202-room property that doubles as a hip art gallery, the Hotel Zelos San Francisco (formerly Hotel Palomar) has spacious, comfortable rooms, free coffee and tea in the mornings, free Wi-Fi, and an upscale restaurant on the 5th floor. Other downtown boutiques may cost less, but the Zelos is a cut above for a hip, romantic getaway.
A sexy 202-room property that doubles as a hip art gallery, the Hotel Zelos San Francisco (formerly Hotel Palomar) has spacious, comfortable rooms, free coffee and tea in the mornings, free Wi-Fi, and an upscale restaurant on the 5th floor. Other downtown boutiques may cost less, but the Zelos is a cut above for a hip, romantic getaway.
This upscale, medium-sized hotel, part of the Omni chain, is a stylish, comfortable option for well-heeled tourists and business travelers. The luxury comes at a high price, however, and better rates can generally be found at other, nearby four-pearl properties, such as the Hilton or Le Meridien, though some may prefer the Omni's more traditional style and touches of grandeur.
This upscale, medium-sized hotel, part of the Omni chain, is a stylish, comfortable option for well-heeled tourists and business travelers. The luxury comes at a high price, however, and better rates can generally be found at other, nearby four-pearl properties, such as the Hilton or Le Meridien, though some may prefer the Omni's more traditional style and touches of grandeur.
It's not quite as fashionable as its competitors in SoMa, near the Moscone Convention Center and the downtown musuems, but the 374-room Courtyard by Marriott San Francisco Downtown was renovated in 2009 and its indoor pool and larger-than-average guest rooms make it an attractive choice for the price.
It's not quite as fashionable as its competitors in SoMa, near the Moscone Convention Center and the downtown musuems, but the 374-room Courtyard by Marriott San Francisco Downtown was renovated in 2009 and its indoor pool and larger-than-average guest rooms make it an attractive choice for the price.
A family-run property with unique decor, a delicious free breakfast, and a convenient location, Hotel Casa San Pancho is the quintessential boutique hotel. With 10 individually decorated rooms and an intimate, adults-only atmosphere, it can feel more like a private home than a budget hotel. The family’s personal collection of Balinese statues, tapestries, and photographs is displayed across the hotel, which imbues the property with a serious Asian aesthetic. There's a tiny pool surrounded by lush gardens, but otherwise the property doesn't offer much to do on-site. Luckily, San Pancho’s shops, bars, restaurants, and beach are all within a 10-minute walk. It’s worth comparing rates at Hotel Cielo Rojo, a nearby boutique that has an on-site restaurant but lacks a pool.
A family-run property with unique decor, a delicious free breakfast, and a convenient location, Hotel Casa San Pancho is the quintessential boutique hotel. With 10 individually decorated rooms and an intimate, adults-only atmosphere, it can feel more like a private home than a budget hotel. The family’s personal collection of Balinese statues, tapestries, and photographs is displayed across the hotel, which imbues the property with a serious Asian aesthetic. There's a tiny pool surrounded by lush gardens, but otherwise the property doesn't offer much to do on-site. Luckily, San Pancho’s shops, bars, restaurants, and beach are all within a 10-minute walk. It’s worth comparing rates at Hotel Cielo Rojo, a nearby boutique that has an on-site restaurant but lacks a pool.
