A superb Union Square location is the main draw of this upper-middle-range, European-style boutique hotel. Renovated top to bottom in 2017, this hotel has a polished look and lively contemporary artwork. Amenities such as a wine and cheese hour, cookies in the evening, and gathering areas on each floor (some with fireplaces) create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Its 30 rooms are bright and modern, if on the small side, but they're well equipped with tablets, robes, and pillow-top mattresses. Freebies like breakfast and overnight shoeshines add to the hotel's value, and a water bottle-filling station is a nice touch. All in all, The Inn is an appealing choice, but it is more buttoned up compared to other boutique hotels in the area. For something flashier in the same neighborhood, consider the Hotel Triton.
A superb Union Square location is the main draw of this upper-middle-range, European-style boutique hotel. Renovated top to bottom in 2017, this hotel has a polished look and lively contemporary artwork. Amenities such as a wine and cheese hour, cookies in the evening, and gathering areas on each floor (some with fireplaces) create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Its 30 rooms are bright and modern, if on the small side, but they're well equipped with tablets, robes, and pillow-top mattresses. Freebies like breakfast and overnight shoeshines add to the hotel's value, and a water bottle-filling station is a nice touch. All in all, The Inn is an appealing choice, but it is more buttoned up compared to other boutique hotels in the area. For something flashier in the same neighborhood, consider the Hotel Triton.
Most two-and-a-half-pearl properties at least offer reasonable rates, but guests should consider the prices at the Marriott next door before booking here as they're often just slightly more expensive and get you access to a fitness center and pool (Mosser guests can also use these facilities, but must pay a fee). Budget-minded rooms here, however, include those with shared bathrooms and all rates include freebies like Wi-Fi and a minimal breakfast of muffins and coffee or tea.
Most two-and-a-half-pearl properties at least offer reasonable rates, but guests should consider the prices at the Marriott next door before booking here as they're often just slightly more expensive and get you access to a fitness center and pool (Mosser guests can also use these facilities, but must pay a fee). Budget-minded rooms here, however, include those with shared bathrooms and all rates include freebies like Wi-Fi and a minimal breakfast of muffins and coffee or tea.
Known for its Redwood Room bar and location a five-minute walk from Union Square, the Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel has a hip scene, particularly with digs designed by Philippe Starck and Ian Schrager (the latter of Studio 54 fame). The 372 small but comfortable rooms are short on amenities but high on scene and style. All rooms have elegant decor, desks, minibars, and robes, plus dining tables and living spaces in studios. Three spaces serve food and drinks in moody, sleek settings, but there's little else in terms of features aside from a small gym and meeting spaces. Also on the downside, Wi-Fi incurs an extra charge. For a similarly upscale property with a few more features, consider the nearby Hotel Nikko San Francisco.
Known for its Redwood Room bar and location a five-minute walk from Union Square, the Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel has a hip scene, particularly with digs designed by Philippe Starck and Ian Schrager (the latter of Studio 54 fame). The 372 small but comfortable rooms are short on amenities but high on scene and style. All rooms have elegant decor, desks, minibars, and robes, plus dining tables and living spaces in studios. Three spaces serve food and drinks in moody, sleek settings, but there's little else in terms of features aside from a small gym and meeting spaces. Also on the downside, Wi-Fi incurs an extra charge. For a similarly upscale property with a few more features, consider the nearby Hotel Nikko San Francisco.
Hip interiors and a dose of Japanese influence make for a charming and characterful ambience at Japantown's upper-middle-range Hotel Kabuki. This 218-room boutique hotel has a courtyard Zen garden, complete with a koi pond and fire pit, and an impressive modern gym with Life Fitness machines. A chic lobby bar offers light bites and Japanese whiskies, beer, and sake, while the breakfast buffet is full of high-quality, locally sourced fare. Rooms are small but stylish and decked out with modern amenities like 55-inch flat-screen TVs, capsule coffee machines, and mini-fridges. A daily amenity fee garners some complaints, but covers things like Wi-Fi, bike rentals, and fitness classes (plus most hotels in San Francisco have one). The nearby Kimpton Buchanan is a comparable alternative, but its gym is not as nice.
Hip interiors and a dose of Japanese influence make for a charming and characterful ambience at Japantown's upper-middle-range Hotel Kabuki. This 218-room boutique hotel has a courtyard Zen garden, complete with a koi pond and fire pit, and an impressive modern gym with Life Fitness machines. A chic lobby bar offers light bites and Japanese whiskies, beer, and sake, while the breakfast buffet is full of high-quality, locally sourced fare. Rooms are small but stylish and decked out with modern amenities like 55-inch flat-screen TVs, capsule coffee machines, and mini-fridges. A daily amenity fee garners some complaints, but covers things like Wi-Fi, bike rentals, and fitness classes (plus most hotels in San Francisco have one). The nearby Kimpton Buchanan is a comparable alternative, but its gym is not as nice.
Situated just a two-minute walk from Union Square and in easy walking distance to a plethora of shops, eateries, and public transport options, the lower-middle-range Hotel Cartwright is an ideal spot for budget-minded travelers ready to explore the city. The 114-room hotel occupies a 1915 building and maintains historic charm in the lobby and reception areas with wood and vintage accents and molded architectural details. Small rooms feature en-suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers, but have tired decor, no air-conditioning, and can get street noise. But guests appreciate the hotel's free Wi-Fi and pet-friendly policies. Travelers looking for a vintage-style property may want to compare rates with the nearby Hotel Rex.
Situated just a two-minute walk from Union Square and in easy walking distance to a plethora of shops, eateries, and public transport options, the lower-middle-range Hotel Cartwright is an ideal spot for budget-minded travelers ready to explore the city. The 114-room hotel occupies a 1915 building and maintains historic charm in the lobby and reception areas with wood and vintage accents and molded architectural details. Small rooms feature en-suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers, but have tired decor, no air-conditioning, and can get street noise. But guests appreciate the hotel's free Wi-Fi and pet-friendly policies. Travelers looking for a vintage-style property may want to compare rates with the nearby Hotel Rex.
Situated a four-minute walk from Union Square and in easy walking distance to a plethora of shops, eateries, bars, and public transport options, the two-pearl Adelaide Hostel is an ideal spot for budget-minded travelers ready to explore the city. Bright and cheerful, the hostel features a lively lounge filled with cozy seating and a chalkboard that announces hostel-hosted events like bar crawls and free bi-weekly dinners. The property’s 25 rooms are standard hostel fare that range from private options with en-suite bathrooms to classic dorm-style bunk beds. The hostel offers free Wi-Fi, a free breakfast, and coin-operated laundry with free detergent. Compare rates at Adelaide Hostel’s sister property, The Dakota Hotel -- you may get sent there anyway if Adelaide is fully booked.
Situated a four-minute walk from Union Square and in easy walking distance to a plethora of shops, eateries, bars, and public transport options, the two-pearl Adelaide Hostel is an ideal spot for budget-minded travelers ready to explore the city. Bright and cheerful, the hostel features a lively lounge filled with cozy seating and a chalkboard that announces hostel-hosted events like bar crawls and free bi-weekly dinners. The property’s 25 rooms are standard hostel fare that range from private options with en-suite bathrooms to classic dorm-style bunk beds. The hostel offers free Wi-Fi, a free breakfast, and coin-operated laundry with free detergent. Compare rates at Adelaide Hostel’s sister property, The Dakota Hotel -- you may get sent there anyway if Adelaide is fully booked.
The 93-room, upper-middle-range Staypineapple, An Elegant Hotel, Union Square is well-located for touring major sights (it's just a few blocks from Union Square), but it's on the northern edge of the gritty Tenderloin area. Rooms can be small but decor feels high-end and amenities are modern -- 48-inch flat-screen TVs, iHome docks, Keurig coffeemakers, high-speed Wi-Fi, seersucker robes, and marble bathrooms up the luxe factor. The hotel has a trendy lobby and bar serving drinks and light fare, but there's no full restaurant or fitness facilities. The hotel offers freebies like bike rentals, water bowls for four-legged guests, and pineapple-infused water all day, plus free coffee and mini-cupcakes in the afternoon. The nearby Hotel Adagio offers a good alternative -- while it lacks the sunny charm of Staypineapple, An Elegant Hotel, Union Square, it adds extras like a fitness center and room service.
The 93-room, upper-middle-range Staypineapple, An Elegant Hotel, Union Square is well-located for touring major sights (it's just a few blocks from Union Square), but it's on the northern edge of the gritty Tenderloin area. Rooms can be small but decor feels high-end and amenities are modern -- 48-inch flat-screen TVs, iHome docks, Keurig coffeemakers, high-speed Wi-Fi, seersucker robes, and marble bathrooms up the luxe factor. The hotel has a trendy lobby and bar serving drinks and light fare, but there's no full restaurant or fitness facilities. The hotel offers freebies like bike rentals, water bowls for four-legged guests, and pineapple-infused water all day, plus free coffee and mini-cupcakes in the afternoon. The nearby Hotel Adagio offers a good alternative -- while it lacks the sunny charm of Staypineapple, An Elegant Hotel, Union Square, it adds extras like a fitness center and room service.
The Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf is a mid-range, 531-room hotel just over a block from Fisherman's Wharf, one of San Francisco's top tourist destinations. A cozy courtyard, a heated outdoor pool, and a good-sized fitness center are nice-to-have extras in an otherwise motel-esque property. Rooms feature flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and updated AC units, but lack water views (the hotel is only four stories tall, so the neighboring buildings block views of the San Francisco Bay). Guests could also consider Hotel Zephyr, a boutique hotel across the street, where higher-category rooms have unobstructed bay views.
The Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf is a mid-range, 531-room hotel just over a block from Fisherman's Wharf, one of San Francisco's top tourist destinations. A cozy courtyard, a heated outdoor pool, and a good-sized fitness center are nice-to-have extras in an otherwise motel-esque property. Rooms feature flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and updated AC units, but lack water views (the hotel is only four stories tall, so the neighboring buildings block views of the San Francisco Bay). Guests could also consider Hotel Zephyr, a boutique hotel across the street, where higher-category rooms have unobstructed bay views.
One of the city's grandest dames, the Mark Hopkins sits regally on top of Nob Hill with dazzling views and the famous 19th-floor Top of the Mark bar. Though its elegant style and grand past earn cachet, the rooms are less impressive (though usually less expensive) than its Nob Hill neighbors.
One of the city's grandest dames, the Mark Hopkins sits regally on top of Nob Hill with dazzling views and the famous 19th-floor Top of the Mark bar. Though its elegant style and grand past earn cachet, the rooms are less impressive (though usually less expensive) than its Nob Hill neighbors.
Atop Nob Hill, the upscale 134-room Scarlet Huntington has a classic pedigree with a new look. One of San Francisco’s old-school favorites, this property was purchased by a Singapore group that updated it in 2014 with a sexy, ritzy aesthetic heavy on lush red velvet, silk, and leather. Some of the spacious guest rooms have a new modern look, while many maintain their Old-World charm. The Nob Hill Spa is one of the most popular in the city, and the clubby Big 4 restaurant retains its classic atmosphere. Nob Hill has great city views, and the hotel is walking distance to Union Square, Chinatown, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Be aware, though, that any walk includes very steep hills. For true old–San Francisco elegance at the same price point, consider the nearby Fairmont San Francisco.
Atop Nob Hill, the upscale 134-room Scarlet Huntington has a classic pedigree with a new look. One of San Francisco’s old-school favorites, this property was purchased by a Singapore group that updated it in 2014 with a sexy, ritzy aesthetic heavy on lush red velvet, silk, and leather. Some of the spacious guest rooms have a new modern look, while many maintain their Old-World charm. The Nob Hill Spa is one of the most popular in the city, and the clubby Big 4 restaurant retains its classic atmosphere. Nob Hill has great city views, and the hotel is walking distance to Union Square, Chinatown, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Be aware, though, that any walk includes very steep hills. For true old–San Francisco elegance at the same price point, consider the nearby Fairmont San Francisco.