The 13 Best Hotels In San Francisco 2024

Marwa Grimes

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Casey Hatsfield-Chiotti, Contributor

Forbes Vetted


Established by Gold Rush seekers and transformed into a hippy haven in the 1960s, San Francisco has always been aspirational and a bit rebellious. Its grand architecture, stunning natural beauty and tech economy make it feel both old and new—classic but constantly changing. Travelers come to visit landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, sample the diverse culinary scene and experience the city’s vibrancy.

The city’s popularity as a tourist destination has brought a diverse array of hotels to the dense metropolis, from quirky boutique inns to luxurious skyscrapers near the Embarcadero. From the iconic Fairmont San Francisco, rich with history, to the trendy, design-forward San Francisco Proper, there’s a hotel in San Francisco for every trip, style and budget. Below, the best hotels in San Francisco for 2024.

Best Hotels In San Francisco At A Glance:


Best Hotel In San Francisco Overall: The Fairmont San Francisco

Fairmont San Francisco

Who Will Love It: Sophisticates; families with well-behaved children

All-Star Amenities: Le Labo toiletries; gym and spa including sauna and steam room; rooftop garden

What Not To Miss: A mai tai in the Tonga Room; afternoon tea; the hotel’s sustainable honey

Location: Nob Hill

After two sisters fulfilled their father’s vision of building a dignified Beaux-Arts building on top of Nob Hill next to the mansions of railroad tycoons in the early 1900s, the iconic Fairmont San Francisco was born. The property is a symbol of the city and has hosted many firsts, including San Francisco’s first post-prohibition cocktail bar (the lobby bar with gold murals remains open) and the nation’s first hotel concierge. Crooner Tony Bennett first sang his signature song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” in front of an audience in the hotel’s supper club, the Venetian Room.

But while the Fairmont is rich with history, it’s also fun. The Tonga Room tiki bar—which has a lagoon with a floating stage—has been a fixture at the hotel since 1929. Accommodations include neutral contemporary guest rooms with marble bathrooms, in addition to lavish suites like the Penthouse with David Hockney artworks and a two-story library with a gold leaf encrusted dome. Whether you’re dining on house-made scones and Devonshire cream in pastel-colored Laurel Court, or dancing on a floor built from the remains of the S.S. Forester, a stay at the Fairmont is a trip back in time.


Best High-End Hotel In San Francisco: The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

Who Will Love It: Bon vivants who want to pamper themselves in a prime location

All-Star Amenities: Spacious guest rooms; spectacular city and bay views; 400-thread-count sheets

What Not To Miss: Rare wines in JCB Tasting Lounge; shopping for perfume at the Krigler boutique

Location: Nob Hill

A glass of Grand Cru white Burgundy and caviar in a velvet lounge? A fragrance fit for a first lady? If you can dream it up, it’s probably offered by attentive staff at the palatial Ritz-Carlton San Francisco. The 1909 Neoclassical building on Nob Hill looks like the most regal of courthouses, but the interiors are sleek and sexy with garnet furnishings, mirrored surfaces and marble fireplaces. The 336-rooms—many with views of the Coit Tower, Transamerica Pyramid and Alcatraz Island—are done up in shades of steely blue, silver and grey with roman shades and modern furniture. In collaboration with legendary Burgundian winemaker Jean-Charles Boisset, the JCB tasting lounge is the place to go for a Regiis Ova caviar pairing to complement a glass of champagne while reveling in the backdrop of velvet curtains, gold frames and a crystal chandelier. Instagrammers will be happy to know there’s an excellent photo op outside; The historic cable car stops on the steep hillside just outside the hotel’s doorstep with the cityscape unfolding behind.


Best Boutique Hotel In San Francisco: Inn At The Presidio

Inn At The Presidio

Who Will Love It: Locals looking for a staycation; travelers who would rather have peace and quiet than bells and whistles

All-Star Amenities: Continental breakfast; evening wine and cheese reception; gas fireplaces in rooms; outdoor fire pit

What Not To Miss: Relaxing on the covered porch; checking out new Battery Bluff park; a walk on the eucalyptus-scented Ecology Trail steps from the hotel

Location: Presidio

One of San Francisco’s many jewels, the 1500-acre Presidio National Park has hiking trails, a sandy beach and a lovely hotel. The Inn at the Presidio is in an elegant Georgian Revival-style building that would have been a home for bachelor officers when the park was a U.S. Army Post. Guest rooms feel slightly New England with dark leather chairs and ottomans, crisp white walls and navy-striped pillows. Natural play areas (like the new Battery Bluff) and wide lawns for picnicking make this a great option for families who want to be close but not too close to tourist attractions like Fisherman’s Wharf and the Walt Disney Family Museum. The Inn at the Presidio offers such a sublime respite from city life you’ll be vying with locals for a booking.


Best Design Hotel In San Francisco: San Francisco Proper

San Francisco Proper

Who Will Love It: Design lovers; young creatives who love to be a part of the scene

All-Star Amenities: Rooftop deck and bar; fitness center with Peloton Bikes; three hotspots for drinking and dining; complimentary house car

What Not To Miss: Dinner at Villon; a cocktail at Charmaine’s on the rooftop; Kelly Wearstler-designed kimonos

Location: Mid-Market

This chic hotel in a flatiron-style brick building is a colorful, bohemian haven only designer Kelly Wearstler could dream up. Her irreverent and opulent style touches everything from the wallpaper to the kimonos in the guest rooms. The two-story-high lobby walls are a fabulous showcase for an eclectic mix of abstract art and mirrors, complemented by the brightly colored sofas and chairs. Accommodations are more muted with walls dressed in graphic black and white wallpapers, mid-century-inspired furnishings and vintage Scandinavian rugs. Every room has a view, thanks to the building’s triangular shape. While the Mid-Market neighborhood is a bit edgy, that doesn’t stop San Francisco’s most stylish from lining up for a seat at Charmaine’s, the hotel’s chic rooftop bar complete with fire pits, black and white striped furnishings and panoramic views of the city skyline.


Hotel With The Best Views In San Francisco: The St. Regis San Francisco

The St. Regis San Francisco

Who Will Love It: Culture hounds who want vacations to include plenty of museum time

All-Star Amenities: Butler service for suite guests; Astor Library Cart providing children’s books for bedtime; rainfall showers

What Not To Miss: The Golden Gate Mary, a local take on the St. Regis’s signature cocktail; a bath in a deep soaking tub

Location: SoMa

Open in 2005, this sleek luxury hotel in SoMa needed a little spiffing up. The St. Regis sought out London-based design team Blacksheep to renovate the reception area and St. Regis Bar, which now features dark green and dusty pink upholstery and sculptural wall elements. Toronto-based Chapi Chapo designed the 260 rooms and suites and refitted them with custom furniture like picoted leather headboards reminiscent of a luxury sports car interior, as well as a color palette of silver, copper and iron honoring the California Gold Rush. Art enthusiasts have found a home away from home; The hotel shares a building with the Museum of the African Diaspora, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is next door.


Most Exclusive Hotel In San Francisco: The Battery

The Battery

Who Will Love It: West Coast prepsters; start-up executives

All-Star Amenities: Gym with a virtual personal trainer; free and very fast Wi-Fi; freestanding soaking tubs; Malin and Goetz bath products

What Not To Miss: Champagne and caviar in the Library; crashing a party if one is taking place (hotel guests are always welcome); getting the brainwaves flowing in the quiet Living Room workspace

Location: Embarcadero

San Francisco may not have a Soho House, but it does have the Battery, a 14-suite luxury boutique hotel with a members-only club. The founders sold their tech start-up for $850 million and spared no expense in creating a private club that rivals those in London. Ken Fulk was hired to design the discreet brick building’s interiors. The result is something that feels preppy and nautical (like a bar adorned with ships’ mastheads) yet futuristic (a glass elevator that takes guests to higher floors). Guest rooms are industrial with exposed brick and hardwood floors. Hotel guests are considered resident members and get access to all facilities during their stay including the hotel’s excellent bars and restaurants (seven total) and the deep wine cellar. The Battery also has a vineyard and farm in Sonoma.


Best Bed And Breakfast In San Francisco: The White Swan Inn

White Swan Inn

Who Will Love It: Rebels and romantics

All-Star Amenities: Complimentary breakfast basket; wine and nibbles; in-room gas fireplaces; courtyard

What Not To Miss: Take out from Del Popolo; a board game in the parlor

Location: Nob Hill

The cheeky White Swan Inn proclaims it is “one part Carnaby Street circa 1960, one part Cotswolds,” and somehow, it works. It’s more elevated and intimate than the chain, which has locations across the country. Still, the interiors are similarly colorful and eclectic with geometric print carpets, floral wallpapers and Christian Lacroix-upholstered chairs in the salon. Some of the rooms have four-poster beds. As any proper bed and breakfast does, the White Swan wants guests satiated with a hearty breakfast featuring flaky croissants and other pastries each morning, in addition to complimentary red and white wine and small bites in the evenings.


Best Hotel Near The Embarcadero In San Francisco: Four Seasons San Francisco At Embarcadero

Four Seasons San Francisco At Embarcadero

Who Will Love It: Art collectors; food lovers; business travelers

All-Star Amenities: 24-hour business center and everything you need to Work From Hotel, including printers and tech support; babysitting services; yoga and personal training on request

What Not To Miss: Identifying landmarks from the 48th-floor Sky Bridge; a photography session with Adam Jacobs

Location: Embarcadero

Located in the top 11 stories of a 48-story building, the Four Seasons near the Embarcadero is a sleek hotel in the sky. The Guy Dill sculpture in the lobby and the bright-white staircase give it the vibe of a museum. This art gallery look continues in the modernist guest rooms with clean-lined midcentury furnishings and hand-tufted rugs with burnt red, dove grey and black shapes. Large windows let in lots of light and soaking tubs are positioned to take in the city views. No visit to San Francisco is complete without eating your way through the Ferry Building Marketplace. By checking into the Four Seasons, you’ll have easy access to all the fresh oysters, rich coffee and crusty loaves of bread you like—the Ferry Building is just a few blocks from the hotel. And if you’d prefer to make a full day of it, guests can sign up for an exclusive session with fine art photographer Adam Jacobs. The session begins by walking down to the Ferry Building to learn the fundamentals of photography and capture the early morning light.


Hotel With The Best Location In San Francisco: Beacon Grand

Beacon Grand

Who Will Love It: Shoppers and those who like a social scene

All-Star Amenities: Guest rooms with high ceilings; a curated library; two refillable PathWater bottles and filling stations through the hotel; lighting fast Wi-Fi

What Not To Miss: The “hidden” whiskey bar; tips from Social Hosts on what to do and where to go

Location: Union Square

Fresh off a major makeover, the Beacon Grand (formerly the Sir Francis Drake) is San Francisco’s living room with its central location just two minutes from Union Square. Loyalists will be happy to know the grand staircase and gilded ceilings have been returned to their former glory. New technologically-advanced guest rooms with gel-foam topped mattresses and UHD TVs with Chromecast, plus the decor upgrade of dark blue wall paneling and European oak floors, make this a grand dame for the 21st century. A hotel for travelers who want to be a part of the action; guests can hop on a cable car to Nob Hill, go on a shopping spree at Saks or see a show in the theater district with ease. For a break from the frenzy, find the secret door next to the grand fireplace. The wood-paneled Hidden Library bar beckons for a vintage bourbon served neat or old-fashioned.


Best Hotel For Families In San Francisco: Claremont Club and Spa, A Fairmont Hotel

Claremont Club and Spa, A Fairmont Hotel

Who Will Love It: Spa seekers and families who would rather stay in a resort than a city hotel but still want to be in easy reach of SF’s numerous attractions

All-Star Amenities: Views of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge; large spa; three swimming pools; tennis courts; grand piano in the lobby

What Not To Miss: Live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights; sitting on the patio at sunset; a stroll through the landscaped grounds

Location: Berkeley

Just outside of the city center in Berkeley, the Claremont Club and Spa is one of the Bay Area’s most beautiful historic properties. More than a century old, it feels like an English countryside estate with its grand Tudor-style architecture and Old World-inspired interiors. Still, it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Cocktails are served out of an Airstream bar, Rosie, Thursday to Saturday and the lounge often hosts live music. Families can enjoy the abundant activities offered by the Claremont Club—guests of the hotel are granted full access to all the classes and activities during their stay—like swimming in the children’s activity pool with water fountain, playing tennis and pickleball, Friday movie nights and a Kids’ Club. With a slightly elevated location at the base of Claremont Canyon in the upscale Berkeley Hills neighborhood, many guest rooms—done up in shades of gold, blue and rust—have wonderful views of San Francisco Bay, and it’s just 12 miles from the city center and a quick car or BART ride.


Best Hotel For Business Travelers In San Francisco: JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square

JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square

Who Will Love It: Business travelers and conference goers who want to be in the center of the action

All-Star Amenities: Fitness center with wood floors; meeting space equipped with interactive white boards and sound-absorbing rugs; PURE-certified facilities and guest rooms; in-room Bose radios

What Not To Miss: The spa-like bathrooms; rubbing shoulders with power brokers at the bar in the lobby

Location: Union Square

With over 16,000 square feet of meeting space including a venue for conferences and advanced AV technology, JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square has a reputation for being one of the city’s buzziest business hubs, but it doesn’t feel too corporate. After entering through the porte-cochere and taking the cylindrical glass elevator to the third floor, guests will find a luxurious high-ceilinged lobby with marble floors and glass chandeliers. Guest rooms, which begin at 360 square feet, all have desks and comfortable chairs for business travelers and marble bathrooms that feel like mini spas with separate showers and tubs. The hotel is within easy walking distance of Union Square, the Financial District and the Embarcadero and there’s a BART and Muni stop on nearby Powell Street so getting wherever you need to go for business or pleasure is a breeze.


Hotel With The Best Amenities In San Francisco: Palace Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco

Palace Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco

Who Will Love It: Travelers who love Gilded Age glamour

All-Star Amenities: Indoor swimming pool; fitness center; marble bathrooms with lighted makeup mirrors

What Not To Miss: Afternoon Tea at the Garden Court every Saturday; the Angus Beef Smash Burger in Pied Piper Bar

Location: Union Square

Many of San Francisco’s best hotels are sleek and a bit understated, but the Palace Hotel takes a different approach, and it’s evident the moment you slip beneath the porte cochere and inside the arched doors on New Montgomery Street. The lobby, known as Garden Court, is the city’s most jaw-dropping with a domed glass ceiling dripping with Austrian crystal chandeliers from the late 1800s. Akin to the city’s opulent living room, the space doubles as the hotel’s dining and lounging area and was given a spiffing up in 2015 along with the rest of the landmark property. The eight-story hotel, which takes up an entire city block, was built in 1875, but the current building dates to 1909. The dark wood-paneled Pied Piper Bar, named for the large Maxfield Parish painting that hangs above the bar, has been serving some of the city’s best cocktails ever since. Other standout amenities include the hotel’s glass covered indoor swimming pool, a rarity in San Francisco. Guest rooms with high ceilings and crown molding stay true to the hotel’s original spirit but furnishings like cream-colored leather headboards and wood writing desks feel very current.


Best Value Hotel In San Francisco: Hotel Nikko

Hotel Nikko

Who Will Love It: No nonsense travelers looking for a good location and good value

All-Star Amenities: 10,000-square-foot health club; Subarashii Yume pillow-top beds; iPhone sound systems.

What Not To Miss: Dinner and a show at Feinstein’s, the hotel’s nightclub; a swim and steam in the Health Club

Location: Union Square

With guest room rates hovering around $200 a night and rarely over $300, the Hotel Nikko is one of the cheapest hotels in San Francisco that still offers plenty of style, amenities and an excellent location. The 531 guest rooms, including 22 suites, have modern Japanese-inspired décor including warm beige bedframes and marine pillows and chairs. Rooms on the upper floors have great city views; the hotel is in a very central location between the Theater District and Union Square. Use of the Nikko’s pristine Health Club and glass-enclosed swimming pool is included in the daily amenity fee. Anzu restaurant, on the hotel’s second level, serves contemporary Japanese cuisine like braised angus beef short ribs and spicy poke rolls.


What Area Of San Francisco Is Best To Stay In?

Many of San Francisco’s best hotels are near Union Square for a reason. It’s the city’s main shopping district with department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus and high-end boutiques lining the public square. It’s also one of the most centrally located neighborhoods placing travelers in easy reach of Chinatown, the Financial District, the Theater District and the fashionable Jackson Square Historic District. If you’re looking for something less frenetic, Nob Hill, where luxury stalwarts including the Fairmont and Ritz-Carlton reside, is quieter and more refined. Staying in SoMa (South of Market) places you within easy reach of the excellent dining options at the Ferry Building, museums and Oracle Park.

What Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit San Francisco?

Storyteller Mark Twain reportedly said, “the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco,” referring to the city’s notoriously gloomy summers. Heat inlands causes a thick marine layer to settle over the city in July and August, but it usually clears up by September. The weather stays warm and reliable through November. Fall also has fewer crowds than summer even though the weather is better making it one of the best times to visit the City by the Bay.

What Is The Cheapest Time To Go To San Francisco?

With its high cost of living, San Francisco is an expensive city to visit, but travelers can save on hotels and airfare if they visit when rates dip in January. January is also the coldest month in San Francisco but still relatively mild with a low of 46 degrees and high of 57 degrees.

How Many Days Do You Need To Visit San Francisco?

Three days is a good amount of time to get introduced to the city of San Francisco, and seven by seven miles and a sixth the size of New York, the city is relatively compact and easy to navigate. Within three days you should be able to explore downtown and the waterfront, including the iconic Ferry Building Marketplace, shop and dine on hip Fillmore Street and check out the Presidio, a former military base turned national park that has museums, hiking trails and playgrounds. If you can spend more time in San Francisco, than you could explore the

What Is The Average Cost Of A Hotel In San Francisco?

Websites and studies typically place San Francisco within the top ten most expensive tourist destination in the U.S. with the cost of a three-night stay including airfare, meals and hotel averaging around $1,800. According to the website Budget Your Trip, the average cost of a hotel in San Francisco for a couple is $212 a night.


About Casey Hatfield-Chiotti, Your San Francisco Guide

Luxury travel and hotels are my passion. I’ve written and edited travel and lifestyle content for print publications, websites and brands for over a decade. I’ve toured every Palace hotel in Paris, where I lived from 2014 to 2016, and I have a soft spot for grand historic hotels, boutique design properties, wellness retreats and anything with a chic, well-worn bar. Not afraid of a little roughing it, I’ve also summited Kilimanjaro and hiked the W Trek in Patagonia. I love the West Coast’s natural beauty and access to the outdoors. San Francisco, where I make frequent trips, is one of my favorite cities. In addition to contributing to Forbes Vetted, I also write a monthly travel feature for Marin Living. My writing has also appeared in The New York Times, Travel + Leisure, Departures, Robb Report, Afar, Sunset, Modern Luxury and more.

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