The 9 Best Hotels in San Francisco
Updated: April 02, 2024
AAA Travel Editors
Looking for a place to stay during your trip to the Golden Gate City? San Francisco is home to an array of diverse neighborhoods and among them, you'll find hotels, resorts and hostels at practically every price point. From the ultra-high-end to the budget-friendly, there's a place for every traveler, each offering its own local flavor.
Whether you're looking for the highest-quality hotels in San Francisco, the most unique, or the most convenient to the attractions you have in mind, we're here to give you an overview of the best hotels in San Francisco. From major chain resorts to off-the-beaten-path boutique hotels with California charm, you'll find them here.
1. The Argonaut
- Address: 495 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94109
- Price: Starting around $180/night
- Popular Amenities: restaurant, bar, room service, free bicycle rental, concierge, fitness center, business workstation
No list of top San Francisco hotels would be complete without The Argonaut, a San Francisco icon and a piece of the city's history, having received a AAA Four Diamond designation. The Argonaut occupies the historic Haslett Warehouse Building on Fisherman's Wharf. Depending on the orientation of your room, you'll be greeted with views of Alcatraz Island, the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. It's a lovely stay for visitors who want to experience some of the best hotel views in San Francisco, as well as the atmosphere of the Wharf in stylish comfort.
2. 1 Hotel San Francisco
- Address: 8 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
- Price: Starting around $300/night
- Popular Amenities: spa, fitness center, restaurant and bar, wellness classes, pet friendly, waterfront views
As a AAA Four Diamond designated hotel 1 Hotel San Francisco is a step above. Here you can expect lovely, sustainable design throughout, including organic textures and colors that bring the natural beauty of the San Francisco surroundings inside. A stay here feels like a breath of fresh air. Stroll outside for a walk along the Embarcadero. Schedule a massage at the rooftop luxury spa, which uses the highest quality organic skincare products. Or enjoy dinner at Terrene, the on-site restaurant featuring local farm-to-table specialties crafted by Executive Chef Scott Koranda.
3. Harbor Court Hotel
- Address: 165 Steuart St, San Francisco, CA 94105
- Price: Starts around $180/night
- Popular Amenities: restaurant, bar, free breakfast, valet parking, pet-friendly, financial district
Harbor Court boasts a AAA Three Diamond designation with its boutique style and historic backdrop. Thoughtful design welcomes you in with a touch of glitz and historic features showcase the turn-of-the-20th-century architecture to full advantage. The Spanish Colonial Revival building was originally designed to be used as Army/Navy housing, but was retired from military service not too long after. It's a distinctive feature of the financial district and rooms feature expansive views of the San Francisco Bay and Treasure Island. This four-star hotel doesn't skimp on service or style. You'll feel right at home from the moment you step through the grand entrance. Want a delicious dinner without leaving the hotel? Try Ozumo, an upscale contemporary Japanese restaurant where you'll find sake, sushi and an array of culinary masterpieces.
4. Hotel Griffon
- Address: 155 Steuart St, San Francisco, CA 94105
- Price: Starts around $130/night
- Popular Amenities: restaurant, bar, business center, pet-friendly
Hotel Griffon combines location with a laid-back style that feels a little like a European boutique and a little like a refined home away from home. Design elements like exposed brick walls in the rooms, eye-catching artwork and cool colors that lend an atmosphere of easy sophistication to every corner of this AAA Three Diamond designated hotel. Enjoy dinner at Perry's on the Embarcadero, complete with expansive views of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. Hotel Griffon is just a 5-minute walk from the Embarcadero's BART station and it's a short walk to the many restaurants and shops in the Ferry Building.
5. Hotel Zetta
- Address: 55 5th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
- Price: Starts around $250/night
- Popular Amenities: restaurant, bar, breakfast, fitness center, room service, game room
The Hotel Zetta blurs the lines between art gallery and hotel. This AAA Three Diamond designated boutique hotel brings modern art, repurposed furniture and state-of-the-art technology together to craft a chic space that invites open-minded exploration of the world. A popular meeting space, Hotel Zetta offers plenty of meeting and conference rooms that invite creatives to plot out fresh, new ideas. It's brilliantly situated at San Francisco Center, in the heart of the city's shopping and dining; it's just steps away from the Powell Street cable car turnaround and the BART rail station, making getting around effortless. A free weekly yoga class, a top-notch restaurant and bar and a game room featuring a 30-foot Plinko wall are just a few features you won't find just anywhere. We recommend this hotel as one of the best hotels in downtown San Francisco if you enjoy a more metro experience.
6. King George Hotel
- Address: 334 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Price: Starts around $169/night
- Popular Amenities: 24-hr room service, concierge, business center, bar
The King George holds a AAA Approved designation and offers the feel of a classic European hotel. The building, built in 1912, occupies a bustling corner just one block from Union Square. Expect cozy, traditional style: think pillowtop mattresses, writing desks and wingback chairs. The overall effect is both welcoming and charming without pretension, right down to the candy bowl in each room. An on-site bar and lounge serves up simple pub food and drinks and you'll find countless other dining options less than 10 minutes away when you step out the front door.
7. The Marker
- Address: 501 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Price: Starts around $139/night
- Popular Amenities: concierge, restaurant, bar, breakfast, public internet workstation, fitness center, valet parking
If Kate Spade designed hotels instead of handbags, this might be it. Located in a Beaux Arts building that was constructed in 1910, The Marker is replete with unique style. Brimming over with color but not visually noisy, The Marker is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in San Francisco when it comes to unique style. Boasting a AAA Three Diamond designation, the decor here serves up old-world-meets-new style in a way that appeals to all the senses. However, there’s more to The Marker than simply interior design making it a memorable place to stay. Expect professional, friendly service and a pristine environment. Step out the door and Union Square is just four minutes away, or walk about 89 minutes to find the nearest BART station. You'll also find plenty of shops, restaurants and other services within easy walking distance.
8. Hotel Spero
- Address: 405 Taylor St, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Price: Starts around $149
- Popular Amenities: restaurant, bar, concierge, fitness center, valet parking, business center, meeting rooms
Hotel Spero is a large, European-style AAA Three Diamond hotel set in a Spanish-Colonial-style building that was built as a hotel in 1923. The hotel brings together formal European elegance with contemporary style in a welcoming, clean environment that feels like a peaceful, luxurious escape. The on-site restaurant, Jasper's Corner Tap and Kitchen, serves up mouthwatering contemporary American cuisine in an upscale casual atmosphere. Hotel Spero is located in the heart of the Theater District; it's a quick walk to find bars and nightlife, excellent museums and/or remarkable culinary gems tucked away nearby.
9. Hotel Zeppelin
- Address: 545 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Price: Starts around $176/night
- Popular Amenities: restaurant, bar, room service, concierge, game room, fitness center, valet parking, meeting rooms
Words like "posh" and "hip" just begin to describe the Hotel Zeppelin, which is located in San Francisco's ritzy Nob Hill neighborhood. Expect a curated experience when you walk in the door of this AAA Three Diamond hotel, from the impeccably designed lobby featuring bold, eclectic art, to the guestrooms and suites that embrace an unapologetically hipster style. Hotel Zeppelin is located just a few blocks from Union Square and the Ferry Building; there are countless restaurants, theaters and shopping opportunities within easy walking distance, including the San Francisco MOMA.
San Francisco is home to a truly eclectic blend of boutique hotels ranging from cutting-edge contemporary to posh traditional and you're likely to feel right at home no matter which one you choose, thanks to high customer service standards. These are just a few of the best hotels in San Francisco that the city offers; check out the San Francisco city guide to explore more options. With a AAA membership you can dream up the perfect trip to get the best discounts on hotels, rental cars and entertainment tickets.