The best hotels in San Francisco

This hostel on Mason Street is one of the better budget options in the city center. Private rooms are small but clean, and the shared bathrooms are well maintained. The location puts you within walking distance of Union Square and the Powell Street cable car stop. Common areas are lively and good for meeting other travelers. Just be aware the surrounding Tenderloin neighborhood gets rough at night.

This no-frills motel on Lombard Street is a solid pick for drivers since free parking is included, which is genuinely rare in San Francisco. Rooms are dated but spacious and quiet given the street-facing location. The Union Street shopping and dining strip is a short walk away. Fort Mason and the Marina Green waterfront are about ten minutes on foot. Do not expect luxury, but the value for the location is hard to beat.

Hotel Zephyr sits right at Fisherman's Wharf, just steps from the waterfront and the ferry docks. The nautical-themed courtyard with fire pits and games is genuinely fun and sets this place apart from generic chain hotels. Rooms are modern with bold design touches and many have water views. The area is touristy, but that is exactly the point for visitors who want easy access to Pier 39, Alcatraz tours, and the bay. Parking is available on site for an extra fee.

This boutique inn occupies a restored 1903 army barracks building inside the Presidio National Park. The setting is unlike anything else in San Francisco, surrounded by forest trails and just minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge on foot or by bike. Rooms are elegant and quietly done, with a complimentary evening wine hour each night. It is not walking distance to downtown, so a car or rideshare is needed for city exploring. Worth it for anyone who wants calm and nature without leaving the city limits.

Hotel Kabuki anchors the Japantown neighborhood and is directly connected to the Japan Center mall. The design blends modern California style with Japanese-inspired details throughout the rooms and common spaces. It is a short ride to Fillmore Street's bars and restaurants, and Hayes Valley is close by as well. The on-site Naked Pig bar is a decent spot for a cocktail after a long day. Rooms on the upper floors have good views toward the bay on clear days.

The Marker occupies a handsome 1910 building on Geary Street, half a block from Union Square. The lobby is dramatic with high ceilings and bold colors, and the rooms carry that same confident design sensibility. Cafe Zitoune on the ground floor does a good breakfast without requiring you to wander far. The cable car turnaround at Powell and Market is about five minutes on foot. This is a strong mid-range choice that feels more upscale than its price suggests.

Hotel Vitale is perched right on the Embarcadero at Mission Street, across from the Ferry Building and the bay. Bay-facing rooms have exceptional views of the water and the Bay Bridge at night. The rooftop spa and soaking tubs are a genuine draw and available to all guests. Americano restaurant downstairs is popular with locals for weekend brunch. This is one of the better spots in the city for a romantic weekend without going full five-star luxury pricing.

This small Victorian hotel sits directly across from Golden Gate Park on Stanyan Street, which makes it ideal for families or anyone planning to spend time in the park. The building dates to 1904 and the rooms have a warm, old-fashioned character that chain hotels cannot replicate. Haight Street's shops and cafes are a two-minute walk. It is quieter here than downtown and that is mostly a feature, not a flaw. Suites with kitchenettes make longer stays very manageable.

The St. Regis sits on Third Street next to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, putting art and fine dining within steps of the front door. Every room is large by San Francisco standards, with Italian marble bathrooms and butler service available around the clock. Aster restaurant on the ground floor is one of the better hotel dining rooms in the city. The spa and pool deck are meticulously maintained and rarely crowded. This is the go-to address for business travelers and anyone who wants the full luxury experience without compromise.

The Fairmont has sat at the top of Nob Hill on Mason Street since 1907 and remains one of the most iconic addresses in the city. The grand lobby alone is worth a visit, with its soaring columns and ornate plasterwork. Views from upper-floor suites take in the bay, Alcatraz, and the city skyline in one sweep. The Tonga Room in the basement is a historic tiki bar that has been running since 1945 and should not be missed. Service is attentive throughout and the cable car stops right outside the front entrance.