Where to Stay in San Francisco Right Now
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San Francisco’s hotel scene is a lot like the city itself—innovative, adventurous and eclectic. Here, you’ll find shiny new skyscrapers rubbing shoulders with century-old mansions, and storied luxury brands sitting a few neighborhoods over from quirky boutique properties. That means there’s a standout SF hotel for every type of traveler, whether you want to wake up to sweeping bay views or have a quiet retreat in a Victorian manse near the Presidio.
But regardless of their varied styles and amenities—we’re talking rooftop spas, butler service, world-class restaurants and complimentary chauffeured cars—San Francisco’s hotels all exude an undeniable sense of place. Even when staying with renowned brands like St. Regis and Four Seasons, you’ll never forget you’re in San Francisco. (And in a city this spectacular, why would you even want to?) These nine properties cover a wide range of aesthetics and vibes, but they all guarantee a memorable, uniquely Bay Area experience.
Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero
Financial District
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Perched on the top 11 floors of a downtown skyscraper, this Four Seasons hotel is a true escape from the bustle of the city. When staying here, it almost feels like you’re hidden above the clouds—nearly every room has huge windows with jaw-dropping views of the bay, the Golden Gate Bridge or the Transamerica Pyramid. Interiors are crisp and clean, and the service is as smooth and attentive as you’d expect from a Four Seasons property. Downstairs, Orafo serves seasonal Italian-Californian dishes in a moody, perfectly lit setting. You’ll be within walking distance of Chinatown and North Beach, but you may find it hard to pull away from the high-altitude luxury of it all.
The St. Regis San Francisco
SoMa
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When you visit a St. Regis property, you come for the service, full stop. The San Francisco outpost of the storied brand—housed in a sleek SoMa (South of Market) tower next to SFMOMA and Yerba Buena Gardens—does not disappoint: Butler-drawn baths and chauffeured drop-offs are all part of the experience (though they may depend on suite types and timing). Rooms are spacious and elegant, with leather-wrapped walls, marble bathrooms and deep soaking tubs, while suites have panoramic views and plush lounge areas. The Remède Spa offers full-body treatments and facials, and the new on-site restaurant, Astra, serves refined American cuisine in a swanky setting. It’s an obvious choice for anyone who wants five-star treatment paired with prime downtown access.
Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco
SoMa
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A San Francisco institution since 1875, Palace Hotel is perfectly named—one look at its glass-domed courtyard and marble hallways, and you’ll swear you’ve stepped into some sort of gilded Parisian castle. Rooms are much more contemporary than the opulent common areas, and come fully updated with all the finest creature comforts (Frette linens, marble bathrooms); many also afford skyline views. Some standout amenities include a skylighted indoor pool, a curated high tea and the Pied Piper restaurant, where tipples and shareable plates are served daily under a famous mural of the spot’s eponymous musician.
San Francisco Proper Hotel
Mid-Market
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Set inside a wedge-shaped building in Mid-Market, San Francisco Proper Hotel is maximalist design at its best: You’ll find bold wallpaper, jewel-toned velvet and vintage lighting in every direction. Rooms are compact but impeccably styled, with curated minibars and custom furnishings. Charmaine’s, the rooftop bar, has firepits and sweeping city views, and Villon serves everything from elevated comfort food to veggie-forward California fare. If you prefer fully boutique vibes over chain predictability, this is definitely the hotel for you.
Fairmont San Francisco
Nob Hill
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If we had to pick the grande dame of SF hotels, it would be Fairmont San Francisco, which has hosted everyone from presidents to royalty since its 1907 opening. To this day, the Nob Hill icon continues to impress with its old-school grandeur—there are marble columns and ornate chandeliers around practically every corner, though few spaces compare to the iconic Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar. Created by a Hollywood set designer, the tiki bar centers on a lagoon, and faux thunderstorms rain down from the ceiling from time to time, giving that perfect tropical illusion. Rooms skew traditional, with suites offering bay or skyline views, and the showstopping Penthouse Suite boasts a secret passageway and a private terrace. Hop on a cable car out front or linger in the lobby bar for excellent people-watching.
Hotel Drisco
Pacific Heights
If you’re looking for discreet luxury in one of San Francisco’s prettiest neighborhoods, this early-20th-century Edwardian property atop Pacific Heights is it. Hotel Drisco feels more like a private club than a hotel: Guests enjoy complimentary gourmet breakfasts, nightly wine-and-cheese receptions and complimentary chauffeured car service for jaunts around town. Rooms are neutral and sophisticated, and amenities include heated bathroom floors, Bvlgari bath products, pillow menus and turndown service with dark chocolate–covered shortbread cookies.
Neighbourgood Sutter Mansion
Lower Pacific Heights
Set in a restored 1881 building, Neighbourgood Sutter Mansion is a splash of Victorian luxury in Lower Pacific Heights. Because there are only 12 rooms, the owners were really able to make each space feel unique—some have original fireplaces, toile wallpaper, antique writing desks or four-poster beds, and all come with Molton Brown bath amenities. There’s a small fitness room, and while there’s no on-site restaurant, the hotel is a short walk from world-class diningOpens overlay in Japantown and on Polk Street. It’s an ideal pick for travelers seeking a quiet, intimate vibe.
Palihotel San Francisco
Union Square
This downtown boutique hotel near Union Square is unusually affordable when it comes to San Francisco stays, yet it makes no sacrifices when it comes to character. The vintage-style rooms have quirky-luxe amenities like SMEG fridges and Diptyque bath products, plus curated artwork and, in some cases, exposed brick walls. The accommodations are cozy, but the Palihotel’s location by Chinatown, the waterfront and a variety of museums means you won’t spend much time in your room anyway. It’s comfortable, unpretentious and the perfect home base for first-time visitors ready to fall in love with San Francisco.
Photo courtesy of Palisociety.
Phoenix Hotel
Tenderloin
More motel than hotel (but in the best possible way), the Phoenix has been a Tenderloin icon since the ’80s, boasting major rock stars as former regulars. The hotel is built around a central courtyard with a heated pool and tropical landscaping, and in your room you might find retro touches like a record player or a neon reading lamp. At Chambers Eat + Drink, the on-site restaurant and bar, you’ll see as many locals as guests—a true testament to how ingrained the Phoenix is in San Francisco’s DNA. We’d be remiss not to mention one of the hotel’s most staggering perks: $25 parking, which feels like a steal when it comes to big-city accommodations.
Booking With Chase Travel
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Select cardmembers receive accelerated points earning or cash back when booking through Chase Travel, and Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers will earn 8 points per dollar on Chase Travel purchases, including hotel stays booked through The Edit by Chase Travel℠. Sapphire Reserve cardmembers who book through The Edit will also receive special benefits including daily breakfast for two and a $100 property credit, along with early check-in, late checkout and a room upgrade, when available.
Looking for inspiration? Eligible Chase cardmembers can explore hotel reviews and editor-curated guides at chasetravel.com.
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