San Francisco is one of the truly great cities to visit in America. The City by the Bay offers sights such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, unforgettable fine dining options, epic burritos) and a host of outdoor activities. Visitors, of course, need a place to stay, and there's no shortage of fantastic choices.
While San Francisco boasts accommodations for travelers on any budget, the city's luxury hotels shine. There is a mix of properties that includes internationally recognized brands as well as five-star experiences that mirror the unique vibes of the NorCal town. Below are nine options for luxury hotels that are sure to satisfy the most discerning guests on a trip to San Francisco.
The St. Regis San Francisco
The Best San Francisco Luxury Hotel For: An art experience
Neighborhood: SoMa
Best Luxury Feature: A collection of works by esteemed local artists hangs on the walls and world-class museums are just steps away.
The St. Regis San Francisco shares the Williams Building, a 20th century landmark, with the Museum of the African Diaspora and sits next to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Splurge on the 3,200-square foot Presidential Suite with stunning views of the city and a formal dining room that seats up to 10 people. The restaurant, Astra, offers the freshest seasonal ingredients in an elegant setting while The St. Regis San Francisco Bar features an Art of Sabrage service, where an expert opens a bottle of Champagne with a saber.
Taj Campton Place
The Best San Francisco Luxury Hotel For: Shopping
Neighborhood: Union Square
Best Luxury Feature: Located on the east side of Union Square, Taj Campton Place gives guests easy access to the chic shopping in San Francisco's vibrant center.
Guests can start at the Campton Place Restaurant with a leisurely breakfast that will provide delicious sustenance to keep them going throughout the day. For those who want to get a sweat on, the open-air rooftop fitness terrace provides a lovely view of the surrounding area while pumping iron or performing pilates. With 101 well-appointed guest rooms and nine suites, visitors will enjoy a boutique hotel experience with luxury flair.
The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco
The Best San Francisco Luxury Hotel For: Never needing to leave
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
Best Luxury Feature: The recently renovated property is a self-contained luxury experience where guests can easily spend their entire visit—but the prime location makes exploring the city simple as well.
A $7 million renovation transformed the landmark hotel into a truly one-of-a-kind destination, complete with the largest club lounge in San Francisco. Food and drink are a highlight in the Nob Hill mansion, which offers limited-edition wines curated by winemaker Jean-Charles Boisset at The JCB Tasting Lounge. For lunch, dinner, and handcrafted cocktails inspired by the city’s iconic neighborhoods, head to The Lounge, which features a titillating view of the San Francisco skyline. Rooms are tasteful and chic, a mix of plush cushions and marble bathroom fixtures. If you choose to venture off property, The Ritz-Carlton boasts easy access to the iconic cable car that goes to hot spots such as Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghirardelli Square. (Chauffeur service, of course, is also an option.)
1 Hotel San Francisco
The Best San Francisco Luxury Hotel For: Sustainability
Neighborhood: Embarcadero
Best Luxury Feature: This spot, previously called The Hotel Vitale, prides itself on sustainable luxury.
In the lobby, visitors will notice redwood lumber from the former San Francisco Bridge and hardwood flooring salvaged from an old barn. The LEED-certified building lower the footprint of guest stays, while the extremely comfortable bed linens are locally sourced and the mattresses are made from non-toxic organic materials. Enjoy a mental respite and physical rejuvenation at Bamford Wellness Spa, savor locally sourced, sustainable cuisine at Terrene, or try some complimentary yoga as part of the comprehensive Mind & Movement program.
Luma Hotel
The Best San Francisco Luxury Hotel For: A sporty trip
Neighborhood: Mission Bay
Best Luxury Feature: Just steps from the home of the San Francisco Giants and the Golden State Warriors, the tech-forward Luma makes sports and fitness a priority.
One of San Francisco's newest five-star hotels, Luma is located one block from Oracle Park, and guests enjoy a 15 percent discount on tickets to Giants home games. (If you want a truly unique experience, Luma staff will arrange a kayak trip to McCovey Cove so you can try to catch a home run ball.) Chase Center, where Stephen Curry and the Warriors play, is a short walk away too. For those seeking a bit of personal fitness, guest curators will create bespoke jogging and biking routes or assist with stand-up paddleboarding down the Mission Bay Channel. Energy comes courtesy of the Craftsman and Wolves pastries at Twyne, and the end of the day calls for craft cocktails and tapas at Cavaña on the 17th floor.
The Battery
The Best San Francisco Luxury Hotel For: Being part of a private club
Neighborhood: Embarcadero
Best Luxury Feature: The 14-suite boutique hotel is part of The Battery San Francisco, an exclusive social club with amenities aplenty.
After selling their tech startup, Michael and Xochi Birch decided to launch The Battery (think a more refined Soho House) and included a small hotel as part of the plan. Guests have access to everything club members do, which includes access to six bars—including a 1,200-bottle wine cellar presided over by sommelier Dan Cameron—and food from chef Brandon Hicks, formerly of Michelin-starred Picholine. Ken Fulk, interior designer extraordinaire, provided the aesthetic vision, highlighted by gold chainmail chandeliers, a glass elevator hand built in Finland, Japanese soaking tubs in every bathroom, and a vintage pommel horse that marks the entrance to a truly excellent gym.
Hotel Drisco
The Best San Francisco Luxury Hotel For: A romantic getaway
Neighborhood: Pacific Heights
Best Luxury Feature: Recalling a quaint, slower time, Hotel Drisco is filled with old-world ambience, leisurely lunches, and simple yet refined pleasures.
Located in an Edwardian-era structure built in 1903, this charming Pacific Heights boutique is an ode to understated sophistication and excellence. The staff treats guests like family, a friendly vibe that comes from the hotel's independent, locally owned and operated roots. Guests can enjoy complimentary, nightly wine receptions with local California wines, artisanal cheeses, and charcuterie as well as an extensive pillow menu that ensures a comfortable sleep. The residential neighborhood keeps things relaxed and calm, but Hotel Drisco isn't far from attractions such as the Presidio, the shopping in Union Square, the museums of Golden Gate Park, and the Marina District's popular Chestnut Street.
Four Seasons San Francisco at Embarcadero
The Best San Francisco Luxury Hotel For: Experiencing the best of the bay
Neighborhood: Embarcadero
Best Luxury Feature: The city's second Four Seasons hotel has everything a guest could want from a five-star hotel: exceptional food, amazing views, gorgeous rooms, and bespoke programs.
The establishment takes up the top 11 floors of a 48-story skyscraper, with 155 rooms and suites bearing furniture built by local craftsman and decor that mirrors the Bay Area's aesthetic— all masterfully coordinated by the design studio of Meyer Davis. The open-air Sky Deck on the 40th floor hosts pop-up events with a tremendous views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city skyline while the 48th-floor Sky Bridge makes guests feel like they have the keys to the city. Orafo serves Italian classics with a California flair. The concierge will make personal recommendations for a self-guided tasting tour at the nearby Ferry Building Marketplace or arrange for a curated day trip through nearby wine country.
The Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square
The Best San Francisco Luxury Hotel For: Traveling as a family
Neighborhood: Fisherman’s Wharf
Best Luxury Feature: With one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, The Fairmont Heritage Place is a luxury hotel experience that the whole family can enjoy.
In a space that once housed the Ghirardelli Chocolate factory, there’s now a dynamic hotel that's just as sweet. The loft-style design, highlighted by industrial elements including exposed brick walls and enormous warehouse windows, is stylish without being cold. The open-plan living area, fully equipped kitchen, large dining area, and fireplace provide spaces for families to gather and be together (or separate when they need their space). Guests can take advantage of pre-arrival grocery shopping and itinerary planning while food and beverage offerings from McCormick & Kuleto's Seafood and Steaks, Palette Tea House, and San Francisco Brewing Co. ensure that there's something for everyone.
A visitor to San Francisco can't go wrong with any of these luxury hotel options. But if you're looking for a boutique hotel or a hotel for any type of trip, we have you covered there too. Or perhaps it's more luxury you want? If so, consider some of these California experiences. (Golf, anyone?) And when it’s time to venture beyond San Francisco, consider heading down the coast so you can hit up Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, or San Diego's luxury hotels.
