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San Francisco Luxury Hotels: The 10 Best High-End Accommodations in SF
by Jill Loeffler •
Are you looking for the best San Francisco luxury hotels? There are a number of options, but which ones really stand out?
Here you will find the top-rated high-end hotels in the best SF neighborhoods, including downtown, Nob Hill, and Union Square.
If you're looking for where to stay in San Francisco and budget is not an issue, you'll love the range of options available. Some of these luxury hotels in San Francisco are historic landmarks, like the Fairmont.
My other top picks include 5-star hotels in San Francisco, such as the gorgeous St. Regis, some with sweeping bay views, like Hotel 1, and others that put you right in the middle of the action, like the Four Seasons on Market Street.
These are some of the most expensive hotels in San Francisco because they all offer top-line amenities, on-site restaurants, spas, and excellent service.
On my list of hotels offering indulgent comfort and timeless sophistication, you'll also find some of the best hotels in San Francisco for couples, business travelers, and families.
Read on for details about each of these SF luxury hotels.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
1. Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square
Address: 900 North Point Street
Neighborhood: Fisherman's Wharf
Star Rating: 5-star
The Fairmont Heritage Place is the first of the San Francisco luxury hotels on my list. It is set inside Ghirardelli Square and is a favorite among travelers for its location and its spacious accommodations.
This hotel offers one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments or suites, giving you quite a bit of additional room and privacy for your visit. Most units have an outdoor terrace with a fire pit and breathtaking views of the gorgeous SF Bay.
Each suite also has a kitchenette, so you can easily make your own meals or entertain guests. Other key amenities here include:
- 24-hour butler and concierge services
- Pets allowed with a small pet deposit
- Pre-arrival itinerary planning
- Twice-daily housekeeping
- In-suite massage
- In-suite washer and dryer, plus laundry and dry cleaning service
- Pre-arrival grocery shopping
- Babysitting and childcare
- Free Wi-Fi
>> Read reviews from recent guests and book the best prices at the Fairmont Heritage Place
2. The St. Regis San Francisco
Address: 125 Third Street
Neighborhood: South of Market (SOMA)
Star Rating: 5-star
The St. Regis is one of the newer options on the scene. This luxury hotel in San Francisco is well situated near Yerba Buena Gardens, the Museum of Modern Art, and other cultural museums around downtown.
The top 20 floors of this 40-story building are dedicated to St. Regis guests. You get an amazing view of the city from just about any room.
Some other amenities at the St. Regis include:
- Digital check-in and mobile key
- Butler and concierge services
- Luxury car service
- Fitness center with an indoor lap pool
- The St. Regis Bar, offering relaxed dining and cocktails
- Astra, serving elevated American cuisine with one of the best wine selections in the city
- Pets allowed with a small pet deposit
>> Find recent guest reviews and competitive prices for the St. Regis San Francisco
Looking to experience San Francisco's high culture? Staying in a luxury hotel downtown gives you easy access to San Francisco's best art museums, top attractions in the Theater District, and events at the classic War Memorial Opera House.
3. Omni San Francisco Hotel
Address: 500 California Street
Neighborhood: Financial District
Star Rating: 4.5-star
The Omni is one of the best San Francisco luxury hotels in the Financial District, making it perfect for business travelers. It's also great for tourists, as it's within walking distance to the Ferry Building, Chinatown, and Union Square.
It's set in a 1920s-era bank building, but once you enter the lobby, you will notice the modern feel. You'll find the rooms spotless and up-to-date. Make sure you ask for a courtyard-facing room for the best views.
The staff here will make you feel at home. If you have any questions about SF, the knowledgeable concierge staff will be more than happy to help.
Other amenities here include:
- Restaurant and bar/lounge on site
- Fitness center with Pelotons
- 24-hour room service
- 24-hour business center and 9 meeting rooms
- Free high-speed internet
- Suites available
- Pets allowed
>> Read guest reviews and compare prices for the Omni Hotel
4. Hotel Drisco
Address: 2901 Pacific Avenue
Neighborhood: Pacific Heights
Star Rating: 4-star
For a more intimate stay in a 48-room boutique hotel, check out the locally owned and operated Hotel Drisco, which offers a classic San Francisco experience.
Set atop a hill in one of the country's most expensive and exclusive neighborhoods, this 1903 Edwardian building provides an ambiance of elegance and luxury to match the billionaire residences that surround it.
Guests love this place for its exclusive feel, great views, and personalized touch.
Special amenities here include:
- Complimentary gourmet breakfast
- Daily wine reception
- Chauffeur service
- 24-hour coffee and tea
- Free Wi-Fi
- Fitness center and bicycles to borrow
>> Find more information and book rooms at Hotel Drisco
San Francisco Film Tour: If your stay in Pacific Heights reminds you of scenes from the movie Mrs. Doubtfire, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, or Bullitt, that's because they were filmed here. Take this fun guided tour of San Francisco's best filming locations to learn more.
5. InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco
Address: 999 California Street
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
Star Rating: 4-star
Another one of the top luxury hotels in San Francisco is the Mark Hopkins. It's one of my personal favorites.
This gorgeous hotel was built in 1926 and sits on top of the hill in the famed Nob Hill neighborhood.
This hotel has 16 floors of beautiful rooms and suites. Here are a few of their amenities:
- Premium TV channels, video games, and high-speed internet access in each room
- On-site childcare services
- 24-hour fitness center
- 24-hour business center
- Pet friendly (no pet fees)
The Top of the Mark restaurant and lounge is located on the 19th floor, where you can sip on your choice of 100 martinis on the menu as you gaze out at the beautiful skyline. The restaurant area serves up fresh California cuisine and has an impressive wine list.
>> Compare prices and find the best deal on the Mark Hopkins
6. Four Seasons San Francisco
Address: 757 Market Street
Neighborhood: between SOMA and Union Square
Star Rating: 5-star
If you love dining, shopping, and the convenience of a bustling downtown life, the location of this 5-star hotel in San Francisco can't be beat. You'll find the Four Seasons right on Market Street, in the heart of San Francisco.
This is a popular hotel for people traveling for business as well as for tourists who want to be near all the action.
The rooms here are plush and spacious with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer excellent views of downtown. Suites are also available.
The amenities here include:
- Equinox Sports Center with a lap pool, basketball court, and unlimited classes
- Full-service spa
- MKT restaurant and bar with 180-degree views of downtown
- 24-hour in-room dining
- Laundry and dry cleaning services
- Babysitting services
>> Find rooms and more information about the Four Seasons San Francisco
7. Fairmont San Francisco
Address: 950 Mason Street
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
Star Rating: 4-star
Right across the street from the Mark Hopkins is another of the top hotels in San Francisco, the historic Fairmont. It opened in 1907 and was remodeled in 2001.
Even if you don't get a chance to stay here, I'd highly recommend taking a peek inside at their beautiful lobby. The decor is gorgeous from floor to ceiling. The entire lobby is decorated in gold tones and other warm colors.
The flags outside the front entrance celebrate this hotel as the location where the United Nations charter was drafted in 1945. The staff is also more than happy to point out other key pieces of this hotel's remarkable history.
The Fairmont features 592 gorgeous rooms and suites. Some of the amenities here include:
- Marble bathrooms, pillow-top mattresses, and luxurious linens in every room
- Flat-screen TVs and high-speed internet access
- Full on-site spa
- In-room massages
- Complimentary car service to the Financial District every weekday morning
- Pet-friendly (accepts both dogs and cats)
>> See pics and read more about this hotel
>> Find reviews and the best prices at the Fairmont San Francisco
Did You Know? The world's original Fairmont Hotel was scheduled to open the day the 1906 earthquake occurred, and in fact was one of the few buildings to survive the disaster. Under the direction of famed architect Julia Morgan, it became the city's first major business to open after the quake, “a hotel so grand they built a city around it.”
8. Taj Campton Place San Francisco
Address: 240 Stockton Street
Neighborhood: Union Square
Star Rating: 4.5-star
This is another one of the luxury hotels in San Francisco that places you right in the middle of all the action. It's located in a landmark building in Union Square with incredible city views.
For those who enjoy the frills, the decor and ambiance are European, so you get old-world class with contemporary amenities.
Taj Campton Place features 101 rooms and 9 suites. Some of the amenities here include:
- Elevated dining experience serving Indian flavors with a French twist
- A more casual on-site Bar & Bistro
- 24-hour rooftop fitness center
- 24-hour in-room dining
- 24-hour business center with five fully equipped meeting rooms
- Babysitting services
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
>> Book rooms at the Taj Compton Place San Francisco
9. 1 Hotel
Address: 8 Mission Street
Neighborhood: Embarcadero
Star Rating: 4-star
One of the newer top hotels in San Francisco is 1 Hotel (formerly Hotel Vitale). This hotel is set along the beautiful Embarcadero waterfront with fantastic views of both the Ferry Building and the Bay Bridge.
The on-site restaurant has a great bar with outdoor seating that is covered and heated for those chilly San Francisco nights.
Located about a mile from Union Square, the hotel is 8 stories high and has 200 rooms. They pride themselves on being green and carbon neutral, using beautifully reclaimed and natural materials for the luxuriously rustic decor.
Some of the amenities here include:
- Bamford Wellness Spa
- Weekly rooftop yoga and fitness classes
- Sunset Sessions (DJ with cocktails on the patio)
- Premium linens and limestone bathrooms in all rooms
- Complimentary wireless internet access
- Pet friendly
- Electric bikes
>> Discover the most competitive nightly rates for the 1 Hotel
Fine Dining in San Francisco: No luxury experience would be complete without discovering the city's gastronomic excellence as well. Check out my list of SF's best fine dining, including our revered Michelin-starred restaurants.
10. The Ritz-Carlton
Address: 600 Stockton Street
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
Star Rating: 5-star
Heading back up to the famed Nob Hill neighborhood, you will find another one of the great SF luxury hotels, the elegant Ritz-Carlton San Francisco.
This iconic hotel is one of the best San Francisco 5-star hotels near downtown, only three short blocks from Union Square.
It sits right along the California cable car line and is just steps from the Financial District and Chinatown.
The hotel has 336 luxury suites and guest rooms with downtown or bay views. Their amenities include:
- Mobile key and digital check-in
- The Bay Area’s only Krigler perfume shop
- Extensive fitness center
- 400-thread-count, 100% combed cotton linens
- In-room Nespresso machines
- Complimentary overnight shoeshine
>> Find out more about the gorgeous Ritz-Carlton and how to book rooms
Indulge Further in Wine Country
If you're looking for high-end hotels in San Francisco, I'll bet you also love world-class wine tasting. These are some of my favorite luxury experiences of nearby Napa wine country.
Other Top Hotels
Click the links below to discover additional recommendations that I've organized by district and category.
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