There are many options for sleeping in San Francisco, from the low budget Youth Hostels to the medium priced B&Bs and hotel/motels, to the high end extravagance of a luxury hotel. All of the chains are here. The two Hyatts downtown, The Hilton, Best Western, Westin, Sheraton, Radisson, Quality Inn, Ramada, etc. are all represented.
Each hostel and hotel recommended on this page has been visited by someone from artist-at-large.com.
San Francisco is picture postcard perfect in many ways, and you’ll find that some of the hotel/motel choices are well worth spending the cash on, others – not so much. When choosing a place to stay, consider your budget, your reasons for visiting and the kind of memories you want to take home with you. Always ask to see the room before taking it. Because there are so many choices in San Francisco, this artist-at-large has picked out a few of what I consider to be the best in each category. Under consideration was location, style, nonsmoking status, and quality of experience. No matter what your budget, there is a place for you in The City.
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Hostel/Budget Hotels
Hostels in San Francisco are good deals. If you are only looking for a bed for the night because you will be out and about all day, and you are on a tight budget, then this is probably the way to go. There are a number of privately run hostels as well, please check them out thoroughly before taking the room.
Hostel International – Downtown, 312 Mason, Downtown / 94102 T: 415.788.5604 F: 415.788.3023 Rates: Members/$22, Non-Members/$25
This youth hostel is located right in the middle of vibrant Downtown. It has 92 rooms with 265 beds and 24 hour access. Close to a number of the MUNI lines and the Cable Cars as well as BART. Within walking distance to many of the galleries and museums.
Hostel International – Fisherman’s Wharf Fort Mason, Building 24, Fort Mason / 94123 T: 415.771.7277 F: 415.771.1468 Rates: Adults $21 – $23, Children under 12 traveling with family (including infants) $15
The most popular SF HI hostel has one of the most beautiful, tranquil settings in San Francisco overlooking the bay with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. It is housed in a Civil War era building and contains 150 beds with 24 hour access. There is even a Cafe on site. This hostel also runs free walking tours which are led by local volunteers. This hostel is well within the city limits but you would probably need to use public transportation to go the downtown galleries, museums, cafes and nightspots. Fort Mason houses the SFMOMA Rental Gallery among others. The famous Greens Restaurant is also there.
Hostel International – City Center, 685 Ellis, City Center / 94109 T: 415.474.5721 Rates: $19 This newest HI hostel in San Francisco has 262 beds, 10 private rooms (extra fee) and 24 hour access. Located not too far from the Downtown hostel, this one is closer to the Opera House and Davies Symphony Hall.
The Mid-Range
Hotel des Arts, 447 Bush, Downtown in San Francisco’s French Quarter / 94108 T: 415.956.3232 F: 415.956.0399 Rates: $59 – $159
Stay in a room painted by some of San Francisco’s local, emerging artists. The lobby is full of artwork and so are the rooms. Complimentary continental breakfast is included. This hotel is next door Le Central, a French Brasserie, and Cafe de la Presse which serves up a lovely au lait with daily newspapers from around the world. Hotel Des Arts is located across the street from the Chinatown Gate and is just three blocks from Market Street, The City’s main public transportation artery. This hotel used to be Hotel Alisa, so don’t be confused by both signs on the door.
The Red Vic, 1665 Haight, The Haight T: 415.864.1978 F: 415.863.3293 Rates: $86 – $200 (discounts for longer stays)
This quirky, funky, turn of the century (1900s) Bed and Breakfast is the only hotel on Haight Street. There are 18 rooms, each with a theme that harkens back to the days of the ’60s. The owner, Sami Sunchild, took over the hotel in 1977 and has dedicated herself to preserving this historic landmark and it is truly a ‘peace and love’ kind of place, as true a Haight experience as you might get these days. This place could be considered over the top for the average traveler. Continental breakfast is served in the downstairs lobby during the morning get-togethers, where the guests introduce themselves to each other. There is also a meditation room and a space for lectures or teachings. Within walking distance of Golden Gate Park.
The Chateau Tivoli, 1057 Steiner, Alamo Square / 94115 T: 415.776.5462 / 800.228.1647 F: 415.776.0505 Rates: $99 – $265 Non-Smoking
A beautifully restored Victorian one block down the street from the famous panorama of Alamo Square. The home was built in 1892 and holds a collection of hand-carved woodwork, crystal chandeliers, period wallpapers and oriental carpets. The rooms are individually named for the famous who may have stayed there at one time. The second owner of the house, Mrs. Ernestine Kreling (owner 1898-1917), also owned the Tivoli Opera House and brought many of the opera stars into her home. The furnishings in the house are period pieces and completely comfortable. If you didn’t look out the window you could think you had time-traveled. Continental breakfast (weekdays) or brunch (weekends) is included and there is also a wine and cheese hour every afternoon.
The Phoenix Hotel, 601 Eddy, Tenderloin T: 415.776.1380 / 800.248.9466 F: 415.885.3109 Rates: $145 – $205
This long time home away from home to celebrities and rock bands is a fun and funky urban hideaway. Filled with some 250 artworks by local artists, including the pool. The Phoenix is also home to the BambuddhaLounge, the latest incarnation of the Miss Pearl’s and Backflip spot. The neighborhood is sketchy, but fairly close to everything. Enough parking for autos and those band tour buses.
If sleeping in the thick of things is not important to you during your stay in San Francisco, then check any number of budget Hotel/Motels on Lombard Street with Hotel del Sol being the artist-at-large top pick. This busy commuter and traveler thruway, which is actually Highway 101, has easy access to downtown and other areas of The City. Many of the motels on Lombard have offstreet parking available. There are many restaurants in the neighborhood as these motels are close to the Union Street and Chestnut Street shopping and dining areas.
Hotel Del Sol, 3100 Webster, Marina / 94123 T: 415.921.5520 F: 415.931.4137 Rates: $105 – $175 Absolutely Nonsmoking
This colorful little motel is an updated version of the classic California motel. Colorful and vibrant the rooms are clean and impeccable. Some of the offerings include 87 colorful rooms, 10 of which are one-bedroom suites, ample parking for all visitors, a swimming pool (kept at a constant 75 degrees), continental breakfast of coffee, tea, and muffins, and families are welcome. Close by is the Marina Green where you can roller blade, go running, or just look at the views. Be forewarned that there are only two rooms with the $105 rate.
InterContinental San Francisco 888 Howard Street T: 888.811.4273
The newish and ultra-modern InterContinental is within walking distance of downtown, SFMOMA, and the Moscone Center. The InterContinental San Francisco offers 550 guest rooms – all non-smoking – with only 22 rooms per floor. Hotel includes a spa, heated lap pool, the Luce restaurant and Bar 888. Prices start in the upper mid-range. Atmosphere is a bit more business like but the staff is really nice.
Other Possibilities:
Best Western San Francisco Hotels
High-End: For the Experience
Hotel Triton, 342 Grant, Downtown T: 415.394.0500 F: 415.394.0555 Rates: $219 – $389 per night
This swank hotel sits smack-dab in the middle of everything. Situated Downtown near Union Square on Grant Street, across from the Chinatown Dragon Gate entrance and next to San Francisco’s self-designated ‘French Quarter’, this hotel is chic, playful and hip. Hotel Triton was designed by artists and you can see that even as you walk up the street by the colorful entrance and vibrant lobby. The hotel has 140 guestrooms, 24 of which are ‘Eco-Friendly’ with natural linens, water and air filtration, biodegradable soaps and shampoos, and energy efficient lighting. There are six designer celebrity suites that were either designed by or inspired by local celebrities such as Jerry Garcia, Carlos Santana, and Graham Nash, and the local cast of ‘Rent’. If you are feeling a little daring, you can also sign up for the ‘So Hip It Hurts’ package which includes not only your room for the night, but a $65 line of credit for tattooing and piercing at Mom’s Body Shop on Haight Street. There is also a ‘Room With a Zoom’ Package that includes a 24-hour rental of a Zapworld electric scooter or a bicycle for two (charger, helmet, self-guided tour map are included as well!).
Hotel Boheme, 444 Columbus, North Beach / 94133 T: 415.433.9111 F: 415.362.6292
This lovely little hotel sits almost hidden in the middle of North Beach. The only visible clue that this hotel exists is the door and the awning on the street. Walk up the carpeted stairs and you will find a stylish, warmly decorated, comfortable hotel.
Orchard Garden Hotel, 466 Bush Street, San Francisco, California 94108 Toll Free: 888-717-2881 T: 415-399-9807 F: 415-393-9917 Rates: Rooms start at $199
This green seal certified hotel is not only environmentally conscious, it is also perfectly located in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Located within steps of the Chinatown Gate and across the street from my favorite downtown cafe, Cafe de la Presse, it is also only a few blocks from Union Square shopping. For you foodies, the Ferry Building and its Farmer’s Market are just a short walk down the hill. Also within walking distance of the Montogomery BART station. Rooms are elegant and furnished in light earth tones, much of it made from recycled materials or wood from sustainable growth forests. Bathrooms are squeaky clean.
Westin Saint Francis , 335 Powell Street / 94102 T: 415.397.7000 F: 415.774.0124 Rates: $219 and up
Open since 1904, this hotel is renowned for its legendary service and world-class dining, The Westin St. Francis is in the heart of San Francisco, right on busy Union Square. The hotel is also within walking distance of Chinatown, the Theatre District and San Francisco’s top shopping opportunities and many or her famous restaurants.
Over the Top: Once in a Lifetime
The Archbishop’s Mansion, 1000 Fulton, Alamo Square / 94117 T: 415.563.7872 F: 415.885.3193 Rates: $195 – $405
This historic landmark hotel is totally decadent from a classically San Francisco Victorian viewpoint! Don’t let the austere ‘French Chateau’ facade turn you away. The mansion was built in 1904 for the Archbishop Patrick Riordan and was restored to all its glory in the 1980s. There are 15 guestrooms which include 5 grand suites and they have all been decorated with European antiques. The chandelier in the parlor was used in ‘Gone With The Wind’. Enjoy a complementary continental breakfast and afternoon wine and cheese. Only downfall – street parking.
The Palace Hotel,2 New Montgomery Street / 94105 T: 415.512.1111 F: 415.543.0671 Rates: $349 and up
The Palace Hotel was built in 1875 and debuted as the world’s largest and most luxurious hotel at the time. The building towered eight stories over downtown San Francisco. The Palace survived the earthquake of 1906 to become on of the historic buildings in the city to do so. The Palace recreates the elegance and glamour of 19th century high society, with its beautiful vaulted ceilings and original Austrian crystal chandeliers. The Palace has been restored with loving attention to its rich past. Located downtown and close to both the Financial District and the shopping area of Union Square, the Palace offers modern conveniences and quality of service. – info taken from the hotel’s web site.
W,181 Third, SoMa / 94103 T: 415.777.5300 F: 415.817.7823 Rates: $309 and up
The W Hotel sits next door to the SF Museum of Modern Art, across the street from Yerba Buena Gardens and the Moscone Center, and is easily accessible to all parts of The City. There are 31 floors and 423 comfy rooms. The hotel has such amenities as a heated pool and fitness facility, a restaurant and lounge where you can sit and relax at street level and all of the regular items that you would expect from such a high end establishment.
Saint Regis , 125 Third, Soma / 94103 T: 415.284.4000 Rates: $409 and up
One of the most contemporary, elegant hotels in San Francisco sits right next the SF Museum of Modern Art, near the new Museum of the African Diaspora and across the street from Yerba Buena Gardens and The Moscone Center. Union Square and many of the downtown galleries are within walking distance as are some of The City’s best restaurants. The hotel contains 260 guestrooms, many of them nonsmoking, and 102 residencies, along with the Remède Spa and the ever-resourceful St. Regis Butlers are at your beck and call 24-hours a day.
