The 10 best boutique hotels in San Francisco

When in Silicon Valley, do as the techies do. Hotel Zetta, smack in the heart of SoMa, features a massive Plinko board and several games rooms to get your play on. But Zetta has plenty of style, with a salvage-and-rescue aesthetic that showcases artwork and design features made from recycled materials. Stuff yourself silly at the adjacent Cavalier restaurant, then pass out in one of the sleek and spacious rooms.

Mood? Modern luxury.
Location perks? Literally across the road from Westfield Shopping Center for all your shopping needs.
Budget range? Surprisingly affordable.

For the height of opulence, look no further than the St Regis. Not only is there a luxurious design palette (glass, wood, and marble), but all 22 floors are manned by personal butlers. There's also a complimentary car service (first come, first served for drop-offs within two miles of the hotel), a 24-hour fitness center, and an infinity pool. Art lovers will be especially fond of the close proximity of the Museum of Modern Art (just next door) and the hotel's in-house collection of pieces by local artists.

Mood? Boujie as heck.
Location perks? In the SOMA District, where Union Square is an eight-minute walk away.
Budget range? A wide range of options. 

The hippest boutique around has been welcoming guests to Union Square for about a century. After a facelift from famed French designer Philippe Starck, the hotel was decked out with chandeliers, fireplaces, groovy rugs, and minimalist-but-comfy furniture. After stints at the lovely and legendary Redwood Room bar, plop down on one of the architecturally stunning chairs in the lounge for digesting and people-watching (we recommend the massive blue one).

Mood? Minimalist design.
Location perks? In the heart of the city center. 
Budget range? Super cheap.

The Beacon Grand A Union Square Hotel, formerly the Sir Francis Drake, recently underwent a major renovation with a new design that honors the building's Renaissance Revival architecture while adding modern touches. The grand lobby is just that — grand — with original chandeliers and marble flooring that make you feel like you've stepped into a glitzier time period in San Francisco. The new Beacon Lounge overlooking the lobby often features live music and is a great spot to grab a cocktail. Venture further into the hotel just off of the lounge to The Library, a bar that pays homage to the prohibition years, where you can sip on rare whiskeys.

Mood? Historic charm.
Location perks? Between Nob Hill and Chinatown, and super close to Union Square.
Budget range? So well-priced.

This posh Pacific Heights boutique hotel is decorated with modern stately home glamor and is eminently inviting. Sat on top of a hill, Hotel Drisco's imposing Edwardian structure offers uninterrupted city views, plus luxury amenities like nightly wine receptions and chauffeur service within the city limits. In fact, the complimentary evening wine reception is not to be missed. There are local California wines, artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, fresh fruit, and hot hors d’oeuvres.

Mood? Stately home vibes.
Location perks? An easy five-minute walk from Presidio National Park.
Budget range? As pricey as you'd expect. 

The Clancy is designed to take guests on a journey through San Francisco — not the touristy side, but the charming and eclectic neighborhood streets. They do this through colorful and sprawling art installations, Muni lines painted on the floor of the lobby, and bold lighting, patterned walls, and seating options. The rooms themselves are modern with clean lines and sophisticated furnishings and many also offer sweeping views of the city. Don't miss the onsite Radiator coffee shop and Seven Square Taproom equipped with an outdoor lounge with fire pits and ambient lighting. 

Mood? Next-level design.
Location perks? In the heart of downtown San Fran.
Budget range? Very reasonable. 

For a luxurious experience, the Mansion on Sutter hotel is the ideal choice. The five-star luxury boutique hotel is located in the center of the city, less than a mile away from San Francisco City Hall. The hotel exudes history, art, and elegance, giving you a unique but extremely cozy stay on your trip to the busy city. An example of San Fran's golden Victorian architectural age, the hotel has 17,000 square feet of living space, plus art and antiques from the period, and added modern-day comforts. There are ten guest suites, all inspired by modern and classical tastes. Each room is unique, but all are extremely luxe and homely and range from rooms with a living space to vintage-style ones with a four-poster bed. 

Mood? Antique chic. 
Location perks? Very centrally located, and close to a lot of local attractions. 
Budget range? A little pricey.

The good folk of the Galleria Park Hotel are not afraid of a bold design concept. The rooms here are full of quirky, curvaceous furnishings that hint to, and encourage, a real sense of fun. Which is just as well, because there’s plenty of fun to be had in this place, whether that’s hanging out in the hotel’s park terrace and urban garden catching morning rays or sweating it out with a Peloton session in the fitness center. Treat yourself to local wines during ‘sipping hour’ to reward yourself for all that hard work.

Mood? Bold, modern style without apology.
Location perks? Just on the edge of the FiDi, you’ll be spoilt for eating, drinking and culture-loving options.
Budget range? Treat yourself without going overboard.

If Don Draper were to move west, he’d look no further than the Phoenix. This funky pastel paradise in the Tenderloin evokes a 1950s beach motel, with a tropical courtyard, swanky rooms, and a pool at the center of the action. The hotel is a rocker’s dream—and has hosted the likes of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, and The Killers. Nearby Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and Great American Music Hall make this the perfect base for anyone looking to catch a show in San Francisco. 

Mood? Truly rock n' roll.
Location perks? In San Fran's Tenderloin District. 
Budget range? An amazing deal.

Breathing life into San Francisco's iconic Castro neighborhood, this boutique hotel combines bold colors and designs with comfort and convenience. Each of the 12 rooms are inspired by an LGBTQ+ hero, honouring them with a striking accent wall. Every guest has access to their own private terrace and its central location puts you in a prime position to explore and soak up the city's vibrant energy. 

Mood? Compact and colorful. 
Location perks? Within walking distance of bars, restaurants and events in the buzzing area of Castro. 
Budget range? Pretty standard.