The best pet-friendly hotels in San Francisco

The top hotel at Fisherman's Wharf occupies a behemoth former cannery, constructed in 1908 of giant timbers and red brick salvaged from the 1906 earthquake. It sits smack on the bay and overlooks the tall ships moored at the Hyde Street Pier and the leashed dog-friendly San Francisco National Maritime Park. Rooms are fittingly decorated in a nautical theme, with anchor prints, porthole-shaped mirrors, and plush indigo carpets. The hotel not only welcomes pets, but it also has no size restrictions. There is a $50 per day fee per animal, but if you book through their site, they'll waive it.

As one of the most stunning stays in the city, it's great news that Fido is welcome to join you on your stay at Cavallo Point Lodge. The hotel, which offers sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge, is set among 24 former military buildings in Fort Baker, a national park at the foot of the bridge. Up to two four-legged friends can join you for a $150 per stay — not only will they enjoy the lux accommodations, but they'll also be more than ready to take on endless walking trail options.

This trailblazing, chic hotel chain continues to expand and full credit goes to the design, which eschews grand flourishes in favor of a simple and unobtrusive stylishness in both the rooms and the public spaces. The rooms are modern and loaded with indulgences: music players, wireless keyboards, goose-down duvets. The Bliss Spa includes manicures with movies, and men's and women's lounges. Best of all, guests don't have to leave their pets behind on their stay: both dogs and cats are welcome at the hotel. The hotel concierge can even arrange dog sitters, walkers, and grooming services on guests' behalf.

Dogs are welcome at this SoMa boutique hotel, part of Marriott's Autograph collection, with a $100 fee per stay. Lounge in the stylish lobby and outdoor patio (complete with fire pits) with your furry friend, taking in the trendy ambiance and stylish design of the hotel, which opened in late 2020. Then, you can hit the streets and take Fido for a stroll around SoMa to explore the city.

This efficient Japantown hotel should appeal to eastern and western sensibilities with sophisticated, modern Japanese design and plush American comforts. The hotel is also animal-friendly, with guests allowed to bring one pet of any size (more may be allowed with prior approval), and the rooms include 26-inch flat-panel TVs, iPhone docking stations, and new marble and tile baths (some with Japanese-style soaking tubs). Other touches: Asian tea kettles in the rooms, traditional welcome tea service, and Japanese cultural programs. Overlooking the Peace Pagoda, the hotel is just steps from dozens of sushi restaurants, shops, and a Japanese bathhouse (hotel guests receive a free pass).

Now owned by Joie de Vivre, the Adagio has been in town in one incarnation or another since 1929. Its current version is the best yet: the casual, mellow decor combines muted colors and arty photos, making the 171-room hotel feel comfortable, chic and smart without ever giving too businessy a feel. Having the attractive, Mediterranean-flavoured Cortez as the bar-restaurant and breakfast room is another major boon. But perhaps the best of all is its willingness to house up to two pets (at $75 each). The concierge will even offer canine amenities for dogs away from home, including a dog bowl, bed, and a treat.

Of all the pet-friendly hotels in SF, Hotel Nikko may blow the rest out of the water with its amenities catering to dogs. The hotel has its own onsite pups, Buster and Beau, who fill the important role of COO (Canine Operating Officers); they often greet guests, play with traveling dogs, and offer cuddles. The hotel also offers a rooftop grassy dog run, and provides in-room dog beds and water and food bowls. There is a $50/night pet fee for dogs 50 pounds and under and a $150 refundable cleaning deposit.

A woodsy alternative to downtown hotels, Inn at the Presidio was the first lodge in the former military base at the Golden Gate Bridge. The red-brick inn was built in 1903 to house bachelor officers, and in 2010 was converted to a boutique B&B. Some ground-floor rooms open straight onto a rocking-chair veranda; but if you prefer total privacy, book the third floor. Outside is a wonderfully atmospheric firepit, views out onto the Golden Gate Bridge, and 24 miles of hiking trails — perfect for adventurous pet owners. Visitors to the Inn may bring two pups up to 40 pounds each for a relatively small fee.

If you're happy in this slightly edgy pocket of the Tenderloin, you'll appreciate this Joie de Vivre hotel's proximity to Market Street. Cinephiles will love the cleverly executed homage to 1930s movie houses: walls are covered in black and white images of old cinema marquees, and local film schedules are posted on a board. Best of all, there's a mini-theatre, with vintage cinema seating, in which guests can enjoy nightly viewings. The hotel allows one animal up to 25 pounds for free with each booking. Plus, every morning, free pastries, coffee, and tea will help you gear up for a day exploring with your pup.

Each nautical-themed room at the Hotel Zephyr offers fishnet-covered light fixtures and porthole-style windows, not to mention access to a bunch of fun tourist amenities: gym, proximity to Pier 39, free Wi-Fi, and a pet-friendly policy. Those with big dogs will be especially at home here, as the hotel will allow pups up to 80 pounds. There is, as always, a caveat: Zephyr requires a $75 cleaning deposit and only one animal at a time. Nevertheless, for active pet owners, there's plenty to do; parks, bike rental shops, and even the Golden Gate Bridge are all nearby for exploring. 

In its prestigious Powell Street perch just above Union Square, the venerable Beacon Grand A Union Square Hotel (formerly Sir Francis Drake Hotel), constructed in 1928, has something to offer just about everyone — and at busy times, it can seem like everyone has taken up the offer. Dog owners will be glad to not have to throw down any extra cash for Fido — the Beacon Grand A Union Square doesn't add any extra charges for furry guests, doesn't mandate a size or weight limit, and will loan you a pet bed, dog bowl, food, and mats.

This towering historic landmark on Nob Hill features a top-floor restaurant with beautiful views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. Cable car stops are just outside the hotel, and the hotel provides modern, elegant rooms with a mini-bar, business center, and babysitting services. It's also open to guests bringing a dog up to 25 pounds for $50 per night. Those interested, however, should be sure to let the hotel know about a companion pet — only a limited number of available rooms are animal-friendly.

Named for Kenneth Rexroth, emcee of the fabled Six Gallery reading series that launched the Beat Generation, the Hotel Rex draws design inspiration from literary salons. Bookshelves and paintings of famous writers line the walls of the lobby bar, which frequently hosts readings and cabarets, and pages from 1950s editions of the San Francisco Social Register paper the elevator walls. Guests can bring dogs (one up to 50 pounds for no extra charge) and enjoy extra perks like good linens, quality bath amenities, iPad docks, and mini-fridges.