The 12 Best Boutique Hotels in San Francisco [2023]

San Francisco is one of the world’s cultural powerhouses with some of the best music halls, art galleries, theaters, food, and culture that you’ll find anywhere on the planet. And it’s blessed with a stunning location near a wealth of outdoor wonders.

The Haight-Ashbury district is a great place to visit for those interested in the hippie and musical culture of the city. It’s also great for vintage shopping. And you can visit the Presidio, a National Historic Landmark District and former military base.

And that’s just scratching the surface. San Francisco has many gems to discover, so you’ll want to be sure you pick the right place to stay for exploring all the city has to offer.

Luckily, the City by the Bay has plenty of luxury boutique hotels available for you to choose from — let’s take a look at some of our favorites!

The Best Boutique Hotels in San Francisco

The Battery

Price: From $695 per night

The Battery is an exclusive member’s club in San Francisco that includes a boutique hotel on the property. Guests who book a stay at the hotel are considered to be members of the club for the duration of their stay, allowing them access to all the facilities and luxury amenities it has to offer.

Located in Jackson Square, the Battery seeks to pay tribute to San Francisco’s rich and diverse history. Renowned interior designer Ken Fulk is responsible for the opulent interiors. Accommodation options include standard guest rooms, suites, and a penthouse with its own roof terrace.

Among the elegant features and state-of-the-art amenities are curated furnishings, hardwood floors, 60-inch TVs, full Geneva sound systems, Japanese-style soaking baths, and luxury toiletries from Malin+Goetz. In-room minibars include a full liquor selection and other tempting treats.

Hot Tip: Flying to San Francisco? Make sure you familiarize yourself with the city’s giant airport with our complete guide to SFO.

Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square

Price: From $576 per night

An exclusive, luxurious accommodation located in the former Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory, the Fairmont Heritage Place is an upscale choice with stunning views over the bay. Featuring a selection of lavish suites with up to 3 bedrooms, the hotel offers an intimate experience that’s residential in feel but comes packed with all the amenities and round-the-clock service that comes with a high-end hotel.

Suites feature sleek, contemporary urban design, separate living and sleeping spaces, fully-equipped kitchens with marble counters, laundry machines for added convenience, decorative fireplaces, queen-sized sofa beds, PressReader access to popular magazines, and views of the city or over the bay from most suites.

Some of these rooms even have unique façades in the living room that feature the original brick from this landmark building.

Hotel Drisco

Price: From $430 per night

Perched atop San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood, the Hotel Drisco is full of timeless elegance. Located in an Edwardian building dating back to 1903, the hotel is within walking distance of Presidio Park and the boutiques on Fillmore Street, and just a few miles away from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

There are various room choices, all of which provide a seamless blend of traditional and modern design elements. In-room amenities include merino wool throws, Egyptian cotton linens, and comforters made with opulent goose down. A pillow menu and sleep machine are available on request, and premium bathroom amenities are provided by Bvlgari.

Elsewhere, guests can enjoy complimentary gourmet breakfasts and evening wine receptions.

Hotel Emblem

Price: From $150 per night

This Viceroy Urban Retreat, the Hotel Emblem, can be found in San Francisco’s Union Square district. The Emblem is designed to inspire creativity by drawing on the vibrant location surrounding it.

Features include a designated “Writer’s Alcove” in the main lobby, delivery of bottled cocktails, and eclectic, unique guest rooms full of bold patterns and colors.

The lobby also includes a vintage typewriter that guests can use as a logbook, while the concierge can provide personalized recommendations of events to attend and sights to see.

Numerous room options — including deluxe, double, and king guest rooms — are available. Amenities include deluxe bath amenities provided by ROIL, Italian linens, comfortable mattresses, and custom desks with inspiration boards to help spark new ideas.

Hotel Zetta

Price: From $172 per night

Located in the trendy SoMa district, the Hotel Zetta is a hotbed of cultural and artistic trends. Playful and eccentric, the Zetta appeals to creative minds and discerning travelers looking for a unique experience.

Repurposed artwork is used to enhance every space, and the lobby includes a giant Plinko game that guests can bond over. There are superior guest rooms as well as suites, but one of the stand-out room types is known as the Well + Away.

These rooms include environmental details and sustainable wellness options like Peloton bikes, Casper mattresses, and California linens. The bathrooms are spacious, and a Muse headband is available for meditation sessions.

Hot Tip: Both Hotel Emblem and Hotel Zetta are part of the Viceroy Urban Retreats Collection. Learn more about this exclusive luxury hotel brand in our detailed guide to the best Viceroy hotels and resorts in the world.

Inn at the Presidio

Price: From $320 per night

The Inn at the Presidio can be found within the national landmark park in Pershing Hall, a Georgian-revival building dating back to 1903 that was used as barracks for bachelor officers when the Presidio was a military base.

Only 2 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge, this historic hotel provides a unique perspective of San Francisco from the amazing natural landscape. The Inn offers luxurious comfort in its guest rooms and suites, which are spread across 2 buildings.

Room amenities include large windows, flat-screen TVs, comfortable robes, and sumptuous towels and linens. Suites feature fireplaces, separate sitting and sleeping areas, coffee makers, sofa sleepers, and a practical desk for working.

Mansion on Sutter

Price: From $283 per night

The elegant Mansion on Sutter can be found in the Payne House, a cluster of buildings dating back to San Francisco’s early history.

The Mansion on Sutter pays tribute to its Victorian origins by preserving some of the opulent details of the day and blending them with modern comforts and conveniences.

Located in the heart of San Francisco, the Mansion on Sutter provides a luxurious experience through beautifully designed and totally unique rooms — all of which are full of elegant details and furnishings.

Amenities include complimentary bottles of wine, premium bath products from Molton Brown, an on-site gym, evening turnover service on request, and elegant artwork and antiques displayed throughout.

Orchard Garden Hotel

Price: From $129 per night

Guests can find the Orchard Garden Hotel right next to San Francisco’s vibrant Chinatown, and the Financial District and Union Square are within easy reach.

State-of-the-art amenities contribute to the serene experience at the Orchard Garden, San Francisco’s first LEED-certified hotel.

The guest rooms and suites feature amenities like insulated windows and walls with noise-reducing features, smart TVs, luxury bathroom amenities from Gilchrist & Soames, coffee machines, spa-like robes, and Egyptian cotton linens.

Finally, don’t forget to take in the view while sipping a cocktail on the hotel’s rooftop terrace.

Proper Hotel

Price: From $274 per night

Located on bustling Market Street, the Proper Hotel can be found in an iconic, red-brick flatiron building. With interior designs by the famed Kelly Wearstler, the Proper Hotel boasts tons of style, amazing light, and incredible views.

Rooms are beautiful and modern, with mid-century furnishings and accent walls to provide an extra dose of style. Amenities include Aireloom beds with California mattresses and premium Italian linens, walk-in showers, Vifa Bluetooth speakers, and fully-equipped minibars featuring local snacks and bottled cocktails. Bathroom amenities are provided by Aesop.

The triangular design on this flatiron building ensures each room has a unique view that can be enjoyed from the large windows.

Staypineapple

Price: From $96 per night

A sophisticated retreat that offers sanctuary from the frenzy of the city, Staypineapple is full of charm and caters to business and leisure travelers alike. Located in Union Square, the Staypineapple offers numerous signature amenities. To start, guests are treated to pineapple treats and Equator coffee each afternoon.

The most notable amenity is what the hotel calls the “Naked Experience,” which is meant to ensure that guests have the most comfortable sleep possible for the duration of their stay. It does this by using ultra-soft European-style individual duvets, lightweight, cozy robes, and plush towels.

Other amenities available in all rooms include unobtrusive air-conditioning systems, walk-in showers, TVs with streaming services, Carrara marble tiles, designer bath amenities, and seemingly infinite supplies of bottled water and Keurig coffee and tea pods.

Taj Campton Place

Price: From $210 per night

Built more than a century ago, the Taj Campton Place is a San Francisco landmark known for the luxury experience it offers. Found on the east side of Union Square, this hotel puts guests within reach of all the best shopping and dining available in the city.

Glamour and modernity coexist easily at the Taj Campton Place, and guests will feel thoroughly spoiled during their stay. For those seeking to indulge in gourmet dining, the Campton Place Restaurant is a Michelin-starred gem serving Californian and Indian fusion cuisine.

There are various types of accommodation options, from stylish deluxe guest rooms to ornate suites. Amenities include pillow menus, Nespresso coffee makers, iHome docks, plush robes and slippers from Ploh, limestone bathrooms, and even minibar service delivered right to your room.

White Swan Inn

Price: From $122 per night

The White Swan Inn is a hotel full of British charm in Nob Hill. The decor mixes mod elements from 1960s London with English cottage elegance found in the Cotswolds.

All rooms at the White Swan Inn offer cozy fireplaces, ultra-comfortable beds, and deep soaking tubs for guests who want to pamper themselves. Other room amenities include deluxe bathroom amenities by Mistral Verbena, fragrant bath salts, and cozy robes. The hotel’s signature Abbey suite features separate living and sleeping areas and a newly renovated bathroom.

There are many complimentary treats, such as breakfast in the morning, wine and nibbles in the afternoon, and tea or coffee available throughout the day.

Final Thoughts

San Francisco is full of stunning sights like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and amazing historic districts like the Castro and the Mission District. Make sure you stay in any one of these boutique hotels on your next trip to the city to make the stay one you’ll never forget.