Best Luxury Hotels in San Francisco

The St. Francis has anchored Union Square since 1904 — its magnificent grandfather clock is the city's traditional meeting spot, and the glass elevators up the tower still deliver one of San Francisco's best free views. Renovated rooms mix landmark bones with modern comfort at the center of the shopping district.

The former Sir Francis Drake reopened as the Beacon Grand after a top-to-bottom restoration: the gilded lobby staircase remains, the Starlite bar once again pours cocktails on the 21st floor, and rooms are freshly done in deep greens and brass. Union Square glamour at an honest rate.

Atop Nob Hill, the Fairmont's marble columns have hosted every president since Taft, and the Tonga Room's tiki thunderstorms remain gloriously intact downstairs. Cable cars stop at the door. For classic San Francisco grandeur, this is the address.

Housed in a 1909 neoclassical landmark on Nob Hill's slope, the Ritz-Carlton runs the city's most consistent five-star service, a proper club lounge, and Parallel 37's California cooking. Union Square and Chinatown are short, steep walks in opposite directions.

1 Hotel wrapped an Embarcadero office block in reclaimed wood and living greenery, with Bay Bridge views from the best rooms and the Ferry Building's food stalls a five-minute walk. The waterfront path starts outside for morning runs. The Embarcadero's freshest luxury stay.

The Jay rebooted a Financial District tower into warm, craft-heavy interiors — a nod to its Barbary Coast surroundings — with quick access to the Embarcadero's waterfront and the Ferry Building farmers market. Weekend rates here are one of the city's quiet luxury bargains.

Built into the 1907 Haslett Warehouse at Fisherman's Wharf, the Argonaut's exposed brick and timber rooms overlook Aquatic Park and the Hyde Street cable car turnaround. It's the rare Wharf hotel locals recommend — character intact, tourist machinery outside.

Fairmont's all-residence hideaway inside Ghirardelli Square offers full apartments — kitchens, fireplaces, laundry — with Alcatraz views and hotel service. For families or long weekends near the Wharf, it beats two hotel rooms on both space and feel.