Elena Mallia 
If you’re looking for the best boutique hotels in San Francisco, you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of them in this incredible city, where you can enjoy some luxury and comfort after having visited all of San Francisco’s top attractions!
To save you some time researching, I’ve already collected in this blog all the best San Francisco boutique hotels and divided them by their particular characteristics, so you can choose your accommodation based on your own travel needs.
All the boutique hotels in this travel guide are listed in descending order from the most expensive to the cheapest so you can also easily consider the budget in your decision.
The only thing you must remember is to book your favorite San Francisco boutique hotel at least a few months in advance. Remember, this is one of the most popular destinations in the US, and hotels get booked out super fast!
Are you ready to explore all the best boutique hotels in San Francisco? Let’s go!
Contents
- If you are in a hurry
- 1. Hotel Drisco – for full relaxation
- 2. Hotel Kabuki – top hotel in Japantown
- 3. Mansion on Sutter – top 5-star hotel in San Francisco
- 4. The Hotel Castro San Francisco – for easy check-in
- 5. White Swan Inn – for old-style décor
- 6. Galleria Park Hotel – for top views of San Francisco
- 7. Hotel Zoe Fisherman’s Wharf – the trendiest hotel
- 8. Hotel Emblem San Francisco – for the top location
- 9. Hotel Zetta San Francisco – for the best rooms
- 10. Orchard Garden Hotel – the most eco-friendly hotel
- 11. Hotel G San Francisco – for the best amenities
- 12. Club Donatello – best for couples
- 13. Parker Guest House – for the best service
- 14. The Grove Inn – perfect for families
- 15. Hotel Boheme – to travel back in time
- 16. Stay Pineapple – best pet-friendly hotel in San Francisco
- FAQs about boutique hotels in San Francisco
If you are in a hurry
If you just want to quickly book your accommodation, here’s a list of the top boutique hotels in San Francisco, divided by interest:
- Best 5-star boutique hotel – Mansion on Sutter
- Top boutique hotel with a view – Galleria Park Hotel
- Best boutique hotel for couples – Club Donatello
- Top San Francisco hotel for families – The Grove Inn
1. Hotel Drisco – for full relaxation
Hotel Drisco is one of the best boutique hotels in San Francisco if you want to unwind after an intense day of hiking and cycling at the Presidio National Park or shopping in the many upscale galleries, antique shops, and boutiques, both in the close surroundings.
In fact, here, the guest rooms feature super comfy king-size beds with pillow-top mattresses and Sound+Sleep devices so you can be sure you get a good night’s sleep and spacious bathrooms with Bvlgari products. Also, make sure to take advantage of the free complimentary wine and appetizers served every day in the evening… How great is that?
2. Hotel Kabuki – top hotel in Japantown
Located in San Francisco’s Japantown, this hotel will make you feel you are in Asia, combining Japanese style with a stylish loft vibe and featuring a beautiful lobby with big columns, wooden floors, stylish furniture, and a charming Japanese garden.
Here you can enjoy delicious Japanese food, innovative flower-themed cocktails, Japanese whisky and sake at the lobby bar; stay fit at the big fitness center or do yoga in the barre room. Hotel Kabuki is also located within a short drive from some of the best attractions in San Francisco, like the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay, so make sure you don’t miss them!
3. Mansion on Sutter – top 5-star hotel in San Francisco
This is one of the top boutique hotels in San Francisco if you want to splurge a little, set in a beautiful Victorian house within walking distance from Union Square. Here you will have access to a gym, a business center, and a delicious breakfast served every morning, but the best thing is definitely the guest rooms.
In fact, all the suites here feature elegant amenities, big comfy beds, and flat-screen TVs, and some of them even have a relaxing spa bath and amazing views of the city skyline. My tip? Treat yourself at least one day and ask for the breakfast-in-bed service!
4. The Hotel Castro San Francisco – for easy check-in
If you are going to San Francisco for a short stay and you don’t want to lose even 1 minute of your precious time, this lovely hotel offers all digital check-in. There’s no lobby at the property, which is super convenient!
The hotel is located in a very convenient location, a short drive from San Francisco City hall and in the middle of many great bars, restaurants, and shops, and the rooms are just amazing! Here each room features big comfy beds, a private bathroom with amazing shower tiles and lighting, a fridge, and incredible views (that you can also enjoy from the rooftop terrace)… just wait until you see the pictures, I am sure you will love them!
5. White Swan Inn – for old-style décor
Centrally located, a few steps from San Francisco’s vibrant Union Square, this is one of the best boutique hotels in San Francisco if you are into old-style décor and design. In fact, this bed & breakfast-style property looks like an old-school London mansion from the 60s, featuring floral wallpaper, dark wood furniture, and lovely swan pictures at any corner!
Here you will also find super cool facilities, like a retro parlor with comfy seating areas and fire pits, perfect for relaxing and interacting with the other guests, and a charming library with extravagant artwork on the walls. Another plus of the hotel? They serve a delicious breakfast every morning, and wine and snacks in your own room in the evening… What else could you ask for?
6. Galleria Park Hotel – for top views of San Francisco
This San Francisco hotel is centrally located in San Francisco’s Financial District, close to all the best shopping, dining, and entertainment options, and is one of the most luxurious and unique accommodations in the city.
Set in a classic 1911 building, the hotel offers state-of-the-art deco design, classic furniture and rooms with marble-topped desks and contemporary art works. But one of the coolest things about the property is its rooftop terrace with an urban garden and a walking track… perfect for enjoying some of the most breathtaking views of the city skyline!
7. Hotel Zoe Fisherman’s Wharf – the trendiest hotel
Located right in the heart of the Fisherman’s Wharf, this is one of the trendiest and most stylish boutique hotels in San Francisco, featuring innovative artwork in the lobby, contemporary rooms with a flat-screen TV and even a 24 foot tall metal sculpture in the outdoor courtyard.
The hotel is also perfect if you want to explore San Francisco’s main attractions, like Alcatraz, the Ferry Building Marketplace, the Golden Gate Bridge, Wine Country, and many more!
If you really want to splurge, pay the Zoe “amenity fee”, and for $22 extra, you will get a complimentary glass of wine at your arrival, organic coffee and tea in the lobby, access to a gym, bicycles, free Wi-Fi, and iPads.
8. Hotel Emblem San Francisco – for the top location
This San Francisco hotel is conveniently located in Downtown San Francisco, right between the famous Union Square and the Theater District, so it will give you access to all the top attractions and areas in the city, like Chinatown, Nob Hill, and North Beach… perfect for those who want to explore every corner of San Francisco!
But Hotel Emblem has much more to offer than the perfect central location. At the property, you will have access to a cool bar inspired by the Beat Generation, where you can taste creative cocktails, a delicious on-site restaurant, and even a writer’s alcove filled with countless books and a communal typewriter to spark your creativity!
9. Hotel Zetta San Francisco – for the best rooms
Hotel Zetta is one of the best boutique hotels in San Francisco if you rarely leave your room during your holidays or if you are looking for a place to work from! This unique accommodation offers stylish rooms with big comfy beds, work desks, portable wireless Bluetooth speakers, one-of-a-kind tapestries, and original artworks… perfect for both couples and families.
But in this luxury San Francisco hotel, you will also have access to some modern amenities, like a 24-hour fitness center, a cool games room with a huge Plinko machine, billiards, and table tennis, as well as a British style brasserie, a full-service bar and lounge located on-site.
10. Orchard Garden Hotel – the most eco-friendly hotel
This eco-friendly hotel is located just a few steps from Chinatown’s main gate and within walking distance from Union Square and the Financial District, so it is perfect if you want to have everything at your fingertips and stay at a sustainable property!
Here the Orchard Garden’s on-site restaurant offers a delicious breakfast prepared with sustainable ingredients, the lobby is decorated with sustainably grown blond wood furniture and artworks created by local artists, and the rooms feature carpeting made from recycled materials and key-card-controlled green energy system… How cool is that?
11. Hotel G San Francisco – for the best amenities
Centrally located within walking distance from Union Square and many great restaurants and bars, Hotel G San Francisco offers stylish design (you will see it as soon as you walk in the lobby, with sleek furniture and modern artworks) and great amenities for a holiday full of comforts!
In fact, here you will have access to a techno fitness center with advanced cardio equipment, weight training machines, and Arke fitness equipment, perfect for those who always want to stay in shape!
For the foodies like me, the property offers 3 delicious restaurants onsite and a cocktail bar where you can try handcrafted cocktails accompanied by oysters. In the end, vacations are for treating yourself, right?!
12. Club Donatello – best for couples
This is one of the best boutique hotels in San Francisco if you’re traveling with your special one, offering a perfect location just 10 minutes driving from Oracle Park, modern amenities and Italian-themed décor throughout the whole property, which makes it particularly romantic!
Here the guest rooms are perfect for a stay of 2 people, featuring flat-screen TVs, wet bars with sinks, private bathrooms, and even private terraces to enjoy magnificent views of the San Francisco skyline. Just imagine waking up to that! And when you feel ready to leave your room, you can relax in the sauna with whirlpool, have a massage at the spa and enjoy delicious Italian dishes at the on-site restaurant while listening to live jazz music.
13. Parker Guest House – for the best service
This San Francisco hotel offers great service! The staff here is friendly and efficient and will go above and beyond to meet your needs, offering concierge service, a luggage storage space, and a computer and printer for guest use – super useful for last-minute, travel emergencies!
At this hotel, you will sleep in cozy arts and crafts bungalows, with a private bathroom fitted with a shower and a hair dryer, free WiFi and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. You will also have access to a tranquil garden with blooming shrubs and flowers, perfect to enjoy some peace and quiet. And to start the day full of energy, don’t forget to have the delicious free breakfast served every morning!
14. The Grove Inn – perfect for families
The Grove Inn is one of the best boutique hotels in San Francisco if you are traveling with family. It offers spacious rooms and studios hosting up to 4 people, each one featuring a flat-screen cable TV, a mini fridge, a private bathroom, coffee, and tea. Some of the rooms even have a seating area where you can relax.
This San Francisco hotel is located a few minutes walk from the Golden Gate and the Hayes Valley Playground, where you can bring your kids to have some fun. This is a great area to walk around or to take the bus (you’ll have the bus station right next to the hotel’s entrance) and reach all the best attractions in San Francisco!
15. Hotel Boheme – to travel back in time
Centrally located in North Beach, close to both Chinatown and Little Italy, this San Francisco hotel will take you back in time with its bohemian style from the 1950s and 1960s, warm colors and modern art through the whole property.
The historic area where the hotel is located has the same bohemian flair, and is one of the most charming neighborhoods to stay in San Francisco! In fact, in just a few steps you will be able to enjoy many Italian restaurants, small charming cafés, jazz and blues clubs, and San Francisco’s famous cable cars. Another plus? The hotel has an intimate and cozy atmosphere, and will make you feel immediately at home!
16. Stay Pineapple – best pet-friendly hotel in San Francisco
This is one of the best boutique hotels in San Francisco if you are traveling with your four-legged friend, offering pet bowls and pet baskets on request. What’s more, the property itself is just astounding, decorated with gold and yellow colors, which gives the hotel a luxury, old-Hollywood vibe.
I am sure you will also love the elegant and stylish rooms, decorated with hardwood parquet floors, Hollywood Regency furnishings, and graphic area rugs. The comfy beds, private bathrooms with walk-in showers, and Keurig coffee makers are just another plus. Still not enough? On your arrival, they will welcome you with pineapple water or a coffee with pineapple cupcakes!
NOTE: this San Francisco hotel is rated a little lower than what I would normally recommend, but I included it in this list because it is one of the few pet-friendly boutique hotels in San Francisco, and I wanted to give an option for people traveling with their animals!
| 🛎️ Top luxury hotel: | Mansion on Sutter |
| ❤️ Best hotel for couples: | Club Donatello |
| 🌇 Top hotel with a view | Galleria Park Hotel |
| 👨👨👧👧 Best hotel for families: | The Grove Inn |
| 🏨 Most stylish San Fran hotel: | Hotel Kabuki |
| 📍 Hotel with top location: | Hotel Emblem |
FAQs about boutique hotels in San Francisco
🏨 Which are the best boutique hotels in San Francisco?
The best boutique hotels in San Francisco are the 5-star Mansion on Sutter, one of the best San Francisco hotels for luxury, the Hotel Emblem, featuring an amazing location between Union Square and the Theater District, or the Hotel G San Francisco, featuring incredible amenities.
👩🏽❤️👩🏼 Which are the best boutique hotels in San Francisco for couples?
The best boutique hotels in San Francisco for couples are Club Donatello, featuring romantic Italian-themed décor throughout the whole property and spacious suites, or Hotel Zetta San Francisco, offering stylish rooms with big comfy beds.
🤔 What is the difference between boutique hotels and normal hotels?
Compared to regular hotels, boutique hotels are smaller and more artsy properties with unique features, luxury amenities, and special designs, so during your stay, you will get a more intimate experience and personalized service. Also, they are usually located in the most trendy neighborhoods of a city.
👨👨👧👧 Which are the best boutique hotels in San Francisco for families?
The best boutique hotels in San Francisco for families are The Grove Inn, offering spacious rooms and studios with flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms, and coffee and tea-making facilities or Hotel Zetta San Francisco, featuring stylish rooms with big comfy beds.
📍 Which boutique hotels with the best location in San Francisco?
The boutique hotels with the best location are Hotel Emblem, between Union Square and the Theater District, Hotel Zoe, located right in the heart of the Fisherman’s Wharf, close to the Bay Bridge and the Ferry Building Marketplace, or Hotel G, located a few steps from Union Square.
👀 What are the best things to do in San Francisco?
The best things to do in San Francisco are: take a stroll around Fisherman’s Wharf or Ghirardelli Square, cross the San Francisco Bridge, visit Alcatraz, eat delicious Asian food at Chinatown and take a typical trolley to explore the city.
Conclusion
Here we are at the end of this extensive guide about the best boutique hotels in San Francisco. We saw stylish accommodations, options for couples and families and places to relax, or explore the city… So, have you decided which one to stay at?
If you still haven’t made up your mind, I cannot blame you as we went through such amazing hotel options! So, let me help you a little more with my 2 absolute favorite San Francisco boutique hotels:
- Hotel G San Francisco – This is one of the best San Francisco hotels, offering great amenities, a convenient location close to Union Square, and a stylish design!
- Hotel Kabuki – Located in San Francisco’s Japantown, this San Francisco hotel combines Japanese style with a stylish loft vibe and offers great rooms.
If you like them as much as I do, make sure you book them immediately or at least some months in advance so you reserve yourself a spot. Remember, rooms get booked out incredibly fast here!
If you know other great San Francisco boutique hotels or if you have any questions for me, then share them in the comments below. I am looking forward to reading them all and answering!
Have an amazing stay!
Elena
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