The Hotel Guru
The 9 Best Luxury Hotels in San Francisco

The 9 Best Luxury Hotels in San Francisco

San Francisco has an eclectic (and excellent) choice of hotels with the luxury offerings being particularly stand-out. From landmark hotels set in and around the Financial District to boutique affairs. As for the added extras, there are indulgent spas and Michelin-starred restaurants to choose from. So whether you are in for all-out luxury or something a little more discreet why not browse through our hotel experts' hand-selected collection of the best luxury hotels in San Francisco?

For the spa

Four Seasons San Francisco is a smart five-star that offers access to Equinox, one of the city's most exclusive health clubs. Interiors are sleek and contemporary and there are all the usual luxury trimmings including an excellent steak and seafood restaurant.

For bay views

The Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square offers a landmark setting overlooking San Francisco's bay. An all-suite property with accommodation ranging from one to three bedrooms. There is no restaurant as such but in-suite fine-dining is a real luxury. A very fine stay.

For a private members' club

The Battery is a small luxury property located within a hip members' club meaning that it has amenities beyond its size (including a superb spa). Pick this property for the hip industrial design as well as the atmospheric bar and restaurant.

For a boutique

Mansion on Sutter is a grand Victorian mansion with just 12 rooms. Smart interiors have period features. Thoughtful added touches such as in-room baths (in some suites), a smart gym, and organic wines really elevate this B&B to luxury status.

For a landmark

Palace Hotel is a grand hotel located in the Financial District. Expansive reception rooms embody pure opulence complete with chandeliers, a glass-domed ceiling, and marble colonnades. With an indoor pool (again under a glass-domed roof) and a choice of dining options, this is a very spoiling stay.
Fairmont San Francisco is a landmark hotel also situated beside the Financial District and offering bay views. For real luxury pick a suite with enormous terrace and luxurious bathroom. Downstairs the grand Venetian room has played host to the likes of Tony Bennet. A spectacular stay.
The Clift Royal Sonesta is an historic hotel located beside Union Square which has now been renovated into a luxurious contemporary stay. The popular Redwood Room bar keeps its traditional indulgent feel, while rooms are chic and minimalist.

For foodies

The Ritz Carlton San Francisco is located in the upmarket neighbourhood of Nob Hill and boasts particularly good views across the Financial District and the bay. The interiors are contemporary and offer the usual extensive five-star amenities. However, pick this property for the restaurant headed by a renowned Michelin star chef.
Set in bustling Union Square the Taj Campton Place is a sleek modern five-star. Renowned for its hyper-attentive service and its Michelin star restaurant which serves Mediterranean fare in a grand dining room.

Still not sure which to book?

Consider our Guru’s list of the best hotels in San Francisco.
Widen your search to include our pick of places to stay in nearby Sausalito or all our recommendations across California or the best hotels in downtown San Francisco.
Or why not browse through our list of the best hotels near Union Square or the best hotels with balconies in San Francisco or the best hotels with in-room hot tubs in San Francisco.
Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.
- Four Seasons San Francisco San Francisco 277 rooms from £699
  
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  Total relaxation  -  With access to one of the city's most exclusive health clubs, Equinox, this is an indulgent choice
  City Style  -  A contemporary hotel offering all the usual five-star trimmings and a very exclusive feel
  Sights nearby  -  Make a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge and marvel at the astounding feat of engineering
  Restaurant  -  Recommended.
  
  A five-star offering occupying 12 floors of a 42 storey building in downtown San Francisco. Rooms are sleek and contemporary with floor to ceiling windows and marble-clad bathrooms. The steak and seafood restaurant is a smart spot and access to the exclusive Equinox health club is a real bonus. See More
  
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- The Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square San Francisco 53 rooms from £613
  
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  Luxury  -  A landmark setting with some seriously indulgent extras including in-suite fine dining and a spoiling spa
  Families  -  With suites that range from 1 - 3 bedrooms this is an ideal choice for a luxury family break
  Sights nearby  -  Take a leisurely stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge and admire the city views
  Romantic  -  Good for couples.
  
  A luxury all-suite hotel offering a landmark setting on San Francisco's bay. Accommodation ranges from one to three bed suites all designed with stylish minimalism and most with superb bay views. There is no restaurant as such but in-suite fine-dining is a real luxury. A very fine stay. See More
  
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- The Battery San Francisco 14 rooms from £449
  
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  City Style  -  With designer interiors and an unbeatable location beside the financial district, book this hotel for sleek San Francisco style
  Local exploring  -  This hotel is perfecty placed for local exploring, with the city's attractions within easy walking distance
  Spa breaks  -  The club is home to a hideaway urban spa, complete with a sauna, steam room and treatment rooms
  Restaurant  -  Recommended.
  Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith
  
  This exclusive hotel is nestled within a private members' club in San Francisco. Housed in a former sweet factory on Jackson Square, inside, guestrooms have exposed red brick walls styled with custom and vintage pieces by Fulk. Enjoy access to the club's first-class facilities during your stay. See More
  
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- Mansion on Sutter San Francisco 12 rooms from £358
  
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  Total relaxation  -  Excellent organic wines, suites with in-room tubs, and a gym to stress bust - the perfect combination for a relaxing stay
  Luxury  -  San Francisco's only five-star Victorian mansion hotel
  Sights nearby  -  A trip to marvel at Golden Gate Bridge is a real must on any trip to the city
  
  A five-star Victorian mansion offering 12 chic rooms. Interiors are period-inspired with dark-hued velvet furnishings, intricately tiled floors and antiques. Thoughtful added touches such as in-room baths (in some suites), a smart gym, and organic wines really elevate this B&B to luxury status. See More
  
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- Palace hotel , San Francisco San Francisco 552 rooms from £332
  
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  Local exploring  -  1 block from the Financial District, 3 blocks from Union Sq, & 4 blocks from Moscone Center
  5* Luxury  -  Original architecture, luxurious bedding, expansive headboards, marble bathrooms & many opulent amenities
  Restaurant  -  The Garden Court and Pied Piper Bar & Grill - famous, superb, grand
  Sights nearby  -  Yerba Buena Gardens, Martin Luther King memorial, Chinatown...
  
  A lavish hotel with classically designed architecture. An elitist, rich and stylish look. Gorgeous and smart guest-rooms feature 11-foot high ceilings, marble bathrooms, opulent bedding. Glass domed indoor pool, various dining options and bars. Ideal for spending your city break in true 5* luxury. See More
  
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- Fairmont San Francisco San Francisco 606 rooms from £288
  
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  City Style  -  Somewhat of a city landmark, this hotel does traditional elegance impeccably
  Sights nearby  -  Make a trip out to Alcatraz - both a fascinating place to visit and a great way to admire the city from the sea
  Opulent
  Romantic  -  Good for couples.
  
  This hotel is a real landmark. It has seen the likes of Tony Bennet sing in the Venetian Room - and it still has that same old-world grandeur. Enjoying spectacular views of the bay (especially good from the suites' terraces) and boasting a design that combines tradition and modern elegance. See More
  
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- Ritz Carlton San Francisco San Francisco (California) 336 rooms from £389
  
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  Local exploring - Perfectly located in the upmarket Nob Hill area just minutes from the commercial district and Union Square
  City Style - A perfect blend of the old and the new in the indulgent five-star
  Opulent
  Traditional
  
  A grand five-star located in upmarket Nob Hill. Beautifully refurbished, the neoclassical building blends the old and the new. Spacious rooms are simple and chic with smart marble bathrooms. The acclaimed restaurant is headed by a Michelin-starred chef and the bar turns out some very good cocktails. See More
  
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- Taj Campton Place San Francisco (Union Square) 111 rooms from £200
  
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  City Style  -  In a historic building that has been modernized and with a Michelin Star-rated restaurant, explore San Francisco in style.
  Local exploring  -  Minutes from Union Square and less than 2 miles from Fisherman's Wharf and Bay Bridge, it is ideally located.
  Foodies  -  The Michelin star-rated restaurant draws queues of foodies from all over the city.
  Restaurant  -  Campton Place Restaurant is Michelin Star-rated and serves Mediterranean-inspired California cuisine.
  Recommended by  -  Tablet
  
  Sleek hotel with ideal location on Union Square. The elegant rooms have contemporary and stylish furnishings, and the service is renowned for being hyper-attentive. The Michelin star-rated restaurant serving high-quality Mediterranean fare in the grand dining room is very impressive. See More
  
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- The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel San Francisco (California) 372 rooms from £187
  
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  Surfing  -  Ocean Beach is where to catch the waves whether surfing or kite surfing.
  Sights nearby  -  Golden Gate Park and with views of the famous Gold Gate Bridge.
  Views  -  Great views from hotel
  Restaurant  -  Recommended.
  Recommended by  -  Tablet
  
  Historical landmark hotel renovated to modern luxury with art and furniture being a big feature. Rooms are bright, with great views of the San Francisco skyline. The popular Redwood Room bar is lively. Location next to Union Square and city delights is on point. See More
  
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