The 18 Most Unique and Cool Hotels in San Francisco (2025)

San Francisco is the USA's iconic Capital of Weird: a haven of free-love hippies, beret-wearing revolutionaries, underground music and Beat poets. So, it makes sense that there are so many unique and cool hotels in San Francisco. Our experts have selected the zaniest, loudest, quirkiest and most idiosyncratic, from bohemian-chic stays and hipster escape pads in renovated harbourside warehouses, to luxury B&Bs in Victorian mansions and exclusive, luxury hotels hidden in private members' clubs. We've done the hard work - so all you have to do is choose from our list of the most unique and cool hotels in San Francisco and start planning your stay.

For a new vintage stay

• Hotel Zetta channels a cool, retro-creative spirit in the heart of Union Square. Expect upcycled antiques, graphic mosaic bathrooms and a lobby that feels like an artful loft. The games room ups the nostalgia with air hockey, pool and a cheeky red phone box. The Cavalier dishes standout British comfort classics.
• Moody, chic and sexy, The Zeppelin leans into a rebellious, rock-era mood with exposed brick, ornate fireplaces and bold pop-art flourishes. Velvet seating and oversized peace symbols set a dramatic tone, while the low-lit bar draws locals for its speakeasy energy and steady lineup of live music—perfect for night-owl vintage lovers.

For bohemian vibes

• Just two blocks from Union Square, Hotel Emblem's hip, Beat-themed boutique accommodation sets the scene with sangria on arrival. This endlessly chic stay combines exposed brickwork with New Wave artwork on the walls, while the cosy, colourful rooms have plush, sink-into beds. Cool. Loud. Artsy.

For post-industrial-chic

• The LINE San Francisco in the buzzing Mid Market district, offers stunning city views from floor-to-ceiling windows and the roof terrace. Super cool interiors with an industrial-chic vibe give a sophisticated feel. Enjoy the atmospheric Dark Bar for cocktails and late night fun.
• A former YMCA, Harbor Court Hotel is now a luxurious stay with sweeping views of San Francisco Bay. Glowing in a distinctly hipsterish vibe - post-industrial-chic - the elegant, whitewashed rooms still manage to be snug. Downstairs, you'll find a cool cafe serving infamously tasty coffee, and there's a trendy Japanese restaurant next door.
• Hotel Zephyr, in Fisherman's Wharf, is a cool, laid-back and endlessly fun place to stay. A great place for families on a sightseeing expedition, the light-filled and spacious rooms are decked out in a nautical theme, with seabird pillows, faded old maps and private terraces boasting sublime views. The games room, with its trendy lighting, is a nice addition.

For an arthouse hotel

• Proper Hotel feels like stepping into a curated design gallery—Victorian silhouettes, Art Deco curves and bold patterns collide across its lobby and restaurant. Rooms showcase retro furniture with confident, clashing prints. Up top, the rooftop bar draws locals for inventive cocktails and sweeping skyline views, perfect for a stylish, art-forward stay.
• The Marker channels playful, cinematic charm inside its stately Renaissance-style façade. Expect vibrant interiors, marble details and rooms dressed in confident primary tones. Its welcoming trattoria dishes out standout Italian plates and house-made limoncello, making this a characterful retreat just moments from Union Square’s buzz.

For city style

• Nestling in Japantown, Hotel Kabuki seamlessly fuses chic Asian styles with cosmopolitan San Francisco vibes. The spacious guestrooms are symbolic of this marriage: coloured in muted tones, with wooden screens, low-lying tables and graphic prints. It is cool, classy and elegant. The real draw is downstairs: the Thai restaurant, Japanese whiskey bar and lounge are all in an enormous, open-plan, light-filled room, and prove to be a great way of tasting the local culture.
• Sitting by Union Square - a highly central location - Staypineapple San Francisco oozes in romance and style. The marble-floored lobby, hanging with splashes of modern art, leads you to the cocktail bar where stands a blood-red grand piano. The rooms themselves are chic and contemporary, with sink-into beds, marble-tiled bathrooms, all done in cloud-whites and daffodil-yellows. A sweet stay for couples looking for something with a bit of style.
• Located in the trendy South Beach area, Hotel VIA has an urban loft feel and minimalist design. Sleek rooms in neutral tones create a calming vibe, while the roof terrace bar adds that city buzz. Set beside AT&T Park and San Francisco Bay, it's a cool central base. 

For value chic

• Palihotel San Francisco channels a lived-in, creative charm with whitewashed brick walls, weathered wood accents, bold art pieces and irresistibly soft beds. Its moody French bistro and lively bar anchor the social scene, while thoughtful details throughout make it a standout spot for design-driven travellers seeking character and comfort, without the hefty price-tag.
• A classic American motel given a stylish makeover, Phoenix Hotel has an iconic place in San Francisco's music scene. A favourite amongst touring musicians, it's just a few minutes away from some of the city's most beloved music venues. The rooms are decorated in an indie-boutique style, and face the swimming pool. Hip, fun and very well priced for San Francisco; young people will love it.

All-out luxury

• The Battery is one of San Francisco's best kept secrets. Hidden in a private members' club, set in a former sweet factory, it's exclusive, stylish and plush. The rooms feature redbrick walls and are furnished with vintage pieces by Fulk and the hotel lounge and library carry on with this theme. The pampering spa is a real highlight, boasting a sauna, steam room and treatment room. If you want real luxury, book the Penthouse Studio with its spacious patio that offers some of the most beautiful views around.

For a romantic break

• Chateau Tivoli is more or less a museum of objets d'art, curios and artefacts. A stately, yet homely, 19th century mansion just a three-minute walk from the landmark Painted Ladies row of colourful houses in Alamo Square, this charming B&B features unique rooms furnished with ornate four-poster beds, heavy drapes and beautiful artworks, the walls painted in royal-blues, peaches and brooding reds. A beautiful, historic property, and an elegant stay.
• A grandiose 5* Victorian mansion that combines classical elegance with effortlessly chic style, Mansion on Sutter is a great place for couples. The fairytale-like exterior exudes a certain magic, while inside, the chic rooms and period furnishings blend seamlessly. You can expect velvet cushions, antiques, and original artworks along the walls from the owner's private collection. Intimate, plush and romantic, the bar tops it all off with style. The wine tasting and gym are the cherry on top.

For family fun

• The Clancy makes a great base for a family holiday; two queen rooms are ideal for sleeping four. Pets are made welcome too with their own bed, bathrobe, local pet treats and even their own menu in the Seven Square Taproom! The funky interiors are full of cool art and many of the rooms on higher floors have great views through floor-to-ceiling windows. A restaurant, two further eateries and gym complete the offering.
• With its prime waterfront location, Argonaut is a favourite of families. The nautical-chic rooms are spacious and homely and seriously cool with exposed brickwork, colourful fabrics and plush bedding. The bar and restaurant carries on this theme with a relaxed, let-your-hair-down vibe, all set within a centuries-old waterfront warehouse. Cool, gorgeous and great for sightseeing.

Still not sure?

• Refine your search and check out our collections of the best hotels in San Francisco with a private balcony or the the best hotels in San Francisco with a pool,
• Wanting somewhere downtown? Check out our list of the best hotels in Downtown San Francisco,
• Alternatively, contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.