Luxury hotels in San Francisco

Hey! When I travel I love to stay at luxurious hotels - especially the kind of places that offer over the top extras and really spoil their guests with great service, nice spas, awesome restaurants and beautiful views. What more can you want? To save some time, I've put together this list of my favourite 5-star hotels and resorts in San Francisco. I hope you will like it!

• 1 The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco San Francisco, United States

  

  Hotel. Stay in the heart of San Francisco. Just 10 minutes' walk from Union Square and the Financial District, this luxury hotel offers on-site dining. A fitness centre is also available. Rooms at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco offer a flat-screen TV. En suite bathrooms include an Italian marble bath tub, complimentary luxury soap and shampoo products, bathrobes and slippers. In room dining is available 24/7. Guests of The Ritz-Carlton can enjoy exclusive amenities on The Club Level, which features all-day food and beverage services as well as a full-service concierge to assist with any requests. The Lounge offers a large collection of single malt scotch. Contemporary American cuisine is served at the restaurant Parallel 37, which is located in the hotel lobby. In-room dining is also available. San Francisco International Airport is 24 km away from this hotel. Chinatown is just 5 minutes' walk away. San Francisco's North Beach neighbourhood is 3 km away from The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco. Show full description Guest review score 9.0, rooms from around $502.

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• 2 Hotel Nikko San Francisco San Francisco, United States

  

  Hotel. Stay in the heart of San Francisco. Situated in San Francisco, 300 metres from Union Square, Hotel Nikko San Francisco features accommodation with a restaurant, private parking, a bar and a terrace. This 5-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and room service. The accommodation provides entertainment staff and an ATM. At the hotel rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with bathrobes and slippers. At Hotel Nikko San Francisco the rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Moscone Center is 1.1 km from the accommodation, while San Francisco City Hall is 1.4 km from the property. The nearest airport is San Francisco International Airport, 20 km from Hotel Nikko San Francisco. Show full description Guest review score 8.6, rooms from around $278.

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• 3 Hotel Drisco San Francisco, United States

  

  Hotel. Built in 1903, Hotel Drisco boasts Edwardian architecture. Atop Pacific Heights on Pacific Avenue, this luxurious San Francisco hotel is only 5 minutes' walk from Presidio National Park. Each guest room provides free WiFi. Guest rooms at this hotel boast modern amenities such as a 42-inch flat-screen HDTV and a Blu-ray player. The en suite bathrooms feature luxury bath amenities and plush microfiber robes. Egyptian cotton sheets, goose down comforters and an adaptive sound sleep machine are provided. Fresh espresso can be brewed with the in-room coffee machine. Guests can enjoy 24-hour room service. Hotel Drisco features a free gourmet continental breakfast and free evening wine and cheese reception with fresh fruit and hot hors d'oeuvres. Guests will also appreciate free weekday car service to Union Square, the Financial District and Presidio businesses. After a cup of coffee in the sitting room, visitors can enjoy a workout in the on-site fitness centre or take advantage of free access to the nearby YMCA. With a 24-hour business centre, guests at the Drisco Hotel can always be productive. San Francisco’s vibrant Union Square is 4.5 km away from Hotel Drisco. Show full description Guest review score 9.5, rooms from around $431.

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• 4 Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero San Francisco, United States

  

  Hotel. Stay in the heart of San Francisco. Featuring stunning views of downtown San Francisco from each spacious guestroom, Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero offers gourmet on-site dining, in-room massage services and easy access to sites such as Chinatown, 7 minutes’ walk away. Featuring free WiFi, each air-conditioned room at Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero combines timeless design with modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs and iPod docking stations. With rooms located on the top 11 floors of a 48-story tower, the hotel offers breathtaking views of San Francisco. In-room dining is available to guests from 6:00 to 22:00. Guests of Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero can start the day with a workout in the 24-hour fitness centre or enjoy a yoga class. Offering unique shops, restaurants and nightlife, vibrant Union Square is 12 minutes’ walk away from this hotel. Offering service to San Francisco International Airport, Embarcadero BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) station is 6 minutes’ walk away. Show full description Guest review score 9.1, rooms from around $3495.

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• 5 The Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square San Francisco, United States

  

  Hotel. Built high atop Ghirardelli Square with San Francisco Bay views, this urban San Francisco resort features luxurious apartments with free WiFi and fully equipped gourmet kitchens. Sweeping terraces with fire pits are featured on-site. All spacious apartments at The Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square include a fireplace and a high-end entertainment system. All bedrooms are designed with an enclosed glass shower in the en suite bathroom. Exposed brick walls in all apartments offer natural soundproofing and a preserved element of the original Ghirardelli Square façade. An in-unit washer and dryer are tucked away in a closet for guest use. Select apartments feature bay views. Grocery shopping and chef services can be arranged before guests’ arrive or during their stay through the 24-hour concierge and butler. Room service from Palette, San Francisco Brewing Company, and McCormick & Kuleto's Seafood Restaurant is offered daily. The Fairmont Heritage elevators open directly to Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop, local San Francisco boutiques and restaurants on Ghirardelli Square. All elevators and entrances are accessed securely by only guest key card access. San Francisco Maritime National Museum and Fisherman’s Wharf is 2 minutes’ walk away. Located at the foot of Golden Gate Bridge, the dog-friendly Crissy Field is 15 minutes’ bike ride away from The Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square. All Residence Reservations include Two complimentary Valet Parking spots. Show full description Guest review score 9.1, rooms from around $2655.

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• 6 Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco San Francisco, United States

  

  Hotel. Stay in the heart of San Francisco. Located five minutes’ walk to the shops and restaurants at Union Square and Yerba Buena Gardens, this San Francisco hotel provides a full-service spa, an adult indoor lap pool and a restaurant. Select suites feature a view of San Francisco at the Four Seasons San Francisco. Each elegant room is equipped with a seating area, a large soaking bath tub, a flat-screen TV and an iPod docking station. Bathrobes, slippers and large deposit boxes to store valuables are also provided. San Francisco Four Seasons Hotel provides free access to the adjacent Equinox Sports Club fitness centre. Guests can enjoy a group exercise class and relax with a massage in the spa. MKT Restaurant - Bar features an urban-chic atmosphere and offers handcrafted cocktails. Small plates for sharing, steaks from local ranches, and other market-to-table options are provided. The Ferry Building gourmet markets, shops and ferry transport to Sausalito is less than 20 minutes’ walk away from Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. Pier 39 and Aquarium on the Bay at Fisherman’s Wharf is just 1.5 miles away. Show full description Guest review score 9.0, rooms from around $504.

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• 7 Mansion on Sutter San Francisco, United States

  

  Hotel. Mansion on Sutter is situated in San Francisco, 1.3 km from San Francisco City Hall and 1.6 km from Union Square. The property is around 2.9 km from Moscone Center, 3 km from Ghirardelli Square and 3.5 km from University of San Francisco. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The rooms at the hotel come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. At Mansion on Sutter rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. A gym, business centre and ironing facilities are available at the accommodation. Staff speak English and Spanish at the reception. Coit Tower is 4 km from Mansion on Sutter, while Alcatraz is 4.1 km from the property. The nearest airport is San Francisco International Airport, 20 km from the hotel. Show full description Guest review score 9.0, rooms from around $912.

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• 8 The St Regis San Francisco San Francisco, United States

  

  Hotel. Stay in the heart of San Francisco. The St Regis San Francisco is located in the SOMA District of San Francisco. A flat-screen TV is included in each guest room. Union Square is 8 minutes’ walk away. A bathroom with a soaking tub and a TV is featured in all guest rooms at the hotel. Each elegantly decorated room boasts a minibar and a DVD player. Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Astra restaurant. Signature cocktails and a bar menu are offered at The St. Regis Bar. The St Regis San Francisco is across the street from Yerba Buena Gardens. AT&T Park is 1.6 km away. Show full description Guest review score 8.8, rooms from around $553.

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• 9 1 Hotel San Francisco San Francisco, United States

  

  Hotel. Stay in the heart of San Francisco. Overlooking San Francisco’s Embarcadero waterfront, this hotel features an outdoor rooftop terrace. Free WiFi is provided in all guest rooms. Oracle Park is 1.6 km away. A flat-screen cable TV and an honour bar are featured in each spacious guest room at 1 Hotel San Francisco. Plush bathrobes, comfortable slippers and free boutique toiletries are provided in the en suite bathrooms. A spacious work desk and an ergonomic chair are also offered in each guest room. A 24-hour business centre and a 24-hour fitness centre are available to guests. San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge is 9 km away from this hotel. San Francisco International Airport is 30 minutes’ drive from 1 Hotel San Francisco. Chase Center is 3.4 km away. Show full description Guest review score 8.7, rooms from around $517.

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• 10 Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco San Francisco, United States

  

  Hotel. Stay in the heart of San Francisco. Famed bars, an awe-inspiring crystal chandelier restaurant, a fitness area and a glass dome indoor pool are featured at this landmark Financial District Palace. San Francisco’s vibrant Union Square is 5 minutes’ walk from Palace Hotel. Leather tufted headboards, 11-foot ceilings, bedside lighting, high thread count linens and pillow-top bedding set the stage for a luxurious night’s sleep in each room at the Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco. High-end luggage inspired desk, tables and the bathroom vanity transport guests to the Palace origins with modern finishes. A 48-inch flat-screen satellite and streaming enabled TV, marble bath, rain shower and back-lit bathroom mirror completes the design. Inspired by west-coast impressionism, layered deep plum, midnight blue and shades of grey textiles create a rich coastal atmosphere. Restored architectural elements like a solid oak door from 1909 and brass monogrammed door knobs are featured. Custom sofas in a separate seating area and Market Street views are featured in select suites. Austrian crystal chandeliers hang from a light-filled glass rotunda surrounding The Garden Court restaurant. Breakfast, lunch and signature tea is featured during the day. Savory bites, handcrafted cocktails, curated wines and decadent desserts are served in the evening at the GC Lounge. Guests can enjoy innovative cocktails, craft beers, bold wines and sharable artisan cuisine at the Pied Piper, home of the Maxfield Parrish mural The Pied Piper of Hamelin, which was commissioned as gift to San Francisco to honor the hotel’s reopening in 1909. Boasting sexy, contemporary décor, the Pied Piper is a San Francisco legend and the perfect place for an intimate individual dining experience or a social celebration. Under a glass dome with city views, an indoor pool surrounded by chaise lounges and spas is featured. Tucked away on a high floor, this key card access oasis also features spa services and a 24-hour fitness centre that overlooks the pool area through floor to ceiling windows. Marble baths and spa showers are featured in the changing rooms. Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco is 20 minutes’ cable car ride from shopping and dining at Fisherman’s Wharf. Offering a 24-hour concierge service, the concierge can connect guests’ to restaurants, designer boutiques, cable cars rides, the Embarcadero, Ferry Building, Chinatown, Oracle Park, cultural museums and theaters. Show full description Guest review score 8.5, rooms from around $394.

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• 11 Fairmont San Francisco San Francisco, United States

  

  Hotel. Atop centrally located Nob Hill, this landmark San Francisco hotel features luxurious rooms and suites. A full-service gym and spa and two unique dining experiences are available on site. Fairmont San Francisco is the only hotel in the city where all 3 cable car lines meet. High ceilings, a modern desk with built-in USB ports and bedside reading lights are featured in all rooms and suites at Fairmont San Francisco. Modern flat-screen TVs are included in each room. The luxurious marble baths feature Le Labo toiletries and plush robes. The Fairmont’s unique rooms include panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Coit Tower and the Financial District. Fairmont San Francisco's Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar serves Polynesian-fusion cuisine and features live entertainment on a floating barge. Guests can enjoy the equipment, saunas and exercise classes at the on-site health club. A variety of shops are also located at the hotel. Fairmont San Francisco is 5 minutes’ cab ride to the Ferry Building and is 6 km from the Golden Gate Bridge. San Francisco International Airport is 20 minutes’ drive away. Show full description Guest review score 8.0, rooms from around $279.

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I try my best to keep this guide up to date and I last refreshed it in December 2023. Did I miss a luxury hotel that should be on this list? Send me an email and let me know!