San Francisco Hotels

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Back to San FranciscoSan Francisco Hotel Guide

Whether you want a room with a view or just a room, San Francisco is more than accommodating to its 15.7 million annual guests. Most of the city's 200-plus hotels cluster near Union Square, but some smaller independent gems are scattered around town.

When reading over your options, keep in mind that prices listed are "rack" (published) rates. At big, upscale hotels, almost no one actually pays them -- and with the dramatic travel downturn over the past few years, there are still deals to be had. Therefore, you should always ask for special discounts or, even better, vacation packages. It's often possible to get the room you want for $100 less than what is quoted here, except when the hotels are packed (usually during summer and due to conventions) and bargaining is close to impossible. Use the rates listed here for the big hotels as guidelines for comparison only; prices for inexpensive choices and smaller B&Bs are closer to reality, though.

Hunting for hotels in San Francisco can be a tricky business, particularly if you're not a seasoned traveler. What you don't know -- and the reservations agent may not tell you -- could very well ruin your vacation, so keep the following pointers in mind when it comes time to book a room:

Prices listed do not include state and city taxes, which total 14%. Other hidden extras include parking fees, which can be up to $45 per day (also subject to 14% tax!), and hefty surcharges -- up to $1 per local call -- for telephone use.

San Francisco is Convention City, so if you want a room at a particular hotel during high season (summer, for example), book well in advance.

Be sure to have a credit card in hand when making a reservation, and know that you may be asked to pay for at least 1 night in advance (this doesn't happen often, though).

Hotels usually hold reservations until 6pm. If you don't tell the staff you're arriving late, you might lose your room.

Almost every hotel in San Francisco requires a credit card imprint for "incidentals" (and to prevent walkouts). If you don't have a credit card, be sure to make special arrangements with the management before you hang up the phone, and make a note of the name of the person you spoke with.

When you check in, if your room isn't up to snuff, politely inform the front desk of your dissatisfaction and ask for another. If the hotel can accommodate you, they almost always will -- and sometimes will even upgrade you!

Read the listings carefully: Many hotels also offer rooms at rates above and below the price category that apply to most of the units. If you like the sound of a place that's a bit over your budget, it never hurts to call and ask a few questions. Also note that we do not list single rates. Some hotels, particularly more affordable choices, do charge lower rates for singles, so inquire about them if you are traveling alone.

Other than the exceptional circumstances of the past few years, hotel rates in San Francisco don't vary much because the city is so popular year-round. Still, you should always ask about weekend discounts, corporate rates, and family plans; most larger hotels, and many smaller ones, offer them, but many reservations agents don't mention them unless you ask about them specifically.

You'll find nonsmoking rooms available in all larger hotels and many smaller hotels; reviews indicate establishments that are entirely nonsmoking. Nowadays, the best advice for smokers is to confirm a smoking-permitted room in advance.

While you'll find that most accommodations have an abundance of amenities (including phones, unless otherwise noted), don't be alarmed by the lack of air-conditioned guest rooms. San Francisco weather is so mild, you'll never miss them.

Most larger hotels can accommodate guests who use wheelchairs and those who have other special needs. Ask when you make a reservation to ensure that your hotel can accommodate your needs, especially if you are interested in a bed-and-breakfast.

Helping Hands -- Having reservations about your reservations? Leave it up to the pros:

San Francisco Reservations, 360 22nd St., Suite 300, Oakland, CA 94612 (tel. 800/677-1500 or 510/628-4450; www.hotelres.com), arranges reservations for more than 150 of San Francisco's hotels and often offers discounted rates. Their nifty website allows Internet users to make reservations online.

Other good online sites with discounted rates include www.hotels.com and www.placestostay.com.

Pricing Categories--The accommodations listed are classified using the following categories: Very Expensive, more than $250 per night; Expensive, $200 to $250 per night; Moderate, $150 to $200 per night; and Inexpensive, less than $150 per night. These categories reflect the rack rates for an average double room during the high season, which runs approximately from April to September.

Dial Direct--When booking a room in a chain hotel, call the hotel's local line and the toll-free number and see where you get the best deal. A hotel makes nothing on a room that stays empty. The clerk who runs the place is more likely to know about vacancies than someone from the toll-free number and will often grant deep discounts in order to fill up rooms.

Get The Latest on Hotels--Whenever I'm booking a room somewhere I haven't stayed before, I always check out www.TripAdvisor.com. Its unsolicited traveler reviews paint a full picture, provide a broad range of opinions, and give what I've found to be an excellent and trustworthy consensus.

Neighborhoods

Union Square--A few worthy hotel companies operate many properties throughout the city. Holiday Inn (tel. 800/465-4329; www.holiday-inn.com) has several strategic locations, including pretty properties in Fisherman's Wharf and along Van Ness Avenue. Personality Hotels (tel. 800/553-1900; www.personalityhotels.com) spiffs up older buildings in central locales, and Joie de Vivre (tel. 800/SF-TRIPS; www.jdvhospitality.com) has lots of festive options scattered around town.

The Castro--Though most accommodations (mostly converted homes) in the Castro cater to a gay and lesbian clientele, everyone is welcome. Unfortunately, there are few choices, and their amenities don't really compare to those at most of the better (and much larger) hotels throughout San Francisco.

New Kid on the Block--Construction is underway on the city's next great luxury hotel, the 40-story St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco (125 Third St., at Mission St.; tel. 877/787-3447; www.starwoodhotels.com; rack rates starting at $529). Though a hard-hat review (it's not supposed to open until late 2005) won't tell you what you need to know about the 269 guest rooms here, you can check its status and perhaps be one of the first to sleep in this sure-to-be SoMa institution with panoramic views, a signature restaurant by my hero, Hiro Sone of Terra restaurant in Napa Valley, a state-of-the-art spa, casual cafe, two lounges, and residential condominiums and penthouses.

Hip New Hostel--Good news for hip hostellers: There's finally a budget option in the heart of the Mission District's trendy shopping and hopping nightlife. Opened in 2004, the Elements Hotel is a brightly painted crash pad that announces itself from the outside with orange and yellow squares. Inside, options include private rooms, shared dorms, and double-bed and twin-bunk rooms, all with private bathrooms. Add to that Wi-Fi Internet access throughout the hotel, a free high-speed Internet lounge, rooftop parties, lockers, luggage storage and laundry facilities, free linens, TVs (in private rooms), and all the neighboring restaurants and bars, and you've got it made, provided you don't mind the Mission's grit and are up for hunkering down with traveling party people. The hostel is at 2524 Mission St. (between 21st and 22nd sts.; tel. 866/327-8407 or 415/647-4100; www.elementssf.com). Rates per person are between $25 and $30; expect higher rates and minimum stays during holidays.