The Best Hotels to Book Near Golden Gate Park

When the new owners of the Stanyan Park Hotel purchased this 1905 property on Stanyan Street, between Haight and Waller, a neighbor stopped by with a picture of the original property. That picture now hangs in the lobby, since it was decided then and there to turn the planned hotel into a restoration project. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, this elegant Beaux-Arts building was completely restored in 1983 and offers affordable and comfortable accommodation in its Victorian-styled bedrooms and suites, right across the street from Golden Gate Park. A sumptuous free breakfast is available every day, as well as a wine and cheese reception every weekday night.

Staying at the Laurel Inn is all about doing San Francisco like a local. You will be based right around the corner from the historic Presidio, in the stunning residential community of Pacific Heights. This central location is the perfect place for access to bus lines to take you to the city’s many landmarks; nearby is fantastic dining, and wonderful open spaces such as the Presidio and Golden Gate Park. Kitchenettes can be found in 18 of the rooms, which are stocked with delicious local goodies, and there is all-day freshly brewed coffee, delivered newspapers, a housekeeper and sweeping views of the city to boot.

The boutique Metro Hotel, situated in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco, is an arty and stylish destination. There is a variety of accommodation ranging from double twins to a private studio; rooms are flooded with natural light, and the views over the gardens are exceptional. Without a doubt, it is the central location that will draw guests back again and again, as well as the peaceful ambience and cool vibe of this trendy hotel.

This is a unique, modern hotel that has been delightfully re-imagined with superb guest rooms. Food and drink here are exceptional, with the Bar at Hotel Kabuki celebrating Japan’s art of fermentation and distillation; the spirits menu shines a light on Japanese whisky, sake and beer. A bottle of sake from the curated collection is a must try, as is the Kakutasu Cactus Flower, which features passion fruit tea, tamarind syrup, mezcal and mole bitters.

Timeless romance and grand style are what the Queen Anne Hotel in Pacific Heights is known for. This property harks back to the excess of San Francisco’s Gold Rush Era. You will feel you have stepped back in time at this magnificent Victorian mansion – think four-poster beds, chinoiserie, chandeliers, damask curtains and many more authentic touches from the period. An excellent breakfast in their sumptuous dining room is also included .

This magnificent brownstone mansion was built in 1900, and boasts an arched entrance and flower-lined courtyard that guides you into an understated yet elegant environment. Splurge on the vast garden suite at this unique Victorian accommodation, which is decorated with antique furnishings and features touches of 19th-century charm throughout. Jackson Court has 10 magnificent guest suites that are individually owned, though an extended continental breakfast is included. There is even a game room for all guests to enjoy.

The Marker in downtown San Francisco, sitting only blocks from world-famous Union Square, is a Beaux-Arts property that captures the mood of the vibrant city. It first opened in 1910 as the Bellevue Hotel with 208 rooms, but underwent extensive renovation and re-opened in 2018 with 42 spacious jewel-toned suites, as well as 40 double-bed rooms. It’s all about ease here: amenities include valet parking, a 24-hour fitness center and yoga mat on request.

You can’t find a better base for your San Francisco vacation than one just moments from Union Square. Despite its central location, Hotel Nikko manages to create a sense of serenity with its Asian-inspired hospitality. Daily breakfast, Sunday brunch and Wednesday through Saturday evenings, the Hotel Nikko’s Restaurant Anzu offers contemporary Japanese and California-inspired cuisine. The use of the hotel’s 10,000sqft (930sqm) full-service fitness center and glass-enclosed swimming pool are included in the daily amenity fee.

Want to imagine what it was like to be ultra-rich during San Francisco’s Gold Rush Era? Book a stay at the luxury boutique Mansion on Sutter. Offering 17,000sqft (1,580sqm) of living space, art and antiques of the Victorian period, it is the only five-star hotel of its type, as well as having incomparable service and fully renovated guest rooms. Formerly the property of an important San Francisco family, the Payne House is the last of the large homes on Sutter between Franklin and Gough. The building had the most advanced plumbing of its day, including central heating and bathrooms that were fully integrated into the house, not just out on a porch or verandah.