The Best Luxury Hotels in San Francisco

The cloud-brushing St. Regis hotel rubs shoulders with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the picturesque Yerba Buena Gardens. Inside you’ll find the Remède Spa – a serene setting where you can unwind with hot oil massages or a classic manicure. You can also take a dip in the indoor saltwater pool and admire the killer city views or de-stress in the cedar wood saunas. Sophisticated rooms include lighted make-up mirrors to doll yourself up for a Golden Gate Mary cocktail (a tequila-infused twist on the classic Bloody Mary) under a mesmerizing old-world-style painting in the lobby lounge.

The fairytale-like facade of the Mansion on Sutter is a result of its Victorian heritage, initially built in 1881 to house a wealthy family with roots in the California Gold Rush. Now, the decadent past is preserved with gold-veined marble from Italy and a collection of Art Nouveau, 19th-century and Art Deco paintings. Pass by the lobby’s baby grand piano and head up the rich cedar staircase to discover rooms decked out with vintage features like pastoral French wallpaper, clawfoot tubs and antique furniture. A complimentary bottle of organic wine (from the owner’s vineyard) and house-baked treats also await your arrival.

Fairmont Heritage Place resides in an old 19th-century chocolate factory in Fisherman’s Wharf, overlooking the glistening San Francisco Bay. The apartment-style rooms feature the building’s original exposed red brick and create a homey ambience with a fireplace and modern kitchen (including, blissfully, a dishwasher). Some also include a private terrace, ideal for reclining with a beer in front of the sunset. There are many delectable dining choices – dig into glazed Texas-style beef brisket, washed down with a fruity Alcatraz Is Burning cocktail in the Pub, or try the Pacific Snapper at McCormick and Kuleto’s Seafood and Steaks.

A seaside sanctuary located across the Golden Gate Bridge in picturesque Sausalito, Casa Madrona has stood the test of time and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel has undergone a series of expansions since its Victorian-era roots and now offers a variety of guest rooms, hillside cottages and capacious suites. In each, you are treated to breath-stealing views of the Bay, a nautical palette and ocean-themed decor like pearl vases and ornamental coral. You can also find inner healing with spiritual counseling or an intuitive reading in the holistic spa.

Cavallo Point Lodge is a true luxury getaway with a variety of wellness-focused features to get immersed in. The sprawling tree-fringed grounds (an ex-army base) sit at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, a bucolic setting to wake up to. Here, dive into complimentary morning yoga sessions and guided weekend hikes. For Colonial Revival-style rooms with honey-colored walls, book the Historic Lodging. Rooms in the Contemporary Lodging section, on the other hand, have heated floors and unparalleled views of the Bay. The spa is a pocket of serenity that draws on ancient rituals for inspired treatments, and there is also a cooking school and acclaimed restaurant.

Stanford Court features sleek rooms, modern accents and tech-focused amenities. Refillable water bottles and unlimited Chromecast streaming are on offer in each room, while the Nod Hill sleep program allows guests to choose their pillow and lullaby tunes via Jambox. Features such as day use of bikes and e-bikes, an app-based walking tour of Nob Hill and a state-of-the-art fitness center are also available.

Opulence and luxury are the name of the game at Omni San Francisco Hotel. Inside, marble floors, velvet furnishings and crystal chandeliers inject some old-school charm, while intricate iron filigree railings lead to the elegant rooms. Each one features a lighted make-up mirror and plush robes – perfect for getting ready for afternoon tea or martinis in the ruby-red Bob’s Bar. While there is no pool or spa, you can arrange an in-room massage, get an endorphin fix at the fitness center, or start your day with a yoga session using the Get Fit Kits in each room.

Originally rising up in 1875, Palace Hotel’s mesmerizing Beaux Arts architecture and storied past has made it a San Francisco landmark – and a luxurious play to stay. Drenched in creamy marble, a promenade with gilded lantern-style fixtures and tobacco leather chairs leads you to the deliciously decadent Garden Court, the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant. The gold-leafed atrium bathes the space in natural light, glimmering off the numerous chandeliers while you tuck into their signature crab salad. Visiting royalty and A-Listers have been known to stay in the sprawling suites; some come kitted out with a baby grand piano and jetted spa bathtub.

Located on the Embarcadero, Hotel Vitale is all about relaxation. On the roof, the paradisiacal spa has soaking tubs partially surrounded by intertwined bamboo – an idyllic spot to take in views of the Bay over a fresh fruit plate. Rooms dressed in neutral tones treat you to luxury amenities like a pillow menu, a minibar stocked with organic snacks, and an in-room Bose music system. Head down to Americano Restaurant and Bar for seasonal, locally sourced cuisine and traditional cocktails on a plant-spotted patio.