Downtown San Francisco Hotels
Union Square, Financial District & SOMA Hotels for Every Budget
Downtown San Francisco hotels are perfect for those looking for a hotel close to the action. The downtown San Francisco area covers a few neighborhoods in the city including the Financial District, Union Square and part of the South of Market neighborhood.
All of these hotels are centrally located and close to many of the top San Francisco attractions. You will find recommendations for hotels from two stars to five stars below. Each hotel also includes a little information on why it is a great place to stay, so you can choose the one that best meets your needs.
Two Star Hotels
Two star hotels have few amenities and are in small, two to four story buildings. They typically do not have room service or a restaurant on site. Although they are short on amenities, this list provides some clean and centrally located two star downtown San Francisco hotels.
Hotel Bijou
The Hotel Bijou is one of the best two star downtown San Francisco hotels. It is light on amenities, but the location is a key to this hotel. Union Square is within walking distance -- just four blocks away.
You will find a cinema based decor throughout the hotel. All 65 rooms are named after a San Francisco based movie. Each night, you get a chance to watch two of those movies for free. In the lobby, the hotel has a free double feature of San Francisco based movies -- another great way to learn about this amazing city!
The rooms are small, but the central location is great for those on a budget!
Rooms starting around $71 a night
Good Hotel
Another one of the great downtown San Francisco hotels is the Good Hotel located on 7th Street. This eco-friendly hotel is a good find for those looking for a two star hotel.
This recently updated hotel is made from recycled materials. All rooms and decor are also from recycled materials making everyone that stays here feel 'good'.
Located just under a mile from Union Square, this hotel is convenient and clean. It also offers high speed internet, reasonably priced parking and access to a fitness center.
Rooms starting around $89 a night
Other Highly Rated, Centrally Located Two Star Hotels:
The Baldwin Hotel: This recently renovated hotel is another guest favorite. Located just a few blocks from Union Square, it is in the perfect location to all the San Francisco attractions. The rooms are small, but the clean, relaxed environment makes it a great find. The Baldwin starts at around $79 a night.
The Mosser: This is one of my absolute favorites in this category. It is centrally located and another great find at a lower price point. Learn more about The Mosser on the Cheap Hotels in San Francisco page.
Three Star Hotels
Three star hotels have a few more amenities. They are also usually slightly larger properties than two star hotels. Quite a few of the hotels in San Francisco fall into this category, but the range on the quality and price is huge. Here are some of my recommendations for three star downtown San Francisco hotels.
Hotel Rex San Francisco
There is a nightly wine event where you can relax or mingle with other guests. They also have fun and funky live jazz and literary events in the hotel's lounge.
Rooms starting around $159 a night
Beresford Arms
The Beresford Arms is an independently owned and operated hotel. The hotel is fairly simple, but the rooms are larger than the average hotel at this price point.
This hotel is about three blocks from Union Square. Located on the corner of Jones and Post, you will find yourself in the middle of many popular bars and restaurants in the Union Square neighborhood.
Standard rooms and junior suites with a jacuzzi tub are both available. Pets can also stay for a small fee.
Rooms starting around $99 a night
Serrano San Francisco
This hotel is set in a 15 story building. Spanish and Moroccan greet you from the moment you step into the hotel. There are 236 rooms including nineteen suites.
Every night guests can enjoy a wine happy hour. Other amenities include oversized rooms and iPod docking stations. A large selection of board games are available for the guests to use during their stay.
An on-site fitness facility is open for guests to use. Ponzu is a pan-Asian restaurant located on the first floor, which I recommend trying out during your visit.
Rooms starting around $126 a night
Petit Auberge
Another popular three star hotel is the Petit Auberge. This French inspired hotel is another one of the downtown San Francisco hotels close to Union Square.
It is one of my favorites because of its location and value. In each standard room, you will find a queen sized bed, bathrobes, cable or satellite TV, internet access and en suite bathrooms.
For those looking for a slightly larger room with a few more amenities, the Petit Auberge also offers deluxe rooms. These rooms are 204 square feet and include a small sitting area.
This hotel is on Bush Street near Taylor Street. It is just a few blocks from Union Square and has easy access to buses, cable cars and other public transportation.
Rooms starting around $119 a night
Four Star Hotels
These four star hotels are another step up. All of them have quite a few amenities and larger guest rooms. Most of them also have a good bar and restaurant located in the hotel.
Intercontinental Hotel San Francisco
This 32 story hotel is in the SOMA district of San Francisco. I really like this hotel because it offers a well maintained fitness center with an indoor pool. The rooms in the hotel feature floor to ceiling windows, several with great views of the city. They also have wireless internet access.
The on-site spa offers a number of different services for those looking to relax during their stay. The spa also has a sauna and a spa-tub available to guests.
The Luce restaurant is a California-Italian Michelin-rated restaurant. It's located in the hotel lobby and features an amazing wine list.
Rooms starting at around $207
Marriott Marquis Hotel San Francisco
The location of this hotel is great. It's just across the street from the Metreon that has a movie theater, a number of restaurants and the Yerba Buena Center for Performing Arts. It's also just a few blocks from Union Square.
Another great feature of the Marriott is that it has a great fitness center on-site. The fitness center includes an indoor pool, steam rooms, cardio equipment and more.
I like this hotel because the rooms are very cozy. They all have luxurious bedding and high speed internet. Many of the rooms have great views of the city below.
One of my favorite things about this hotel is their top floor bar/lounge. Located on the 39th floor of the hotel, the lounge has floor to ceiling windows that show off the amazing city of San Francisco.
There are also a few other dining options in the hotel. All are more casual and offer a combination of breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Rooms starting at around $199
Omni Hotel in San Francisco
This is one of my favorites because the rooms in the hotel are fun and feature a vintage decor. However, they also include modern amenities including high speed internet access.
You also don't have to go too far for dinner. Bob's Steak and Chop House is a higher end restaurant located in the hotel. It's also has a bar/lounge area called Bob's Bar.
This luxury hotel has a great fitness room. It offers treadmills with individual TVs, yoga mats and more.
The hotel provides complimentary car service in the morning and afternoon commute hours. The car service will drive you anywhere within a six block radius during those times.
Small pets are allowed in the hotel with a pet deposit.
Rooms starting at around $141
Monaco San Francisco, a Kimpton Hotel
The Hotel Monaco San Francisco is another one of my favorite downtown San Francisco hotels. It's located in a cute 1910 Beaux Arts building. It's also just two blocks from Union Square.
The lobby in this hotel is amazing. It has a 1920s decor and a beautiful two story fireplace.
This mid-sized hotel has seven floors and just over 200 rooms. Each room in the hotel features comfy pillow top mattresses and luxurious marble bathrooms. All rooms also have wireless internet access.
The Hotel Monaco is another one of the downtown San Francisco hotels that also caters to pets. They offer gourmet cookies, dog bowls and chew toys for your four legged companions.
The on-site spa offers relaxing options for the two legged guests. Their services include massages, body wraps, nail care and more.
For lunch and dinner, check out the Grand Cafe. This French cuisine restaurant is on the first floor of the hotel and also features a 1920s decor.
The hotel offers eco-friendly products. It also has a small fitness area with some cardio and weight equipment.
Rooms starting at around $178
Hotel Palomar San Francisco
Guests enjoy complimentary wireless internet and a relaxing nightly wine reception in the hotel lobby. The on-site restaurant is called the Fifth Floor restaurant and features French cuisine each night.
This is just one of the downtown San Francisco hotels that offers luxury, high end linens, CD players, and beautiful granite bathrooms in each room. For those that need a little extra space, they also offer tall rooms. These rooms include mattresses that are extra long. You'll want to ask for a tall room when you make your reservation.
Guests have access to a fitness center near the hotel. They can also use the car service each weekday morning. It takes guests back and forth between the hotel and the financial district.
Rooms starting at around $170
Five Star Hotels
If you are looking for one of the downtown San Francisco hotels that is the ultimate in luxury, then this is the list for you! These hotels are the highest quality hotels, with many amenities and at least three restaurant options. There are only a handful of five star hotels in San Francisco and these are the two best options for those staying in the downtown area.
Four Seasons San Francisco
This seventeen story hotel sits in the heart of San Francisco -- right on Market Street. A recent multi-million dollar renovation puts this hotel at the top of the list of recommendations.
Located just two blocks from Union Square, this luxury hotel is filled with amenities. Seasons Bar & Lounge is a premier place to grab a cocktail and relax after a long day seeing the sights. Head over to the Seasons Restaurant for one of the best meals in the city. Both are conveniently located right in the hotel.
Rooms include flat screen TVs, CD players, and high speed internet access (for a fee). Each room also features an ergonomic workstation.
Plush bathrooms round out your stay with marble decor, separate showers, soaker tubs and designer toiletries. Staying at the Four Seasons San Francisco during your visit will make it a trip to remember!
Rooms starting around $435 a night
The St. Regis San Francisco
Almost every room in this 40 story building has a great view of the city. A state of the art fitness center is available to guests during their stay. You can also make use of the pool or the meeting facilitates in this hotel.
Rooms are spacious and modern with neutral colors. Luxurious beds and bedding are found in all the rooms. The bathroom is also a dream with rainfall shower heads and soaker tubs to help you unwind after a long day.
Rooms starting around $419 a night
Other Great San Francisco Lodging Options
These are just a few of my favorite downtown San Francisco hotels. Visit the San Francisco Hotels Union Square or the Fishermans Wharf Hotels pages for additional neighborhood specific recommendations.
Visit the San Francisco Luxury Hotels or the Cheap Hotels in San Francisco sections for budget specific hotel recommendations.
If you want to stay near the airport, visit the San Francisco Airport hotels for recommendations close to SFO.
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