7 Cool, Romantic, and Cocktail-Forward Hotels in San Francisco
Where to stay in San Francisco is a question everyone asks, and I understand why.
The neighborhoods are diverse, prices are high, and the choices are as jaw-dropping as the scenery.
With so many options, why not pick a hotel that isn’t afraid to be authentically irreverent and cool (just like you), or one that has cocktail bars as cozy and comfortable as the luxury linens in each bedroom?
📍Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a tiny commission if you click and purchase through them, at no extra cost to you! Thank you for helping me do what I love.
There is a lot to love, but I chose these lucky seven San Francisco hotels for their locations, originality, coziness, and love of a good cocktail.
1. Hotel Emblem
Union Square is busy, but just a couple of blocks away, this cool spot has bold colors, floor-to-ceiling books, and writerly-themed nooks.
The creative panache extends into the rooms, too, including typewriters on some of the desks, as well as record players and accompanying vinyl.
The location is close to shopping, Chinatown, and so many other amazing things to do in San Francisco.
For something unusual and utterly fabulous, check out the Magic and Mind Tricks Show with the amazing Jay Alexander at his jewel box theater just off Union Square. You won’t regret it.
2. The Laurel Inn
Don’t let the 1960 motor lodge exterior deter you.
The Laurel Inn’s retro address near Sacramento Street in Presidio Heights has been glammed up and is now Instagram-worthy. It’s also comfortable, with spacious rooms and suites, some with kitchenettes and views of downtown San Francisco.
The Laurel Inn doesn’t have a full-service restaurant, but there’s coffee and a continental-style breakfast in the lobby each morning, and cafes close by, including b. patisserie, where you can get amazing morning croissants.
The Laurel Inn’s Laureate Bar is also open for evening wine by the fire.
3. Hotel Kabuki
I am a big fan of San Francisco’s Japantown, which is why I wrote an extensive guide to the neighborhood.
Hotel Kabuki sits in the center of it all.
I love the hotel bar, which makes excellent bespoke cocktails and mocktails, but also the Michelin-starred Nari, one of San Francisco’s best contemporary Thai restaurants.
If working out is a priority, Hotel Kabuki’s 4,000-square-foot gym has boxing equipment, Peloton bikes, a rowing machine, and group fitness classes.
Then you’re ready to check out the ramen shops, origami paper store, peace pagoda, and mochi donuts in one of America’s last remaining Japantowns.
4. The Lodge at the Presido
Located in a serene setting inside the historic Presidio, this boutique hotel with 42 rooms is the closest you’re going to get to the Golden Gate Bridge and scenic up close views.
The Lodge at The Presidio is near the park’s Main Post, which puts you in the heart of the former military encampment and in one of the most scenic areas of San Francisco. If you’re in search of a romantic getaway, look no further.
While there’s no on-site restaurant, there is a complimentary continental breakfast each morning and a wine & cheese reception in the evenings.
Luckily, there are several nearby dining options within the Presidio, including fresh pasta and pizza at Piccino Presidio and upscale Mediterranean at Dalida, just a few buildings away.
5. The Jay, Autograph Collection
Don’t let the stark “brutalist” exterior fool you.
Step inside The Jay and you’ll find warm and modern luxury in Downtown San Francisco, just a short walk from Chinatown, North Beach, and the Ferry Building.
The Jay Hotel’s 3rd-floor terrace with outdoor heaters is a great spot for drinks downtown or for morning coffee. The hotel’s cozy street-level bar at Prelude is not to be missed if you’re in the neighborhood.
The Jays’ rooms are contemporary yet not cold, with neutral tones and elegant touches including plush bathrobes and a minibar stocked with locally inspired snacks and drinks.
The hotel gym is massive, high-tech, and well-equipped. No excuses not to get your workout in here!
Read my review of the Jay Hotel
6. Hotel Drisco
Hotel Drisco holds a special place in my heart because my best friend got married here. Well, she got ready to get married here.
I’m glad to see this chic Pacific Heights boutique hotel is still thriving as one of San Francisco’s most romantic hotels.
Nothing is far from the 44 guest rooms and suites including Sacramento Street and the Presidio.
There’s no full-service restaurant on site, but guests are treated to a gourmet continental breakfast daily and an evening drinks reception with small bites and a well-stocked cocktail cart.
If you’re feeling adventurous, the hotel has a fleet of six electric bikes (with helmets, locks, backpacks, and water bottles), available for you to borrow, an option for nearby dining, shopping, and exploration of the Presidio.
7. LUMA Hotel
Sleek, tech-forward, and in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood, LUMA Hotel is my recommendation if you need easy access to Chase Center to cheer on the Golden State Warriors or see a concert.
The behind-the-scenes tour of Oracle Park is also a showstopper, if you’re a baseball fan, and within walking distance of the hotel.
The 299 guest rooms and suites at LUMA lean more minimalist, but they are flooded with natural light.
There are also numerous configurations that make it easy to share with friends or family, including double king rooms and ginormous suites.
Be sure to head up to the roof bar, Cavaña, on the 17th floor for South-of-the-Border-inspired cocktails (the Paloma is my favorite) and small sharing plates with 180-degree views of the San Francisco Bay and downtown skyline.
