The 18 Best Luxury Hotels in San Francisco

Under glass and light: At the Palace Hotel San Francisco, you swim in a heated indoor pool beneath a sky-lit dome. At The St. Regis San Francisco, the heated lap pool with built-in window seating and city views is part of the new spa level.Palace Hotel San Francisco · South of MarketFor laps and for unwinding: The InterContinental San Francisco has a heated indoor lap pool on the sixth floor with a hot tub next to it. At The Huntington Hotel San Francisco, the Nob Hill Spa holds an edgeless soaking pool heated to 94 °F, with city views; it is open to guests who book a spa treatment, from age 16.

Our advice: all four pools are indoors, so a swim at the luxury hotels in San Francisco works on any day of the year, even while Karl drifts over the hills. When choosing a 5-star hotel in San Francisco with a pool, weigh history under the dome against views from the spa.

Rituals on two floors: The spa at The St. Regis San Francisco has separate relaxation lounges for men and women and pairs the Himalayan salt room with cedar saunas and eucalyptus steam rooms. The ritual includes a Celebration Bar and a Scent Bar, plus the signature treatments of Caroline’s Collection, such as a rose facial and a rose massage.Fairmont San Francisco · Nob HillAcross three levels: Ken Fulk redesigned the Nob Hill Spa at The Huntington Hotel San Francisco. It has a south-facing terrace, a relaxation sanctuary, an atrium with a fireplace and a nail salon; each locker room has a sauna and a Tadelakt steam room.

Beauty, fitness and stillness: At the Fairmont San Francisco, the lobby-level Chateau de la Beauté offers Biologique Recherche facials, and massages take place at Live Fit Gym & Wellness Spa. The Hotel Kabuki San Francisco has a gym open around the clock and an open-air meditation garden, and Taj Campton Place San Francisco has a rooftop fitness terrace, also open day and night.

At no extra cost: you pay the same rate as booking direct with the hotel – the suitespot benefits come on top, free of charge.

Our advice: reserve a spa appointment at the luxury hotels in San Francisco together with your room, and the massage fits neatly between museum and dinner.

From 213 €, you stay at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco on the Embarcadero or at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco near Union Square, each including breakfast for two.Grand Hyatt San Francisco · Union SquareIn the middle range are the JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square from 249 €, The Jay San Francisco from 287 € and the Fairmont San Francisco from 300 €.

At the upper end of the scale are the Palace Hotel San Francisco from 337 €, The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco from 415 €, and The Huntington Hotel San Francisco and The St. Regis San Francisco, both from 536 €. You will find prices for your dates and available rooms at all 18 hotels in the hotel list below.

Always included: At all 18 hotels, breakfast is part of the deal, served or as a credit, and an upgrade awaits when available. Eight hotels add a 100 US-dollar hotel credit, such as The St. Regis San Francisco, The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco and the Palace Hotel San Francisco.

Little extras: The Hotel Kabuki San Francisco gives you a 75 US-dollar credit, the Grand Hyatt San Francisco and the San Francisco Proper Hotel 50 US dollars each, rising to 100 US dollars in Proper suites. For selected suites at The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco, the hotel adds another 100 US dollars from two nights, and eight hotels greet you with a small welcome gift.

Minimum stay: At the Hyatt Regency San Francisco, the InterContinental San Francisco and the Hotel Kabuki San Francisco, book at least two nights so the benefits kick in. At the other 15 hotels, one night is enough.

Points: Eleven hotels belong to Marriott Bonvoy, among them The St. Regis San Francisco, The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco and the Palace Hotel San Francisco; three count for World of Hyatt, including the Hyatt Regency San Francisco.

At the Fairmont San Francisco, ALL (Accor) applies, at the InterContinental San Francisco IHG One Rewards, at The Huntington Hotel San Francisco I Prefer and at the Taj Campton Place San Francisco Taj InnerCircle. As the booking goes through at the hotel’s direct rate, most hotels credit your points and status nights in the usual way.

San Francisco through the year: Fall brings clear, warm days when the Golden Gate Bridge glows. In summer, Karl rolls through the bay in the morning, a spectacle to watch from Twin Peaks or the water, and the sun often comes out by midday. Winter and spring are mild and green, perfect for museums, spa time and long dinners at the luxury hotels in San Francisco. For convention days at the Moscone Center, it pays to secure your 5-star hotel in San Francisco early.

Length of stay: Four nights give you the Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio, a cable car ride, Chinatown, the Ferry Building and an evening in SoMa. If you add Napa Valley or the coast, plan two more nights at your luxury hotel in San Francisco.