San Francisco is one of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide, with its mesmerizing skyline and natural beauty that leaves visitors captivated. There’s no better way to enjoy this city than by staying in one of the best hotels in San Francisco with a view.
From stunning vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge to sweeping panoramas of the Bay, these SF hotels with views offer the perfect vantage point to enjoy the city’s most stunning sights.
Finding the right hotel with a view can be exhausting. There are numerous options that cater to different budgets, preferences, and amenities.
But worry not we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to the best hotels in San Francisco with a view, be it the city’s skyline, waterfront, or natural beauty.
Our carefully curated selection includes 5-star luxury hotels and 4-star hotels so that you can enjoy your stay in San Francisco and its views regardless of your budget and taste!
Our Pick
✅ Many rooms with stunning views of Golden Gate Bridge
✅ Amazing Value-For-Money
✅ Waterfront location at iconic Fisherman’s Wharf
5-Star hotels In San Francisco with a View
1. Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero
If you want a room with a great view of either San Francisco’s cityscape or the Bay Area, then you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better hotel than the Four Seasons Hotel at Embarcadero.
This is probably the best place to stay in San Francisco with a view if you don’t mind splurging.
Its 151 guest rooms and 7 suites are kitted out to the maximum with a huge king-size bed topped with a full Down duvet and pillows, a private mini bar stocked full of your favorite spirits, a Nespresso coffee maker, and either a 55-inch or 65-inch flat-screen TV.
If you can stretch your budget, you can even get a suite with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge that comes with everything listed above, plus two bathrooms and a deep-soaking tub.
The hotel was previously the Loews Regency which was already a plush 4-star hotel, but it was bought out in 2019, and following extensive renovations and upgrades, it was reopened under the Four Seasons brand in 2020.
2. The St Regis San Francisco
Like many of the hotels in San Francisco, The St Regis is situated in a high-rise building. Naturally, this gives superb views of the city no matter which level you’re on.
If you’re needing a luxury place to stay in San Francisco with a view, the five-star St Regis is best placed to offer just that.
Guests can decide between views of the cityscape, the Yerba Buena Gardens, or the skyscrapers of the Financial District when they are staying in the St. Regis. No matter which one you choose, you are guaranteed some of the most stunning views of SF.
One of the St Regis’ chains defining features is the fabulous service which starts the minute you walk through the doors. Nothing is ever too much trouble for the staff, and they go out of their way to make you feel welcome.
Once you’ve retreated to your room, you’ll be treated to deep-soaking bathtubs, beds that are fit for a king, and flat-screen TVs all wrapped up with 24-hour room service. Oh, and a stunning view out of your window of the bustling city below.
3.1 Hotel San Francisco
Situated in San Fran’s trendy Embarcadero district is the newly refurbished boutique 1 Hotel San Francisco. This hotel has a slightly different ethos, with a focus on sustainability which is great to see, but the two main draws of this particular luxury accommodation are its location and the views it gives its guests.
It’s just across from the famous Ferry Building, and because of its central location, you’re able to walk pretty much anywhere, even at night.
The vast majority of rooms have a great view of either the Embarcadero or the Bay Bridge which elevates your stay at the hotel up a notch.
Rooms are well thought out too with trendy colors and beautiful complimentary robes and slippers. They also all come with a Nespresso coffee machine, 55-inch television, and filtered water taps.
All in all, this is definitely one of the best San Francisco hotels with a view of the Bay Bridge.
4. The Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square
The Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square is a wonderful gem of a hotel right in the heart of the city.
All of its 53 high-end suites come beautifully decorated, each one unique in its style, and come with a cozy fireplace in the living room, washing machine and tumble-dryer, 42-inch flatscreen TVs in both the living quarters and the bedrooms.
A fully-equipped kitchen perfect for whipping up a quick breakfast or enjoying a romantic dinner in your suite.
One of the best things about the hotel is the views. 2 and 3-bedroom suites come with either pristine views of the city, with skyscrapers in full view, or views of the Bay where you’ll be able to see the famous Alcatraz prison and San Francisco Harbor.
The views of the city itself from the rooftop terrace are also beautiful and it’s the ultimate place to unwind with a glass of wine. Some rooms also have views overlooking the famous and historic Ghirardelli Square.
Ghirardelli Square is a bustling area of San Francisco, ideal for a short stay as you’ll be near all of the best things to do in San Francisco.
4-Star Hotels In San Francisco With A View
1. InterContinental San Francisco, an IHG Hotel
Soaring high in the skies, 32 stories above street level is the famous InterContinental San Francisco hotel. It’s one of the largest opened in the city (along with the Hyatt Regency below) since the incredibly huge 1,500-room Marriott.
The InterContinental is one of the best hotels in San Francisco in terms of views. This is of course thanks to the high-rise building it’s in, offering guests stunning panoramas of the West Side, including Union Square, and the San Francisco Bay in every room.
If you are one of the lucky ones with a Bay view, you can look forward to a memorable sunrise every morning, if you can manage to set your alarm that is.
The staff here at the InterContinental are super attentive and will help you with any queries you may have regarding your stay in the city, or about your roo, which is luxurious in every essence of the word.
Dark wood and marble are used in all rooms with elegant furniture, a well-stocked minibar, and spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows. They also have a 24-hour fitness center equipped with a variety of free weights, machines, and an indoor lap pool.
It is one of the few hotels in San Francisco with an indoor pool, so make sure you take advantage of that!
2. Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Hyatt Regency across the world is known for having top-of-the-range rooms, perfect locations, and the best customer service you can get. Here in San Francisco, it’s no different.
Guests can expect the ultimate in hotel luxury, with three in-house restaurants to choose from including the Eclipse Kitchen & Bar, a 24-hour gym, car rental service, and in the hotel rooms themselves, huge flat-screen TVs with Chromecast, a coffeemaker, and super high-speed WiFi.
If you book the Bayfront room you’ll be treated to stunning views of the waterfront, including the famous Ferry Building and Sue Bierman Park, meaning it’s also certainly one of the best San Francisco hotels with a view of the Bay Bridge.
If you get a room with a view of the city, expect a great view of the Salesforce Tower and several other imposing skyscrapers.
This particular Hyatt Regency’s defining feature is its mightily impressive lobby. The architectural design makes you feel like you’re standing in the middle of the Louvre, with a trip in the elevators an experience worth savoring.
3. Argonaut Hotel
Standing proudly in San Francisco’s historic Fisherman’s Wharf area is the Argonaut Hotel, a classical exposed brick building built way back in 1907 as a warehouse for the Haslett Warehouse Company, one of the largest fruit and vegetable distributors in the Bay Area at the time.
The warehouse underwent a complete renovation in the 90s to convert it into a hotel, with the hotel today paying homage to the building’s incredible history.
Because of its location right on the waterfront, it’s a favorite of maritime enthusiasts, and the rooms all have views of the Bay and the famous cable cars.
It is one of the best San Francisco hotels with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, perhaps the most iconic landmark in the city.
The rooms at the Argonaut are also super luxurious. Each room comes with an ultra-HD 4K TV which can link to your phone or laptop for streaming, luxury spa bath shampoo and shower gels, and bedding that you’ll sink right into after a long day exploring.
4. Stanford Court San Francisco
Boasting a huge 393 rooms and suites in the classical yet trendy district of Nob Hill is the well-known Stanford Court Hotel. Positioned right outside of two cable car stops, Powell and California, the hotel is in an ideal location to explore the city.
Remarkably, it was built in 1876 and unsurprisingly has undergone several significant renovations, today boasting a modern yet chic design that is a huge hit with tourists.
The modern approach doesn’t stop there, with Chromecast in-room streaming available, a technology-loaner program where you can rent GoPro’s, iPads and laptops, and even e-bikes to use.
Super spacious and luxurious rooms are fitted with stylish furniture and the majority offer great views of the street scene below including the famous trolley cable cars, making this an excellent place to stay in San Francisco with a view.
You’re also close to San Francisco’s Chinatown where you can feast on East Asian delicacies and experience culture within a culture.
5. The Westin St. Francis on Union Square
An iconic landmark of the city of San Francisco since 1904, The Westin St. Francis has a long and magical history hosting various high-profile figures throughout its long 119 years of use.
Step inside and you’ll see for yourself that the hotel itself is just magnificent and full of 1900s architecture like marble floors and old, but beautiful furniture.
Throughout the lobby, guests will also notice various display cabinets that have been used to showcase the history of the building adding an exuberant but personal approach.
As The Westin St. Francis is the only hotel located directly on Union Square itself, you’ll get superb views of the famous square down below as well as the skyscrapers within Belden Place.
The rooms all feature luxury Heavenly branded bedding, blackout curtains, huge ENSEO flat-screen TVs as well as complimentary toiletries. For those wanting to get a workout in, guests have full access to the WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio.
6. Hotel VIA
A relatively new hotel, Hotel VIA is a super chic and popular hotel located in the South Beach area of the city. This makes it a perfect place to get some rest before or after the big game at Oracle Park.
You can be at the stadium in a few minutes, and even if you’re not a baseball fan, you’re within walking distance of plenty of other attractions like the Ferry Building, Embarcadero, or the MoMA.
The rooms at Hotel VIA are super sleek and modern, with flat-screen TVs, Bluetooth speakers, and even a Nespresso machine. Perhaps best of all is the rooftop bar, appropriately named The Rooftop at VIA.
It features private cabanas, fire pits, heat lamps, and bench seating so you can relax and take in stunning views of the city including the Ferry Building, Embarcadero, and Oracle Park at any time of year.
7. San Francisco Marriott Marquis
The Marriot Marquis is one of San Francisco’s most iconic hotels. 39 stories high and a whopping 1,362 rooms make this by far the biggest hotel in San Francisco.
Backing up this statistic is the fact it has three on-site eateries, including the B55 Kitchen & Bar, Mission Street Pantry, and the View Lounge Rooftop Bar which lets you take in the panoramic views of Downtown San Francisco.
That’s before we’ve got to the 10,000-square-foot Cor Health & Fitness Center which is across two levels.
If you’re looking for some of the best views in the city from your hotel room then you can’t go wrong with the Marquis.
Depending on what room you get allocated, you could have panoramic views of the cityscape, including the Transamerica Pyramid and Salesforce Tower, the Yerba Buena Gardens, and the historical St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
All of this surely makes the Marriott Marquis a superb place to stay in San Francisco with a view.
8. Hotel Fairmont San Francisco
A stay at the Hotel Fairmont makes you feel like you’re on top of the world. Not just because it’s the pinnacle of luxury, but because it’s actually located in Nob Hill, one of the highest points in the city.
The Hotel Fairmont’s rooms are bright, spacious, and beautifully decorated, with soft bedding and ultra-fast WiFi for guests’ convenience. The suites, however, are the stars of the show and come with private balconies to admire the spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
If the suites are a little out of your price range, the standard rooms also offer incredible views of either the City itself or the Bay. Standard rooms on the higher floors may even be able to see the famous Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill or Alcatraz Island.
9. InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco
If you’re partial to a little bit of history, or a sucker for a good view, then you need to book the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco hotel.
Named after one of the Central Pacific Railroad Company’s founding fathers, the hotel is situated in a beautiful 1920s building, making this particular InterContinental the oldest one in the country.
Rooms here in the InterContinental all feature large desks, a minibar, a coffee maker, and flat-screen TVs along with bedding of the highest standard.
Upgraded rooms offer everything above, plus living room and dining areas, a jacuzzi, and even exclusive access to the Club Lounge.
Much like the Fairmont Hotel, the InterContinental Mark Hopkins offers room views of some of the iconic San Francisco landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, and Transamerica Pyramid, and if you look really closely, you may even be able to spot Grace Cathedral.
One of the highlights of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins is undoubtedly its rooftop bar, aptly named Top of the Mark. It offers gorgeous views of the Bay and the surrounding area, making it a perfect way to end the day with a cocktail or two.
10. San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront
The San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront is a great option for short stays, particularly for those on business trips. It’s located just a five-minute drive from the airport, making it super convenient for travelers.
Even if you don’t get the chance to head into town, by staying at the Marriott Waterfront you can still enjoy amazing views of the San Francisco Bay and live the life of luxury because they certainly don’t scrimp out here following a complete renovation.
Walk-in wardrobes, huge rainfall showerheads, and soundproof windows all feature to make your stay as pleasant as possible.
Breakfast and dinner options are plentiful and the lobby’s bar is plush which is ideal for relaxing after a hard day’s work. If you’re really in business mode, you might want to consider the M Club, a newly built, exclusive lounge with luxurious private space to work, rest and recharge.
You’ll get complimentary access to daily breakfast, snacks and beverages, high-speed internet, and six large flat-screen TVs for your convenience.
And of course, its location on the waterfront offers guests far-stretching views of the San Francisco Bay, plus the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge in the distance. Because of its distance from the airport, you can even see the airplanes take off and land!
11. Kimpton Alton Hotel, an IHG Hotel
If you’ve been longing for a visit to one of San Francisco’s trendy neighborhoods and would like to combine that with some stunning views, then the Kimpton Alton Hotel is a great choice.
This stylish hotel is super close to Fisherman’s Wharf and gives guests lovely views of the surrounding Bay and the Bay Bridge from its elegant rooms.
It’s super easy to get around the city from the Kimpton Alton, as the Powell/Mason cable car turnaround point is just a stone’s throw away as well as access to other cable car lines.
After a long day exploring the best of what this amazing city has to offer, relax on your custom mattress or soak in the deep bathtub with fragrant Atelier Bloem toiletries. You’ll also get a Smart TV and even a selection of vinyl for you to play on your very own record player.
It’s little touches and extras like these that keep people coming back to the Kimpton Alton Hotel.
12. San Francisco Proper Hotel
The San Francisco Proper Hotel is a recently renovated boutique hotel in the Mid-Market district of the city. It’s an excellent option if you’re wanting something funky, yet still luxurious and with great views all at the same time.
Located within a wonderful “flatiron” building, the Proper Hotel’s rooms have all been designed by the famous interior designer Kelly Wearstler. Inside, you’ll find an eclectic mix of vibrant wallpaper and furniture making each room totally unique.
In terms of amenities, each room has a huge queen bed topped with Bellino Italian linen, a Vifa Bluetooth speaker, HDTV with Chromecast, a stocked minibar, and soft, luxurious bathrobes.
The staff is amazing too and they all have real, genuine smiles on their faces and are willing to help you with any queries you may have about the area. The rooftop bar is also a fantastic hang-out spot, with panoramic views across the city and Bay.
13. Harbor Court Hotel
If you want the best San Francisco hotel with a view of the Bay Bridge, then the Harbor Court Hotel might be the place to stay. Situated right on the waterfront, its bay-facing rooms give you the best views of the Bay Bridge out of any waterfront hotel in the city.
The large rooms are intricately designed, with amenities like a Soundfreaq radio alarm system, 42-inch flat-screen TV, air purifiers, fast WiFi, and cold air-conditioning all available in addition to the huge, comfortable Queen-sized beds.
The personalized recommendations from the concierge on things to do in the city are particularly helpful and make the hotel a perfect choice for a first-time visitor to San Francisco.
Hotels With A View In San Francisco Map
Finding a hotel in San Francisco is not the easiest task. Here is an interactive map with all of the ones we have discussed. This way you can see where the hotel is in comparison to some of the attractions in San Francisco!
San Francisco Hotels With Views Comparison Table
San Francisco Hotels With A View FAQs
What Are The Best Hotels in San Francisco With a View of the Golden Gate Bridge?
What Are The Best Hotels in San Francisco With a Bay View?
Conclusion: Best Hotels In San Francisco With A View
Picking the perfect hotel with a view of San Francisco can be difficult. There are just so many choices with various different views. Hopefully, whether you want a view of the Golden Gate Bridge or just a nice view of the Bay, we have narrowed it down for you for your next SF trip!
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