Must-see hotels in San Francisco

A good-value hotel at Union Sq, the eight-story Stratford has simple white-walled rooms with blonde-wood furnishings and occasional scuff marks – but they…

Established in 1939 to accommodate visitors arriving via the new Golden Gate Bridge, the Marina has an inviting Spanish-Mediterranean look, with a quiet…

Impeccable service sets the Campton Place apart – this is the place to put your fur-clad rich aunt when she wants discretion above all. Details are lavish…

Upgrade from hostel to hotel at the cheerful Fitzgerald, whimsically decorated with mismatched furniture liquidated from fancier hotels. The old-fashioned…

Get comfortable without giving up personalized service at this understated boutique charmer, best for travelers who want a central location without…

Industrial-chic Diva has a stainless-steel and black-granite dominatrix aesthetic that appeals to techies and club kids alike. Beds are comfy, with good…

Of the many motels lining Lombard St (Hwy 101), the generic Coventry has the highest quality-to-value ratio, with spacious, well-maintained (if plain)…

Good value in the Marina, this vintage 1920s hotel has small, clean rooms with outdated decor, but it's a cozier alternative to a cheap motel. Single-pane…

After a major overhaul, Chinatown's former Sam Wong motel now offers good-value rooms heavy on the beige and air freshener. Its main selling point is…

Because its 1910 building originally housed apartments, the Beresford has bigger-than-average rooms. Beyond the fancy lobby, well-kept rooms have a…

Just two blocks west of Union Sq, this 1905 hotel has friendly, personable staff, small but comfortable rooms (the quietest are in back) and a decent…

Down a hidden alley, the 22-room Adelaide has a cozy feel, with plush furnishings and marble-tiled bathrooms – and the odd ding and dust bunny. Bonuses…

Far from downtown, this vintage 1950s ocean-side motel has big rooms, where Hunter S Thompson holed up in to write in the '70s. Today it's a mellow,…

Whether you're traveling solo, paired, or with your posse, Willows welcomes you with no-fuss homey comforts. The 12 guestrooms have shared bathrooms, but…

This standard-issue, two-story motor lodge at the Wharf has clean, nothing-special rooms, ideal for kids who make messes. Some rooms are loud; bring…