Stylish Stays in San Francisco

[trip style = urban]

San Francisco crafts a unique cocktail of old-world luxury and contemporary California style. Known for its bohemian spirit and start-up cachet, the City by the Bay is the perfect spot for a getaway filled with charming neighborhoods, wine, shopping, world-class restaurants and, did I mention, wine?

Here are our picks for hotels that rise above the city's famous fog---which has its own Instagram account, of course. Stay tuned for more SF tips and picks next month!

Hotel Zetta
Neighborhood: SOMA
Price point: from $250
This tech-savvy hotel, a member of the Viceroy Hotel Group, has a shared games room and a lively lobby scene where you can mingle with budding tech tycoons.

Hotel Vitale
Neighborhood: Embarcadero
Price point: from $300
The selling points of this serene boutique property from Joie de Vivre Hospitality are a stellar location on the Embarcadero and views of the Bay Bridge from the rooftop patio.

Fairmont San Francisco
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
Price point: from $250
Perched atop Nob Hill, this luxury landmark hotel is swathed in history and grandeur, and is home to the famous Tonga Room tiki bar.

Hotel Monaco
Neighborhood: Union Square
Price point: from $210
This playful and pet-friendly property from Kimpton Hotels has a 1920s theme plus a complimentary nightly wine reception and an enviable location close to Union Square.

St. Regis San Francisco
Neighborhood: SOMA
Price point: from $450 An elegant hotel that sets itself apart with its butler service, spa and Bentley for hire, this property is high on sophistication and style.

Hotel Tomo
Neighborhood: Japantown
Price point: from $115 This minimalist boutique hotel, outfitted in Japanese pop art, is a re-purposed budget hotel from Joie de Vivre Hospitality, and close to iconic music venue The Fillmore.

Phoenix Hotel
Neighborhood: Tenderloin
Price point: from $150
A converted midcentury motel in a neighborhood in transition, this property has hipster appeal and a vibrant pool scene.

Hotel Kabuki
Neighborhood: Japantown
Price point: from $140
This affordable and modern property features a koi pond, Japanese garden and unique sauna suites, away from the hustle and bustle of Union Square.

Clift Hotel
Neighborhood: Union Square
Price point: from $260
Art Deco opulence meets surrealist whimsy in this Phillippe Starck-designed hotel near the city's central shopping district.

Cavallo Point
Neighborhood: Sausalito
Price point: from $330 This relaxing hotel across the Bay, the sister property to Big Sur's Post Ranch Inn, sits on a former army base in Golden Gate National Park.

This post is written by Trip Styler fashion and lifestyle blogger Heather, who's heading to San Francisco this week!

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[photos via jetsetter.com, smithhotels.com, tablethotels.com, jdvhotels.com]

The Wild Web of Hotel Affiliations

Ok, so I realize the below post is a little long and information-heavy, but it's also easily scan-able.

knowledge is power.  What I mean by this is the more you know about hotels and their affiliations, the more... a) strategy you can use to accumulate points with one provider b) save with benefits like free stays, room upgrades, restaurant/spa vouchers c) you'll get recognized and taken care of as a loyal customer.

Similar to accumulating points with airline alliances like Star Alliance or One World, when choosing a preferred hotel group to cozy-up to, consider: a) size - the bigger the group, the more hotel types and destinations offered b) lux level - do you prefer only 4 + 5 star properties, or do you like a mix c) where you travel - some hotel groups favor different continents than others

Marriott Marriott International is a lodging company with more than 3,000 properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories. Their brands include: [Marriott's loyalty program: Marriott Rewards] - Marriott Hotels & Resorts - JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts - Renaissance Hotels & Resorts - EDITION Hotels - Autograph Collection - Courtyard by Marriott - Residence Inn by Marriott - Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott - Marriott Conference Centers - TownePlace Suites by Marriott - SpringHill Suites by Marriott - Marriott Vacation Club - The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. - The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club - Marriott ExecuStay - Marriott Executive Apartments

Starwood One of the world's largest hotel and leisure companies, Starwood's hotel portfolio includes approximately 942 hotels with 285,000 rooms in 100 countries.  Their brands include: [Starwood's loyalty program: Starwood Preferred Guest] - Le Meridien - The Luxury Collection - Westin - W - Sheraton - St. Regis - Element - Four Points - ALoft

Hilton In 1919 Conrad Hilton purchased his first hotel in Cisco, Texas. Since then, Hilton has grown to over 514 properties in cities all over the world. Yes, Paris Hilton is part of 'the' Hiltons. Their brands include: [Hilton's loyalty program: HHonors] - Waldorf Astoria Collection (see full list below) - Conrad Hotels and Resorts - Hilton - DoubleTree - Embassy Suites - Hilton Garden Inn - Hampton - Homewood Suites - Home2

Hyatt Hyatt Hotels Corporation is a global hospitality company with over 424 properties in 45 countries worldwide. [Hyatt's loyalty program: Hyatt Gold Passport] - Hyatt Regency - Park Hyatt - Hyatt Place - Hyatt Summerfield Suites

InterContinental The world's first international hotel brand with a portfolio of  over 150 hotels in 65 countries. [Intercontinental's loyalty program: Intercontinental Ambassador] - InterContinental - Crown Plaza Hotels and Resorts - Hotel Indigo - Holiday Inn - Holiday Inn Express - Staybridge Suites - Candlewood Suites

Fairmont Raffles Hotels International With the opening of the Fairmont San Francisco in 1907, this luxury global hotel company was born and continues to grow with a strong presence in Canada, the US and 50+ other destinations worldwide. [Fairmont's loyalty program: Fairmont President's Club] - Fairmont - Raffles - Swissotel

Four Seasons Synonymous with luxury (and frequent US Weekly celebrity sightings), Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has over 83 properties in 35 countries. [Four Seasons's loyalty program: unpublished and by invitation only] - Four Seasons

Waldorf Astoria (owned by Hilton) - ARIZONA BILTMORE - THE BENTLEY HOTEL - BOCA BEACH CLUB - BOCA RATON RESORT - THE BOULDERS RESORT - CASA MARINA RESORT - DAKOTA MOUNTAIN LODGE & GOLDEN DOOR SPA - EDGEWATER BEACH HOTEL - EL CONQUISTADOR RESORT - EL SAN JUAN HOTEL & CASINO - GRAND WAILEA - LA QUINTA RESORT & CLUB - LAS CASITAS RESORT - THE BEACH HOUSE MALDIVES - NAPLES GRANDE BEACH RESORT - QASR AL SHARQ - THE REACH RESORT - ROME CAVALIERI - THE ROOSEVELT NEW ORLEANS - TRIANON PALACE VERSAILLES - WALDORF=ASTORIA