The 99-room Herbert Hotel is a modernly designed historic building on the Powell Street cable car line near Union Square. Rooms are hip and contemporary, with brick walls, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges, but lack air-conditioning. Economy Rooms share bathrooms. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and there's luggage storage on-site, and while the simple hotel doesn't have any on-site dining options, there are plenty of places to go out in the surrounding area. As a value option, rates are low for downtown San Francisco.

The 116-room upscale Hotel Zetta San Francisco offers a uniquely crafted hip refuge that’s close to Union Square, with a decor of cool repurposed furnishings, a funky recreational room with games, a TV lounge, an on-site restaurant and lobby bar, a state-of-the-art fitness center, stylish conference rooms, and a Mac computer corner. Sleek, industrial rooms offer flat-screen TVs, and illy espresso makers. Rooms can get noisy from street traffic and neighboring guests; some parts of the area look seedy. Guests might also want to check out The Scarlet Huntington hotel.

The 76-room Grant Hotel is a budget-friendly option, three blocks from Union Square. Breakfast is included in room rates, as is Wi-Fi, and there's also a business corner with two Macs. The lobby has a cozy, simple vibe -- with a small seating area and free coffee -- and rooms feel similarly; decor is a bit basic and IKEA-esque, but large windows allow for plenty of light. Most come with flat-screen TVs and safes, but lack extras such as mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and air-conditioning. The nearby Handlery Union Square may be a better option for guests wanting air-conditioning.

The 20-room Geary Parkway Motel is a no-frills budget motel in San Francisco’s Richmond District, with homey decor, 24-hour front desk service, a breakfast counter in the lobby, and an outdoor parking lot. Classically decorated rooms have microwaves, mini-fridges and flat-screen TVs. However, the hotel’s location on a busy street can sometimes make for a noisy night’s sleep. If that’s a concern, perhaps try the San Francisco at The Presidio, which has reportedly quieter rooms.

The 25-room budget Sea Shore Motel is on historic Main Street in the heart of Santa Monica, and within a five-minute walk of the beach, restaurants, shops, coffee houses, a farmers' market, art galleries, and small museums. Rooms have terra-cotta tile and European shutters, and include mini-fridges, air-conditioning, and tube-style TVs. Deluxe Suites include fully equipped kitchens, flat-screen TVs, and balconies with seating. Free Wi-Fi and parking are available. There's a rooftop sundeck with seating, and Amelia’s, the on-site cafe, is a favorite local haunt. 

The iconic 91-room Hotel Normandie LA is a mid-range, boutique hotel in busy Koreatown where restaurants, the Wiltern Theatre, and the metro are within walking distance. The property's glam-1920s style extends to guest rooms with restored wood floors, brassy light fixtures, and white penny-tile bathrooms -- but guests complain about the lack of space for luggage, as well as street noise. Cassell’s Hamburgers, the on-site restaurant, offers burgers and fries, and there is free fiber-optic Wi-Fi throughout. The hotel is pet-friendly, with restrictions, and parking is valet-only for a daily fee. There is no on-site fitness center, but guests can use the WilFit Sports Club within walking distance for free.

Opened in 2014, the 182-room upscale Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles is housed in the historic United Artists building in the Broadway Theater District, a revived and trendy area with restaurants, The Staples Center, and the metro within walking distance. Music is the theme here, and many of the industrial-chic, dimly-lit rooms come with Martin Guitars and Ace x Rega turntables, plus a curated selection of vinyl records. All -- from Small to Ace Suites -- include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, Rudy's toiletries, and Pearl + soaps. Upstairs, the rooftop bar offers events every night, and there's also a rooftop pool with great views. The on-site restaurant, L.A. Chapter, serves kicky American cuisine. Moon Juice offers cold-pressed beverages, while the Coffee Counter keeps everyone caffeinated. 

The 66-room upper-middle-range Ocean View Hotel is across the street from the beach, and within easy walking distance of Santa Monica Pier, the Third Street Promenade, and several renowned restaurants along Ocean Avenue. A family-owned, eco-conscious boutique hotel, the Ocean View has a beachy ambience and stylish rooms -- some have furnished balconies and ocean views. The 24-hour business center has an Apple computer and a device-charging station. Travelers might also want to check out the Shore Hotel, which is located just down the street, operated by the same family, and equally "green."

The 14-room Rest Haven Motel is a budget property on a quiet street at busy -- and gritty -- Lincoln Boulevard and Grant Street in Santa Monica, with the beach, restaurants, and shops within walking distance. Built in 1938, the motel nostalgically evokes an earlier time. Rooms are quaintly decorated with pine-knotted furniture, hooked area rugs, and inspirational wall hangings, and include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, safes, and ceiling fans, but no air-conditioning, king-size beds, or coffeemakers. Free Wi-Fi and parking are available, along with daily housekeeping. The hotel has no lobby, but there is a delightful backyard courtyard with seating and pretty flowers, where guests can gather. 

The 91-room Hotel Abri is a stylish haven near Union Square, with concierge services, an Italian restaurant and bar, a boardroom, a 24-hour business center, and a sundries store. Modern rooms have flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges; suites have living rooms and DVD players. It's a great upper-middle-range value for the central location, but it's worth comparing rates with the more upscale Hotel Nikko (which has an indoor pool) and the iconic Sir Francis Drake, which are sometimes not much more expensive.