The pet-friendly, 132-room Homewood Suites by Hilton Oakland-Waterfront is a mid-range hotel on the water with magnificent ocean views throughout. While convenient to the airport, it's somewhat far from major tourist attractions. Cozy guest rooms have microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers, and many have balconies overlooking the water; suites with full kitchens are available. The free hot breakfast receives good reviews, and the bay-facing pool area has barbecue grills and seating. Wi-Fi, outdoor parking, and a local weekday shuttle are free. Common areas, including the lobby, breakfast area, and outdoor terrace were fully renovated in 2016.
The pet-friendly, 132-room Homewood Suites by Hilton Oakland-Waterfront is a mid-range hotel on the water with magnificent ocean views throughout. While convenient to the airport, it's somewhat far from major tourist attractions. Cozy guest rooms have microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers, and many have balconies overlooking the water; suites with full kitchens are available. The free hot breakfast receives good reviews, and the bay-facing pool area has barbecue grills and seating. Wi-Fi, outdoor parking, and a local weekday shuttle are free. Common areas, including the lobby, breakfast area, and outdoor terrace were fully renovated in 2016.
Luxury vacation rental meets upscale hotel at the city's best, if most expensive, residence-style lodging. The Ghirardelli Square factory setting has plenty of character, and 53 modern one-, two-, and three-bedroom units feel like designer model homes with fireplaces, full kitchens, and top-of-the-line amenities. Personal grocery shopping, 24-hour butlers, and free breakfasts are among service highlights, though there's not much here in terms of features save for a fitness room and large terrace with fire pits and great views over the bay. Travelers searching for a similarly luxurious hotel with more facilities could look into the St. Regis San Francisco, which has two restaurants, a pool, and a spa, plus it's close to Union Square -- but rooms don't have kitchens.
Luxury vacation rental meets upscale hotel at the city's best, if most expensive, residence-style lodging. The Ghirardelli Square factory setting has plenty of character, and 53 modern one-, two-, and three-bedroom units feel like designer model homes with fireplaces, full kitchens, and top-of-the-line amenities. Personal grocery shopping, 24-hour butlers, and free breakfasts are among service highlights, though there's not much here in terms of features save for a fitness room and large terrace with fire pits and great views over the bay. Travelers searching for a similarly luxurious hotel with more facilities could look into the St. Regis San Francisco, which has two restaurants, a pool, and a spa, plus it's close to Union Square -- but rooms don't have kitchens.
The 51-room Wharf Inn is a no-frills budget motel in Fisherman’s Wharf, close to Pier 39. Rooms are traditional and some come with bay views from balconies. Suites have sitting areas and the Penthouse has a kitchen. However, all units lack mini-fridges and air-conditioning. The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf has rooms with more features, but prices may be higher.
The 51-room Wharf Inn is a no-frills budget motel in Fisherman’s Wharf, close to Pier 39. Rooms are traditional and some come with bay views from balconies. Suites have sitting areas and the Penthouse has a kitchen. However, all units lack mini-fridges and air-conditioning. The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf has rooms with more features, but prices may be higher.
Los Arboles Hotel is a boutique upper-middle-range property located in the downtown area of Palm Springs, though its secluded garden atmosphere keeps it far removed from the traffic outside. It has the hallmarks of a modest couples' retreat with mission-style rooms, private hammocks, a lovely rooftop terrace with beautiful mountain views, and a quiet outdoor pool. It also caters to business travelers attending small events on-site or at the nearby Palm Springs Convention Center. Many spacious rooms and suites include private patios and some have upgrades like jetted tubs and fireplaces. The on-site Mexican restaurant, El Mirasol, is a local favorite. For something a bit chicer, the Movie Colony Hotel next door is more upscale and offers a free breakfast.
Los Arboles Hotel is a boutique upper-middle-range property located in the downtown area of Palm Springs, though its secluded garden atmosphere keeps it far removed from the traffic outside. It has the hallmarks of a modest couples' retreat with mission-style rooms, private hammocks, a lovely rooftop terrace with beautiful mountain views, and a quiet outdoor pool. It also caters to business travelers attending small events on-site or at the nearby Palm Springs Convention Center. Many spacious rooms and suites include private patios and some have upgrades like jetted tubs and fireplaces. The on-site Mexican restaurant, El Mirasol, is a local favorite. For something a bit chicer, the Movie Colony Hotel next door is more upscale and offers a free breakfast.
Popular with families due to its location -- a five-minute walk from Disneyland's main entrance -- the lower-middle-range Grand Legacy at the Park is a budget-friendly property in a former Ramada. Its 199 contemporary rooms were refurbished in 2016 and include attractive amenities such as microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. The hotel also offers a free continental breakfast, a spacious outdoor pool/whirlpool, guest laundry facilities, and free Wi-Fi. Good rates make it a solid choice for Disney families and other tourists, but travelers may want to also consider the mid-range Fairfield Inn Anaheim Resort, a similarly priced alternative in the area.
Popular with families due to its location -- a five-minute walk from Disneyland's main entrance -- the lower-middle-range Grand Legacy at the Park is a budget-friendly property in a former Ramada. Its 199 contemporary rooms were refurbished in 2016 and include attractive amenities such as microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. The hotel also offers a free continental breakfast, a spacious outdoor pool/whirlpool, guest laundry facilities, and free Wi-Fi. Good rates make it a solid choice for Disney families and other tourists, but travelers may want to also consider the mid-range Fairfield Inn Anaheim Resort, a similarly priced alternative in the area.
Hotel Grano de Oro is a three-and-a-half-pearl hotel located outside San Jose’s city center. Its 35 rooms are understatedly stylish, with many offering pretty gardens or patios. The fantastic on-site restaurant, which serves French-Mediterranean and tropical-influenced cuisine, uses sustainable, fresh Costa Rican ingredients, and is as popular with locals as it is with guests. The attractive rooftop terrace has two hot tubs. The main downside is location -- there are several restaurants and bars within walking distance, but most of the city’s main attractions are a bit of a trek on foot and require a car. The hotel also lacks the range of amenities offered by larger properties -- there's no pool or fitness center, and rates are pricey. For travelers seeking a hotel closer to the city center, Balmoral Hotel, while not as glamorous, is an excellent alternative.
Hotel Grano de Oro is a three-and-a-half-pearl hotel located outside San Jose’s city center. Its 35 rooms are understatedly stylish, with many offering pretty gardens or patios. The fantastic on-site restaurant, which serves French-Mediterranean and tropical-influenced cuisine, uses sustainable, fresh Costa Rican ingredients, and is as popular with locals as it is with guests. The attractive rooftop terrace has two hot tubs. The main downside is location -- there are several restaurants and bars within walking distance, but most of the city’s main attractions are a bit of a trek on foot and require a car. The hotel also lacks the range of amenities offered by larger properties -- there's no pool or fitness center, and rates are pricey. For travelers seeking a hotel closer to the city center, Balmoral Hotel, while not as glamorous, is an excellent alternative.
The Embassy Suites in Napa does not look like your typical chain hotel upon arrival. It strives to emulate the Napa Valley vibe with manicured, sprawling grounds, a palm tree-lined, villa-like facade, and warm decor in the 2012-renovated suites. The juxtaposition of patterned rugs and patterned walls in these suites may have missed the mark (they feel a bit busy to some), but the decor is fresh and all suites feature separate living rooms, wet bars, mini-fridges, and microwaves. Families will enjoy the two nice pools -- the indoor pool is large and the outdoor pool is in a quiet courtyard, surrounded by the hotel (similar chain hotels often feature roadside pools), but the fitness center is a drive away.
The Embassy Suites in Napa does not look like your typical chain hotel upon arrival. It strives to emulate the Napa Valley vibe with manicured, sprawling grounds, a palm tree-lined, villa-like facade, and warm decor in the 2012-renovated suites. The juxtaposition of patterned rugs and patterned walls in these suites may have missed the mark (they feel a bit busy to some), but the decor is fresh and all suites feature separate living rooms, wet bars, mini-fridges, and microwaves. Families will enjoy the two nice pools -- the indoor pool is large and the outdoor pool is in a quiet courtyard, surrounded by the hotel (similar chain hotels often feature roadside pools), but the fitness center is a drive away.
The luxury Ritz-Carlton occupies a Neoclassical mansion sandwiched between Chinatown and Union Square in Nob Hill. Elegant interiors rife with marble and chandeliers are coupled with doting service for a luxurious experience -- but a handful of quibbles prevent it from a five-pearl status, including shower/tub combos in bathrooms and lack of views in most rooms. The 336 rooms are still spacious and chic, with mod-cons like Nespresso machines and iPod docks. It might be worth upgrading to a Club-Level Room for perks like free breakfast, light lunches, and drinks in the Club Lounge. Dining open to all includes a stylish restaurant and a lounge with casual fare, plus there's an atmospheric wine tasting lounge. Other features include an impressive gym and L'Occitane spa. For great window views, check out the nearby Fairmont San Francisco.
The luxury Ritz-Carlton occupies a Neoclassical mansion sandwiched between Chinatown and Union Square in Nob Hill. Elegant interiors rife with marble and chandeliers are coupled with doting service for a luxurious experience -- but a handful of quibbles prevent it from a five-pearl status, including shower/tub combos in bathrooms and lack of views in most rooms. The 336 rooms are still spacious and chic, with mod-cons like Nespresso machines and iPod docks. It might be worth upgrading to a Club-Level Room for perks like free breakfast, light lunches, and drinks in the Club Lounge. Dining open to all includes a stylish restaurant and a lounge with casual fare, plus there's an atmospheric wine tasting lounge. Other features include an impressive gym and L'Occitane spa. For great window views, check out the nearby Fairmont San Francisco.
This historic bed and breakfast features just four cozy rooms, outfitted with features such as walls full of books, fireplaces, hardwood floors, and chandeliers. But some guests complain of worn linens and lack of modern amenities. There is free Wi-Fi in the inn -- and wood-paneled rooms and a small library evoke the pleasures of times past -- but some quirks exist here, such as a room with a detached bathroom, and limited breakfast selections.
This historic bed and breakfast features just four cozy rooms, outfitted with features such as walls full of books, fireplaces, hardwood floors, and chandeliers. But some guests complain of worn linens and lack of modern amenities. There is free Wi-Fi in the inn -- and wood-paneled rooms and a small library evoke the pleasures of times past -- but some quirks exist here, such as a room with a detached bathroom, and limited breakfast selections.
Hotel Griffon is an elegant, upscale hotel with a prime location on the Embarcadero waterfront on the edge of San Francisco Bay. Some of the 57 guest rooms and five suites have views of the Bay and the Bay Bridge, but many do not have a view at all, and most are very cramped and have small bathrooms. Throughout, decor is elegant and tasteful, and rooms have 32-inch flat-screen TVs and iPod docks, but no mini-fridges or minibars. Travelers may also want to consider the InterContinental - San Francisco, which offers bigger rooms and large bathrooms, an on-site spa, a fitness center, and a lap pool.
Hotel Griffon is an elegant, upscale hotel with a prime location on the Embarcadero waterfront on the edge of San Francisco Bay. Some of the 57 guest rooms and five suites have views of the Bay and the Bay Bridge, but many do not have a view at all, and most are very cramped and have small bathrooms. Throughout, decor is elegant and tasteful, and rooms have 32-inch flat-screen TVs and iPod docks, but no mini-fridges or minibars. Travelers may also want to consider the InterContinental - San Francisco, which offers bigger rooms and large bathrooms, an on-site spa, a fitness center, and a lap pool.