The 7 Best Hotels in San Francisco for Business Travelers

San Francisco was just named the most beautiful city in the U.S. by Time Out, which hardly surprises us.

The fourth-largest city in California is famous for several stunning sites, including the Golden Gate Bridge and exciting cultural mainstays like Fisherman’s Wharf.

The City by the Bay is not only one of the hippest spots in the country; it is also a business mecca. In fact, the whole Bay Area is a business hub.

After all, San Jose is in Silicon Valley!

No matter what line of work you’re in, finding lodging in the Bay Area that suits your needs and location shouldn’t be a hassle. Whether you’re looking for a boutique hotel in Pacific Heights or a well-connected location downtown, we’ll share your best options for your next business trip.

Here are our recommendations for the seven best hotels to stay in while on a business trip to the San Francisco Bay Area.

Table of Contents

1. Residence Inn by Marriott San Francisco Airport / San Mateo
2. Argonaut
3. Hyatt Regency San Francisco SOMA
4. Stanford Court San Francisco
5. Homewood Suites by Hilton San Francisco Airport
6. San Francisco Proper Hotel
7. The Cartwright Hotel Union Square

1. Residence Inn by Marriott San Francisco Airport / San Mateo

Residence Inn by Marriott San Francisco Airport / San Mateo offers you the perks of an extended-stay hotel in a central location. It is just a 10-minute drive from San Francisco International Airport, convenient for business travelers flying in and out of the city.

Rooms

This Residence Inn offers room choices to meet every traveler’s needs. Aside from classic studios and one-bedroom suites, you can also book two-bedroom lofts.

This hotel’s spacious rooms make it perfect for long-term business stays, as do the in-room kitchens, daily housekeeping, open-floor plans and flat-screen smart TVs.

Dining

Each morning, you can enjoy the Residence Inn’s complimentary hot breakfast options. While there are no on-site restaurants, you can cook to your heart’s content in your suite and stock up on drinks and snacks in the convenience store.

Plus, the hotel is within walking distance of Waterfront Pizza, the place to go for sensational Italian eats and general Bayside joie de vivre.

Amenities

The onsite fitness center and outdoor pool present perfect opportunities to work out some of those pre-meeting nerves while staying fit.

While there are laundry facilities, you can also take advantage of the hotel’s dry-cleaning services. A 24-hour business center can help you out with making some quick copies or even shipping services.

Going Out on the Town

Looking to make a quick dash up the Bay to downtown San Francisco? Not a problem when you’re in San Mateo.

We recommend you drive up to the northern tip of the city, where you can look out over Alcatraz and shop at Ghirardelli Square.

San Francisco Brewing Company, Palette Tea House & Dim Sum, and Gary Danko are just a small handful of the exceptional dining spots nearby.

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2. Argonaut

The Argonaut offers you a stylish boutique retreat at the historic Haslett Warehouse in Fisherman’s Wharf. This is the place to stay if you’re interested in a modern hotel with a rustic-chic ambiance and thoughtful amenities.

Rooms

All of the hotel rooms here are spacious and well-equipped, with classic guest rooms, suites, and accessible options.

Each room comes equipped with 4K media-streaming TVs, opening windows, nautical decor, and luxury bath amenities. Some suites even come with in-room hot tubs.

The standout features of The Argonaut’s rooms are the exposed brick walls, Douglas Fir beams, and stunning Bay views.

Dining

Delight your senses with the Bay’s finest catch at the hotel’s Blue Mermaid Restaurant. You can also book a private dining experience or room service.

Monday through Thursday evening, invite colleagues and clients to the Blue Mermaid’s happy hour, when gourmet eats and craft beverages abound.

Amenities

Your room rate includes complimentary Wi-Fi, a dedicated personal concierge, access to the 24-hour fitness center and food and beverage credits.

You can also make use of special offers granted at partnering local sites and restaurants.

Argonaut also offers plenty of meeting and event space, with A/V equipment and catering services upon request. The onsite business center also helps you keep your projects on track.

Getting Out on the Town

There is a lot to love about Argonaut, and its location is at the top of the list. It is just a short walk to Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square and the many fine dining and shopping experiences in North Beach.

It overlooks San Francisco Maritime Historical Park, which is a lovely place to enjoy some fresh air.

3. Hyatt Regency San Francisco SOMA

The Hyatt Regency SOMA is one of our favorite San Francisco hotels, boasting an array of exceptional services from its stylish Arts District setting.

Rooms

Choose from classic guest rooms, suites and ADA-compliant spaces at this hotel. All rooms are sleekly furnished and provide floor-to-ceiling windows with blackout curtains, minifridges, smart TVs and laptop safes.

Views vary depending on the room’s location, but they’re all spectacular.

The floor-to-ceiling windows and the hotel’s SOMA location mean you’ll get to gaze at the San Francisco-Oakland Bridge, Yerba Buena Park, Oracle Park and Salesforce Tower.

Dining

Hyatt Regency’s onsite dining options are tailored to business travelers’ needs, offering a range of fast and fresh bites in a casual setting.

At The Marketplace, you can grab a sandwich and salad to go or sit and enjoy a freshly-made cappuccino at the coffee bar.

You can also sit and enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks at the hotel’s bar and lounge.

Amenities

Unwind while you get your sweat on at the hotel’s fitness center, or make use of the onsite laundry facilities and concierge service. When it’s time to get back to work, you can host a catered corporate event in one of the hotel’s multiple meeting spaces.

Going Out on the Town

Leave your car behind and take an F-Market & Wharves cable car.

Hop on a train at the Market Street and 3rd Street station and ride north through the Financial District to the Ferry Building in the Embarcadero and back down to Tenderloin.

Your ride won’t be just point A to point B — you’ll see gorgeous city views of SOMA, Union Square, San Francisco City Hall, and the glass-domed atrium of the Garden Court restaurant in the Palace Hotel as you zip by.

Related: The 13 Best Day Trips to Take While Traveling for Business

4. Stanford Court San Francisco

Stanford Court Hotel offers you a boutique experience from its prime location nestled between Nob Hill and Chinatown. This four-star hotel prizes modern, technology-driven experiences without compromising classic hospitality.

Rooms

With their tasteful decor, rooms at Stanford Court resemble modern, stylishly minimalist apartments rather than classic hotel rooms. You can choose from standard rooms, studios, suites and accessible options.

Rooms include high-speed internet access, Chromecast-ready large-screen TVs, safes, plug-in panels and minifridges.

Dining

Start your day by fueling up at the hotel’s Commons Cafe, where a la carte and grab-and-go breakfasts await. End your day at Mixing Room, the hotel’s bar and lounge that serves daily dinner and tasty drinks.

Next door to the Stanford Court is the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins hotel, home to Top of the Mark, a sophisticated cocktail bar with 360-degree views of the city. This is a great spot to dazzle clients with the views and menu.

Amenities

Stanford Court is a forward-thinking hotel, and this is most evident when it comes to its amenities. For instance, it has a tech library with digital newspapers and magazines.

Stay fit by spending time at the hotel’s state-of-the-art fitness center or by renting a bike (manual and e-bike options available). Check-in is also digital through OpenKey, while the business center features iMac computers.

More traditional amenities, like valet parking, laundry and dry-cleaning services, and an electric vehicle charging station are also available.

Going Out on the Town

Stanford Court partners with Vizzit to provide its guests tech-powered walking tours of Nob Hill, a fun way to spend some free time and explore your surroundings.

You’re also a 15-20 minute drive from Golden Gate Park, where museums, ponds and botanic gardens flourish. Buena Vista Park and Haight-Ashbury are along the way, too.

5. Homewood Suites by Hilton San Francisco Airport

Another exceptional hotel near San Francisco International Airport, this Homewood Suites by Hilton places you seven miles north of SFO and six miles south of downtown Frisco.

Rooms

This Hilton hotel features an all-star lineup of accommodation options. While many offer stunning bay views, any room you book will include a spacious work area, an elegant kitchen space, separate living areas and free Wi-Fi.

Dining

While there is no room services or onsite restaurants, guests enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast each morning. Plus, you’re close enough to drive into San Francisco for a fabulous meal whenever you like.

May we recommend dinner and drinks at the St. Regis San Francisco, home to the original Bloody Mary and contemporary American fare?

Amenities

From a business traveler’s perspective, this hotel’s best features are its business center and its airport shuttle service.

There is also a fitness center and indoor pool (just check in with the concierge to ensure the latter is open during your stay).

Going Out on the Town

With downtown San Francisco only a few miles away, the city is your oyster.

Need a few ideas?

Check out this article by Travel + Leisure that shares the 29 best things to do in San Francisco in 2022.

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6. San Francisco Proper Hotel

San Francisco Proper Hotel is one of those hotels that feels effortlessly cool and luxurious. Its Mid Market location offers many business meeting spaces along with sightseeing opportunities.

Rooms

Proper offers guests a truly boutique experience with its accommodations. All rooms and suites feature globally inspired textiles, amenities and decor — plus, the minibar comes stocked with local snacks and drinks!

You can book deluxe queen guest rooms, bunk rooms with bunk beds, and eclectic Kelly Wearstler-designed suites.

Dining

Foodies traveling to San Francisco on business may find they never need to leave the grounds of Proper for an excellent meal.

At La Bande, you can dine on modern Cali-Mediterranean fare created by Michelin-starred chef Jason Fox.

Charmaine’s is the hotel’s rooftop bar, where you can gather around the firepits with colleagues and clients to discuss business while sipping exquisite wines and cocktails.

You can also enjoy breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch and tea service at Villon, Proper’s classic American eatery with modern California twists.

Amenities

San Francisco Proper offers you access to their state-of-the-art gym filled with Peloton bikes, row machines, treadmills, kettlebells and more. They even provide complimentary towels and bottles of water.

Hold your business meetings at the hotel’s conference space or boardroom, both of which have the high-tech gadgets you need, the style you want, and even catering packages.

Going Out on the Town

Proper is ideally situated close to all of San Francisco’s must-see sites. You don’t even have to drive, as the neighborhood is served by several BART rapid transit systems.

The hotel also provides complimentary car service for up to six guests. You can use this handy service to attend client meetings and visit local attractions, like the San Francisco Museum of Art and the Presidio Golf Course.

7.  The Cartwright Hotel Union Square

The Cartwright Hotel Union Square is a three-star hotel that’s part of the Best Western family. We love this hotel for its pristine guestrooms, superb location, and considerate services.

Rooms

The Cartwright’s room choices include classic guestrooms and suites, with your choice of bed sizes and accessibility-friendly options.

All rooms are stylishly designed and boast free high-speed internet access, flat-screen TVs, coffee and tea makers, and a workspace. Suites include minifridges, but you can also rent one for a regular guest room.

Dining

While the hotel does not have an onsite restaurant, your booking may include breakfast — an offering that is adjusted according to the current COVID-19 situation. To see whether breakfast will be served during your visit, call the hotel prior to booking to check its free breakfast status.

Since the hotel is one block from Union Square and within walking distance to Chinatown and the Tenderloin, you can rest assured that there are countless eateries, coffee shops and bars to suit your taste nearby.

Amenities

The Cartwright has several amenities that make it a convenient choice for business travelers — like a 24-hour business center on site and same-day dry cleaning services.

You can enlist the services of the concierge team to help you make reservations at an impressive local eatery if you’ll be treating your clients. The hotel also offers express check out, making it easier to leave on your schedule and catch that flight.

Going Out on the Town

One of the aspects that really makes The Cartwright shine is its location. Walk the half-block from the hotel entrance and take a Powell Street cable car north to Fisherman’s Wharf.

From there, you can explore Pier 39 and dine at some of the city’s best seafood restaurants. You can also stop off at Columbus Avenue to stroll the aisles of the City Lights Booksellers and end the night with a show at Cobb’s Comedy Club.

We hope this list of the best hotels in the San Francisco Bay area will help you plan your next business trip. They represent some of the most thoughtful lodging choices, both luxe and casual, in neighborhoods across the city.

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