SAN FRANCISCO
Image by Raphael Stäger from Pixabay
San Francisco is The Globalist’s West Coast test city: hills, fog and bayside light wrapped around compact neighbourhoods that still feel distinctly local and walkable. Pacific Heights terraces, North Beach corners, the Presidio’s cypress paths and Mission murals give each stay a specific sense of place and story. For this site, we focus on affordable boutique hotels under 150 rooms: high-review properties with thoughtful design, strong neighbourhood integration and access to transit, food and culture.
HOTELS
Curated affordable boutique hotels by neighbourhood.
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PACIFIC HEIGHTS
Leafy Pacific Heights mixes painted mansions, park views and low-key cafés; close enough to downtown, yet quieter, with buses to Presidio, Marina and Fillmore nearby.
“Pacific Heights architecture” by Dale Cruse – 10M views, CC BY 2.0
Hotel Drisco Pacific Heights
48 Rooms. 4 Star. $$$$
Luxury • Slow • View Lovers • Heritage
Century-old Edwardian perch at the very top of Pacific Heights, looking over the bay and mansions below. Plush, residential-style rooms, serious breakfasts and nightly wine receptions anchor a quietly luxurious stay. Guests rave about the polished staff, hushed atmosphere and the feeling of staying in a private city club here.
Hotel Majestic
58 Rooms. $$
Heritage • Culture • Bleisure • Slow
One of San Francisco’s oldest hotels, 1902-built Hotel Majestic brings Paris-meets-SF interiors: carved headboards, patterned wallpaper, narrow corridors. The intimate lobby bar and on-site restaurant simplify evenings in. Guests mention the atmospheric, old-world character and friendly staff, while flagging some dated bathrooms and street noise.
Queen Anne Hotel
48 Rooms. $$
Heritage • Culture • Gems • Romantic
Victorian mansion turned slightly theatrical boutique, with heavy drapes, carved wood and fireplaces in many rooms. You’re between Pacific Heights and Civic Center, walkable to Fillmore and Polk Street. Guests enjoy the character, generous rooms and old-school charm, while noting the creaks and quirks that come with age for some folks.
NORTH BEACH
North Beach is San Francisco’s Italian village: espresso bars, red-sauce joints and Beat-generation lore along Columbus, between downtown, Telegraph Hill, Chinatown and the Bay nearby.
Photo by Arjun Charanjiva for the Globalist
Hotel Bohème
15 Rooms. 3 Star. $$
Culture • Nightlife • Literary • Gem
Beat-era fantasy above Columbus Avenue: 1950s Italian-Americana colour, framed photos and handwritten quotes in compact rooms. You’re steps from City Lights, Vesuvio and late-night espresso bars. Guests love the quirky storytelling, warm staff and location, but note stairs, street noise and simple amenities compared with full-service hotels.
Washington Square Inn
15 Rooms. Inn. $$
Culture • Slow • Culinary • Romantic
Classic North Beach B&B facing Washington Square’s trees and church façade. Individually decorated rooms feel European, with antiques, bay windows and some Coit Tower views. Breakfast and afternoon wine anchor the inn’s social rhythm. Guests praise the intimate atmosphere and location, while mentioning compact bathrooms and older plumbing.
SW Hotel
<150 rooms. 3 Star. $$
Bleisure • Nightlife • Culinary • Culture
At the seam of North Beach and Chinatown, SW Hotel is a straightforward boutique with subtle Asian touches, clean-lined rooms and an underground garage. It’s a practical base for walkers who want cafés, dim sum, cable cars and the waterfront nearby. Guests appreciate cleanliness, value for money and helpful 24-hour staff here.
PRESIDIO
Presidio and its edges feel like a national park inside the city: eucalyptus trails, Golden Gate views, museums and family-friendly green space beside the Marina.
Infinity Hotel San Francisco
75 Rooms. 3 Star. $$$
Bleisure • Nomad • Road Trip • Views
Marina District boutique on Lombard, a walk to the Presidio, Palace of Fine Arts and waterfront. Rooms are modern, with clean lines, comfortable beds, good showers and in-room coffee; some categories add city views. Rooftop deck, café and 24-hour reception support city breaks. Guests praise cleanliness, staff warmth and location.
Hotel Del Sol
57 Rooms. 3 Star. $$
Families • Budget • Pet-Friendly
Colour-splashed 1950s motor lodge reimagined with palm-fringed courtyard, hammocks and heated pool; feels more Palm Springs than big city. Bright, simple rooms suit families and value-minded couples. Guests like the Marina location, kid-friendly vibe and included breakfasts, while noting basic finishes and occasional street noise as part of the package.
Marina Motel
39 Rooms. 3 Star. $/$$
Budget • Families • Gems
Family-run 1939 motor court at Lombard’s western end, with ivy-draped façades and a flower-filled courtyard. Many rooms include kitchenettes and off-street parking is a rare perk here. Guests appreciate budget-friendly rates and location near Presidio Gate, though some comment on traffic noise and older bathrooms versus downtown boutique options.
MISSION
The Mission spreads south of Market with taquerias, bakeries, indie shops and famous murals; sunnier microclimate, late-night bars and Valencia Street’s creative, young, mixed crowd.
Photo by Arjun Charanjiva for the Globalist
Nineteen 06 Mission
30 Rooms. Eco Hotel / Guesthouse. $$
Nomad • Hipster • Budget
Eco-minded guesthouse in a 1906 building just off Mission Street, with airy, pared-back rooms, shared or private baths and a courtyard deck. Continental breakfast, bottomless coffee and self-check-in suit independent travellers. Guests like the cleanliness, friendly staff and transit access, while noting street noise and typical Mission grit at times.
Inn San Francisco
21 Rooms. B&B. $$
Heritage • Slow • Culture • Romantic
Grand 1872 Italianate mansion with parlours, stained glass and a roof deck looking over the Mission’s rooftops. Rooms mix antiques, clawfoot tubs and period wallpaper; the lavish breakfast spread feels almost old-world boarding house. Guests praise the warmth, value and sense of occasion, with inevitable creaks and clutter for some.
Parker Guest House
21 Rooms. Guest House. $$
LGBTQ+ • Slow • Culture • Solo Friendly
Handsome twin Edwardian houses between Mission Dolores and the Castro, with manicured gardens and library-like lounges. Rooms skew clean, classic and quietly upscale; many open onto patios. Complimentary wine hours and breakfasts encourage mingling. Guests commend the welcoming hosts and inclusive, LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere, but thin walls.
SAN FRANCISCO GALLERY
© Arjun Charanjiva for The Globalist
