11 Best Smoking Hotels in San Francisco

San ‘SF’ Francisco is best known for being California’s technology epicenter. Besides the offices for X, Airbnb, Google, Meta, and many others in the Silicon Valley, the city is also a hub for food, culture, art, and history. In fact, the city is so alluring that we’ve returned multiple times over the years and have never experienced the same thing twice. In the same way, SF’s hotel scene has come a long way, with many diverse options for every budget and taste. Most of the smoking hotels in San Francisco, which we were looking at, prohibited smoking in the rooms. However, they did have designated smoking areas on the property where we could huff and puff without worrying about bothering others.

These smoking hotels in SF might not be the most luxurious or possess the best aesthetic, but they belonged to reputed hotel chains, had a host of amenities and facilities, and boasted fantastic locations. What more could we ask for?

Travelodge by Wyndham Presidio San Francisco

11

We begin with the Travelodge by Wyndham Presidio San Francisco. This is actually a 100% smoke-free property with smoke-free rooms and suites only, and with even non-smoking signs on every room door. However, they do offer an exterior corridor building for smokers so we could have easy access to the outdoors and smoke away from other guests. Incidentally, this Travelodge property is one of the best hotels near Golden Gate Park San Francisco. Most rooms offered excellent views of the Golden Gate Bridge, coffee machines, and plush beds. A wonderful continental breakfast spread, speedy free Wi-Fi, and free parking wrap up the amenities here.

Grand Hyatt San Francisco Union Square

10

Most luxurious. We wanted to stay in a luxurious smoking hotel, and we were lucky enough to find the Grand Hyatt San Francisco Union Square. It was a great starting point for our exploration visits around the town. While it didn’t allow smoking in the rooms, on the balconies, or in any other area, it did have dedicated smoking areas which were located around 25 ft from hotel’s entrance. They don’t allow vape pens either, so please be careful and mindful of the hotel’s policies.

With more than 600 rooms and suites, it was one of the city’s largest hotels when it first opened in 1972. There are many amenities, including a restaurant and a lounge, a 24-hour fitness center, and spacious and modern rooms. We especially loved the smoke-free rooms, which had flatscreen TVs, iPod/MP3 docking capabilities, coffee machines, small fridges, and luxe bathrooms.

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf

9

Best dedicated smoking area. One of the most beautiful hotels with an equally beautiful smoking area is the Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf. While the hotel itself is 100% smoke-free and doesn’t have any smoking rooms, the designated smoking area is right outside the property. In fact, we didn’t even leave the hotel’s grounds, with the smoking area right outside the den, facing Fisherman’s Wharf. Not only was there a lovely seating area, but there were even fireplaces! Not only were we right outside the property, but the place was even covered by security cameras. What more could we want?

“We’d never seen such a gorgeous, designated smoking area, and that too with such comforts!”

WOW Travel

One of the best hotels close to Pier 39, San Francisco, the hotel has a ton of amenities. The heated outdoor pool on the sundeck was top-notch, as was the state-of-the-art fitness center. Even though there was no restaurant, there was a bar where we’d enjoy cocktails, and they even serve American buffet breakfasts. Even the modern accommodations were comfy, with Wi-Fi, mini fridges, flatscreen TVs, and swish bathrooms.

Canopy by Hilton San Francisco SoMa

8

Best chain property. Canopy by Hilton San Francisco SoMa also doesn’t have any smoking rooms available, and fees are levied for smoking in non-smoking rooms. All we had to do was ask the front desk for locations of the designated outdoor smoking areas, and we could go and smoke there without disturbing the other guests.

We loved this Hilton outpost for multiple reasons, starting with the fact that it was one of the best hotels near Moscone Center San Francisco. Besides that, the rooms and suites boast floor-to-ceiling windows, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, TVs, and Wi-Fi. The rooftop lounge was one of our most favorite places, as we’d relax while soaking in panoramic views of the SF skyline. When the evenings were chilly, the heated outdoor space was just what we wanted to cozy up, or we’d grab a coffee or a quick dinner at the Bean Bar coffee shop provided. If you’re looking for fine dining, the Mezzanine restaurant offers wines and craft cocktails.

Homewood Suites by Hilton San Francisco Airport-North

7

Since we wanted to stay near the airport, we chose to stay at the Homewood Suites by Hilton San Francisco Airport-North. While it didn’t have smoking rooms available, they did have designated smoking areas, just like most other Hilton hotels. So, all we had to do was ask the front desk for the designated areas, and smoke without causing discomfort to any of the other guests.

All rooms at this suite-style hotel offered stunning views of San Francisco Bay. So, we could choose rooms according to our budget and still enjoy excellent views. Since it’s close to the airport, the hotel also has a free airport shuttle, free hot everyday breakfast buffets, and even a manager’s reception with wine, beer, and snacks every Wednesdays. Did we mention the fitness center and the indoor pool? Yep.

Best Western Plus Wine Country Inn & Suites

6

We wanted to stay away in the country, away from the city, which is why we chose the Best Western Plus Wine Country Inn & Suites in Santa Rosa. Not only did the hotel have a designated smoking area, but also, they had a mix of both smoking and non-smoking rooms. So, this was one hotel with smoking room in San Francisco. Our Deluxe King smoking room was very comfortable, complete with a fridge, a microwave, a cable TV, free Wi-Fi, and even a balcony.

We loved every bit of this eco-friendly hotel, which featured an outdoor pool and a Zen Garden. They were two of our favorite places to relax on the property. We’d begin every day with hot, American breakfasts which included the likes of cinnamon rolls, bacon, and cheese omelets. A 24-hour exercise room, a business center, and free newspapers round up the amenities here.

DoubleTree by Hilton San Francisco Airport North Bayfront

5

Best amenities. Just like the other Hilton hotels on this list, the DoubleTree by Hilton San Francisco Airport North Bayfront doesn’t allow smoking in its rooms, according to California law. They levy a fine of USD 250 if anyone is found smoking in non-smoking rooms. However, they do have designated smoking areas away from the rooms for the comfort of the guests. All we had to do was ask the front desk when we checked-in about the same, and they graciously directed us to them.

That being said, this was one of the best hotels we stayed at in terms of amenities. Not only did they offer free shuttle services to the airport, but they also had free Wi-Fi, an indoor splash pool, and a restaurant that served breakfasts, dinners, and even cocktails. If that wasn’t enough, the restaurant boasted superb views of SF Bay too. Did we mention the fitness center and poolside hot tub? Yep. Modern rooms and suites, all with coffee machines, round up the digs here.

Fairmont San Francisco

4

Have you ever heard of a rooftop smoking area for a hotel? The Fairmont San Francisco has one. Since it doesn’t allow smoking in its rooms, like many other hotels on this list, it features a dedicated smoking area for the comfort of all its guests. And this dedicated smoking area happens to be on the outside, on their Rooftop Terrace or outside the hotel altogether.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fairmont San Francisco (@fairmontsanfrancisco)

One of San Francisco’s most expensive hotels, the Fairmont also happens to be one of the most luxurious hotels in San Francisco. Choose from more than 600 spacious rooms and suites, all of which have designer bath products and Keurig coffeemakers. In fact, the grand suites even have wet bars, pool tables, separate living areas, and private balconies. Two restaurants serve delicious fare, including afternoon tea; one is a European-inspired one and the other is a tiki bar with live entertainment. Wellness amenities, including a fitness center and a spa, round up the offerings here.

Travelodge by Wyndham San Francisco Bay

3

Just like the other Travelodge property on this list, the Travelodge by Wyndham San Francisco Bay is a 100% smoke-free property. So, while it does have only smoke-free rooms and suites, they do have an exterior corridor building for smokers. So, we could easily access the outdoors and smoke away from other guests, not causing anyone any discomfort.

This Travelodge property is perhaps the best located of the budget properties on this list. Not only is it close to Fisherman’s Wharf, but it’s also close to SF’s city center sights. Moreover, Chinatown and the Golden Gate Bridge are also 10 minutes away. This Travelodge property has a 24-hour front desk, free Wi-Fi, and even a restaurant that’s open for dinner. The rooms and suites were all spacious, with plush beds, coffee-making facilities, cable TVs, and private, modern bathrooms.

Hilton San Francisco Union Square

2

Best location. Staying in SF doesn’t get any more central than at Hilton San Francisco Union Square. Even though this Hilton property doesn’t allow smoking in its rooms or anywhere on the floor, it does have designated smoking areas. So, when we checked-in, all we did was ask the front desk for directions to the designated smoking areas, and they graciously showed us the way. So, we were able to smoke without causing any disturbance to anyone.

This pet-friendly hotel has a long list of amenities, starting with the fact that it’s home to the 46th-floor Cityscape Sky Bar, SF’s highest sky bar. The breakfast buffet is a proper feast, and the lobby bar serves some of the most inventive cocktails we’d ever seen. A 24-hour fitness center, a heated outdoor pool, and incredibly spacious and modern rooms and suites wrap up the offerings here.

Parc 55 San Francisco – a Hilton Hotel

1

Sitting a hop, skip, and a jump away from Union Square’s other Hilton Hotel is the Parc 55 San Francisco – a Hilton Hotel. While this Hilton hotel, like most of the others, doesn’t allow smoking in its 100% smoke-free rooms, it does have designated smoking area outside the hotel on Cyril Magnin Street. So, we could smoke away from the rooms and not cause any of the guests any distress.

Located just a block from Union Square, the Parc 55 hotel even had a cable car stop right outside, allowing us to explore the city very easily. The long list of amenities included a heated outdoor pool, which we could access at the aforementioned Hilton San Francisco Union Square. What’s more, there were two restaurants on the property, including a coffee shop with a full espresso bar. Plus, there was a fitness center too. The rooms and suites here were swish, in true Hilton style, and had cable TVs, bay-style windows with bay views, and even small fridges.

Our Verdict!

SF’s smoking hotels didn’t leave us with a lot of choices, but there were still enough that we had to zero in on one. Here’s a specialized list that could possibly help you choose too.

• Most luxurious: Grand Hyatt San Francisco Union Square
• Best dedicated smoking area: Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf
• Best chain property: Canopy by Hilton San Francisco SoMa
• Best amenities: DoubleTree by Hilton San Francisco Airport North Bayfront
• Best location: Hilton San Francisco Union Square

Where to Stay in San Francisco?

When it comes to typical first-time San Francisco visitor experiences, the Golden Gate city has many other cool neighborhoods begging to be explored. This is where we needed to decide where we wanted to stay, so we’ve done our legwork for your trip too.

First up is the iconic waterfront neighborhood that is Fisherman’s Wharf, which is famous for its, albeit pricey, seafood restaurants. It’s home to some of the top things to so in San Francisco, like Ghirardelli Square and Pier 39, besides other things. Plus, it has the most diverse avenues to indulge in, right from soaking in scenic views of San Francisco Bay to taking boat tours out in the water. That being said, it’s the most crowded and touristy area of the town.

Secondly, there’s Union Square, the heart of Downtown San Francisco. It’s very well-connected via public transport, it has the widest variety of hotels, and it has lots of shopping, dining, and entertainment venues, even if it’s not the most picturesque neighborhood. North Beach, a.k.a. Little Italy, is for foodies and culture vultures. In fact, just south of it sits San Francisco’s Chinatown, one of the world’s best Chinatowns and also the largest Chinatown in the country!

The upscale Nob Hill is full of luxurious hotels, elegant Victorian architecture, and tree-lined avenues, while the artists enclave, Mission District, is perfect for food and nightlife. In fact, it’s one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods.

What area in San Francisco is the best to stay?

While Fisherman’s Wharf is excellent, Union Square is overall the best place to stay since it’s more well-rounded and has excellent options for hotels.

Can you stay in San Francisco without a car?

Yes, getting around the city is very easy, even without a car, thanks to its excellent transport system. Grab a CityPass ticket to make your life even easier.

Can you smoke in bars in San Francisco?

No, you cannot smoke where food is served, both indoor and outdoor, in cafes, bars, and restaurants in San Francisco.