11 Best Hotels in Marina District San Francisco

San Francisco has many seaside neighborhoods like the Embarcadero, Presidio, Mission Bay, and the like, but none are as diverse as the Marina District. The northernmost neighborhood of the city, the Marina District overlooks the San Francisco Bay. As the name suggests, it’s home to the Yacht Harbor as well as lots of verdant spaces overlooking the water. Since the place effortlessly blended a relaxed coastal charm with urban chicness, we chose to stay in this picturesque and energetic neighborhood. So, were surprised to find umpteen choices for hotels in Marina District, San Francisco. The hotels here are famed for the same reason that the neighborhood is, for stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the Marina Green Park, among others.

What’s more, these hotels ranged across vibes, atmospheres, and even budgets, allowing all kinds of travelers to choose a place of stay of their liking. That, combined with an array of eateries, artisanal coffee shops, and trendy boutiques ensured that we enjoyed the best of San Francisco while being right next to the bay. To that end, here’s a useful guide to staying in the Marina District of San Francisco, the City by the Bay.

Seaside Inn

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We begin this list with the Seaside Inn, which is one of the most affordable options in the Marina District. Located right on Lombard Street, We were blown away by the excellent customer service and the onsite amenities, despite it being a budget place. For one, we were treated to an excellent complimentary breakfast every morning, even though the inn didn’t have an onsite restaurant. What’s more, the room rate also included complimentary Wi-Fi, which was very useful for planning our itinerary for the next day. Plus, every reservation included one complimentary parking spot.

We loved the modern rooms and suites at the Seaside Inn too, as they offered contemporary conveniences. The air-conditioned rooms all came with private bathrooms, as well as flatscreen TVs, and plush beds.

Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square

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Most Marina District hotels are on the lower end of the price spectrum, with a few mid-range ones. If luxury is what you’re looking for, then step into Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square, which sits on the eastern fringes of the Marina District. This all-suite private residence club sits in a brick structure that was once Ghirardelli’s chocolate factory, hence the name. Since we wanted to splurge on our stay, we decided to stay here. However, this isn’t a typical hotel, so there isn’t any restaurant or room service. So, it was like staying in a lavish place with the luxury of a hotel and the convenience of an Airbnb. However, that didn’t mean that there were no conveniences. Not only was there free Wi-fi and a concierge who made reservations for us, but also there was a gorgeous terrace with plush seating, fire pits, and stunning views of the water.

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That said, the one/two/three-bedroom residences were the highlight here, all of which boasted living rooms with fireplaces, dining areas, and high-end kitchens. What’s more, they were tricked out with anything and everything we required for a homely stay: a full kitchen, a washer-dryer, and even a wine fridge. Since the place had tie-ups with San Francisco Brewing Co. and McCormick’s, we could order directly through the concierge, and butlers delivered everything right to our door. Touches like bronze pendant lights, loft-like ceilings, open floor plans, slick bathrooms, and exposed brick walls made the place Insta-worthy.

Inn at the Presidio

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Yet another place with an offbeat location is the Inn at the Presidio, which sits in the heart of the lush Presidio on the western edge of the Marina District. This gorgeous 22-room boutique hotel/B&B sits in a 1903-built, 2-storied Georgian revival–style structure that was once the officers’ quarters from when the Presidio was an army post. Today, this standout boutique hotel boasts 5 rooms, 17 suites, and the Funston house nearby, which has 3 additional rooms and a suite. Since we were on a romantic getaway, we chose one of the suites, which was very cozy with a living room and a bedroom, framed artwork, and a gas fireplace. We loved the bathrooms with striped bathrobes and EO bath products, as well as the mini-fridge which had a nice selection of alcoholic drinks and sodas.

Despite being a boutique B&B, the perks and amenities here were endless. The day would start with a hearty complimentary breakfast and end with a nightly cheese-and-wine reception. Lounging with a glass of wine in front of the outdoor firepit or on the rocking chairs on the porches was our favorite way to end the day. When free Wi-Fi meets original floors, double-hung windows, and lots of verdure, you know it’s going to be special.

Coventry Motor Inn

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The Coventry Motor Inn is another one of those hotels where you shouldn’t be intimidated by the ‘motor inn’ in the title. Ideally located between Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge, this lovely little hotel draws inspiration from San Francisco Bay for its design. So, you’ll find a gorgeous white and blue theme everywhere, including the stays. Despite being a budget hotel on Lombard Street, the Coventry Motor Inn offered not only free Wi-Fi but also one complimentary covered parking per reservation. Since we had rented a car, this was a blessing for us since we were staying on a street that was notorious for the non-availability of parking.

We were no less impressed by the air-conditioned rooms and suites too, all of which boasted 42-inch LCD TVs, seating areas, coffee machines, work desks, and complimentary tea and coffee. The best bit was that they all had private ensuite bathrooms too, including complimentary bath products and hairdryers.

Hotel Del Sol

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We were looking for a fun, non-hotel hotel in the Marina District, and what better place than the Hotel Del Sol? The wildly colorful hotel felt like we were staying in a casual, laidback place by the sea, with a vibe and decor to match. It’s not surprising, considering that this beach-themed place is a rejuvenated 1950s motor lodge. However, the rooms and suites were all nicely appointed 21st-century ones, with bright orange walls and blown-glass bedside lamps. What’s more, they also had seating areas, modern bathrooms, and flatscreen TVs in all the rooms, which were divided into poolside rooms and first-floor ones that overlooked the pool area.

That said, the main highlight of this hotel is the outdoor pool area, at the center of which sits a heated outdoor pool. It was a rare amenity to have and we were thrilled to enjoy a swim, followed by a lounge on one of the yellow daybeds beneath the umbrellas. The same playful modern vibe extends to the pool area, which is all about bright lounge furnishings, a lovely fire pit, hammocks, and palm trees. Besides the free Wi-Fi that was available everywhere, the hotel even included a complimentary daily breakfast with our stay every morning.

Chelsea Inn

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Chelsea Inn was one of the most value-for-money hotels in Marina District, San Francisco, CA. There are many reasons for the same. Firstly, we had many choices for rooms when it came to staying here. Besides the regular entry-level rooms, there were also larger suites with seating areas next to the window. Plus, there were larger rooms for larger groups of friends and families too. Besides all rooms featuring double windows, they also had free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and modern and clean bathrooms. So, all in all, staying here was very comfortable, especially since we were exploring most of the day. Despite being a budget property, there was a 24-hour front desk, which meant that you could check in late as well, especially if your flight was late in the day. The best bit? They offered one free covered parking per reservation.

Infinity Hotel San Francisco, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

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Most luxurious. We weren’t planning to stay at the Infinity Hotel San Francisco, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, but we were glad we did. It sits along Lombard Street with lots of bars and restaurants around, allowing us to explore the city, enjoy our stay, and even indulge in the nightlife. After a quick check-in, we were told that we’d be getting unlimited coffee and water throughout our stay, which was a great start. While most rooms overlook the inner courtyard, four rooms have external-facing windows. So, if that’s important to you, ask beforehand. Some of the entry-level rooms were tight, so we spent a bit more and took a suite. It was very spacious with a plush bed, a luxe bathroom, and even a kitchenette with a sink, coffeemaker, microwave, and fridge, making our stay very comfortable.

However, it was the rest of the hotel that impressed us, especially the amazing communal and outdoor spaces located throughout. For one, there are two fourth-floor rooftop patios, one overlooking Lombard Street and the other larger one with beautiful Bay and Golden Gate Bridge views. While the former has a lounging area, a high-top table, and an outdoor gas fire pit, the latter even has a dining table and an outdoor ping-pong table. Moreover, both have mini-fridges fully stocked with water bottles. 

But that’s not all. There are both indoor and outdoor lobby seating areas, with the former having a TV and the latter having a table, chairs, a fire pit, and even some space heaters. Despite not having an onsite restaurant, the independent Twisted St Cafe served breakfasts and lunches. Did we mention the second-floor Peloton Studio? It’s no wonder this hotel is so popular.

Cow Hollow Inn and Suites

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Most family-friendly. We were looking for a comfortable place to stay with the kids, and the Cow Hollow Inn and Suites right on Lombard Street suited us perfectly. For one, the place offered non-smoking accommodation choices.

What’s more, they not only had rooms but also suites as large as the two-bedroom ones, which we chose. Not only did our space have two bedrooms, one with a king bed and the other with a queen, but it also had a living area with a flatscreen TV where we could relax and the kids could play. Plus, there was a kitchen for whipping up meals on the fly, what with kids around, as well as a dining area where we could sit down and eat as a family. If that wasn’t enough, there were also two bathrooms, which meant that we didn’t have to scramble to get ready in the mornings. What more could we ask for?

The rest of the property was equally impressive. Since we were renting a car in the city, the free self-parking here was a blessing. This was especially important since we were staying on a street notorious for the non-availability of on-street parking. There was also free Wi-Fi, which we appreciated for any information we needed to look up about our next day’s itinerary. Aside from the many restaurants around, the hotel itself had concierge assistance and a 24-hour front desk.

Did you know this is also one of the best cheap hotels in San Francisco CA? Yep.

Signature Inn San Francisco Marina District

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We were looking for a convenient budget stay in the Marina District when we came across the Signature Inn San Francisco Marina District. Besides the glossy decor and welcoming service, this stylish hotel had a boatload of simple but useful comforts and amenities. For one, they offered complimentary Wi-Fi everywhere, allowing us to plan for our itineraries for the next day. What’s more, there was even free onsite parking for guests, which was very useful for us as we had a rental car and the neighborhood was notorious for not having on-street parking.

When it was time to kick back and relax, we did so in our room, which boasted a nice view of the city. What’s more, our room also had a flatscreen TV, coffee/tea maker, a mini-fridge, and even modern bathrooms with full baths. Besides being a 100% non-smoking property, all rooms also boasted some of the plushest beds ever. Did we mention heating and air conditioning? Yes.

HI San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel

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Best value for money. Imagine finding an affordable yet cute place in a prime location in the Marina District; that’s the HI San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel for you. What intrigued us about this hostel was that it sits on the grounds of Fort Mason National Park. Not only is it a lovely lush area but it’s also full of historical structures, one of which is occupied by the hostel, which directly overlooks the Alcatraz Pier and the Bay. What fun!

As a matter of fact, we wandered the hostel’s halls after we checked in, which, like the rest of Fort Mason, were full of interpretive signs describing the place’s transformation from a military outpost to a park and hostel. The communal areas were fantastic, like the guest lounge with couches and a wood-burning stove for relaxing. Aside from that, there was also a kitchen for cooking meals, a theater-style TV room, and a recreation room. The best bit was that they even stored our luggage on the day we were checking out, as our flight was late in the day. Finally, the staff was warm and amazing.

We had the choice of mixed and female-only dorms and private rooms, all of which were spacious and with windows with views of the Bay. The dorms had shared bathrooms which were neat and came with towels too. Plus, the beds were very comfortable. What more could we ask for? Not surprisingly, it’s one of the best hostels in San Francisco, CA.

Marina Motel

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Most romantic. Don’t be fooled by the ‘motel’ in the title, for the Marina Motel is anything but run-of-the-mill. If anything, it’s one of the most picturesque and coziest retreats on this list. Fuchsia, bougainvillea, and other foliage, trompe l’oeil, and real add verve to this gorgeous 1939-built motor court. What’s more, the motel is owned and run by the granddaughters of the original owners, making this perfect for us discerning travelers. As it is, we were looking for something different, and what better than this magical place where the courtyard had hummingbirds flitting through it and everything was in bloom?

“We’d never thought that a motel could be romantic, but the Marina Motel proved us wrong!”

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We loved the choice of rooms here, which were just 17 in number, making our stay intimate and exclusive. What’s more, they all boasted private bathrooms and full kitchens with eating areas. So, we’d even cooked romantic meals right in our room when we didn’t want to step out. However, that’s not all. They all also had thick windows and French country–style furnishings. If you don’t want the street noise, ask for a room where the bedroom faces the courtyard. The best bit, though, was that the hotel had enclosed garages beneath the units, which were a boon for us in a neighborhood that is notorious for the non-availability of street parking.

Our Verdict!

While all of San Francisco’s Marina District stays are amazing, we love the ones below for their specialized features:

• Best value for money: HI San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel
• Most romantic: Marina Motel
• Most family-friendly: Cow Hollow Inn and Suites
• Most luxurious: Infinity Hotel San Francisco, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Where to Stay in the Marina District San Francisco?

San Francisco’s Marina District is a very small neighborhood, with Presidio to the west, Russian Hill to the east, Pacific Heights to the south, and the marina and the San Franciso Bay to the north. So, it doesn’t have any neighborhoods per se, but most of the hotels are located along the southern rim, a.k.a. Lombard Street. While the iconic zig-zag street is one of the West Coast’s most famous boulevards, the zig-zag section is actually in the Russian Hill neighborhood. In the Marina District, it’s a nice, wide, straight boulevard that’s lined with hotels and restaurants on both sides. The main Marina Boulevard is just five small blocks due north. At the western end of the neighborhood sits the Palace of Fine Arts and at the eastern end sits the verdant region of Fort Mason.

Is Marina District San Francisco a good neighborhood?

The Marina District sits on the site of the Panama–Pacific International Exposition, which celebrated the city’s reemergence after the massive 1906 earthquake. Today, it’s one of the city’s most diverse and upcoming neighborhoods.

How popular is the San Francisco marina?

The San Francisco marina is very popular and sought by boaters from across the world.

What can we do in the Marina District?

The neighborhood is a prime waterfront location and is home to a slew of excellent restaurants and bars, retail shopping opportunities, and superb bayside views.