San ‘Golden City’ Francisco is anything but run-of-the-mill, whether you’re here for sightseeing or for business. When it comes to business hotels, do the same old, same old boring design ideas come to your mind? Not in San Francisco, though! The pioneering city and the fountainhead of Silicon Valley doesn’t do bland business hotels. San Francisco business hotel options, even the business district ones, are all about spa treatments designed to soothe your fast-typing hands or funky co-working spaces. Whether you’re an FTSE 100 CEO or a hoodie-clad digital nomad, or a freelancer, this work-hard, play-hard town has lots of interesting options for hotels. Of course, every place boasts strong Wi-Fi, which is an absolute necessity for business!
San Francisco is not some bland city where you have nothing to do after a day of negotiations and trade talks. There are so many Top Things To Do In San Francisco, such as Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf, two of the Top Tourist Attractions In The USA. Along with these two, another landmark here is the Transamerica Pyramid, one of the World’s Largest Pyramids. If that wasn’t enough, the city is also home to one of the World’s Best Flea Markets, the Treasure Island Fest. Did we also mention the presence of Baker Beach, one of California’s Best Beaches? The Golden Gate City beckons you with its amazing atmosphere and, of course, its hotels. To that end, here are the 11 best San Francisco business hotel options, including those in the business district.
Table of contents
- The St. Regis San Francisco
- InterContinental San Francisco
- Hotel Zetta San Francisco
- Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco
- Hotel VIA
- Axiom Hotel
- Hotel Kabuki
- San Francisco Proper Hotel
- Hotel Zeppelin
- Stanford Court San Francisco
- San Francisco Marriott Marquis
- Where to Stay in San Francisco
- Recommended Restaurants / Bars in San Francisco
- Recommended Activities in San Francisco
The St. Regis San Francisco
11
High-rolling business travelers, plus NBA players, call St. Regis the San Francisco business hotel of choice, and it’s easy to see why. This five-star hotel is a monument in its own right, complete with a central location, designer furnishings, and OTT amenities. Think caviar, limo services, and cashmere quilts as part of room service. Not only does the hotel have huge meeting spaces, but it also has a swanky business center. That, along with excellent restaurants and a state-of-the-art gym, makes it the perfect business hotel for solo and groups of travelers. Did we mention the amazing pool? It’s one of the Best Hotel Pools in San Francisco.
For those staying at St. Regis, the experience is a treat. Think Frette linens and fainting sofas in the room and plush marble bathrooms with deeps-soaking bathtubs. The customized furniture and spectacular views only make it all the better.
InterContinental San Francisco
10
The InterContinental San Francisco might not be San Francisco’s ritziest business hotel, but it offers all of the essentials you need for a quick and reasonable, and yet slick work trip. Located right next to the Moscone West center, it’s the perfect base for people who’re on the convention circuit. With 43,000 feet of function space, a business center, and even three outdoor terraces, it’s massive and makes for the perfect business hotel. At the same time, it still manages to be a warm space, with metal cutout tables in the lobby, wingback chairs, standing lamps, and lots of natural light. Moreover, all its rooms and suites have workstations and comfy beds for a good night’s sleep. If you want to impress clients over a meal, make reservations at the Michelin-starred Luce that serves a modern take on American cuisine.
Hotel Zetta San Francisco
9
Freelancers will love Hotel Zetta, a spiffy and utterly modern San Francisco business hotel. Located two blocks from Moscone convention center, Zetta is perfect for play, rest, and work. The split-level lobby, for instance, is all about free VR games and shuffleboard tournaments for when you really need that creative break. The ground floor even has a lobby bar for informal meetings. It even has chandeliers crafted from used eyeglasses and a pool table made from old railroad ties. Even the on-site Brit-themed restaurant is on-point and great for grabbing a sumptuous pre-work breakfast or a post-work drink or two. Are you staying here? You’ll love the rooms and suites, which have desks akin to workbenches. Jawbone speakers and Illy pod espresso machines only make the experience all the better and help you pull late-nighters.
Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco
8
It might come as a surprise to many, but the Four Seasons boasts a distinct on-the-go-CEO vibe. For instance, the lobby is an upscale communal working space. There’s even a cool working space on the fifth floor, complete with plush sofas, workbenches, sculptures, and rich wood paneling. Work out the kinks in your presentation at the outlet-equipped side tables as you order smoothies and appetizers from the MKT restaurant next door. After a day of working around the clock, head for a yoga or a workout session at the ultra-luxe fitness club Equinox. Come mornings; the light-filled restaurant is all about buzzing business breakfasts. Equipped with everything a creative working person needs for a business trip, Four Seasons is one of the best San Francisco business district hotels.
Hotel VIA
7
Are you here to see Silicon Valley? Then Hotel Via is an excellent business hotel in San Francisco. Not only is it close to the Caltrain, but it also neighbors the San Francisco bases of Dropbox, Pinterest, and Google. The hotel has the most interesting ‘technology hub’ that freelance digital nomads and startup peeps will love. Not only does it have super-speedy Wi-Fi 24 hours a day, but it even has huddle areas – super-chill team meetings, anyone? At the end of the day, Via’s chilled-out rooftop bar is a great place to destress with a couple of cold ones or cocktails.
Are you staying here? All of the sleek and soundproof rooms and suites are perfect for holing up and getting some serious work done. Fast Wi-Fi and Illy espresso makers go a long way in helping you stay focused, while multiple USB plugs and a dedicated tablet for info browsing, streaming music or movies, and ordering room service helps too. It’s no wonder it’s one of the Best Hotels in San Francisco.
Axiom Hotel
6
Digital nomads, startup studs, and freelancers will love the self-proclaimed ‘tech-savvy’ Axiom Hotel. The hotel prides itself on super-fast Wi-Fi, but its standout feature is the Axiom’s Turn Café, which was made for digital nomads. Think plug sockets and USB ports at every table so that you can turn a boring workday into a fun one. Or, you could even have interesting meetings and brainstorming sessions over cups of joe in a gorgeous and sun-kissed environment. Right above the cafe lies the sprawling ‘Cloud Level’ mezzanine, which is a great alternative to airless and run-of-the-mill conference rooms. Think free vintage arcade games, table football, and comfy couches. Even rooms and suites are great with fridges, Illy espresso, and coffee machines, and room service to be ordered via the TV, which doubles as a streaming device.
Hotel Kabuki
5
Have you had enough back-to-back meetings and are desperate for some Zen? The Japantown boutique Hotel Kabuki is a great place to find some zen and serenity in the middle of good ol’ San Francisco. When your day’s work is done, peace out in the garden. You’ll love the fire pit, the koi pond, and the sculpted Japanese pine. Even workspaces are relaxing in a lobby that’s very Brooklyn-meets-Kyoto way; think leather settees and potted plants separated by scaffold-like bookshelves. Curl up with a Japanese craft beer or a house cocktail and give finishing touches to that investor presentation in peace. To really bliss out, the Kabuki Springs & Spa nearby offers a steaming onsen. Where else will you find a steaming hot tub right in the heart of San Francisco? It’s what makes the Kabuki one of the best San Francisco business district hotels.
San Francisco Proper Hotel
4
Techie types will prefer staying in the gritty Mid-Market district that’s home to Uber’s and Twitter’s offices. In that case, the San Francisco Proper Hotel is perfect for them. Nestled in a historic flatiron building, the stylish hotel is a great base for smart tech-savvy travelers. Think a rooftop bar (one of the very few in the city) that has a queue around the block and hip fashion shoot-worthy designer interiors. The focus is on social spaces rather than stuffy meeting rooms and banquet halls, complete with finely crafted drinks and food. The buzzing restaurant occupies the top spot, doubling as the colorful lobby lounge with patterned rugs, checked chairs, and striped sofas.
Are you staying here? Rooms and suites have hip OTT amenities such as tablets for reservations, recommendations, and room service, and in-room vitamin boost shots “administered by local VIP doctors.” The best bit? All of them have beautifully curated minibars stocked with designer chocolate, craft wine, and local beers.
Hotel Zeppelin
3
Do you want to hole up in a gorgeous room in San Francisco and simply put your mind to work? Then consider staying at Hotel Zeppelin, where all rooms and suites feature John Boos maple work tables and fancy ergonomic chairs. They’re the perfect solution to the dreaded ‘laptop slump,’ and your posture would have never been or looked better. What’s more, you can use the TV to do everything from surfing the net to ordering room service. Plus, there’s a fridge and a Nespresso machine as well with espresso-sized cups.
Are you planning to have informal team or client meetings? The beatnik-inspired Mantel Bar is where you should invite them, with Macbookers tapping at a shared desk joining you guys. The crackling fire and exposed brick walls make it cozy, and you can order food through the neighboring Rambler restaurant! Desperate for a time-out? Head to the games basement, where you’ll find everything from a giant Connect 4 to Skeeball.
Stanford Court San Francisco
2
Freelancers and creative types will absolutely love Stanford Court San Francisco, which feels more like a private members’ club for San Francisco’s creative elite. Head to the hotel bar and pair your PowerPoint presentation with a pint from the local brewers, Seven Stills. If you’re a laptopper, then the communal wood benches are perfect for you. What’s more, there are even break-out areas with plush rugs and sofas for team meetings, a la designer living rooms. For those who’re working solo, the hot desks tucked between dining tables, complete with anglepoise lamps and shelves of battered vinyls, are perfect. After a day of working, the swanky and well-equipped fitness center is perfect for working out. If you’re staying here, rooms and suites have fridges with sports bottles with drinks on the go and bottled water, as well as coffee makers and swish TVs.
San Francisco Marriott Marquis
1
Are you looking for the superman of business hotels? That’ll be the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, without a doubt. With two excellent restaurants and an even better location just minutes from Moscone Convention Center, you’ll be wanting for nothing at this titan of a business hotel. This four-star hotel is the perfect base for business travelers to catch up on some work, recharge, and rest. The five-story lobby’s glass-top atrium with a dining court is its centerpiece. It’s the perfect quiet space to work as an event area or even for convention-goers to work.
Right off the lobby is the B55 Craft House & Kitchen, which is great for a business meal, while Mission Street Pantry is perfect for on-the-go techies. After work, head to the gym or the spa to blow off some steam. If you’re staying here, rooms and suites all have a bunch of techy amenities, wide desks, and ergonomic chairs.
Where to Stay in San Francisco
San Francisco is an exciting place to visit and is all about art, museums, delectable cuisine, and lots of amazing indie and boutique stores. If you’re here on business, then the first neighborhood you’ll consider is the Financial District. It’s home to the largest concentration of corporate headquarters and financial institutions such as insurance and law firms and banks in the skyscrapers dominating the skyline here. Next up is Union Square, which lies just west of the financial district. It’s just one square bordered by four roads, but there’s so much packed in this dense area that it’s San Francisco’s commercial heart. Fisherman’s Wharf, Russian Hill, and Nob Hill are some of the most charming neighborhoods in the town. They’re the perfect neighborhoods to stay for creative types and freelancers.
We also have Mission District and Chinatown as culturally important neighborhoods, while North Beach is one of the city’s most diverse cultural melting pots. SoMa (South of the Market) is equally exciting, while the Marina is one of the most peaceful areas in the city. Do you want to stay near the Golden Gate Bridge? Here are the Best Hotels Near The Golden Gate Bridge.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars in San Francisco
- Pabu: No list of great San Francisco business dinner restaurants is complete without mentioning the upscale sushi eatery that is Pabu. Serving the freshest seafood and excellent Japanese whisky, this happening and sleek modern “izakaya” has both booths and private rooms. What’s more, you can even perch yourself at the chef’s counter to watch sushi chefs prepare some of the best-looking dishes of food in the city. Don’t miss American wagyu beef shabu, soothing miso soup with tofu, and robata skewers of pork belly or chicken tail.
- Perbacco: If you want business contracts to be signed with a side of Italian, then perbacco is the place to do it. Situated right in the heart of the financial district, this bi-level restaurant boasts an excellent charcuterie program with five-hour pork sugo and housemade tagliatelle. Even the wine list is comprehensive and impressive, complete with exceptional Italian, American, and French bottles.
Recommended Activities in San Francisco
- San Francisco Small-Group Napa Valley Tour for Wine Lovers: If you and your group of business associates are looking to blow off steam, then this Napa Valley Tour is perfect. Discover the best of California’s wine country has to offer and visit the historic Cameros vineyard and sample the best wines of the region. This tour aslo takes you to the 13th century-style castle of Castello di Amorosa.
- San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise by Luxury Catamaran: At the end of a business day in San Francisco, how about a luxury sunset cruise to impress your clients? This relaxing luxury catamaran cruise takes you around San Francisco Bay where you can watch the sunset. Catch brilliant views of Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge.