6 Affordable Boutique Hotels in San Francisco

The LINE Hotel

The LINE Hotel stands up straight on the busy corner of Turk and Market streets. Its curvaceous build and asymmetrical window matrix present a futuristic look. Lauded boutique hotel group LINE Hotels’ latest outpost pays homage to its urban environs: raw concrete ceilings, modernist trappings, and graffiti-inflected art hover above guestroom headboards. Indoor-outdoor lobby restaurant Tenderheart conjures a menu serving North Californian-inspired dishes via the culinary direction of praised chef Joe Hou. Los Angeles-based Alfred Coffee’s first Bay Area location pulls in the “cup of joe” connoisseurs from all over San Francisco.

Amenities include: Fitness center, room service, tea/coffee maker in all rooms, free WiFi, and free parking.

Palihotel San Francisco

Boutique hotel empress Palisociety’s outpost in San Francisco brims with the brand’s Golden State pedigree. Right next to Union Square, the hotel is a love letter to California, from the lobby’s warm craftsman-style millwork to the classic and contemporary California-centric artwork adorning guestroom walls. When staying here, expect Nespresso machines, stocked minibars, Diptyque bath products, cozy bathrobes, and walk-in showers. For those unfamiliar with the Palisociety brand, they champion a laid-back, low-frills approach to luxury — and this stay is no exception. Hungry guests can dine at the second-floor French restaurant Fisher Loft, open all day. Visitors who want their fur babies to experience San Francisco with them can do so here via the hotel’s amicable "Pawlisociety" pet program.

Amenities include: Free WiFi, free parking.

Axiom Hotel

Located right beside the cable car turnaround, the Axiom Hotel’s central location is hard to beat when it comes to a stay downtown. Built in 1908, the hotel presents a preserved edifice that mingles with the new: original crown moldings and high ceilings pair perfectly with the modern guestrooms, kitted out in restored dark wood floors, roomy walk-in showers, and modern-minimal furnishings. Those looking to grab a quick bite can visit Turn Café, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you ask us, the hotel’s most exciting feature is on its mezzanine level: you’ll find vintage arcade games, from Paperboy to Pac-Man.

Amenities include: Fitness center, room service, free WiFi, and free parking.

The Hotel Castro

The 12-room Hotel Castro sits in the pioneering LGBTQ+ Castro District of San Francisco. Queer heroes fuel inspiration for the rooms here, with each one boasting a private outdoor terrace. Chromatic splashes, contemporary design elements, eye-catching jewel tones, and tributes to 1970s panache invoke a fun-loving atmosphere. The marble-topped cocktail-centric Lobby Bar has quickly become a local favorite. Hotel guests also get access to the private rooftop and one of San Francisco’s trendiest members’ clubs, The Academy. Locale-immersing packages pair stays with the opportunity to learn more about the neighborhood and its eventful history via Cruisin’ the Castro Walking Tours.

Amenities include: Free WiFi and free parking.

Hotel Zeppelin

A rock’n’roll theme permeates the interiors of Hotel Zeppelin. From rooms to common spaces, you’ll find purple carpets, artwork of John Lennon, velvet cushions, and black leather-tinged headboards. Check-in offers the opportunity to sip the hotel’s talked-about sangria from the lobby bar. The fun doesn’t stop there: the basement, decorated with comic book art, packs games such as Skee-Ball, pool, and basketball hoops. Those on the go can indulge in lattes and light noshes at the hotel’s lobby coffee shop, Zeppelin Café.

Amenities include: Fitness center, guest laundry, free WiFi, and free parking.

Hotel G

A block away from Union Square, the 153-room Hotel G stretches 12 levels up. Those at the helm gussied up the 1908-constructed building, retouching the façade and adding wooden and tiled flooring, among other features. Rooms pair antiques and earthy modern design, meshing Victorian chaise lounges with fog-tinged walls and natural fabrics.