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San Francisco Hotel ★★ As modern and hip as its fashionable clientele, this 31-story property suits its neighbors, which include the Museum of Modern Art, the Moscone Center, and the Metreon entertainment center. The trendy, urban style extends to the guest rooms, which contain a feather bed with a goose-down comforter and pillows, an upholstered chaise longue, and louvered blinds that open to (usually) great city views. Bathrooms are super-sleek and stocked with Bliss products. Whimsical touches like kaleidoscopes and mini-Buddha statues make the place all the more homey. Opening as we go to print: A new restaurant, Trace, with a theme of traceable, local foods. The W boasts a 5,000-square-foot outpost of NYC’s Bliss Spa, and pets are allowed in guest rooms (in fact, they offer dog-walking and grooming services, as well as litter boxes, beds, bowls, and gifts; a $100 cleaning fee applies). All in all, this is one of the top places to stay in San Francisco, particularly if you enjoy the nightlife scene, which quite literally begins at the W’s doorstep.

181 Third St. (btw. Mission and Howard sts.), San Francisco, CA 94103. www.wsanfrancisco.com. 877/822-0000 or 415/777-5300. Fax 415/817-7823. 410 units. From $359 double; $1,800–$2,500 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $49. Bus: 15, 30, or 45. Streetcar: J, K, L, or M to Montgomery. Pets accepted for $100 fee. Amenities: Restaurant; 2 bars; concierge; fitness center; heated atrium pool and Jacuzzi; room service; spa. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, CD/DVD player, hair dryer, minibar, free Wi-Fi.

Expensive

The Harbor Court ★★ When the Embarcadero Freeway was torn down after the Big One in 1989, one of the major benefactors was the “wellness-themed” Harbor Court hotel: The 1926 landmark building’s backyard view went from a wall of cement to a dazzling vista of the Bay Bridge (be sure to request a bay-view room, for an extra fee). Just off the Embarcadero at the edge of the Financial District and a few blocks from AT&T Park, this former YMCA books a lot of corporate travelers, but anyone who seeks stylish, high-quality accommodations—half-canopy beds, large armoires, soundproof windows, and 27-inch LCD TVs—with a superb view and lively scene will be perfectly content here. A major bonus is the free use of the adjoining fitness club, a top-quality YMCA facility with a giant indoor swimming pool. Two more reasons to stay here are the daily hosted evening wine reception and the adjacent Ozumo Sushi Bar and Robata Grill, which has a hugely popular happy hour, a cool vibe, and wonderful cuisine.

165 Steuart St. (btw. Mission and Howard sts.), San Francisco, CA 94105. www.harborcourthotel.com. 866/792-6283 or 415/882-1300. Fax 415/882-1313. 131 units. $87–$295 double; from $519 suite. Continental breakfast $10. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Parking $40. Bus: 14 or 80x. Streetcar: Embarcadero. Pets accepted. Amenities: Access to adjoining health club and large, heated indoor pool; room service. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, minibar, free Wi-Fi.

The Hotel Griffon ★★ Among San Francisco’s small boutique hotels, this is a top contender. Ideally situated on the historic waterfront and steps from the heart of the Financial District and Ferry Building Marketplace, the Griffon is impeccably outfitted with a soothing design sensibility. Completely renovated in 2007, it boasts contemporary features such as 32-inch flatscreen TVs, lofty ceilings, marble vanities, Aveda bath products, cozy window seats, and plush bedding (really, this place is smooth). Be sure to request a bay-view room overlooking the Bay Bridge—the added perks and view make it well worth the extra cost. Smokers, book a room elsewhere—there’s no puffing allowed here. Another big bonus: It’s attached to an upscale outpost of the classic American eatery, Perry’s—the restaurant made famous in Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City books.

155 Steuart St. (btw. Mission and Howard sts.), San Francisco, CA 94105. www.hotelgriffon.com. 800/321-2201 or 415/495-2100. Fax 415/495-3522. 62 units. $166–$259 double; from $339 suite. Rates