Destination Guide
San Francisco
Stay
We only feature hotels that we can vouch for first-hand. With Indagare Plus,members receive special amenities.
Ritz-Carlton San Francisco
Host to many of the the areas society events, the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco boasts over-the-top, old-fashioned elegance and is the best hotel option in the city.
The Battery
San Francisco’s most stylish property is undoubtedly its most eclectic: The Battery is housed within a building that previously operated as both a marble mill and a candy warehouse; its walls are lined alternatively with taxidermy and antiques; and its clientele is a mash-up of twenty-something tech wunderkinds and sleek out-of-towners.
Located in the fun Jackson Square neighborhood just a few blocks from the waterfront, the 14-room Battery is both a members’ club and a hotel, with uniquely appointed rooms and one stunning, 6,200-square-foot penthouse. The top accommodation rivals those at the city’s best hotels, with a kitchen, chic furnishings including horsehair wallpaper, gold lamé chairs and a sprawling patio complete with a 14-person dining table, grill, Jacuzzi and fire pit. The remaining rooms are all done with a similarly stylish flair, incorporating elements like exposed-brick walls, brass furnishings, French windows and contemporary art.
The public spaces are plentiful, and all are seemingly decorated with Instagram in mind—but as per hotel policy, no photos are allowed. A Soho House–like vibe runs throughout the property, and while there is no dress code, chic apparel is certainly appreciated. The restaurant, 717B, has an industrial aesthetic, and is open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while light bites, craft cocktails and wine (from the hotel’s 3,000-bottle cellar) can be ordered in any of the Battery’s four bars.
Just a short walk from the waterfront, the Battery also offers a gym and spa for guests who wish to do their exercise and pampering on property. The fitness facilities are excellent, with a Zen zone for low-impact activity, weight and cardio room and personal trainers and nutritionists available to consult with guests.
Hotel Drisco
This 48-room hotel in the wealthy Pacific Heights neighborhood is a preferred address of regular San Francisco visitors who prefer to stay in a more residential setting. The four-story building, which dates from 1903, has lovely views down steep Broderick Street toward the bay, so top-floor rooms are the ones to book. All are elegantly and comfortably furnished, in cheerful colors, and include such charming original touches as white clapboard wainscoting, painted cast-iron heaters and, in some cases, bay windows. Rooms feel fresh and modern. Hailed by many insiders as the city’s best small hotel, the Drisco has a friendly, plugged-in staff, many of whom have been there for decades. Travelers who loathe being nickel-and-dimed when on the road will appreciate the complimentary breakfast, afternoon wine reception, WiFi and town car shuttle service on weekday mornings to Union Square, the Financial District, and the Presidio, all included in the room rate. Twenty-four hour room service is also available. The Drisco has a small fitness center and loaner bicycles, and offers free passes to the Presidio YMCA.
See & Do
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