The Best Affordable Hotels in San Francisco (Under $250 a Night)

Are you looking for Affordable Hotels in in San Francisco?

Great, let’s get started!

There are so many amazing places to stay in San Francisco, but it can sometimes be hard to find one that fits your budget. That’s why we created this list of affordable (and stylish!) hotels under $250 a night.

These hotels are close enough to public transportation or walking distance from popular attractions like Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, Chinatown, and Golden Gate Park. Now you can enjoy the best restaurants, bars, and attractions in San Francisco without breaking the bank.

So let’s get into it! Here’s our pick of Affordable Hotels in San Francisco.

Phoenix Hotel

First on our list of Affordable Hotels in San Francisco is Phoenix Hotel.

Located in the Tenderloin neighborhood and a 10-minute walk from a BART rail station, this hip mid-century hotel has hosted many rock musicians and celebrities since the 1950s, and is just a 4-minute walk from the historic Great American Music Hall nightclub.

Set around a lush courtyard, the funky rooms and suites offer free Wi-Fi and 42-inch flat-screen TVs. Some also have mini-fridges, microwaves, coffeemakers and ceiling fans.

Free perks include parking and weekday passes to a nearby Japanese-style bathing facility. There’s also a heated outdoor pool, a stylish restaurant and a poolside lounge serving seasonal fare and creative cocktails.

Hotel Zephyr

Second on our list of Affordable Hotels in San Francisco is Hotel Zephyr.

A 3-minute walk from Pier 41 in the Fisherman’s Wharf district on San Francisco Bay, this hip, nautical-themed hotel is a mile from the Exploratorium museum and 5 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge.

Bright, sophisticated rooms offer free Wi-Fi and smart TVs, plus mini-fridges and coffeemakers. Upgraded rooms have balconies, some with bay and wharf views. 1- and 2-bedroom suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows and sitting areas.

Amenities include a colorful gym, and an airy, contemporary lounge/game room with a pool table, as well as a furnished terrace with fire pits, seating and sculptures.

Axiom Hotel

Third on our list of Affordable Hotels in San Francisco is Axiom Hotel.

This chic, contemporary hotel among shops and restaurants in the bustling Union Square neighborhood is a minute’s walk from the Powell Street BART station, a 9-minute walk from the Moscone Center convention hall and an 11-minute walk from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

The sleek, modern rooms feature free Wi-Fi and smart TVs, as well as iPad docks, mini-fridges and designer toiletries. Some rooms also come with sofabeds.

Amenities include a fitness center, a posh guest lounge, and a trendy lobby bar with a light-bites menu. There’s also a game room and a business center.

Palihotel San Francisco

Next on our list of Affordable Hotels in San Francisco is Palihotel San Francisco.

Among shops, bars and eateries, this casual hotel is a 13-minute walk from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and a mile from an observation deck at the Coit Tower. Montgomery Street subway station is a 7-minute walk away.

Relaxed, warmly decorated rooms offer Wi-Fi and flat-screens, plus sitting areas, minibars and Nespresso machines. Suites come with living areas or interconnecting bedrooms.

Downstairs, a laid-back bar/restaurant has chic, vintage-style furnishings. There’s also a lobby lounge.

Palace Hotel

Next on our list of Affordable Hotels in San Francisco is the Palace Hotel.

A minute’s walk from the Montgomery St. Muni/BART station and 9 minutes’ stroll from Union Square, this refined turn-of-the-century hotel in the Financial District is 2 miles from lively Pier 39.

The polished rooms feature Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges. Suites come with coffeemakers, and separate living rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and city views. An upgraded suite has a kitchenette and a grand piano.

There’s an elegant fine-dining restaurant, and a breezy lounge in an ornate atrium with a stained-glass dome. Other amenities include an indoor pool and a gym, plus meeting space and 3 ballrooms.

Galleria Park Hotel

Next on our list of Affordable Hotels in San Francisco is Galleria Park Hotel.

Set in a 1911 building surrounded by shops, this chic hotel in the Financial District is a 7-minute walk from Union Square, 2 minutes’ stroll from a light rail stop and 10 minutes’ walkfrom conferences at the Moscone Center.

Sophisticated, art deco–style rooms with high-thread-count linens feature free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, plus minibars, coffeemakers and rainfall showers. Upgraded rooms have skyline views and pull-out sofas. Suites come with living rooms with dining tables, and upgraded suites provide fireplaces and soaking tubs.

Evening wine hours are complimentary. There’s a hip French restaurant with 2 bars, as well as a gym and a garden.

W San Francisco

Next on our list of Affordable Hotels in San Francisco is W San Francisco.

A block from the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, this vibrant, trendy hotel in the South of Market neighborhood is a 4-minute walk from the nearest Muni light-rail stop and a mile from San Francisco Bay.

Contemporary rooms offer flat-screen TVs, minibars and Wi-Fi. Upgraded rooms have sitting areas and city views. Suites come with kitchenettes and living rooms with pull-out sofas. Room service is available here 24/7.

Amenities include a hip lounge, plus a nightclub-style cocktail bar and a sophisticated Californian restaurant. A sleek fitness center features a glass ceiling. There’s also indoor and outdoor event space.

Staypineapple

Next on our list of Affordable Hotels in San Francisco is Staypineapple.

In a stately, 100-year-old building, this classic hotel is a 9-minute walk from Westfield San Francisco Centre mall and 1 mile from the Cable Car Museum.

Bright rooms have hardwood floors, and come with separate sitting areas. All have free WiFi, flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers and some have mini-fridges. Upgraded rooms and suites come with bay windows.

Downstairs, there’s an upscale bistro and bar. Other amenities include an exercise room, and freebies such as bike rentals, and afternoon coffee and snacks. Dog beds, water bowls and pet treats are also available here.

San Francisco Marriott Marquis Union Square

Next on our list of Affordable Hotels in San Francisco is San Francisco Marriott Marquis Union Square.

Set in a striking high-rise building, this polished downtown hotel is within a 4-minute walk of the Powell Street BART station and the Moscone Center, and an 8-minute walk from Union Square.

The modern rooms have flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and minibars, plus coffeemakers, and work desks with ergonomic chairs. Suites come with living areas with pull-out sofas. Upgraded suites provide access to a VIP lounge offering free breakfast and evening appetizers.

There’s a 39th-floor lounge offering panoramic views, small plates and cocktails, plus a casual gastropub and a cafe. Other amenities include meeting rooms, a spa and a fitness center.

Kimpton Buchanan Hotel

Next on our list of Affordable Hotels in San Francisco is Kimpton Buchanan Hotel.

This hip Japantown hotel is 2 blocks from the boutiques and restaurants of Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights, and a mile from Union Square.

Rooms have laid-back, Japanese-style decor and yoga mats. All also offer stereo systems, mini-fridges and coffeemakers, as well as Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Upgraded rooms have private patios or balconies. Pets are welcome for no additional charge.

A free afternoon wine social and loaner bikes are offered. Amenities also include a fitness room, valet parking and a courtyard. There’s a lively Japanese restaurant/bar adjacent to the hotel.

Hotel Spero

Next on our list of Affordable Hotels in San Francisco is Hotel Spero.

Located in the Theater District, this lavish early 20th-century hotel is a 6-minute walk from Union Square and the Powell Street BART rail station.

Bright, contemporary rooms feature free Wi-Fi, 50-inch TVs, picture windows and work spaces. Suites come with hardwood floors, sofabeds and separate living rooms.

Downstairs, there’s a casual American restaurant and bar showing big-screen sports, along with a co-working space and a 24-hour fitness center. Valet parking is also available.

Courtyard by Marriott San Francisco Downtown

Next on our list of Affordable Hotels in San Francisco is Courtyard by Marriott San Francisco Downtown.

In a building dating from 1908, this refined hotel on a busy thoroughfare is a 15-minute walk from Civic Center BART station, 12 minutes by foot from the Asian Art Museum, and 3 miles from PIER 39 on San Francisco Bay.

Airy, polished rooms feature complimentary Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, plus mini-fridges and coffeemakers. Suites come with semi-separate living areas and sofabeds.

Amenities include an upscale diner with a retro vibe, plus meeting and event space, and a 24-hour gym.

Stanford Court San Francisco

Next on our list of Affordable Hotels in San Francisco is Stanford Court San Francisco.

Perched atop Nob Hill, this elegant, contemporary hotel on the cable-car line is 7 minutes’ walk from Chinatown and 10 minutes’ walk from Union Square.

The refined rooms with dark wood furnishings have high ceilings, free Wi-Fi, 37-inch flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffee-making equipment. Upgraded rooms have private sitting areas and sweeping views of the city or bay.

Amenities include a 24-hour fitness center and a business center. An on-site New American cafe offers local organic coffees and juices in the morning, and dinner and cocktails at night. An amenity fee covers loaner bikes, a device library and hot drinks.

Hotel Kabuki

Next on our list of Affordable Hotels in San Francisco is Hotel Kabuki.

Set in Japantown, this modern, upscale hotel is 3 blocks from the shops and restaurants of Fillmore Street and 1 mile from Union Square.

Refined rooms with Japanese-influenced decor feature free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, as well as luxe linens, iPod docks and minibars. Many rooms add Japanese soaking tubs, and some feature balconies, sitting areas and whirlpool tubs. In-room spa treatments are available here.

Downstairs, a sleek lounge serves Japanese and American fare. There’s a 24/7 gym, plus a serene garden with a koi pond. Free bathing passes are also available to Kabuki Springs and Spa, 2 blocks away.

Kimpton Alton Hotel

Last on our list of Affordable Hotels in San Francisco is Kimpton Alton Hotel.

A 4-minute walk from dining and entertainment at Fishermans Wharf, this refined hotel is less than a block from a light rail station, and 15 minutes away by foot from ferries to Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay.

Featuring turntables, vinyl records and yoga mats, the polished rooms provide Wi-Fi and smart TVs. Some offer bay views. Upgraded rooms have sitting areas and free-standing tubs, and 1-bedroom suites come with separate living rooms.

Freebies include loaner bikes, and regular evening socials with wine. There’s an upscale Filipino restaurant with a bar, as well as a 24-hour gym, and meeting and event space.

Enjoyed our guide to the most Affordable Hotels in San Francisco? Take a look at our Complete Guide to the Best Hotels in San Francisco here.