Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Nob Hill, San Francisco

Everything you'd expect from a Ritz -- formal, doting service; cultivated decor; tasteful, tasty dining; a luxury spa -- all in the ritziest of San Francisco neighborhoods. But while luxury competitors offer free limo rides, 24-hour butlers, or panoramic views, the Ritz lacks a wow factor. It's largely a matter of taste, of course, but we prefer the St. Regis and Mandarin Oriental.

The 26-room, mid-range White Swan Inn in San Francisco’s Nob Hill district offers a cozy and intimate atmosphere, with rooms featuring fireplaces and ample sitting areas. The bed-and-breakfast features a classic-inn-meets-mod-London vibe, with abundance of floral walls coupled with cheeky artwork and lattice-patterned arm chairs designed by Christian Lacroix. The result is a jumble of patterns and textures that can feel fussy and cluttered to some, but overall gives off a quaint and charming vibe. The inn, an easy walk to Chinatown and Union Square, may be old-looking, but it doesn’t feel dated thanks to a renovation in early 2015. It may be worth comparing rates with the inn’s nearby competitors, like the Nob Hill Hotel, which is also English-inspired but has a slightly higher price point, and the Petite Auberge, White Swan Inn’s sister property right next door, which has similar features at similar price points. 

The Mayflower Hotel dates back to 1929 and offers clean, budget-friendly accommodations in an historic building with some modern updates and artsy murals. Some travelers find the property tired-looking, while others consider it charming. It’s a good value for basic rooms and a free breakfast in a convenient downtown location.

The 161-room upper-middle-range Hotel Carlton is a comfortable property located located near Polk Street and Union Square in Lower Nob Hill. Built in 1927, the Carlton has an eclectic decor, with Middle Eastern and Asian influences. The fusion theme continues into its restaurant, Saha, which blends Yemenese and Arabic cuisine with California and French touches. The hotel also has a meeting room and a 24-hour business center. Rooms come with flat-screen TVs and Keurig coffeemakers, and offer city views. Be aware that rooms are not air-conditioned, and some receive noise from the street and adjacent rooms. The Galleria Park, also a Joie de Vivre hotel, offers quieter internal rooms with minibars.

The 26-floor, 496-room Holiday Inn is a mid-range tourist hotel on Van Ness Avenue in downtown San Francisco. While not very close to attractions such as Yerba Buena Gardens, MOMA, the Ferry Building, and the Golden Gate Bridge, the hotel is right on the California Street cable car line, and rates are lower than at hotels in the more touristy areas. Fisherman's Wharf is about a 20-minute cable car ride north. As the tallest building in the neighborhood, the hotel offers views of the city skyline and bay from many of its rooms. Renovated in 2015, the Holiday Inn has up-to-date rooms with free Wi-Fi, and a wide array of amenities, including an outdoor heated swimming pool open year-round.