Best Value Hotels in Nob Hill, San Francisco

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. 

If cookie-cutter chain rooms aren't your thing, this mid-range family-owned boutique hotel is a good pick for francophiles and art lovers. The lobby and restaurant take the French theme to an extreme with displays of swords, shields, tapestries, and statues, but the 50 individually decorated guest rooms are serene and full of light. Travelers will likely appreciate the lobby stocked with tourist brochures, free coffee, and an honor system cookie jar. Jeanne D'Arc, the cozy medieval restaurant in the basement, offers a reasonably priced four-course dinner with both ambiance and good food. The location is close to Union Station and the cable car to Fisherman's Wharf. The hotel is not air-conditioned; those who prefer a modern vibe and air-conditioning, try Hotel G.

The 26-room Petite Auberge is a moderately priced, three-pearl French country hotel in lower Nob Hill, with antique touches, a comfy fireplace parlor, a homey breakfast room, concierge services, and access to a nearby fitness center. Traditional, cozy rooms have flat-screen TVs and some have fireplaces. The hotel's only suite offers a terrace, a mini-fridge, and a whirlpool tub. However, the insulation in rooms doesn’t keep out noises. The rooms at the Cornell Hotel de France are quieter. 

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 76-room Grant Hotel is a budget-friendly option, three blocks from Union Square. Breakfast is included in room rates, as is Wi-Fi, and there's also a business corner with two Macs. The lobby has a cozy, simple vibe -- with a small seating area and free coffee -- and rooms feel similarly; decor is a bit basic and IKEA-esque, but large windows allow for plenty of light. Most come with flat-screen TVs and safes, but lack extras such as mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and air-conditioning. The nearby Handlery Union Square may be a better option for guests wanting air-conditioning.

Located in a largely residential neighborhood in the Nob Hill District, the four-story, 52-room value Nob Hill Hotel offers a free breakfast and free evening wine and cheese reception. Other perks include a 24-hour fitness center and business center, and an Italian restaurant. Housed in a 1906 building with Victorian-style interiors, the hotel is not luxurious but appeals to those in search of historic character at reasonable rates. The immediate neighborhood isn't that enticing, but the hotel is within walking distance of Union Square and Chinatown, and is two blocks from the cable car for a 20-minute trip to Fisherman's Wharf.