A very fun and hip spot. Treats itself with humor and is a lively vibe. Very comfortable rooms, green-friendly. Located at the entrance to Chinatown, with an excellent french cafe downstairs.

Upscale, over-the-top decor! Go to the bar and watch digital art pics with moving eyes! Very hip, almost painfully so at times, but a top end landmark hotel in downtown San Francisco.

Adagio is a nice find. It’s got real character in the architecture and main lobby areas, and very nicely appointed and large rooms. A great choice.

Tucked away near the top of the hill, very personable staff and each room is unique with suite-like facilities. A real find, could use some updating, but services and location are excellent. Across the street from the majestic Ritz Carlton.

If you need a hit of uber-hipness, this would be the place. Wear black and carry a platinum card. Across the street from Moscone, and down the street from MOMA.

Very nice small, hip hotel – very trendy and comfortable, well appointed boutique. Excellent small bistro, great location close to the Moscone convention center and a half block from Market Street and the main shopping area.

Underwent major renovations in spring 07 (and rebranded Hotel Kabuki, I think) this is now a real zen retreat hotel. Big rooms, located in the heart of Japantown, a bit out of the way from downtown, but San Francisco is a wonderful city of neighborhoods and this gives you a chance to explore – about halfway between Union Square and Haight Ashbury.

Also, a short stumble from the famous Fillmore, if you’re into music.

Great location near conventions and shopping. mid-sized hotel, decent facilities. Modern and clean with large rooms.

This is the “budget hotel” in the list. Nice looking and hip/fun, but relative to the rest on this list, lower quality renovations. It’s a nice location and – typically – one of the best buys. The great Red Room bar downstairs makes up for its shortcomings!

The Monaco is located in the thick of Union Square, and has an excellent bar and restaurant called the Grand Cafe – spectacular ambiance. The rooms are very comfortable, and has a fun and funky edge.