The luxurious Mandarin Oriental occupies the upper floors of a 48-story, twin-tower office building, and attracts a Wall Street clientele and other travelers accustomed to top-drawer digs. The richly furnished lobby offers comfortable chairs, complimentary wireless Internet access, and views of the bustling streets of the financial district.

A personal greeter welcomes guests arriving at the palatial Nob Hill hotel with its gleaming polished-marble lobby overflowing with fresh flowers and decorated with 18th- and 19th-century works of art. Guests can expect superior service in a residential setting at this destination property dating from 1909, making it a magnet for celebrities, weekenders, and discerning business and vacation travelers.

This luxurious resort, opened in 2001 along a remote stretch of Northern California coastline, is just over the mountains from Silicon Valley and only 30 miles south of San Francisco, but it feels like a million light-years from civilization. A more relaxed, residential style makes the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay a popular destination for vacationing families, wedding parties, and couples.

What to expect: The St. Regis San Francisco comprises the historic Williams Building, a modern 40-story tower, and the Museum of the African Diaspora in the vibrant SOMA (South of Market) district. The hotel’s proximity to cultural attractions and the convention center attracts visitors who require top-notch service and luxurious amenities. The hotel has a pet-friendly policy.

Amenity highlights: Butlers provide complimentary services, including packing and unpacking. Guests also have complimentary access to a Bentley that offers one-way transportation within three miles each evening.

Remède Spa pampers guests with champagne, truffles, and other goodies while they await treatments. Access to a 50-foot indoor infinity lap pool and a fitness center is complimentary. Ame restaurant offers New American cuisine with Japanese elements.

Insider tip: From spring to fall, there are frequent outdoor performances on the esplanade of the Yerba Buena Gardens across the street from the hotel.

Fresh flowers and doorstaff greet guests at The Westin, a towering presence in the SoMa district (South of Market) decorated with original works of art and featuring a marble lobby with a gold-leaf dome, leather couches, and corded velvet armchairs. The hotel's eclectic clientele includes business travelers, vacationing couples, families, singles, and those desiring an impressive address for a getaway.

What to expect: Dating from 1924, this award-winning family-owned hotel has managed to maintain a strong tradition of hospitality. Guests include businesspeople, vacationers, honeymooners, and others who desire personalized service, intimate ambience, and a prestigious San Francisco location. Upon arrival guests are greeted with complimentary coffee or tea in the privacy of their rooms. The Huntington Hotel is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Amenity highlights: The hotel’s complimentary Town Car service transports guests to Union Square and the financial district. Guests receive complimentary use of Nob Hill Spa with an indoor pool and spa tub, sauna and steam rooms, a fitness center, and fitness classes including yoga.

Acclaimed Big 4 restaurant spotlights innovative American cuisine, including game dishes. Fine wines, a fireplace, live piano entertainment, and adjacent bar add to the ambience.

Insider tip: One mile from the hotel, Yerba Buena Gardens is the site of numerous festivals, art shows, and complimentary concerts from spring through fall. Top-name dance troupes also perform at the Center for the Arts theater, on the east side of the gardens. An event schedule is available at the galleries next to the theater.

Designed by John Portman, JW Marriott San Francisco has cylindrical glass elevators that zip up and down a 21-story skylit atrium. Located one block from Union Square and four blocks from the Financial District, the hotel is popular with corporate groups, sports teams, and leisure travelers.

Set on 10 acres of manicured lawns, paths, and patios, this Bay Area hotel offers resort ambience off Highway 101, about halfway between San Francisco and San Jose. The six-story structure has a spacious, marble-floored circular lobby. The hotel is framed throughout with rich wood moldings and lit eclectically with pinpoint bulbs. Guests include a mix of business and leisure travelers.

Located in the financial district, this 27-floor Hilton is connected by bridge to a popular Chinatown pagoda park. Inside the hotel, the lobby showcases decor made up of water and fire elements.

Guests enter the Westin via a circular drive with tall palm trees. The minimalist hotel lobby has a sunken seating area and a handful of 19th-century Asian sculptural pieces for decoration. The Westin is popular with both business and leisure travelers.