Argonaut Hotel

A converted 1907 cannery on the water, a minute from Hyde Street Pier

The Argonaut occupies the old Del Monte Cannery on Jefferson Street, and it has never tried to hide it — exposed red brick, Douglas-fir beams and arched windows run through all 252 guestrooms and four floors. The nautical styling is deliberate rather than themed: the National Park Service runs a maritime museum on the ground floor, and Hyde Street Pier with its square-riggers is about a minute away on foot.

Rooms average 28 m² (302 sq ft), which is generous for this stretch of the city, and come with a minibar, a fridge and individually adjustable air conditioning. Bay-view rooms look out past the historic fleet toward Alcatraz. There is a fitness centre, bicycles to rent, a 24-hour business centre, and complimentary wired and wireless internet throughout.

The Blue Mermaid Chowder House & Bar sits on the ground floor and does exactly what its name promises; a full breakfast runs each morning for a fee. Ghirardelli Square is a four-minute walk, the Alcatraz ferry terminal is 1.6 km away, and Union Square is 3 km inland.