Set right on the Hyde–Powell cable car line, a block away from Aquatic Park and the famous Buena Vista Restaurant, this posh and surprisingly residential-feeling hotel offers a home-away-from-home right in the middle of the tourist action. Choose between a one- or two-bedroom suite with an upscale apartment vibe—you’ll get perks such as a pullout couch, two flatscreen TVs, and a full kitchen. Rooms facing the bay also have a balcony where you can watch the cable cars roll by and see the lights of the famous Ghirardelli Square sign. While the lobby and rooms are clean and tasteful, the thing you’ll be writing home about is the roof deck, which offers views of both bridges, Alcatraz, and the neighboring Victorian houses (weather permitting). Do as San Franciscans do and bring a bottle of wine to the deck around sunset for your very own happy hour.