The Ritz-Carlton, 600 Stockton St., Nob Hill (tel. 800/241-3333 or 415/296-7465; www.ritzcarlton.com), is the sine qua non of luxury hotels, offering near-perfect service and every possible amenity. Even if you can't afford a guest room, come for the mind-blowing Sunday brunch.
Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, 757 Market St., SoMa (tel. 800/819-5053 or 415/633-3000; www.fourseasons.com), is the perfect combination of opulence, hipness, and class. I can't afford it either, but I sure love to hang out at the bar and pretend.
The Mandarin Oriental, 222 Sansome St., Financial District (tel. 800/622-0404 or 415/276-9888; www.mandarinoriental.com/sanfrancisco), is perched so high above the city that the fog rolls in below you. It's surreal. Maybe I really did die and go to heaven?
The St. Regis Hotel, 125 Third St., SoMa (tel. 877/787-3447 or 415/284-4000; www.stregis.com/sanfrancisco), has these touch-screen remote controls that let you operate everything in your room -- without leaving your bed. Add a destination restaurant and a fabulous two-floor spa, and why would you ever want to leave?
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.