5* St. Regis San Francisco

There’s a pleasantly old-fashioned San Francisco feel to Kensington Park Hotel, housed in a 1925 Gothic-style building just off Union Square. Hand-painted ceilings and dark wood in the lobby set the tone before you even reach the classic, comfortably furnished bedrooms. One especially welcome feature is what you don’t get: there’s currently no amenity or resort fee. WiFi is complimentary, the rooms are relatively spacious for central San Francisco and cable cars pass close by for the wonderfully impractical-but-fun journey towards Fisherman’s Wharf. Dining can be charged back from nearby partner restaurants. The Castro isn’t around the corner, but Powell Street transport makes reaching the main gay nightlife straightforward, while Chinatown, theatres and Downtown attractions are much closer. GayMapper tip: A good pick if you like proper historic hotels but would rather spend your money on dinner than another mysterious daily “destination fee.”

YOTEL’s futuristic rooms are squeezed inside the historic Grant Building, which is a very San Francisco collision of old architecture and new technology. YOTEL San Francisco sits directly on Market Street with Civic Center, theatres and Downtown transport close by. The smallest cabins are genuinely tiny – the Solo is only around nine square metres – but smart design makes good use of the space, while larger rooms and suites give you much more room to breathe. There’s a sizeable 24-hour gym, co-working areas and self-service technology throughout. The restored building is also LEED Silver certified. This Mid-Market position gives you easy transport towards the Castro and puts SoMa’s queer nightlife within relatively easy reach without forcing you to stay in either district. GayMapper tip: Check the room size before booking rather than afterwards – the compact cabins are clever, but “compact” is doing some serious work here.

A chandelier made from more than a thousand recycled spectacles gives you a fair idea of what Hotel Zetta is going for. The SoMa hotel mixes art, technology and slightly eccentric design without taking itself too seriously. Rooms are unusually spacious for San Francisco, while the social spaces include games and plenty of quirky artwork. The Cavalier next door is a handsome London-inspired brasserie, and hidden-away Marianne’s adds a rock-and-roll speakeasy feel for drinks later on. Market Street, Union Square, Yerba Buena Gardens and the museums of SoMa are all close. LGBTQ travellers are also well placed for the more leather- and fetish-oriented queer nightlife deeper in SoMa, while the Castro is an easy Muni journey away. GayMapper tip: Look for Marianne’s rather than stopping at the obvious lobby bar – the hidden speakeasy is much more fun.

Two handsome Edwardian houses, extensive gardens and the Castro practically on the doorstep make Parker Guest House feel much more like staying in a particularly lovely San Francisco home than a conventional hotel. Breakfast is included each morning, then the evening wine social gives guests a natural chance to chat before heading out. There’s a library with fireplace and piano, several garden spaces and paid on-site parking. The property also runs entirely on renewable electricity and is part of San Francisco’s Green Business programme. Location is the real winner: you’re between the Castro, Mission and Noe Valley, with the main Castro LGBTQ bars, restaurants and historic landmarks within walking distance and Muni nearby for the rest of the city. GayMapper tip: Still one of the nicest choices for a first gay San Francisco trip – close to the nightlife, but calm enough to feel like a retreat once you come home.

San Francisco’s maritime history isn’t exactly subtle at Argonaut Hotel – and that’s why it works. The hotel occupies the huge historic Haslett Warehouse right on Fisherman’s Wharf, with exposed brick, nautical details and views towards Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay. There are 252 rooms and suites, many with water views, plus bike rentals for exploring the waterfront. Blue Mermaid downstairs is still known for its chowders and seafood, with one of the relatively rare restaurant patios around the Wharf. The hotel is also certified as a green business. Ghirardelli Square, Aquatic Park and the cable-car turnaround are steps away. The Castro is across town, so nights in the main LGBTQ district require transport, but sightseeing could hardly be more convenient. GayMapper tip: If you’re going to stay at Fisherman’s Wharf, pay a little extra for a Bay-view room – otherwise you’re missing half the fun.

Staypineapple has never been interested in behaving like a serious corporate hotel, and Staypineapple, An Elegant Hotel, Union Square San Francisco combines a handsome 1913 building with considerably sillier pineapple-themed touches. The brand’s wonderfully comfortable double-duvet beds are the star upstairs, while guests also get a welcome drink, afternoon pineapple treats and coffee, refillable water bottles and use of bright yellow Pineapple Bikes. There isn’t a full restaurant or gym, but Quick Bites & Bevvies handles emergency snacks and drinks around the clock. Union Square, theatres and public transport are nearby, with Muni making trips to the Castro straightforward. The hotel is also unusually enthusiastic about pets, whether canine or otherwise. GayMapper tip: Take one of the bikes out while San Francisco’s weather is behaving – then come back for pineapple cookies with a completely clear conscience.