Hotel Zephyr

Hotel Zephyr is at 250 Beach Street, in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf, and it leans into its waterfront setting with a nautical style it calls ship yard chic. Recycled cargo containers and upcycled nautical pieces were used in the design, and the 361 guest rooms are styled to feel like a captain's cabin. Select rooms have views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, while others face the city.

The hotel's best-known feature is The Yard, an outdoor play area of around 8,000 square feet. It has oversized games, sculptures, four fire pits and what the hotel calls San Francisco's largest periscope, along with cornhole, Connect 4, a ping pong tube, foosball and a maze. Indoors there is a game room of about 805 square feet with a pool table, ping pong, cornhole, a photo booth and interactive art. All of this makes the Zephyr a strong choice for families with children and for groups of friends.

Food is handled mainly through offers and the many restaurants on the doorstep. Packages have included breakfast on the bay and a dining credit at participating restaurants on Pier 39, so look at the current offers when booking. The concierge desk is open from 8am to 8pm and can arrange tours and plans, which is useful if you want to book an Alcatraz trip or a bay cruise.

There are on-site electric vehicle charging stations and valet parking, and a streetcar stop just outside the hotel connects you with the Embarcadero, the Ferry Building and downtown along the waterfront. Members get a discount on direct bookings, so join the hotel's programme before you reserve if you want the best rate. Rooms with bay views are limited, so request one early if the view matters to you.

The location puts you close to Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, Anchorage Square, the National Maritime Museum and Hyde Street Pier, so most of the waterfront sights are within a short walk. Downtown and Union Square are a ride away, but the streetcar outside the door and the cable car lines that end in the Fisherman's Wharf area make them easy to reach.