Pop Spot

Best Western Hotel Tomo, starting at a mere $139 a night, is an ode to Japanese pop culture (J-Pop for short), as evidenced by its wall of TVs, glow-in-the-dark desk blotters, anime murals, and extreme gaming suites. Located in the midst of Japantown’s kimono shops, sushi bars, and other fun venues, the inn also offers all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu and all-you-can-drink sake at its Café Mums. Warning: Parking (at $20 a night plus tax) is extremely limited.
1800 Sutter St.
(415) 921-4000
www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/sanfrancisco/tomo

Stop Inn

Value is the name of the game at the 143-room Best Western Americania, where rooms start at $129. But what flourishes abound. Some, such as classic American board games in each room, are subtle. Others–including the neon furniture dotting the outdoor courtyard–are not. The flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, and high-speed Internet access are among the modern conveniences, as is the proximity to Market Street and BART.
121 7th St.
(415) 626-0200
www.bestwesterncalifornia.com/hotels/best-western-americania/

Pet Rock

The Phoenix is the original rock ‘n’ roll hotel, a 20-year-old retreat with an underwater mural in its pool and piped-in jungle noises in its overgrown garden courtyard. Past host to Kurt Cobain, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Joan Jett, and Pearl Jam, the Phoenix’s décor seems more South Seas island than urban retreat, courtesy of 1950s-style bamboo furniture and lush tropical plants. Escape today.

601 Eddy St.
415-776-1380
www.jdvhotels.com/phoenix

Do-Gooder

The Good Hotel, a 117-room retreat in the edgy SOMA district, gives a clever twist to going green. In the lobby is a bench made of felt blankets and a table fashioned from skateboards. The hotel’s motto: Do good, sleep well. To get in on the action, stop by the philanthropy concierge — a dedicated phone line connecting to a menu of volunteer opportunities benefiting San Francisco. Note: Even the Good Hotel’s vending machines contain high-concept design items from reclaimed sources. Further green tips: Taxi companies with hybrid cabs are on call, and all hybrids receive complimentary parking. Good thinking.

114 7th St.
415-621-7001
www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/good/

Chic Retreat

You don’t have to be a prima donna to stay at Hotel Diva, but you can still expect to be spoiled. Of so much to like about this hotel, our favorite is its suite named after San Francisco’s mid-century modern store Design Within Reach. Interior designer Lisa Sayed chose shades of gray with red accents from the collection to make this chic accommodation the eye-pleaser it is, complete with leather sofa bed, metal table, black felt headboard, and granite office table. The topper: a shower made entirely of glass. Talk about full exposure.

440 Geary St.
415-885-0200
www.hoteldiva.com

Looking Up

Taller than average? Then book the nautically themed Argonaut Hotel in the historic Haslett Warehouse by Fisherman’s Wharf, a 252-room retreat featuring half a dozen special “tall” rooms. Not only will you be privy to a King bed that’s extra long at 96 inches, but you’ll also experience higher-than-norm ceilings and raised showerheads. Those seeking even more room should consider one of 13 expanded suites (about 900 square feet each) and the opportunity to use one of the Argonaut’s brass telescopes to look high and far.

495 Jefferson St.
415-563-0800
www.argonauthotel.com

Players Club

Whimsical is the word at the 236-room Kimpton Hotel property the Serrano, where check-in is something of a game even before you’re handed your key. In fact, the game at hand is 21, and, should you win, any number of gifts will be yours — from a free movie rental or an appetizer from the in-house restaurant Ponzu to a room upgrade. But lose and you’ll be out $5 (or an even larger donation), with the proceeds going to one of the Serrano’s pet charities, such as the San Francisco SPCA and Dress For Success. Up for another challenge? Visit this competition-friendly hotel’s game room.

405 Taylor St.
415-885-2500
www.serranohotel.com

How Suite It Is

Dip in: The Triton Hotel’s Häagen-Dazs Sweet Suite dishes out cream-colored walls, cherry-colored furniture, white-truffle pillows, and a waffle-textured bed throw. But this is no mere tease. There are tubs of Häagen-Dazs in the custom-designed ice cream cabinet. The room was designed in conjunction with the ice cream manufacturer, so the superfluous usage of its logo is legit. Häagen-Dazs also donates a portion of the room price to the local Delancey Street Foundation. In other words, calories for a cause.

342 Grant Ave.
415-394-0500
www.hoteltriton.com

Slick Suite

Former Jefferson Airplane/Starship’s lead singer Grace Slick wrote on the wall at the hip Hotel Monaco San Francisco–but nobody minded. Other musical artifacts in the Grace Slick Suite include album covers she designed and a record player on which to play the vinyl. Fun fact: Grace is an ardent fan of her namesake suite, so don’t be surprised if she’s in residence.

501 Geary St. at Taylor
415-292-0100
www.monaco-sf.com