Your Guide to Michelin Key Hotels in San Francisco and the Bay Area | San Francisco Travel-贝博体彩

Exterior of the Sea Ranch Lodge

Your Guide to
Michelin Key Hotels in San Francisco and the Bay Area

By Maddie Pratt

Discover the Bay Area's most luxurious stays.

The MICHELIN Guide has announced its first-ever list of One, Two, and Three Key hotels in the United States. MICHELIN bestows this honor upon hotels that significantly add to your experience as a traveler, evaluated across five categories:

Architecture and interior design
Quality and consistency of service
Overall personality and character
Value for the price
Significant contribution to the guest experience in a particular setting.

San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area received over 20 nominations combined. Keep reading to learn more about these hotels that go above and beyond.

San Francisco
1 Key

1 Hotel San Francisco

8 Mission St.

The 1 Hotel's convenient location allows easy access to the Financial District and other parts of San Francisco’s compact center. The hotel's unique blend of urban-rustic style and upscale comforts creates a welcoming atmosphere. Terrene, the hotel's restaurant, offers a delicious introduction to modern Californian farm-to-table cuisine, paired with a selection of fine wines from the region.

Hotel Drisco

2901 Pacific Ave.

Hotel Drisco is a gateway to the lavish lifestyle of San Francisco's elite. Recent renovations have been done with care to maintain its classic character, while still offering modern amenities such as radiant heating and adaptive-sleep sound generators. Visitors can treat themselves to a complimentary breakfast buffet and wine reception, and explore the neighboring areas that boast exceptional shopping and dining experiences, not to mention scenic walks that offer unmatched vistas of San Francisco.

2 Keys

The Battery

717 Battery St.

The Battery is a chic private member's club and hotel in San Francisco that offers a unique bohemian vibe. Access to stay in one of the 14 suites is granted only by nomination and acceptance by the board or through room reservation, so you’ll have to find an insider to allow you access. The club is mysterious but inviting, hidden behind a row of oak trees with frosted windows. Its sense of decorum distinguishes it from other private clubs, and its bars and restaurants are subtly star-studded.

Bay Area
1 Key

Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley

400 Silverado Trail N., Calistoga

Great news for wine lovers! The Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley sits on a working winery in Calistoga. Its modernist farmhouse style contains 85 rooms and suites spread across low-slung buildings, nestled among oak trees and vineyards. Guests can enjoy an expansive spa, an adults-only swimming pool, and bikes to explore the surrounding countryside. There is even a beautifully landscaped private garden, perfect for a lazy afternoon with a book. The Truss restaurant and bar share space with the Elusa Winery tasting room, providing a self-contained wine country experience.

Harbor House Inn

5600 CA-1, Elk

Looking to really get away? The Harbor House Inn offers a getaway in a stunning location overlooking cliffs by the Pacific Ocean. With only six rooms in the main house and five private cottages, guests can enjoy privacy and solitude, far from the hustle and bustle of every day life. Harbor House’s remote location makes it the perfect place for outdoor activities like horseback riding, kayaking, and fishing. The Harbor House Inn restaurant has been awarded two MICHELIN stars and a Green Star for sustainability.

Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection

200 Stanly Crossroad, Napa

Stanly Ranch is a 712-acre property belonging to the Auberge Resorts Collection. The ranch has incredible accommodations; but what really shines is its vast spa complex with a state-of-the-art wellness program. Guests can enjoy Napa Valley ingredients and wines at Bear, one of the onsite restaurants. If you wish to book a stay, reservations can only be confirmed through the customer service team.

Rancho Caymus Inn

1140 Rutherford Rd, Rutherford

Rancho Caymus Inn, a luxury boutique hotel in California's wine country, was built in the 1980s by Mary Tilden Morton using reclaimed timber from a 19th-century barn. The hacienda-style inn has 26 rooms, a plunge pool, hot tub, and serves an all-day light menu with a plentiful selection of wine. If you’re looking for fine dining, you’re only minutes away from St. Helena and Yountville, which have incredible selections of restaurants and wineries.

The Sea Ranch Lodge

60 Sea Walk Dr, Sea Ranch

The Sea Ranch, a unique planned community in California established in the 1960s, boasts a variety of low-impact timber-frame houses built by prominent midcentury architects. Renovated in 2021, the 17-room Sea Ranch Lodge is one of the oldest buildings in the area, located in the community's original general store and post office. Built entirely of wood panels, the lodge offers rustic Californian architecture with access to stunning rocky coastline and a top-notch restaurant/bar.

2 Keys

Ventana Big Sur

48123 CA-1, Big Sur

Ventana Big Sur, an Alila Resort, is the original luxury resort founded by writer Lawrence A. Spector using profits from the film “Easy Rider”. Very California! The hotel's low wooden structures blend seamlessly with the sprawling 243-acre grounds, connected by winding pathways. The resort offers wood-burning fireplaces, Jacuzzis, high ceilings, a selection of treatments at Allegria Spa, and exquisite Mediterranean-inflected cuisine at Sur House restaurant. Children under the age of 18 are not permitted.

Bernardus Lodge & Spa

415 W Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley

Located in the woods of Carmel Valley, Bernardus Lodge is a secluded resort just minutes away from Carmel-by-the-Sea and a short drive from Big Sur. You couldn’t ask for a better location. The Lodge has 57 rooms and affiliations with the Bernardus winery and vineyard, gourmet cuisine, and a top-rated restaurant. Their wine cellar has 25,000 bottles! Guests can also enjoy physical activities such as tennis, croquet, and bocce.

The Stravrand

13555 CA-116, Guerneville

The Stavrand is a charming 1920s landmark that has been subtly updated. The result is a friendly, bohemian, and slightly utopian vision of Californian style that doesn’t sacrifice its historical charm. The inn's renowned restaurant is still alive and kicking, with a team of four chefs showcasing the region's incredible local produce.

The Madrona

1001 Westside Rd, Healdsburg

The Madrona, a newer wine country hotel, features a stunning 1881 Aesthetic Movement-style mansion surrounded by lush greenery. The eclectic interior, designed by Jay Jeffers, combines modern and period elements, antiques, and a fine art collection. All the decoration in the building has been lovingly curated, some even coming from the designer’s own travels around the world. Rooms and suites are divided between the mansion, carriage house, and bungalows, which are all unique and very romantic. Guests can enjoy the pool, gym, electric bikes, and an all-day menu featuring seasonal ingredients grown in the hotel's garden.

Milliken Creek Inn & Spa

1815 Silverado Trail, Napa

Designed more like an upscale bed and breakfast than a traditional hotel, the Milliken is small and intimate. All 12 rooms have a splendid view over the Napa River, some with their own private balcony. Shades of khaki, chocolate, and cream dominate the decor, while touches like fireplaces and high-end linens set the tone. The highlight is their Magic Hour wine and cheese reception hosted by local vintners.

Cavallo Point Lodge

601 Murray Cir, Sausalito

The Lodge at Cavallo Point is a unique and charming option that offers access to the serene nature of Marin Headlands along with close proximity to San Francisco. The Lodge, which was once officers’ housing for nearby Fort Baker, is a collection of six homes that have been impressively restored to provide a cozy, comfortable stay. The view from the property is very impressive. To the north are lush, green hillsides. To the south is the spectacular San Francisco skyline, and to the west, you can see the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. The restaurant, Murray Circle, focuses on local and seasonal ingredients and offers a refined dining experience.

North Block

6757 Washington St, Yountville

The North Block Hotel in Yountville is located in a Mediterranean-inspired building constructed of stucco and stone. The hotel is simple and unfussy, with a sophisticated style, top-notch service, and proximity to Yountville's top notch restaurants. The on-site spa offers an an effective and innovative "Un-Corked" treatment that uses wine corks for reflex point stimulation.

Bardessono

6526 Yount St, Yountville

Bardessono in Napa Valley is a pioneer of the green building movement in Napa. The hotel boasts a sustainable construction made of rammed earth and reclaimed wood, with operations that are meticulously designed to reduce paper and water waste. The suites feature gas fireplaces, lavish living spaces, and spa-like bathrooms. Their on-site organic vineyard and farm supply their contemporary Californian restaurant, Lucy.

3 Keys

Post Ranch Inn

47900 CA-1, Big Sur

Post Ranch Inn is a hidden gem along the scenic Highway 1. Nestled in the heart of redwood forests, this hotel allows you to live your childhood fantasy of staying in a treehouse. Their treehouse rooms have custom beds and plenty of skylights, so you don’t have to leave your room to stargaze at night. Their ocean rooms are equally spectacular, sitting along the coastal cliffs. You can also enjoy their restaurant, Sierra Marr, which is known for its fantastic wine selection.

SingleThread Inn

131 North St, Healdsburg

This Japanese-inspired inn and restaurant is famed throughout wine country. Chef-owner Kyle Connaughton and his wife Katina create incredible seasonal dishes using rare ingredients grown on-site. The restaurant has earned three Michelin stars, and the inn offers attentive personalized service with just five guest rooms. What ties the two together is omotenashi, the Japanese concept of hospitality and mindfulness, which goes above and beyond. Each room channels the casual elegance of Healdsburg, with thoughtful amenities like homemade crackers and Botnia Skincare products. After an 11-course dinner, it's nice to have your bed close by.

Auberge du Soleil

180 Rutherford Hill Rd, Rutherford

Auberge du Soleil, the original Napa Valley luxury boutique hotel, is still going strong after three decades. Opened by a French restaurateur, the hotel is meant to combine California cool with the taste of Provence in French wine country. Guests come for the hotel's stunning setting, unpretentious luxury, and excellent restaurant. The rooms are sunny and warm, with glass walls or French doors opening to a private terrace. The property also offers a gorgeous pool deck, full-service spa, fitness center, and more. Note that the hotel is for adults only; no one under 16 is allowed.

Meadowood

900 Meadowood Ln, St Helena

Considered one of the California wine country’s most rarefied — and wine-obsessed — hotels, Meadowood Napa Valley has been a local instituation for half a century. A beautiful resort on the fringes of St. Helena, it offers all the luxury fixings, including sprawling rooms with fireplaces, fluffy down bedding and a selection of Flamingo Estate bath products. The resort has plenty of activites and amenties, including a renovated fitness center, three pools, and hiking trails. There's even a wine center!

Canyon Ranch Woodside

16350 Skyline Blvd, Woodside

Canyon Ranch offers more than just a luxury stay. Their Woodside retreat offers a range of spa treatments, health and fitness interventions, and spiritual wellness programs that will seriously relax you. With private sessions, group classes, guided walks, lectures, and art workshops available at every hour, it's easy to reset, recharge, or restore yourself. The healthy meals, accompanied by a great wine selection, are a testament to the quality of fresh local produce.

Maddie Pratt

Maddie Pratt is the Sr. Associate of Design & Content at San Francisco Travel. She grew up in nearby Marin County, just a bridge away from the City. After moving to San Francisco in 2020, she knew she'd found her home base. Maddie enjoys walks in Golden Gate Park, chowing down on dim sum and sunsets at Baker Beach.