Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco

From its commanding post near the Financial District, Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco effortlessly blends with the city's many iconic landmarks. This 11-story urban sanctuary has scripted a fine collection of rooms with flair and finesse, further defined by bursts of color and incredible cityscape views. The hotel creates a sense of exclusivity with its pair of intimate dining options. The award-winning Silks restaurant, located on the second floor, blends the flavors of the Pacific Rim with classic West Coast creations. MO Bar is open throughout the day and is the perfect place to take afternoon tea or nosh on small plates.

Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco features a fourth-floor fitness center where you can find your inner om during yoga instruction, and massage therapy is also available. Step outside the hotel doors and you will hear the clang-clang of the cable car, stumble across colorful flower stalls, and detect the faint sounds of ships signaling their arrival to the harbor. Be sure to see the usual suspects - the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, and Fisherman's Wharf to name just a few - but do not discount the lesser known neighborhoods and landmarks, either. Check out the Italian borough of North Beach and its City Lights Bookstore, once frequented by Beat writer Jack Kerouac. There is also Cow Hollow and its fleet of shops tucked inside classic Victorian buildings, and the Ferry Building Marketplace, which showcases the city's finest culinary purveyors. Find it all - and more - with a stay at Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco.