Flamboyant and eclectically designed, Hotel Triton is anything but dull. From the moment you step inside you’ll enter a world filled with tomato soup-coloured walls, purple boudoir-esque furniture and rubber ducks in the bath. With its tireless dedication to creativity the hotel has even allowed celebrities such as comedienne Kathy Griffin and Grateful Dead musician Jerry Garcia to design some of their suites. Many of the rooms offer something a little out of the ordinary – in a Haagan Dazs themed room guests can indulge in cabinets full of ice cream. Hotel Triton is also known for its hosting of unusual events ranging from nightly tarot card readings to drag queen shows taking place in the lobby.

Part of the creative ‘Joie de Vivre’ chain, Hotel Rex is a very popular boutique hotel which aims to captures the glamour of the 1920’s. The historical building was restored to give the feel of an art and literary salons from San Francisco’s past. With dark wood interiors, period furniture and a large collection of interesting objects including antique books and local art, The Rex succeeds in creating a stylish old-school feel. The rooms are spacious with custom wall coverings, hand-painted lampshades and a good range of modern amenities. Other nice touches include a free nighty wine hour, live jazz and random poetry readings at their on-site Café Andrée.

Otherwise known as the Rock’n'Roll hotel, The Phoenix is said to be where the likes of Little Richard, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Radiohead stay when they’re in town. A funky oasis in one of San Franscisco’s grittiest neighbourhoods, the classic 1950s-style boutique hotel mixes frozen-in-time kitsch with a caring ethos (the Phoenix donates annually to local charities). With an emphasis on fun you’ll expect to see murals at the bottom of the pool, quirky statues lining the courtyards and guest rooms furnished with retro floral bedspreads and original artwork. Not to everyone’s taste but if you like to party then definitely a hotel to consider.