Perched at the foot of The Embarcadero with outstanding waterfront and Bay Bridge views from east-facing rooms, this 199-unit hotel is one of Joie de Vivre’s finest properties. In addition to its prime location across from the Ferry Building Marketplace, Hotel Vitale looks pretty darned chic, from the clean-lined lobby, lounge, and decent but not destination-worthy Americano restaurant (with a hopping after-work bar scene), to the modern and masculine rooms awash in earth tones and armed with contemporary perks like flat screen TVs, CD players with groovy compilations, gourmet minibars and for-sale bath products, huge bathrooms with walk-in showers, and nature-themed pop art. For the fitness buff they offer complimentary access to the nearby YMCA health club, which has all the workout essentials. My NYC friends love this hotel—especially if you book one of the suites with 270-degree San Francisco views.