The Vibe: Brutalist Japanese-meets-Brooklyn with a lovely Zen garden.

The Area: In the middle of Japantown. Though not a San Francisco ‘must-see’, it makes a convenient base: the district is equidistant from major attractions in all directions. Plus, it’s much quieter and more local-feeling than the city’s main hotel hub, Union Square.

The DNA: The iconic 1960s Hotel Miyako, (now) Hotel Kabuki underwent a complete renovation. The new reception area has a clean-lined Japanese-style timber reception desk detailed with contrasting butterfly-key inlays. A back-lit vintage factory window wall will serve as the backdrop, along with a custom map mural on the ceiling. The hotel’s lobby lounge has a library, views of and access to the Japanese Gardens, and a bar (serving craft cocktails, sake, Japanese whiskey, and small bites) and restaurant at its center. Designed to feel like a residential living room, all spaces will be outfitted with plush couches and chairs, vintage industrial tripod lamps from Europe, various seating arrangements and high ceilings. The lobby has exposed rough-hewn Douglas fir beams, vintage factory paned windows and salvaged industrial pendant lights.

Suite-Me-Up: All guestrooms are being redesigned with “Scandinavian sensibility,” including simply designed custom furniture and lighting. Other elements include gray accent walls, stitched leather furniture and fabric dyed in a traditional Japanese style. Bathrooms have custom, ebonized timber vanities set against large scale floor-to-ceiling porcelain tiles.

✅ free Wi-Fi • size matters: 218 rooms & suites (20-42m2) (215-450 sq ft) • hotel opened: 1968 • interior design: MARKZEFF • bathroom amenities: Jonathan Adler • on-site parking (charged) • pets allowed • 24-hour front desk • wheelchair accessible