BudgetTravel

HOTEL TOMO
'Hood Japantown, which is gaining buzz. Fillmore Street, a chic boutique shopping area, is a few blocks northwest.

First Impression The exterior looks normal, but the lobby has vending machines that sell anime toys and T-shirts.

SAN FRANCISCO HOTELS From Japantown to Union Square, here are five fantastic properties with atmosphere to spare. • Launch the slide show

Rooms Each of the 125 rooms has beanbag chairs, glow-in-the-dark desk blotters, and Japanese-cartoon murals. Two video-game suites have six-foot screens and PlayStation 3 consoles.

Plus On Tuesday nights, the restaurant offers all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu (diners dip meat and vegetables into a bubbling hot pot).

Minus Tomo is becoming popular with families, meaning you may find yourself joined by lots of small children.

Info 1800 Sutter St., 888/822-8666, hoteltomo.com, from $139.

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SIR FRANCIS DRAKE HOTEL
'Hood Union Square, the city's tourist-friendly shopping district.

First Impression: When it opened during Prohibition in 1928, the hotel had room panels that let the staff deliver hooch to guests. Despite a renovation, the hotel has retained much of its glamour, and doormen still wear beefeater uniforms.

Rooms Many of the 417 rooms are small, but they have features like curved walls. Perks include a pet-friendly floor and yoga kits you can borrow.

Plus The Sunday brunch features a rollicking drag show. (When in San Francisco...)

Minus The atmosphere can be frenetic, whether it's due to tour groups checking in piles of luggage or post-work partyers jostling their way to the lobby bar.