The ten Finest Motels in San Francisco

• Location: Japantown
• Rates: from $194/night
• Why We Love It: vending machine with Japanese snacks, matcha tea station, in-room yoga mats

Combining Japanese sensibilities with a West Coast urban vibe, Hotel Enso is for travelers eschewing the tourist bustle in favor of an authentic neighborhood experience. (Quick lesson: San Francisco’s Japantown is the oldest and one of only three remaining in the country.) Anchored by the Japan Center and Peace Plaza, the six-block neighborhood is full of ramen shops, historic sites and, our favorite, the Kabuki Springs & Spa.

With the warm, welcoming feel of a friend’s gorgeously designed apartment, the spirit of the hotel is reflected in its name: Enso, the imperfect Zen circle, which symbolizes strength, connectivity, strength and beauty in imperfection.

The rooms are simple yet design-forward, with nods to Japanese culture in the form of shibori tie-dyed pillows and textures reminiscent of tatami mats. In the lobby, you’ll find a matcha tea station and a vending machine with Japanese drinks and snacks. But the standout is the calendar of onsite activities, including origami folding and Ikebana flower arranging classes, Japanese brush painting and Taiko drum circles.