Where to stay in the American West?

On Ellis Street, 1 km from the town centre, right downtown. For a central hostel, with the cable car to Fisherman's Wharf and the bus to the Golden Gate Bridge.

On Broadway, at Telegraph Hill, 2.9 km from the town centre, in North Beach. For a hostel in the Italian quarter, between Chinatown and the Wharf, all on foot.

On Mason Street, at Fisherman's Wharf, 3.3 km from the town centre, between North Beach and the waterfront. For a simple hotel within walking distance of the Alcatraz ferry and Lombard Street.

Built in 1906 just after the earthquake; the bathrooms are shared, in the old style.

On Mason Street, on Nob Hill, 2.1 km from the town centre, at the top of the hill. For views over the city and the cable car passing the door, all the way to the Wharf and Lombard Street.

Opened in 1907; the hotel is home to the Tonga Room, a historic tiki bar, and the California Street cable car line runs past the front.

On Stockton Street, on Nob Hill, 2.2 km from the town centre, on the edge of Chinatown. For a quiet luxury hotel on the hill, with Chinatown on foot and the cable car to the Wharf.

On Market Street, at Union Square, 1.8 km from the town centre, on the main thoroughfare. For a central luxury hotel, with the historic Market Street streetcars to reach the Wharf.

On Ahwahnee Drive, in the valley, at the foot of the granite walls. For sleeping inside the park, with Half Dome in view and the valley trails on the doorstep.

Opened in 1927 and listed as a National Historic Landmark; its interiors inspired the hotel set in The Shining.

On South Las Vegas Boulevard, 1.7 km from the town centre, between Fremont Street and the Strip. For a budget hostel, with the boulevard bus to reach both.

On North Las Vegas Boulevard, Downtown, 100 m from the town centre, next to Fremont Street. For those who prefer old Vegas to the Strip, with everything on foot in the evening.

On the Strip, 5.3 km from the town centre, on the northern part of the boulevard. For a large resort a little away from the crush of the central Strip, with a taxi to Fremont Street.

On Las Vegas Boulevard, at CityCenter, 7.8 km from the town centre. For a modern hotel in the middle of the Strip, with the big central casinos on foot and Fremont Street by taxi.

In Tusayan, in the park's gateway village. For a simple motel just before the south entrance, with the park shuttle to Mather Point in season.

On Canyon Plaza Lane, in Tusayan. For a hotel at the park entrance when the rim lodges are full, with a car for Desert View.

On West 8th Street, Downtown, 1.5 km from the town centre. For a central design hostel, with the metro to Hollywood and Santa Monica, and Downtown on foot.

Set in the 1924 Commercial Exchange Building, right in the heart of Downtown.

On Hollywood Boulevard, in Hollywood, 8.8 km from the town centre, on the Walk of Fame. For a hostel in the middle of Hollywood, with the metro to Downtown and Griffith close by.

On Sunset Boulevard, in Beverly Hills, in the Flats. For those who come for the luxury hotel itself, with a car for the beaches and Hollywood.

Opened in 1912, before the city itself; the Pink Palace and its Polo Lounge are a film-industry institution.

On Wilshire Boulevard, in Beverly Hills. For a modern luxury hotel between the beaches and Hollywood, all by car, when you don't want to pick a side.