I got eaten alive by bed bugs. I was itchy all night and woke up with 6 bites on my wrist to my arm. The Carpet was extremely filthy, I chose to wear sandals my entire stay in the room. The private bathroom was at least clean. There was a solo sink in the room but it was surrounded by a carpet with created a mildew smell. The carpet was extremely stained around the sink and the trash can so you know that was nasty trash and sink stains. The bunk beds were okay, it was about a 7-inch mattress pad on a metal frame. I brought my own pillow so I wouldn't have to use theirs. The grossest thing was when we were collecting our linens to put in the soiled basket and the cleaning lady stopped us. She yelled at us that the top blankets needed to stay in the room. So to me that says that the top blankets aren't washed. They looked pretty dingy, to begin with, but especially during a pandemic I personally think all bedding should be washed. Unfortunately, I wish I knew they didn't clean the blankets prior to using them. The location was close to the BART but there was heavy construction all through the night. It was literally sounded like giants bangs and trucks, I know that's not their fault but I just wanted to let anyone reading this know. Outside there were a lot of homeless and crackheads. Literally yelling at cars, and at each other all through the night. So pretty much I was getting a light nap in at night between all the ruckus. It was too hot to close the window and the ventilation was poor, at least I was with people whom I knew because if they were strangers there was no way you weren't breathing on each other. The staff was sassy, but whatever. You get what you pay for I guess. I've been to 3 other HI hostels. This was the worst.

The Hostel is pretty good for the price ($170 for 3 nights, didn’t book with a lot of anticipation) . I stayed in a 4 person girl only room, there were two or three showers and toilets per floor. I was surprised at the cleanliness of the bathrooms, they were single toilet bathrooms and single shower which was nice. You get linens and towels, the kitchen is pretty well stocked, they serve free breakfast 7:30 - 10 (coffee, bread, eggs, jam, nothing fancy) The second floor has a common area and a more private room with games and a table that I used for online meetings, the wifi worked perfectly on the whole building. The staff was very nice, there are plenty of recommendations of things to do and places to eat. I read some reviews complaining about the smell, I agree the entrance has the particular San Francisco smell. Can’t really blame the hostel for that though. The upper floors did not smell. The area is not the nicest, it has easy access to public transportation but the blocks around it don’t really have a good selection of restaurants or good coffee shops. If you are staying here I recommend watching a play at SF Playhouse, had a lot of fun!

Awesome location- after staying 3 nights, no clue what others are talking about with “negatives” about location. It’s adjacent to some pretty nice hotel brands. The hostel has a great 2nd floor lounge, big kitchen with lots of tables for space to set up a laptop for work etc. and plenty of space for cooking. And a nice game room. Plenty of shared bathrooms and shower rooms- so no issues for the 3 of us to catch bathroom time. Rooms are clean and simple. Comfortable beds and linens are good. The building is old so a little funny smelling in the room but nothing crazy or gross once you open a window. The room we shared had a little sink and mirror so that’s a plus. The doors, including front door, are key card so nice and secure. The other people staying are totally normal and friendly. No sketchy people while we were there. Staff running the hostel are great.

This hostel was awesome. I stayed for 2 nights and I was comfortable. The accommodations are really good. They have a full kitchen and the rooms are clean. Everything was nice and clean. The staff cleaned every hour. Definitely will be back.

The good, location is pretty close from everything. Like walking distance close. Full kitchen real practical and comfortable. The bad, whole place smells really bad. Zero soundproof. It’s quite impossible to sleep in a room with a street view. There is a huge parking across the street and the alarm sounds all night. They provide earplugs tough.. Ended out leaving two nights earlier because of this two things. Not very comfortable bed. Got a private queen with bathroom. The door didn’t close good enough which provided very little privacy. If you are on a budget it’s ok… I wouldn’t come back but maybe this kinda places are just not for me. I must say staff was great. They even gave me my money back for the two nights I wasn’t gonna stay no

Clean and affordable. I stayed 5 nights in an ensuite room (spacious bathroom!) w my partner. Impressed with the building and the organization of the hostal. Cool environmental details like the mini hand washing sinks in the communal toilet. Desk staff could be friendlier, but did the job otherwise. Never had bagels, even when I got up early, but the banana/toast/hard-boiled egg breakfast was still appreciated vs. SF diner prices. If you're on a budget and comparing hotels, just book here.

This place was NOTHING but dust and filth. The fact that I managed to get any sleep is nothing short of a miracle - my eyes and nose burnt through the night. The carpet was covered in dirt and several crack/holes in the wall. In addition, there are ungrounded surge protectors all along the walls! Is it too hard to get a grounded system? Similar as well to others experiences, I was getting bed bugs as well annoying me through the night. The only reason this place is getting 2stars is the bathroom and laundry room were at least functional and put together. $130 a night, I may as well stayed at a motel 6 - this place NEEDS to rip out the carpet and put hardwood floors to help its dust and allergies. TL;DR - if you have allergies or asthma, stay away.

I would recommend this hostel for anyone who wants a good place to stay without spending a lot of money. The breakfast was simple but good, and the rooms were comfortable. The best thing about the hostel was the friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The location was okay, but there were some homeless people around. However, the hostel felt safe and the staff were very nice and helpful. We enjoyed our stay and would definitely consider staying here again.

Great option in SF! Stayed in a 4 bed room and size was good! Bathrooms are really clean! Kitchen is big and breakfast simple but nice! Includes jam, butter, eggs (offered boiled or you can fry them on your own) m, cereals and bananas! The hostel is massive and perfectly well located!

An affordable way to stay in downtown SF if you are just looking for a bed for the night. The bed was basic but comfy enough and I didn't have trouble sleeping through the night. The showers and bathroom were also nothing fancy but decent enough. Overall for the most part it was a fairly typical hostel stay with just a few quirky things. (Like the toliets have have washing sinks built into them for example.) If you have a car, note that parking isn't free. The nearest parking garage cost $44 to park for the night which almost doubled the cost of staying here. However if you say at the HI Hostel at Fisherman's Warf instead, parking is free!

It's a good hostel based on current US standard. Don't compare it with similar highly rated European hostels. It's a very big hostel with helpful staff. Breakfast is available since early hours and it's good. Highly recommend to have free breakfast and meet & greet fellow hostel folks. They also have events happening almost every day which you can participate in.

I’d say it was a great stay for me. The hostel has a great location and great team workers who always provide assistance at any time. Breakfast was basic but delicious. Water available at any time. Good WiFi in room. It does need to replacement for the old carpet. Overall, I’d happily book again in case I return to SF.

Very clean. Free breakfast. Convinient location. Ask for higher floors if you can ask the locals that sleep in the back lane can get loud during the evening. I managed to sleep through it with earplugs.

I stayed here for 7nights. This place impresses with its inviting ambience, easily accessible location, and the added perk of a complimentary breakfast. The combination of a welcoming atmosphere and convenient accessibility makes it a top choice for travelers seeking comfort and a great start to their day.

Stayed here for 4 nights as a group of 4 friends. Location was so much better/safer than expected, located right by all of the other hotels, car rental services and Union Square. Things can get pretty rough just a couple blocks south, however. CVS on the same block, tons of restaurants nearby. We booked a 4-bed room with ensuite bathroom. Beds were twin bunkbeds, decent mattresses, clean sheets and comforter, and best of all, key card accessible rooms with lockable metal storage containers beneath the beds (you bring your own lock). The building also has a 24/7 front desk with free coffee. Receptionists were very nice and helpful. It’s a hostel, not a hotel. Not the cleanest but you get what you pay for at ~$40-50 a night. Great place to stay if you’re on a budget, young, potentially looking to meet others, staying with a group of friends looking for separate beds and want a great location downtown. Beware: there was a surprise $4/night fee for “non-members”, and memberships cost $18.

Place is decent for sure. The location good and it has very convenient stores surrounding it. Room was pretty clean and the bed was definitely comfortable. However I wish the price on Google represented how much you'd pay. You have the option to share the room with 4 other strangers.. I feel like that's weird. And also have the option for the communal bathroom. I assume that's why the price is so low on google.. but I think it should represent what you'd pay to get your own room and bathroom. Just a gripe.

All of us were a young group of high school seniors. The hostle was ridiculously cheap, clean, comfortable, good service. Fantastic location we walked across the entire San Francisco easily from there. We didn’t participate in the hostel culture, we just got private rooms and it was the same experience as a hotel but just cheaper. The 3 person rooms have 1 big bed that can very easily fit 2 and a bunk on the top for 1. Free breakfast wasn’t offered but there was free tea and coffee on the first floor. There is a kitchen just for cooking with a little free food from other guests.

Fantastic location, reasonable prices, great service and clean rooms. We'll equipped kitchen. I had a great time staying at this hostel. They organise night out events in collaboration with other hostels in the evenings. Do participate to meet other fellow travellers.

This place was pretty filthy and dingy, but it gets the job done if you’re on a budget BUDGET. I will say that the location was convenient and the friendly staff was the only reason I gave it an extra star. But, I agree with some of the previous reviews: it stunk! This was the first hostel I’ve ever been in with families who brought their children… there were little kids running around 😬 Nice kitchen and dining room but definitely wash your dishes before using! I watched a guy toss his juice out then put the cup with the clean dishes without rinsing or anything.

The good: The location is fantastic. There are tons of restaurants serving all kinds of great food within easy walking distance. The lounge is pretty cozy and a good place to mingle with other guests. The foot lockers in the rooms pull out from under the beds and open from the top, so all of your stuff is very easily accessible. There's a little shelf in each bunk with a power outlet where you can put things like your phone and earplugs. The bad: The fitted sheets don't fit well on the mattresses. Mine kept coming loose, exposing the bare mattress beneath. There are also no privacy curtains on the bunks, which feels like a real oversight. The wall next to my bunk had some gross looking stains. I've only ever stayed at one other hostel before, which was the Green Tortoise Hostel in Seattle. There is a Green Tortoise Hostel in San Francisco as well, and I wanted to stay there, but there were no available beds for the dates I was visiting. Perhaps the Green Tortoise in Seattle is just an exceptionally good hostel that got my expectations too high. Despite my complaints, I was still able to stay in downtown San Francisco for a very low price compared to a hotel. And at the end of the day, that's what the hostel experience is all about.

This was a sweet hostel to spend several days in SF. In short, one of the better hostels I've stayed at! Long review follows... The guests were mostly quiet, which made it a good resting spot after a day/night out. Not a super social hostel while i was here. People of all demographics and different reasons for visiting, so there were plenty of opportunities to talk with other travelers. The common areas are big and inviting (except for the music in the main hangout room -- it missed the mark imho). Even a small room with a door that folks used for meetings, work, quiet time. Plenty of windows & cute lighting. There was more attention to guest needs than I anticipated - like having water stations in seemingly every common area. The kitchen is huge!! Good system in place against people taking your food. And the dining room is big & airy & nice too! Plenty of space for everyone to be cooking & eating. Laundry on-site is a plus, wifi was reliable, and the bathrooms are private: two toilet rooms and two single shower rooms on each floor, plus the ensuite ones if you have a room with ensuite bathroom. There's an elevator and ADA-compliant bathrooms, as well as the stairs. The hallways are wide enough to accomodate a mobility device. There are womens dorms, mixed dorms, and a variety of private rooms. Prices competetive with the other hostels downtown. $4/night extra charge if you're not a Hostellers International member. Some measures were in place to reduce our water usage. I really appreciated that. The dorm beds have lockers underneath which was helpful for storage during the day -- just bring your own lock if you're worried about your valuables. You can also buy a lock at the front desk. I found the beds comfy, neither too soft nor too firm, pretty neutral. I slept in a private room and a dorm room. Bedding was warm enough for me. The heaters worked well (it's still winter right now). Housecleaning came every day to wipe things down - I was surpirsed at how clean it was kept! The cleaning supply smell didn't linger long enough to bother me, and I tend to be pretty sensitive to that stuff, if that's a concern for you. The included breakfast was simple - plain oatmeal, bread for toast, 2 kinds of jam, hardboiled eggs, cow's milk, bananas and apples. Coffee, hot water, and black tea. The staff were friendly to me and mostly kept to themselves in the lobby, at least while I was here. Location: just on the edge of the Tenderloin, which is a sketchy place to walk around (lots of cop presense, more yelling & loitering than other areas, people wanting to 'ask you questions'). But just walk the other direction (East) and you're good. I (solo, female-presenting, in my 20s) felt & was safe walking up to & past Chinatown and back at night, and all around to the East during the day, & catching buses. It's easy to get lost with all the street names & bus routes etc etc, but with a map or Google maps it's easy to figure out, and you can catch the bus (Muni) to pretty much anywhere. Google Maps accurately tells you when the next bus is. You can store your bags at the lobby for the day, before or after checkout. All in all, I had a good experience staying here & felt able to get my needs met as a sensitive person wanting a quiet place to rest in good company in the big city.

This is my first stay at a hostel. I booked a private room for myself because I knew I would not be able to sleep in a dorm situation. I typically stay in mid to upper level hotels when I travel, so this was a first for me, branching out, to experience other ways to spend the night in a city. This facility met and also exceeded my expectations. My room was perfectly fine, it was extremely clean, the sheets smelled so good. This hostel is in a very old building, and you can feel that old building funkiness as you walk around. It isn't a bad thing. But is this a Holiday Inn Express or the Nikko? No way, but that's okay, it is very good for what it is. It is loud, you are on a very busy street, you will want ear plugs. The location is on the edge of where things get sketchy, but the good news is, you don't have to go there. You can walk around and go to other blocks to get to where you're going. As a single woman, I never felt unsafe. It is a short walk to all transportation, restaurants, sightseeing, and helps you stay within your budget if that is your priority. I would stay here again and would recommend it to anyone looking for this type of experience.

Loved staying here! The rooms were extremely clean and it was quiet! The staff was very nice and helpful. The location was excellent and we were able to walk everywhere. Will definitely be staying here again!

Great location. Clean rooms and main areas. Not a big fan of the witchcraft stuff in the living room, but there are lots of comfy place to hangout. Also quiet rooms to study/work. Available breakfast everyday! Very nice and affordable place to stay 👍.

Best hostel I have ever booked, near the centre, mmmh actually in the centre. Everything is near, free coffee any time of the day, good bathrooms. And you can also pay in cash. Don't hesitate, book now.

We just had our micro here. Everything was AMAZING From check in to check out! We rented out the whole Carriage house and had a huge family vacation for the weekend. We had privacy and full range and so many sweet memories were made! Our guests loved the food! Shannon, Melissa and Rebecca gave us exceptional service, and Kayla was so easy to work with throughout the wedding planning process! We are so excited to return each year to celebrate our anniversary! Thanks again to everyone for making our wedding weekend so sweet.

I had to change plans last minute and unfortunately did not stay here. However the customer service here was amazing. The employee helping me, Raven was helpful and was understanding of my family's room situation. Judging by the service and how well clean the interior looks, I'm sure to come by here again when I have the opportunity and give this hostel a full chance again.

Stayed one night to see a show at chase center. Super friendly staff. Secure building. For a hostel, nice rooms. Clean. The tub in ours was hard water stained but clean. This is on the edge of the tenderloin district so you’re going to deal with noise and city grit. Unhoused folks and drug use is very close by. The neighborhood is loud. It’s fairly well insulated but it’s loud at night. Bring earplugs/headphones if you’re sensitive. In our 40s, we were definitely on the older side of the guests. Breakfast was busy and basic but appreciated. Easy check in and check out. For the price, you’re unlikely to beat this. Just know that discount is for a reason.

Location is really good, it’s really connected to public transportation. On the other hand I didn’t like beds, I assume the mattress is really old because it’s burst and too soft. Also the room if you did not keep the window opens it smells a lot, probably due to the carpet. Breakfast is ok, simple but you have the essential.

I stayed here last night and I had a great experience overall. I made the reservation online about a week ago, and I had no issues checking in right at around 11:30pm. I slept fairly well minus a few hours just due to another person in the room arriving after 2am and adjusting his luggage. But that is hostel life. The continental breakfast in the morning was just fine and it included hard-boiled eggs, toast, and cereal. The shower worked well also. I was here about twelve hours and everything was as expected. It does seem like a rather large hostel and the architecture was interesting.

Great price/value ratio, good size room and private bathroom, great location close by downtown SF and close to restaurants and shops, friendly staff, convenient kitchenette and laundry room. The bath had an unattractive stain, which made it feel dirty (it's just an old stain that can no longer be removed), although the whole place was actually properly cleaned.

Great hostel! Everything was nice and clean no complaints. There is one thing they really need to fix. The power outlet over my bed was so loose that it wouldn’t hold even a light charger. Due to the placement of the outlet the charger conveniently falls directly on your face when you are sleeping. Other than that everything was great.

Rooms are clean. Lots of green features around. Common lounge is good to meet others and strike up conversations. Kitchen is big and spacious and very well equipped. Luggage storage available after check-out.

I stayed at the HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel room 546 for one night (May 17 2023). The room was delightful, and the beds were comfortable. The staff during the day shift, particularly the lady, were friendly. The inside of the building was also clean, and it has a dinning and kitchen at third floor and living hall at 2nd floor. Recommended!

Amazing value for the price! The rooms are clean and the staff is super nice and helpful. Even if you already checked okt they keep your luggage and you can use the living room/kitchen and bathroom while you wait for your flights etc.

Excellent value. We got a private room as a couple and were very happy with our stay. Great location — everything we needed was walkable and there were several public transportation stops nearby to explore the city. Slept fine with no noise complaints. Clean bedroom and shared bathroom. Would stay again.

Great stay for San Francisco! The hostel is clean, organized and decent. This a good alternative for anyone who’s looking to stay in San Francisco for less. I got a private room and it was great. Most staff were pleasant to deal with. They have a good kitchen and laundry facilities on-site. Very close to Uniom Square and Fisherman’s Wharf!

Quite a fantastic deal for its price. The hostel is right next to Union Square and very close to a number of restaurants, grocery stores and public transport. I stayed there for 2 nights and met some very nice people in my room. You can safely store your bags under your bed (you'll need a lock if you want to be 100% sure nothing happens), you get earplugs which can be useful and basically all the amenities you can expect. Free breakfast too! I was a bit surprised by the extra $5 membership charge on arrival but it's no big deal. Not a fan of the very strong political stance taken by the hostel which can be a bit overwhelming to a foreigner not used to American politics. Still 100% recommended and will stay there again when I come back to SF.

First of all: Very nice and kind staff, friendly and helpful. A very clean and inviting hostel, beautiful atmosphere. Met a lot of nice and clean guests. A perfect place for staying in the heart of San Francisco. Highly recommended. Daniel Quest, Cologne, Germany

This is a very nice hostel in the heart of San Francisco. It is clean and has a very nice kitchen. The beds are comfortable. The hostel has 5 floors so it has more floors than most other hostels making you wait for the elevator if you are living in the 5th floor😅 There is also a very small coworking space. There is a quiet room with comfy couches, a great spot to read books. There is also a nice big room where you can meet other fellows. I hope this place remains for many more years to come🤞🫶

I got my hopes high with reading all the 4/5 star reviews, but turns out the pictures looked way better compared to in person experience. The room is not the cleanest and has an interesting smell. I stayed in a private ensuite room, and there are some weird stains on the carpet and back of the bathroom door. We asked the staff to take a look in the morning before we left for our day, but the stain is still there when we got back at 8pm.. We paid $160 USD for one night, which in hindsight I would rather pay a bit more to have a more comfortable stay. Might be worth it if you share room with other though because it’s way cheaper. Having said that, it does have a good location, quite central if you want to explore downtown. Also most of the staffs are nice and helpful!

It was what we expected and more! Our first night would have lowered the rating, but Raven went above and beyond the next morning to help us get re-situated. (We were staying a total of five nights in an en suite and needed something a little quieter than what we got night 1.) The location was perfect - secure (with a 24/7 staffed front desk), accessible by muni or within a decent walking distance of our SF adventures. And all guests shared the same expectations - be kind, considerate of others’ privacy, space and possessions, but be open to sharing. What we wanted is what we got - a reasonably priced place where we could relax, get a decent night’s sleep after a long day of adventuring, and a chance to meet people from around the country and the world.

Excellent Hostel! Staff are very welcoming and the people staying here are always up for a chat! Had a private room with ensuite which was great. Very clean, fresh bedding and smooth process checking in and out. Central to all major attractions.

Great environment. Great experience. Small "quirky" room. Clean. Shared kitchen space worked well. Location was good. Close to Moscone Center. Friendly staff. My room initially had an odd smell, but was fine after I opened the window and door and let it air out a bit. Shared lounge area was well used by mostly respectful folks. The elevator was broken. One morning I helped some worried-looking young women with a rather large suitcase come down two floors...not sure they could have done so alone. I will be back for an upcoming business trip. I recommend it. Good hostel.

Great for the money they charge. If they can change the carpets, I would give 5-star. Amenities are great, staff is great, I felt safe, access to the hotel is great! Just that carpet, it probably is clean, but it is pretty old. Fortunately, carpet inside the room does not seem that bad.

Location, location, location. Did I mention the location? The hostel is close to everything you will need while visiting SF, transport, stores, bars, restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacy and even some touristic attractions. Staff was very friendly. The hostel has very nice common areas and a fully equipped kitchen. Everything was somewhat clean. The room was quite small for a 4 bed room and desperately needs some renovation. Prices are affordable.

Stayed 2 Night. Good cleaner staff that in the morning always clean shared places. Rooms small but good bedroom structure. You should insonorizing because very loud during the night due to the night life.....