HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel

“Good location, good price, bit dated”

Great location - just around the corner from union square. Easy to walk to plenty of restaurants and bars etc. There are tram and bus stops nearby, but we walked to most places - it’s about 40 mins to Fisherman’s wharf. As someone who has been to SF a few times now, I think the general area has imp… more

Great location - just around the corner from union square. Easy to walk to plenty of restaurants and bars etc. There are tram and bus stops nearby, but we walked to most places - it’s about 40 mins to Fisherman’s wharf. As someone who has been to SF a few times now, I think the general area has improved, it feels safer than it once did. The hotel itself is a bit dated, to be expected. The exterior was being renovated when we stayed, which was ok but our window was taped up so we couldn’t see out of it or open it for air. We stayed in a private en suite double, the room was spacious, bathroom clean and functional. The hairdryer didn’t work so I had to use one in a communal bathroom though. Kitchen and washing facilities were great. Disappointed they no longer do a breakfast - it even still said they did on the back of our door! Overall it was good value for the price, good location. A bit dated and it’s a shame there is no more free breakfast.

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“1st Timer~Hostel Experience 😊”

1st Time Staying in a Hostel. My Roommates were All Amazing 😊 The room was very small...needed a desk or something to help organize your things on. Carpet needed to be cleaned, lots of Spots 😕 Carpet around the Corners & Side of Beds very Dusty. Drawers under bed were very Squeaky, front desk recep… more

1st Time Staying in a Hostel. My Roommates were All Amazing 😊 The room was very small...needed a desk or something to help organize your things on. Carpet needed to be cleaned, lots of Spots 😕 Carpet around the Corners & Side of Beds very Dusty. Drawers under bed were very Squeaky, front desk receptionist did try to spray them to take away the noise. All of Front desk Employees Were Very Nice & Helpful! I would love to Stay there again in a Better Room with No Carpet, a Desk & Chair & Full Bathroom. Area felt Safe to Walk in, Very Close to Moscone Convention Center, 10 min. Walk & Close to Eating Spots, Macy's & Nintendo Store~1 of 4 in the World 🌎 🥰

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“Nice enough, could do with curtains in the room”

The women only rooms was fairly small but the beds were comfy. Unfortunately no curtains and the bed so I didn't feel like I had as much privacy as other hostels. Having an under bed locker in a small room has hassle but as least it was a decent size box. It had Aircon in the room but it made the … more

The women only rooms was fairly small but the beds were comfy. Unfortunately no curtains and the bed so I didn't feel like I had as much privacy as other hostels. Having an under bed locker in a small room has hassle but as least it was a decent size box. It had Aircon in the room but it made the room quite cold. The hostel offered various walks on different days of the week but I didn't join and just did my own thing. It was well placed for transport options.

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“Great Location, Facilities could do with an update”

My experience at this HI Hostel was a mixed bag compared to others I've visited in cities like New York, Chicago, and Boston. While check-in was effortless, the dorm rooms felt a bit dated, and the ensuite shower, though functional, could use a refresh. Thankfully, the bed was comfortable and offe… more

My experience at this HI Hostel was a mixed bag compared to others I've visited in cities like New York, Chicago, and Boston. While check-in was effortless, the dorm rooms felt a bit dated, and the ensuite shower, though functional, could use a refresh. Thankfully, the bed was comfortable and offered decent privacy with curtains and a bed lamp. One major downside was the out-of-service elevators during my stay. Guests on upper floors faced a tiring climb up countless stairs – imagine trekking all the way up to the 6th floor! This was quite inconvenient. The shared kitchen and lounge areas were surprisingly cramped compared to other HI Hostels, which made socializing and meeting fellow travelers a bit challenging. On a positive note, the hostel boasts a fantastic location – right in the city center and a stone's throw from Union Square, making it a great base for exploring. The staff were also a highlight, consistently friendly and helpful throughout my stay. While the hostel organized a few activities, the selection was limited compared to other HI locations. However, I did attend their comedy night, which was a pleasant surprise. Despite a small turnout from the hostel itself, the comedy venue was packed and the show was thoroughly enjoyable. The included breakfast was pretty basic, lacking variety and options. Overall, this hostel provides decent basic accommodations, but it didn't quite meet the standards I've come to expect from HI Hostels. The broken elevators, cramped common spaces, and underwhelming breakfast were definite drawbacks. However, the friendly staff and prime location partially made up for these shortcomings. I'm open to giving it another try in the future, hoping for some improvements, particularly with the social activities, which could compensate for the limited facilities.

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