Hostelling International San Francisco Review

Great location, friendly staff, clean accommodation and a great breakfast. This hostel is the complete package for those wishing to experience SF on a budget. I recommend taking the 'bike the Bay' tour with Elle (cheaper bike rental than if you was to rent without the hostels tour), plus a tour of various sites, across the Golden Gate Bridge and down into Sausalito.

I will definitely be returning to other HI hostels after this stay and I couldn't recommend staying at HI Downtown SF highly enough!

Great hostel. Clean, safe, cozy & friendly atmosphere, good location, good price for SF, all you can ask for!

Nice location for sure! It is in the heart of downtown, only few blocks away from Union square so it is convenient and safe. The only complaint I have is the slight odor in the room. Apart from that, it is quite nice place to stay.

This hostel has the best location ever! It s clean and has everything you need. Staff is super friendly too!

Perfect location, nice staff and cozy lounge. I felt very comfortable in the building, especially in the lounge. The transport connection was great and cheap food was available in the immediate vicinity. When I come back it will be this hostel again!

Too sick, including sleeping mattress occurs narkahseo
Because the newspaper went to borrow namneunge only because dried for 4 nights and 5 days towels
If you ask for a towel, you give it a new one.

Great hostel, friendly vibe, cosy living rooms and free breakfast

Very decent value for your money. Clean and pleasant. Basic bf - bagels and coffee. Rooms facing Mason st are quite noisy.

This place was a home away from home and MUCH nicer than a standard hotel. It felt more like a condo. We were in a pinch and needed a place to stay for a few nights until our movers could come to our apartment. The staff was very helpful and had a huge array of things that were still in the process of moving for our 8 month old baby girl. The staff was fantastic and the accommodations were superb! When family comes to stay in a large group we will definitely put them up here!

I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed this hostel. I only spent a few nights, but in that time I met some of the nicest travelers in the breakfast room, I took a walking tour of the immediate local area, and had walking access to places such as Chinatown, the subway, and Union Square, although I would avoid that area after hours. The staff was super nice, and my private room with private bath was reasonably priced with respect to San Francisco lodging. Would definitely stay again.

The location could not be better. The prices are really high, but that is a general fact in San Francisco. The building is old with some interesting decorations. The rooms are not that good. Old, no TV, stains on carpets. Friendly staff good atmosphere all around. Better for young ages that can relate to its concept. Supports the green way of living and asks the guest to contribute (offers breakfast, but you need to wash your own dishes). Overall good choice if you are not interested in luxury.

For a hostel it's great and lots of security. Would totally stay here again. This is a private room

Fantastic location right by Union Square, with very friendly staff. Fun events every night. But facility is fairly run down.

Really helpful staff, clean and well appointed rooms. Only downside is how loud the outside street noise is at night.

This was the best over night stay I've ever had. It was cozy, comfortable, and fun. The workers were always nice, and funny. The amenities were amazing. I loved the theatre room. The free breakfast was great. I never had to fight for bathroom or shower time. I rarely even had to wait. All of the guests that I talked to and saw were very nice and cordial. Overall, this place is an 11/10.

It was a great temporary dorm for a preview weekend it was really close to the school.

I found it a little bazar that the sink was hidden between 2 bunks and by the window rather than in the bathroom next to the shower or toilet

A bit too expensive. Still great. The kitchen is amazing, staff is friendly.

Good location. Good atmosphere. Nice kitchen, and quality continental style breakfast.

Great location near Union Square Park. Very clean for an older building. Staff were friendly and helpful.

Stayed here 4 nights. The front desk staff were generally very sour except for the young male.

On night 4 I was asked by an older blonde lady at reception, who had talked to me numerous times already, to show my pass. She then made my partner go upstairs and get the pass. When I informed her that I had talked to her during the day she was very aggressive and rolled her eyes and told me that she sees many people throughout the day. I have been to many hostels and the best ones are where the staff remember you and genuinely care. Not this cow.

My first ever hostel experience in San Francisco and I would say it was not a wonderful experience. Everything was good about the hostel, except for, as soon as you enter the place a strong smell of urine will kick you out. The service was okay, the room was okay, only if the smell was not there I would definitely give it a consideration on my next trip to SF.

Single room: very expensive. A remake I would choose a motel ....

Better than the average hostel. Lots of amenities that you generally would not get at one, such as free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, and private rooms.

Location is good and staffs are friendly I have a room with 4 female dormitory restrooms ~

Decent place to stay for the price. Free breakfast was alright:)

Whilst the prices are very competitive there were too many problems with my stay. I was presented with a good welcome and was given my key - great. However when I entered my 4 male room dorm it was much smaller than I had expected. So small that to even move the cage out from under your bed requires huge amounts of space and with 4 people in this very small room it's certainly a challenge.

I was expected to make my own bed which I thought was strange. The beds make a lot of creeky noises (since they're metal) if you need to move about and if you're trying to be mindful of your fellow guests it's very easy to wake them up this way. There was way too much noise at night that I just couldn't sleep. Now I understand that the downtown noise isn't down to the hostel, but I think management need to at least make the rooms soundproof.

The shower didn't always have hot water. One could ask, was I using it correctly? There's only one dial to use it, there's not much to get confused by. The dorms own shower room had a window with slanted flaps so basically you can't fully close the window so you are going to get cold once your shower is finished.

The communal areas of the hostel from the stairs to the chill out area had a particular odour that wasn't pleasant. I can't put a finger down to what it was, perhaps a disinfectant smell but it wasn't very nice each time you are entering the hostel.

With all these things going on and my lack of sleep I decided to move to a hotel further away. When I checked out earlier than planned I wasn't asked as to why I was going early... so I told them! And that it was mainly down to the noise (to cut a long story short). At least there was no quibble in returning my money for the unused days. When I got to my hotel I slept for an undisturbed 18 hours! That was how tired I was.

Friendly staff, great breakfast and a value for money

Great place, rooms are a little small, breakfast is pretty good. Location isn't the greatest at the edge of the Tenderloin but just don't walk west!

If I were to rate the actual accommodations, the beds are quite squeaky and not super comfortable (not bad, just your average dorm mattress) However what it lacks for in stellar sleeping accommodations it makes up for with a bunch of free events (including but not limited to movie night and pizza, and some walking tours) as well as a perfect location. It's about a 45 minute walk from the warf and it's also in the heart of downtown.

Good location and very convenient to the main street.

The location is really near to the Union Square which is really convenient. The room is really clean. I lived in a dorm of 4 people. The condition of furniture and environment is really comfortable. They have plugins and little light for every bed. I enjoyed living there and will live there next time.

Fantastic experience across the board. Clean and quiet. Great location.

Excellent value for money and very youthful environment

Definitely one of the best places to stay in downtown San Francisco. Location is amazing, just a few minutes walk from Powell Street station. Check in was a breeze. Room is neat, clean, and organized with drawer lockers under the bed. Each bed has power and led lights and very comfortable with clean sheets. Stayed in a 4-person room with 2 double-decker beds. Shared baths and toilets are cleaned often. Common rest area is sufficient for many. Kitchen is large and clean and very convenient for cooking. Breakfast is really good, lots of bagels and fruits with good coffee. Wifi connection is fast and reliable. Highly recommended. I would stay again the next time. #worthit

Cheap hotel with great service and decent rooms. Can't find a better price for value than here.

Hands down the best hostel in town, flawless. Great staff, events, it's very clean and felt super safe.

Best place to stay in SF. Secure. Has a liquor store next door!

This is good in a sense that you get a nice and clean place to stay, right at the downtown SFO in a cheap price ( compared to other hotels nearby). However, this is not the best hostel that I have stayed. So I cannot give it the full marks! The location is marvellous, staffs are good. The building is kinda old and shady. Though it s clean, there is some old woody damp smell everywhere. I stayed in the 4 bed female dorms. The good thing is that this dorm has the attached bathroom. The bathroom was clean and nice having bathtub with shower and the commode and the wash basin. They provide clean linen and towels. All the utilities are nice, still if I compare the stay with my previous experience in NYC, this one is not the best. The good thing is, they provide free breakfast in morning ( however I missed, as I had to head out before ). There are so many restaurants and activities nearby. I would recommend the hostel though for your stay. I just lived for a night. The good thing is, each bed has it s own reading light and more than one charging ports. Also a small top rack to keep your glass or small things handy. I loved this :)

The best hostel I've stayed at. Variety of breakfast options available. The girls in my room were nice. Once you check in everytime you come in and out you have to show your card to the employees. Also liked that they had events all week. I used the airport shuttle they offered. It was $15 from hostel to airport and I was the last person picked up so arrival to airport was perfect. Would stay here again super convenient and close to so much.

Better than the average hostel. Lots of amenities that you generally would not get at one, such as free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, and private rooms.

Not unimportant. Expensive for quality Showers and bathroom little neat and uncomfortable

Good location, friendly reception. Clean but cozy (and a bit stuffy) room. Only two showers per floor as far as I can tell. Showers clean, though, with hot water. Bright, cheerful dining room and clean kitchen.

Well located and with fair prices. Clean and organized

I first tried hi hostel is Chicago and that one was brand new and in great condition. So clean and quiet and great breakfast.

This one was a little more worn down and old. You can tell as soon as you walk in but again it is a hostel. They sell locks for your room lockers which was convenient.

When I got to my assigned room, somebody was already settled into my bed so I had to go back down and let them know. They quickly found me another room with no conflict. The room I had was for four and it was very small. There was a sink which was nice as the bathroom was pretty far. You can hear some noise from the cars on the street but not too bad.

The bathroom smelled pretty bad which was a huge turn off. The kitchen was clean but breakfast was limited. They only offered toast and bagels and some fruit. I remember the Chicago one had way more variety.

Overall it was ok for a short stay.

Great location, friendly staff and a common area where you can drink and socialize. This combination makes for a great hostel and this one does it right! Private rooms with sink are nice. @Frazier_Far_Out

Rooms, good location, good price, have breakfast, but the old elevator. Staff will be delayed for time to contact as well.

Cool hostile, clean rooms, and an awesome open kitchen. The location is great for walking tourists.

Personally, it was a lot better than Fisherman's Wharf, and I think the great accessibility is the biggest advantage.
Each room has a closet and sink, and each bed has a power outlet and USB port. There is only one person in the shower room, but it was warm and nice :) Oh, I think the elevator is also an advantage. The staff were all very friendly and nice. However, it is better to enter the hostel around 8 o'clock. I'm a little scared because there are many homeless around...

A youth hostel in downtown San Francisco. The location is convenient and the room is clean. There is breakfast available. But it is a bit noisy at night. Free luggage is provided until 10 pm. For the self-parade, there is nothing to be discerning. In addition to the bathroom. The price is a bit expensive and some of the light switch is in poor contact...others are OK!

Very well located. Friendly staff, reasonable prices and accommodations. Wi Fi for free, but quality not really good (depends on where your room is). Would stay again

A fantastic place very well located in San Francisco. The hostel has a good kitchen with refrigerators, good if you're considering making your own food. The employees are very kind, they can give you good tips, or suggestions about what to do in SF.

Very nice hostel, breakfast and WiFi included. Everything is nicely clean and the location is perfect.

Great hostel. All services available. Excellent location. Prices among the lowest in the area.
The sense of community as a real hostel. It is the right place to make new acquaintances.
The shared bathroom outside the room can be uncomfortable, but it is very spacious and clean.

Clean, warm and welcome. Next time we are going to stay here as well.

Well-run and great value hostel. Downtown SF is expensive to stay and this hostel offers beds (in shared rooms)+breakfast at unbeatable price points. I stayed in a dorm with a bathroom just for one night, and am impressed that it is clean, tidy, and actually quite comfy. Everything works, staff are on the ball, the breakfast is simple but still offers choice. The clientele is mixed including families and travelers of all ages and from my short stay, all very respectful of each other. It was a pleasant stay!

Incredible location, it's worth it for the price. Breakfast included, wifi in the rooms and quite clean

Location is great, very central. The "private room" is good, albeit without much luxury.
Staff is super nice, friendly and helpful.

Wide range of promotions and program.

Super cheap airport shuttle available!

Fully recommended.

The youth hostel in the city center is very good. It is 5 minutes walk from BART. There are also bus stops nearby and 2 minutes walk to Union Square. Towels are provided and the bathroom is very large and very clean. The access control is very good and feels at ease. You can leave your luggage for free and there is an elevator. The complimentary breakfast has about 2 types of bagels and fruit drinks, a microwave and a water dispenser. Public spaces and toilets can also be used after check-out.

The room was really nice and the staff was really friendly.

Very friendly staff, well-cared for older building, the location is great for shopping and access to cable cars and all other public transport. The beds are comfortable, free breakfast is modest but satisfying, and the kitchen has great facilities. Only downside was the small showers on the first floor, but there is a larger bathroom if you go looking for it. Would definitely stay here again!

Great hostel. The rooms are quite compact, but it's SF so not unexpected. It's clean, the staff are friendly, the communal spaces are great, the kitchen is big and well stocked, the location is fantastic and price is very reasonable. Like a lot of the HI hostels, they run event nights too, like today was free pizza and a film on the projector in the lounge area. Great for meeting people, or just having free food ;)

a large host, a whole building
Everything is available, breakfast is very rich
Convenient location, just a few minutes to the subway station
There is a small elevator that can go up and down the stairs
There will be a few days a week to hold the event for the tenants to sign up freely.

Great, location and services. I had a private room with private shower and restroom, the shared showers are the weaker point in this hostel.

Warm reception (24x7). Free breakfast with bagels, fruits, hot beverages and a juice. Best place for students and travel groups to save money. Ideal location at Union Square with easy access for local transport like Powell station (BART), Cable car, MUNI local buses.

Good hostel with a perfect location. Staff is very friendly. The rooms are clean and the rest also made a good impression. The breakfast is kept quite simple but perfectly adequate.

It was very much like staying at your own home or apartment, but with very friendly random new roommates, many shared facilities like laundry room, kitchen, theatre room and such.

This hotel is a little piece of heaven at an affordable price! We found the staff very hospitable and the services top-notch. Our room was calming and comfortable with a very nice shower. You can walk from the hotel over the main road through an air-conditioned overpass. Super convenient! The hotel is ideal for a long stay or short stay, such as transients.

Very good location, good breakfast. The locker sistem is akward when the room is full. I would stay again

Clean, free breakfast is awesome, area is ok a few blocks out there's a lot of homeless ppl and ppl on drugs.. just have to be cautious. But all the tourist places are 5 min drive away.

A hostel with a very simple hotel face. Great price. It works perfectly. Staff very attentive. Super well located. It has a double bedroom with private bathroom. An excellent choice for those who do not want to spend a lot and stay in the heart of San Francisco. Highly recommend.

I hadn't planned on staying here, but since it was close to where a friend of mine, whom I haven't seen in 20+ years, it fit the bill, as I didn't have to spend too much time navigating all the one-way streets.

I got a private room (2 beds) with a private bathroom, which for me, was worth the extra dollars. Yet, still more affordable than nearly anywhere else in the heart of downtown SF.

However, getting here was no easy task. Even though I never got lost (yea), in driving South on Mason, I was in the wrong lane for the garage, which was on the other side of one of many one-way streets.

So, I had to make a BIG loop to get back here, which took a bit of time since the streets were so crowded with vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, mopeds and cyclists.

Once I parked, and dispite the chaos in the lobby, and several guests milling about, the place was relatively clean, quite (excluding street noise) and comfortable.

Even though there were 3 staff members checking people, it took a bit of time as those guests/new residents had a lot of questions.

I got a private room (2 beds) with a private bathroom, which for me, was worth the extra dollars. Yet, still more affordable than nearly anywhere else in the heart of downtown SF.

In a Hostel, things work a lot differently than elsewhere. You get a badge that contains your name, checkout date and key card all in one.

The elevator reminds me of those in Europe (small, sliding door and manual operated door + only 1 floor at a time; 1st push, 1st go. So, you could find yourself going from the lobby, to the 4th floor (I was on the 5th), then back down to the lobby).

The room was small and sparse, but functional. Good for a night. Though I wouldn't want to be here for an extended amount of time.

At night, the curtains are too thin, so all outside lighting filters into the room, leaving the room in a perpetual dawn.

While the noise from inside was minimal, the street noises were intrusive (luckily, my hearing issues helped a lot here).

An interesting experience. But, not one I would care to repeat.

Boy, but what a racket they (the city + Hostel) got going here! I paid a $6 toll to drive 6.5 miles, $176+ for a small room, and I had to take my dirty linen down with me. Then, to top that off, I had to pay $35 for parking, and I wasn't even there 13 hours! Sheesh!

Awesome atmosphere Central. Cleansed. Rich breakfast

Great location, nice people, very clean. The beds are better than expected! I would stay there again. Your right in the middle of the city and alot of things to do! Breakfast was free and included bagels, fruit, coffee,orange juice, toast.

This was the first time I'd been here since the renovation a couple years ago. Clean, friendly staff and a cubby style with a power strip and light in your headboard were highlights from that facelift! I love how they leave extra breakfast bread and fruit out for people who are going to miss breakfast since I had very early mornings!

Really comfortable and comforting. Rooms have plenty of space to store your stuff.

We chose the hostel because San Francisco's room rate was too high. It was never a cheap price ... but it was nice to go around because it was so nice. The family unit seems to be better hotel. It is recommended if you are friends. You can really meet people from all over the world and have a great day tour of the hostel. Thursday is a beer patin, and I enjoyed it with my mom. I do not mind bagels or bread for breakfast. I had cream cheese, peanut butter, coffee, orange juice and oatmeal. Bake a bagel or bread twice. Especially the bagel, if you bake it once, it is stone. There are so many friends who eat and make dinner in the kitchen in the evening or afternoon. I think it is good to cook. The staff are kind and helpful. If you bring the towel to the used counter, please give me a new one. After checking out, we will give you a free carrier or baggage. Oh, please do not go to the supermarket which is absolutely right below ... It is called much more expensive than other real mart. Just a little further walk walgreens to the mart. Go there ... I was hit by a bomb.

Conveniently located in downtown San Francisco, close to Union Square. It also very near Tenderloin which is the part of the city that is deemed unsafe due to drug addicts who are usually hanging out in the streets.

WIFI and breakfast is available for guests. Lookout for events/activities for everyday of the week that are usually planned and scheduled by the Hostel management which gives visitors a great way to see the city and enjoy what it has to offer.

That is the best hostel that i've ever been!
Good staff, room clean, good breakfast and the best position in town!