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HI-San Francisco Downtown (Union Square)

312 Mason Street, San Francisco, USA, Distance from city centre: 0.2km

Rating: 85% from 91 reviews

Real reviews from fellow travellers

These are trusted reviews from guests who have actually stayed here. We hope you find them helpful.

“ Very helpful staff. We went on 2 free walks that we're excellent; very informative. Activities offered every day. Great way to make friends. Lent ”
89%
22 November 2012 Eilis Australia

“ The front-desk staff all seemed to hate their jobs and didn't mind showing it. They exhibited nothing but distain for guests, regardless of the specific interaction. They openly resented everyone who walked up, even if we waited silently and politely for them to call us forward. Without provocation, they would sneer that they had a lot to do in a fake-polite tone that made us feel we had to walk on egg-shells. Please hire folks who want to be there and don't hate people. The atmosphere was toxic ”
77%
17 November 2012 Rachel USA

“ Loved this hostel! Very clean, and the staff is helpful and fun. They have all sorts of free and cheap activities - like pizza night and wine tasting! The kitchen is awesome, large, clean, and with everything you could need. Free bagels, toast, cream cheese and fruit for breakfast. One downside is that since the area is full of hotels, the closest grocery/liquor stores are SUPER expensive rip offs. But if you're willing to take a walk (with beer and grocery bags) there are cheaper stores. ”
86%
15 November 2012 Anonymous USA

“ Everything was great ! This is a nice, quiet, and very clean hostel. I stayed here while attending a conference at the Hilton across the street, something I couldn't have done had I stayed at the party hostel just two blocks down. The complimentary breakfast was wonderful as was the complimentary coffee. The only downside was the lack of hot water for the showers regardless of the time of the shower - I'm all for conserving energy and all but a hot shower does not seem to be too much to ask. ”
91%
13 November 2012 Chantal Canada

“ I had a really great experience! My rommates were nice and we had good conversations. The breakfast was good but on my first day there were no more coffe after 8h30 am and no more fruits. The staffs were very helpful! ”
89%
8 November 2012 Thaisa

“ This was a really great hostel. It has a nice location downtown San Francisco. It has free(or cheap) activities every day and a very helpfull staff that will help you if you need to go somewhere. The only thing missing is a bar where you can hangout in the evening but I didn't miss that to much. They have a meeting area in the lobby where alot of people where in and a reading/computer area where you could stay to. ”
100%
31 October 2012 Kristian

“ Would definitely stay here again. Clean, nice staff, GREAT LOCATION. Only negatives are the lack of water pressure and limited breakfast. Overall, great experience!! ”
86%
26 October 2012 Colette

“ Great location for the price BUT there is no air conditioning. That would have been nice to know BEFORE I checked it. Also staff was either rude or not helpful. Coffee and water in the lobby was really nice. ”
71%
25 October 2012 Hillary

“ Handicapped bathroom good but I needed to bring in a chair so that I could sit & dress in bathroom. Shower terrible. I could not get it adjusted to be "medium," just really hot or really cold. My companion in the room had less trouble. I wish I had known there were no face cloths for washing. Bed is much too low for a handicapped room. I had hard time getting up. Thanks for great towels & pillows. Why can't there be cereal & milk available for breakfast? No fruit one day. ”
74%
20 October 2012 Anonymous

“ Very friendly and helpful staff, however I would have liked to see more integration with hospitality, through events and touristic outings. Recommend to have a more diverse breakfast to accommodate the health conscientious clientele. The facility needs renovation especially with windows; some windows were hard to close, and there was unavoidable draft and noise. ”
83%
13 October 2012 Olga

“ I've stayed in this hostel a number of times already because the location and everything else is just *great*. The only thing that is kind of weird is their showerheads, but hey, they even have a sign on the bathroom explaining how they work :) ”
97%
7 October 2012 David

“ hmm not quite that what I expect from HI Hostels... staff is not very "talented" (if your ill - please stay at home! everyone would understand or at least get a tissue! nasty!)and to ask someone who booked a bed and find it not made with stuff from the people before to change it themselves is unaccetable. And there's only two showers and toilet (all unisex)at each floor and not very clean. At least the kitchen was good and big. ”
57%
7 October 2012 Claudia

“ if you want to use the elevator expect to wait! we had to wait 15 minuets to finally get in with our luggage. apperently the lift only goes to one level once people are in there and since the cleaning staff used the same lift it took that long! the staff gave us wrong directions so better have a map with you and check infos online before leaving somewhere! all in all it was very clean and the location is great!! ”
77%
5 October 2012 Barbara

“ Lovely hostel which is really into helping our environment. It recycles and as the only hostel/hotel we had on our journey in the US, it uses no plastic plates for breakfast. The room was not that big, but exactly what we had expected. The bagels for breakfast were great! ”
89%
3 October 2012 Stefanie

“ Nice hostel looks to have been done up recently busy area - lots of traffic noise if winos open and rooms too hot if closed. On edge of rough area - dont wander too far off the beaten track late night ”
80%
2 October 2012 Anonymous

“ Well run and organised hostel - great that they provide some breakfast food too ”
97%
25 September 2012 Susan

“ found the location very good, it was extremely noisy on an evening. Just take ear plugs, it is directly on a main road so its not the hostels fault. I didnt actually go to breakfast, totally forgot it was included. It wasnt the best place to go as a solo traveller as people kept to themselves but the hostel did have activities for you to do although on the days i was there it was cancelled due to a staff meeting. Some staff extremely helpful other very rude and blunt when talking to you. ”
89%
17 September 2012 Lucy

“ Great hostel. Nice Breakfast - I love bagels! i will stay here the next time i come to SF ”
91%
7 September 2012 Anonymous Denmark