HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel - San Francisco, California

Jason K.

While the hostel is clean and room was fine, they are restoring the facade and at 7am I had a man right at my window sanding and banging on the 4th floor. Could not sleep in as I intended and I felt weirdly exposed in what was supposed to be a private room.

As you'll see in the video the man was also above my shower in the window with full view which made it so I couldn't shower or use the bathroom in my own private bathroom.

They should not occupy these rooms or work closer with the construction team to start later on residential floors.

Han L.

I recently stayed at HI Hostel San Francisco Downtown, and I can't recommend it enough! The hostel itself is clean, comfortable, and perfectly located in the heart of the city, making it easy to explore all the amazing attractions San Francisco has to offer.

What truly made my stay unforgettable, though, was the incredible host, Dave. From the moment I arrived, Dave went above and beyond to ensure I felt welcome and at home. His warm and friendly demeanor, combined with his deep knowledge of the city, made every interaction a pleasure. Whether it was recommending hidden gems to visit, sharing tips for navigating the city, or simply engaging in great conversation, Dave's hospitality was second to none.

Thank you, Dave, and the entire HI Hostel team for creating such a wonderful experience. I’ll definitely be back and will be recommending this hostel to all my friends and fellow travelers!

Jasmin L.

I've never stayed at a hostel before because of the horror stories I've heard, but this place changed my mind!

The receptionists were all so friendly and welcoming, the people staying there were pretty chill, and the amenities weren't terrible. The elevator happened to be unavailable while I was there, but I guess I got my cardio in for the week (5 flights of stairs is no joke😮‍💨)

Rooms:
The room my friend and I stayed at was a private room with a bunk bed. It wasn't spacious, but we didn't really need much space (think a small bedroom). The only problem I had was how hot it got. There was no adjustable AC unit in the room, and so the only sources of cool air was from the window and a small portable electric fan provided. But compared to shelling out $$1000-2000+ dollars for a hotel, I was totally fine with the compromise.
Plus, the "neighbors" were pretty quiet, so that was nice!

Bathroom/shower:
I was skeptical about having a shared bathroom, but if you think of it like a college dorm, it's not all that bad. Just make sure you have shower shoes or some cheap flip flops/slides. The lights did shut off midway through my showers to be more eco friendly (it's California, duh), but luckily the shower heads have lights in them.

Toilet:
The toilets were quite interesting too. The sinks were part of the toilet as a water conservation feature, and I didn't hate it! The room my friend and I stayed in had its own sink, so the toilet sink thing didn't bother me too much. Honestly kinda neat to have and space-efficient.

I didn't get to try the breakfast or the daily activities in the lounge area, so I can't speak on it. I did hear lots of laughing during Jackbox night!

All in all, I still prefer hotels for comfort, privacy, and safety, BUT if you need someplace inexpensive, don't mind other people, and don't mind the shared amenities, then I would 1000% recommended this place!!

Callum G.

Well appointed hostel with larger than expected private rooms. Good location being close to Powell Street tram and metro. Bit of a dodgy area but that's SF for you these days. Didn't encounter problems but I didn't venture out late at night. Hostel held luggage before and after for us which was great. Would return.

Anna C.

We stayed for one week and we were really happy there.
The Style of the Hostel is Kool and the bathrooms are clean and stylish.
The staff was extra Nice and helpful!
One thing would make 5/5 🌟and that would be curtains at the beds to get some privacy.

baby B.

I'm not sure if sofas are ever vacuumed or wiped on the lounge area. The movie and pop night that is free is nice. The elevator is slow. Free international calls, quiet corners of the building with couches available. Security with a card at the front entrance is helpful for safety Male. The manager is a nice person and conversational, too. Old carpets but it is a hostel with free breakfast too!!

Vigier A.

**Google Review:**

I stayed at this hostel for 10 days. It’s clean, well-located, and the staff are friendly. However, there were a few drawbacks. There’s no sink or mirror outside the room, making it hard to get ready without disturbing roommates. I also had some noisy roommates, which affected my sleep. The breakfast only offered oatmeal, and I would have liked more variety.

The social activities were limited, with only hot chocolate offered after Christmas, making it difficult to meet people. I also felt the hostel isn’t ideal for solo travelers, as it seemed more family-oriented.

That said, the area is safe, even at night, and the location is great for public transport. While the hostel has its positives, my experience wasn’t as social or enjoyable as I had hoped, compared to the others hostel from this branch

Aseem H.

Pros: The hostel is in a great location, making it easy to explore the area. The staff were welcoming and friendly.

Cons: I stayed in a 4-bed shared room, which felt a bit cramped. The space was limited, making it a bit uncomfortable. The breakfast provided was average – nothing special, but decent enough to start the day.