Not the ‘peace hostel’ experience I was expecting. Despite the very impersonal check in system, with codes on doors which can be guessed with an IQ of 70, there were actually two members of staff on site for my 5 night stay. Both of whom were rude, one in particular who was badmouthing me and my friends in front of and behind our backs, after we asked for some assistance with their room. My room was aptly named the sunshine room as the curtains are so thin the sun comes through in the morning interrupting my sleep, but other than that the room didn’t not fit the description. It was dirty, my bed wasn’t properly made, the towels were stained and the rug on the floor was so filthy I didn’t take my socks off once. This is a hostel, but a very expensive hostel, and Despite someone coming in daily to ‘make’ your bed by smoothing the sheet and delivering more ‘clean’ towels, there were no other perks to warrant the cost of this place per night. It cost me £125 per night plus a cleaning fee(!) and service charge of over £100. I booked for 5 nights but bailed on the last night and stayed in a 4 star hotel in union square which wasnt that much more per night at peak season. Also my friends who decided not to stay at the red Victorian found after being greeted by its ‘quirks’ found another air B and B listing literally in the road next to this place, with private locked rooms in someone’s luxury apartment for less money per night. I ended up exclusively showering there as my shower didn’t have a light anywhere near it and was dingy and dirty with hairs on the floor- Plus the towels. And I borrowed a sheet from them to sleep on. The toilet is in a separate cupboard that was obviously once a wardrobe/storage space.
Just be warned before you stay here, unless you’re in a cheap shared room look elsewhere. The private rooms are not worth the money. And if it’s your first time to San Francisco do not stay on haight Street, I would just visit for the day and stay somewhere closer to union square for more buzz and atmosphere. Also unlike every other hostel I have stayed in, all over the world, no one was using the massive communal area when I was there, only the staff were sitting there watching tv on their phones or shouting out to the street at passers by via a microphone. And it doesn’t seem any events are held there anymore either. I was looking forward to getting to know fellow travellers but did not feel comfortable in the communal parts after our first experience of staff, and maybe the other guests felt the same as I didn’t see many in there despite the hostel being fully booked.