On the plus:
1. Great central location. Only 10min walk to Union Square, 15min to train station and cable cars. Good base for connecting and moving around. Good range of shops and restaurants around. Not too many homeless people (but this increases with every block away from Union Square into Tenderloin).
2. Good value for money. Sam Francisco is expensive and this is a great value option if you're on the budget and looking to have your own room rather than staying in a dorm with other occupants. So you get some privacy.
3. Helpful staff. Friendly and responsive. Offered to order me an airport shuttle at the end of the stay which was great. They also allowed me to leave my luggage with them after checking out. Also got a special pen on the goodbye from the owner ;)
4. The room was clean and bed comfortable. There were towels and a night gown, as well as soap and hair dryer.
5. My room (number 5) was at the back of the building and was hence quiet. No street noise as such.
On the minus:
1. Shared bathroom. It's clearly stated so not a surprise but this was my first experience of it and thought would share because I found it difficult. Althought normally free and accessible, and clean, I found going to the toilet it really challenging in the night - getting out of the bed into the bright light in the corridor and the cold... Was wide awake after each time and struggled to get back to sleep. This problem might not apply to everyone. Also there were no sinks to wash hands after using the toilet - however there was a sanitising gel dispenser, which is better than nothing.
2. No kettle in the room. I would really like one. Could not make tea or coffee.
3. When I first came into the room there was a San Francisco guide lying on the bed and a voucher for a single cable car ride. I thought it was a really nice touch. Unfortunately it turned out it when I tried to use it that it has already been used.
4. The room could use some redecorating, but the price and value need to be kept in mind.
5. Could hear people from other rooms but they were not particularly noisy, just things like creaking floor boards, opening doors etc.
Overall I would rate staying in Luz Hotel as good and would recommend it to people who seek a private room in central location on the budget .