This place was a very nice stay for the price, but here's what you're compromising on:
- The mattresses are miserably uncomfortable. You can literally feel the steel springs through the padding. The futon had the best mattress is the house and it was just a normal futon mattress. We didn't sleep well all week. This was definitely the worst part of staying here.
- Listing says it can suit 12, but there were only 7 forks and dishes for about 8.
- There were no tables or desks in the house. Supposedly you can eat at the bar counter, but it sat about 4-6 people max. Besides the bar counter, there were no work surfaces for writing, gaming, or laptop use (besides your own lap and one low coffee table).
- The pool table was workable and we enjoyed using it, but one of the cue sticks is broken, so you and your opponent will have to share.
- Communications began with a threatening message to cancel without a refund if you don't read the house rules and send a return message acknowledging them. I didn't have any problem with the rules, or with making sure the host knew that I understood them, but the tone of the message was pretty unfriendly for a first encounter. I avoided contacting the host for any reason after this.
- The house smelled of cigarette smoke despite being a "non-smoking" listing. We're pretty sure the smell was wafting up from someone actively smoking downstairs or in the garage.
That said:
- The view is incredible.
- It's very close to the highway for quick transit to other parts of the bay area.
- Besides the smell, it was super clean with lots of shower soap options, seasonings, and other conveniences.
- The downstairs host was very quiet.
- The interior was very attractively decorated, and provided a nice, calming space to relax after a day of adventuring.
- Internet was good (but not online gaming good; there were very brief but periodic outages you'd only notice if things like "having good ping" matter to you).
- Plenty of room for 8 people (the rooms are all quite large).
- Had a dishwasher and laundry.
- Again, the view was incredible, and what really sold us on this place.
Replace the mattresses, and our group of 8 would easily choose to stay here again on our next trip to San Fran!