Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown

Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown

312 Mason Street, San Francisco, California, 94102, United States

  • Hotel
    Photos
  • Hotel
    Amenities

Check Rates and Availability


View deals from our list of partners

Opens one window for each offer. Please disable pop-up blockers.

 

86%

of people enjoy staying here

3.5 our of 5 stars 197 Opinions

Excellent
 
44
Very Good
 
88
Average
 
37
Poor
 
10
Terrible
 
13

Our Members Say

  • worldkiwi profile photo
  • Reviews: 996

4 out of 5 starsUser Rating

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Backpackers' accommodation in downtown SF.

During my four day visit to San Francisco I stayed at the Hostelling International (HI, formally known as YHA) Downtown Hostel. Located on Mason Street, a very short walk from Union Square, this hostel has an excellent location. The only problem is it can be a bit noisy around this area at night and with a bed by a window that was open most of the time (I was there in summer), this can be a small drawback.
This hostel gets pretty busy, so it is important to book ahead.

Unique Quality: The room I stayed in slept four and there was plenty of room. There were lockable cupboards and the room had an attached bathroom with a shower, sink and toilet. The bathroom was pretty small, but it was great having one that was attached to the room. Just across the corridor was a big communal bathroom.
You can stick your bags in rentable lockers if you arrive before check-in time, or have to check out a long time before your flight.
The hostel will arrange airport transfers for an affordable price.

  • Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
  • Related to: Budget Travel, Backpacking, Road Trip
Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown Photo: HI Downtown, San Francisco.

Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown Photo: HI Downtown, San Francisco.


Was this Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown review helpful?

  • RblWthACoz profile photo
  • Reviews: 650

3 out of 5 starsUser Rating

You've gotta love clean!

If you've done more than a little bit of staying at hostels, you'll know the best thing to find is a clean place that is neat, central, and leaves you little to worry about. I will confess when I first got there and saw that there were two toilets and two showers per floor for 20 rooms of people who had to share, I was expecting the worst. Maybe I got up too early to have to worry about fighting for a shower, but it never became a problem. The only serious drawback I can think of is that none of the 5 computers with internet service there would load the Virtual Tourist page! What's up with that!?

Unique Quality: internet service on site, laundry on site, kitchen

  • Opinion of Price: about average

Was this Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown review helpful?

  • nav_jewel profile photo
  • Reviews: 7

4 out of 5 starsUser Rating

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Downtown Youth Hostel

A great and inexpensive place to stay, right in downtown of SF, so close to sight seeing areas. The staff is very helpful, reception opens 24 hours and have a locker facility for your luggage.

Unique Quality: The kitcen is big, with utensils and refrigerators, two microwaves

  • Opinion of Price: least expensive
  • Related to: Backpacking, Study Abroad, Budget Travel
Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown

Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown


Was this Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown review helpful?

  • tatyanatr profile photo
  • Reviews: 2

1 out of 5 starsUser Rating

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Disgusting - absolutely horrible

Here are some pictures to show you how disgusting this place actually is, I wish I had taken more as these don't even do justice to how much of a DUMP this hostel actually is!

  • Opinion of Price: about average
Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown Photo: Spot the stains on the carpet and bed linen...

Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown Photo: Spot the stains on the carpet and bed linen...

1 more images

Was this Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown review helpful?

  • cheap_tourist profile photo
  • Reviews: 129

3 out of 5 starsUser Rating

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Value for Money

The hostel is located near the NE corner if Mason and O'Farrell. It is very near the cable car terminal at Powell and Market. It is walking distance to Union Square and the Theatre District. There are many shops and restaurants nearby. In short, it's location is strategic.

The price is reasonable, too. If you are a member of Hostelling International, you pay $23.50 per night for staying in a four-bed dormitory room. Otherwise, you pay $3 more.

At this price, you have to bring your own toiletries. There are lockers available but you have to provide your own padlock.

Staying in a hostel is not for everybody. You'll have to do your own cost-benefit analysis. Personally, I leave the hostel very early and return late; I just need the basics.

  • Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown Photo: HI-San Francisco, Downtown

Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown Photo: HI-San Francisco, Downtown


Was this Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown review helpful?

  • C_L_T profile photo
  • Reviews: 55

4 out of 5 starsUser Rating

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Hostel at Union Square

My stay at the Union Square hostel was very pleasant, the staff were friendly as were the fellow guests. It was winter when I stayed so it wasnt fully booked but they still operated a variety of tours to the surrounding areas. The security at the hostel was great aswell which was very comforting!

Unique Quality: Superb location for the price...a stone's throw from Union Square!

  • Opinion of Price: least expensive
Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown Photo: San Francisco

Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown Photo: San Francisco


Was this Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown review helpful?

  • bandi13 profile photo
  • Reviews: 7

5 out of 5 starsUser Rating

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

HI SF Central Hostel

Nice clean no-nonsense hostel. Good for preppies, families and those is need of "safe experinces." For more adventerous, try the Green Tortoise in North Beach. You can smoke weed in the lounge and it's close to bars.

  • Opinion of Price: about average

Was this Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown review helpful?

  • suzaila profile photo
  • Reviews: 21

4 out of 5 starsUser Rating

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Wonderful Hostel in San Francisco

I stayed at this hostel a couple of years back and it was wonderful. It is located right next to the bay, on top of a little hill. The staff were really friendly and helpful. There was a nice old man who mind the counter at the cafe. He makes the best hot chocolate. Every night, after a long day of sight seeing, I would sit at the cafe, sipping the hot chocolate.

Unique Quality: A cute little cafe with an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
The hostel also offers free guided tours around San Francisco. I went on one such tours. A volunteer who lived in San Francisco took us on a walking tour around San Fran. We went to the nice neighbourhoods with winding streets, to the city centre and finally had a nice lunch at a vegetarian restaurant. Lovely!

  • Opinion of Price: about average
  • Related to: Budget Travel, Backpacking

Was this Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown review helpful?

  • CarolynShort profile photo
  • Reviews: 194

4 out of 5 starsUser Rating

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

International Youth Hostel - Union Square

Good base in central San Francisco, very close to Union Square, and Powell Street and not too close to Tenderloin. Other central IYH hostel was in a much dodgier area a couple of blocks away.

I had a private room, with bunk beds, sink, locker and chair, and two windows looking into air shafts. Shared shower / toilet facilities in hallway. Only about $35 per night with $3 reduction for Hostel Association members. Family, en suite, and dorm rooms also available at different rates.

Unique Quality: Fairly plainly decorated, and large kitchen only equipped with fridge, toaster and microwave, but plenty of restaurant options around.

Offered range of activities, including day trips to Yosemite, or Wine Tasting in Napa, or free walking tours around the city.

  • Opinion of Price: least expensive
  • Related to: Budget Travel
Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown Photo: Outside IYH at Union Square

Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown Photo: Outside IYH at Union Square


Was this Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown review helpful?

  • bellatrix profile photo
  • Reviews: 176

1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

HI-San Francisco-Downtown

$22 USD for HI members, $25 for non-members

Unique Quality: Decent price, great location, nice atmosphere, good and unique travel tips in lobby

  • Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown Photo: San Francisco Hostel Lobby

Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown Photo: San Francisco Hostel Lobby


Was this Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown review helpful?

Write a Review

Sort by: Most recent | Most helpful

Hotel Helper

San Francisco

Latest San Francisco hotel reviews

Argent Hotel
1168 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013
Monticello Inn - A Kimpton Hotel
562 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 18, 2013
York Hotel
414 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013
The Carlton Hotel
1247 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013
Broadway Manor Inn
210 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 10, 2013
Herbert Hotel
197 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 20, 2013
Mandarin Oriental San Francisco
141 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013
White Swan Inn
503 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 17, 2013
Motel 6 San Francisco Downtown
47 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 19, 2013
Alexander Inn San Francisco
66 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 29, 2013
Hotel Triton - A Kimpton Hotel
611 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 18, 2013
The Huntington Hotel
439 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013
The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco
577 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013
Hotel Kabuki San Francisco
686 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013
Garland Hotel
59 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 17, 2013

 Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown

We've found that other people looking for this hotel also know it by these names:

Hostelling International- San Francisco/ Downtown Hotel San Francisco

Address: 312 Mason Street, San Francisco, California, 94102, United States

[Hide]

Check Rates and Availability (from our partners)