Union Hotel — Hotel in San Francisco

If you paid $50/night in San Francisco and didn't realize this is really a hostel and it's bare-bones, that's on you. That said, for the price, I found it a wonderful place to stay and get easy transportation to explore SF. Yes, there are flies during the day in the hallways (I think mainly due to the "trash room" on each floor, which has open garbage cans behind the door, and the fact they leave the windows open), but they don't really come into the bedrooms (if you're not leaving food out), and they're gone by evening. Shared toilets and shower, and yes, one shower to a floor is inconvenient, but not horrible. I wouldn't use the shower barefoot myself, but that aside it was fine, and I never had a cold shower. Some people staying here who are obviously economically disadvantaged, as well as young people on a budget vacation, but everyone I ran into was friendly. You ring the bell to get in 24/7 (and they will buzz you in right away) - at night, they will often check to see who's coming up the stairs, but not always, and they usually don't bother during the day. But it's a tiny place, so it would be hard for someone to do much damage unnoticed. The room doors have a deadbolt as well as a handle lock, but even so I wouldn't leave expensive belongings hanging out in your room. My room was on the end of the building by the fire escape, and my window didn't latch closed or open (the guy at the desk gave me an extra towel to insulate the bottom sill when I asked if he could do anything), which made me a little uncomfy, but they lock the doors to that fire escape at night (there's another one), and I don't think anyone can get in from the bottom. I didn't hear any noise from adjoining rooms, though I was on the top floor. It is loud outside; one night there was a firework very close to my window, but never heard gunshots or much yelling. My flight didn't leave until nighttime, and they were willing to store my luggage in a locked room across from the main desk for free after I checked out (this is also a Bounce luggage storage location). Overall, the proprietors are nice enough, and if you're looking for a cheap place to stay, it should be just fine. If you are a light sleeper or need a fancy bed, fluffy towels, or private shower/toilet, or you don't want to be around people without a lot of money, then pay...

I booked a double room with a queen bed and I was expected to get it while I saw it in ad. |However, when I arrived, I noted that this a hotel for homeless people who smoked weed and keep some trash in their rooms. The front desk helped me to up all my luggage on the second floor only (it is actually first floor in this hotel). |When I asked for my room, the frontdesk said that all rooms for "guests" are on the 3rd floor. When she walked me in a hallway, the is so thightly that you have to walk by your side. |The room that she proposed to me was sooooo small (~100ft or 9m2). The window exits to construction and a local restaurant and meat store. The noise from these infrastructure was so exessive that I was supposed to plug my ears that to avoid constant headache. |When I asked why I cannot get my double room, the receptionist said that all rooms are standard and if I am dissatisfied, I can cancell my reservation but I will not get my money back because no refunds after check-in. |There are 2 bathrooms and 1 shower for 15 rooms. Another bathroom and a shower are closed and used by owner's family only. Laundry is for hotel's use only and not for guests. No lounge, no elevator, no kitchen (only one, usually with no water, coffee machine and only during limited time). Water and soda for additional money or bring your own. |Outlets in the room are very unsafe because they are barely screwed in the nests which are close to your bed. Another outlet is too far from your bed, so you have to charge your phone and to wake up that to unplug it. |Wi-fi is terrible because if your room is far enough from the office's area, your wi-fi will kick you out every hour and you shall reconnect again.|So, think twice before to make a reservation in this "hole...

I booked a double room with a queen bed and I was expected to get it while I saw it in ad. However, when I arrived, I noted that this a hotel for homeless people who smoked weed and keep some trash in their rooms. The front desk helped me to up all my luggage on the second floor only (it is actually first floor in this hotel). When I asked for my room, the frontdesk said that all rooms for "guests" are on the 3rd floor. When she walked me in a hallway, the is so thightly that you have to walk by your side. The room that she proposed to me was sooooo small (~100ft or 9m2). The window exits to construction and a local restaurant and meat store. The noise from these infrastructure was so exessive that I was supposed to plug my ears that to avoid constant headache. When I asked why I cannot get my double room, the receptionist said that all rooms are standard and if I am dissatisfied, I can cancell my reservation but I will not get my money back because no refunds after check-in. There are 2 bathrooms and 1 shower for 15 rooms. Another bathroom and a shower are closed and used by owner's family only. Laundry is for hotel's use only and not for guests. No lounge, no elevator, no kitchen (only one, usually with no water, coffee machine and only during limited time). Water and soda for additional money or bring your own. Outlets in the room are very unsafe because they are barely screwed in the nests which are close to your bed. Another outlet is too far from your bed, so you have to charge your phone and to wake up that to unplug it. Wi-fi is terrible because if your room is far enough from the office's area, your wi-fi will kick you out every hour and you shall reconnect again. So, think twice before to make a reservation in this "hole...