The Dylan at SFO

We booked one night at first, but after checking in we decided to stay for the whole five night trip. The rate was reasonable, and this renovated Howard Johnson motel was comfortable, quiet, and modern looking. There are restaurants, grocery and drug stores, and public transit nearby. We had a rental car, and found it easy to get in and out on our way to the places we wanted to visit. The train station is a five minute walk, and taking it to the San Jose soccer match made the trip feel a bit like Europe. The room coffee pods were a type I liked, and the complimentary water bottles came in handy. There’s filtered water in the lobby to refill them before heading out. Even though the rooms have outdoor entrances, the walkways are behind locked doors and gates, which felt secure. I’ve stayed in everything from hostels to five star hotels, and I’d stay here again.

I wish I could have stayed longer. The location is great, about five minutes from the airport, and there’s a very good social Hong Kong restaurant next door with wide noodle. My room and the rest of the hotel were very clean, and the shower was impressive. The bed was soft and comfy. There’s a lounge area with a gently trickling fountain, and you can buy wine and beer. I could leave the AC or heater fan running overnight to cover noise, which I need at a hotel. The neighborhood was a little noisy from the airport and highway, but my after dinner walk made for a lovely few hours in SFO.

The waterfall like shower was amazing, and the place was clean and close to the airport and food. But I barely slept. The walls are paper thin, so you hear bumps at night and noise during the day too. We booked a queen bed, but got a full. There was no microwave or refrigerator in the room, and I hadn't noticed the missing fridge when booking. That alone would send me elsewhere next time. There’s no free breakfast, though there is a coffee machine. For a night in a pinch, it could be fine. I stayed two nights and by the second one I was fed up from poor sleep and having nowhere to keep leftover food.

The room was clean, nicely decorated, and had a comfortable bed. It’s close to the airport, but the walls are so thin that I was lucky my neighbors went to bed when I did. There aren’t many restaurant choices within walking distance. I probably wouldn’t stay again unless I had no other option. Also, the elevator permit expired in 2022. 😆