Dakota Hostel and Hotel

The price is good, especially compared with most places in San Francisco, and the location near Union square and Westfield center is really handy for a short trip. Staying here or at Adelaide Hotel gets you discounts on tours and bike rentals. There's a free breakfast from 7am to 10am, and you can cook in the kitchen until 10pm. Our room was comfortable, the bathrooms were clean, and there was a fridge and microwave. The living room was cozy too, with books, board games, and a guitar to play. Seems like a great fit for backpackers or people moving between places.

I tried both the 6-bed and 8-bed rooms and actually leaned toward the bigger one. The beds were less squeaky and had curtains. The Hostel also seems well suited to backpackers who want to meet other travelers. Twice a week they put on a free dinner for guests.

The cheap rate and free breakfast made one night okay for the money, but this wasn't where I had planned to stay. Adelaide Hostel sent me here because they had no rooms available, which was disappointing since I'd booked four days ahead. The worst parts were the smoky smell in the rooms, the old elevator, and the unfriendly staff.

The breakfast, free dinners twice a week, and social events add a lot to the stay, and most of the staff are kind and work hard to keep the place clean and organized. The owners seem to care about the details that make guests comfortable and safe. It feels like a magical place to stay in SF for a fair price. A few managers bring the mood down and don't seem to care much about the human side of things. Without that, it'd easily be a five-star place.