Green Tortoise Hostel

My mother had never stayed in a hostel before and felt unsure about it, but by the end she was delighted. Green Tortoise gave us a warm welcome and a lively community atmosphere, and it made the visit feel comfortable and memorable for both of us. The three receptionists we met, Seamus, Victor, and Elliot, were especially kind. They patiently made sure we felt informed and at ease, and their warmth, compassion, and obvious enjoyment of their work made the hospitality feel personal. I'm grateful for how they looked after us. When I return to San Francisco, I'll definitely stay at Green Tortoise Hostel again.

We stayed two nights in the annex. The room was clean, though signs warned about ants in the shared areas, and we did see some. It didn't put too much of a damper on the stay. The annex is a block and a half from the main building, check-in, and most common spaces, so there was a walk involved. The hostel was nice for what it was. I took some good photos of the common room games and entertainment. You can meet people here to explore the city with, or head out on your own.

I loved my first hostel stay, even though I was nervous beforehand. I booked the women-only dorm, which had comfortable beds and privacy around each bed. The bathrooms were separate, clean, and there were lots of them to choose from. The people were friendly, the staff helpful, and the clean kitchen and spacious common room were great. They had activities each night and plenty else to do. The room got a bit musty, and I'm not sure how often the comforter is washed. Outside noise wasn't blocked well. Monroe, a popular nightclub across the street, sent bass vibrations into the room. It's an older building, though, and I was tired enough to fall asleep quickly.

The free hostel activities are hard to beat. We caught live music and had free ice cream sundaes in the ballroom, plus a free bus tour to Sausalito. Green Tortoise is one of the best hostels I've stayed at, and I plan to choose it whenever I'm back in SF.