San Francisco · USA
Green Tortoise Hostel
Bed bug reports
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Confirmed Hostelworld
I got bedbugs here. Room 39. Other than that, great hostel! Great location, lots of events, free meals, relatively clean bathrooms, good atmosphere in the common spaces. But I can’t ignore the 8 itchy red spots I came home with.
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Confirmed Google Maps
Excellent hostel, quick check in, safe, no bed bugs. Bedding appeared clean and smelt really nice. Receptionist friendly and welcoming - staff appear as if they are happy to talk to you. Room was fairly clean, although there was a minor bit of rubbish probably left by a previous guest that wasn’t seen by housekeeping. Free dinner which was great and I liked how they encouraged hostelers to talk to each other by promoting game activities during dinner. International sale of lost clothes from previous travellers for $5 which was quirky and interesting. The breakfast was decent, I like how they offered juice and a wider range of food options compared to other hostels. I liked how all bathrooms were separate which gave it a homely feel and they were all quite relatively clean. I also liked how they provided shampoo shower gel and conditioner which was super useful to me as a backpacking individual. Lots of signposts on things to do and how to sign up to it as well as a rideshare sharing area. Overall, would return to this hostel.
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Confirmed Google Maps
BED BUGS in bed 2B!!! I have never left a 1 star review before but after jumping out of bed early in the morning from itching my legs to find eight bed bug bites I definitely will not be returning here. Fyi I shower just before going to bed every night and there was absolutely nothing on either of my legs. This didn't seem to be an unusual occurrence as the front desk staff gave me a whole rundown and knew exactly how to deal with the situation, however, refused any refunds as they were "unable to locate any bugs"?! I guess the bites on my legs weren't enough evidence? It probably also doesn't help that the whole place is covered in old carpet for any bugs to travel across the entire hostel. Although staffs were friendly the itch and redness from the bites will last weeks and the whole experience is not worth saving a few dollars compared to alternative places to stay.
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Vibe Analysis
The hostel has a strong social setup: a large common room, ballroom parties, night activities, and a kitchen that gets used a lot. There is free breakfast, 24-hour reception, and luggage storage, so it can work well as a busy city base with people around and things happening. The location is central, with cafes, bars, and other city spots close by. The place can feel lively and practical at the same time, especially if you want a stay that leans social rather than quiet. Room quality varies. Some rooms are small, some are in a separate building two blocks away, and stairs are part of the setup. Noise can be a real issue from the street, nearby nightlife, and inside the building, and the older parts of the place can feel worn.
Signals to check
- No elevator; stairs can be rough with heavy bags.
- Noise can carry from the street, nightlife, and inside the building.
- Some rooms are small and basic.
- Some rooms are in a separate building two blocks away.
- Cleanliness and maintenance can be rough, including cockroaches, mold, ants, and worn rooms.