Time of my life

My girlfriend and I stayed in a private room in this hostel for 5 nights during our first week in the states- and I wished we would have stayed there longer. We had a private room with views of the city skyline, got to see two free music shows in their big performance space/ballroom, watched a film crew make a movie with thousands of bouncing rubber balls going down the street outside, and had free breakfast and two awesome dinners. Free internet was a nice touch and the staff was awesome. The only bad thing was that the next hostel we stayed at wasn't nearly as good, and probably seemed worse that it actually was because the Green Tortoise was so great.

Ouch

I stayed there a wile back and had a pretty trippy time. Great staff and a nice atmosphere all makes up for a good time - would deffinetly stay there again and would recommend it.

Good place....great staff!

I am a 26yr old female who needed a cheap place to stay for a couple nights while in San Fran. I booked a private room at this hostel with a guy I was traveling with. Here are the positives: 1) they serve a free dinner on Mon, Wed, Fri nights, and it includes a vegetarian option. 2) the staff is really nice and helpful (my purse was stolen at a local bar, and when I went back to the hostel for help, the employees gladly offered up their cell phones and whatever I needed to sort my stuff out!) 3) there is a huge industrial kitchen for cooking (a great way to save money!) 4) there are lots of computers with free internet access, and FREE WIRELESS ACCESS! 5) they have laundry (you have to pay) and lots of pay phones.

The main thing I was dissapointed with was how expensive a private room was. We paid $55-ish, and the room was as small as a closet, with no private bathroom. you literally did not have enough room to walk around after parking your bags on the floor. If you are a couple looking for a private room, I'd suggest checking out travelcoity or expedia because you could get a hotel room in the city for that price, and have your own bathroom and a bigger room. The dorms are reasonably priced if you are looking for that. I think its around $21-24 a night.

DO NOT STAY HERE IF YOU HAVE A CAR YOU NEED TO PARK!!! We came in at around 5PM-ish on a Friday night, and the cheapest place we found to park within a mile cost us $25 for 12hours. And the parking people nearby will rip you off because they know you have no other option than to choose a nearby garage. The prices are fixed within a couple mile radius, so don't expect to find something reasonable.

Hope this helps!!

Good atmosphere

I stayed here back in September and was pretty pleased. Definitely a fun atmosphere, especially sitting around in the common room at night. Met TONS of awesome people which was the best part. If you're looking for an easygoing hostel where you're likely to meet lots of people, this is definitely it. Good location and free food too.

Very happy at Bartol

The Green Tortoise has it's private rooms in a separate guesthouse called the Bartol, a block or two away from the hostel. It was absolutely fantastic! We had a nice room with a tv and video (videos available to borrow), the house was very quiet as there are only approx 10 rooms there, and an amazing view of the Trans America building and Bay bridge from the 3rd floor! There was a kitchen that was servicable but very small and a grocery store within walking distance. Internet was free and you also were entitled to use all of the facilities at the hostel as well (free breakfast, 3 free dinners a week, more computers for internet access).

I think we paid somewhere between $50-$60 for 2, and it was worth every penny, much better value than a cheap hotel, and worth the extra money over a dorm room. Don't forget to ask for a room with a view!

Just Okay at the Green Tortoise

I stayed at the GT in San Fran for one night. It was the end of a weekend and I was on my own for the day.

Pros: It was cheap, the neighbourhood is very cool, close to Little Italy, China Town, other guests were friendly, free internet and breakfast

Cons: Needs some major renovations, slightly dirty, staff could be more pleasant

I didn't love it but I might stay there again for only a couple of nights.

A Room with a View at the Bartol

Had a blast at this groovy guesthouse. We booked into a double room at the hostel, but were given an option in staying at a rennovated house on Bartol Street a block or so down the street with the promise of quiet and privacy. I was initially a little concerned of a bait and switch, but went along anyway. We had a cozy and clean third story room with a shared outdoor balcony--such an awesome view of the Bay Bridge and Transamerica Tower. The cleanest bathroom I've ever seen at a hostel was shared with two other rooms--with a prime view of the bay. Even better, each room had a VCR player with a communal library of 100+ videos with free high-speed wireless internet and a desktop kiosk downstairs. We didn't use the kitchen downstairs-with North Beach and Chinatown two blocks away-who wants to cook-but it appeared serviceable. We were so pleased to pay $60/night for both of us, including continental breakfast daily. Am planning another trip back there in two months.

A Big Disappointment

I stayed here after being given several recommendations but unfortunately I was really disappointed. Three of us were given a TINY room where there was not enough space for us and our backpacks to all be in the room at the same time and still be able to breathe comfortably. The bathroom was so small (sorry to be so blunt) I had to sit on the loo sideways(!!), the free internet was out of action for the 2 days that I was there and the 'ballroom' looked like it was about to cave in at any time. I have stayed in a lot of hostels and am used to them but the Green Tortoise sticks out as being a real disappointment for me, probably because it did not live up to the hype (or the $20 per night).

Hip

The Green Tortoise was really lively and hip. Bathrooms and rooms were old but fairly clean. I think if they were to update it much of the character and uniqueness would be lost. It is centrally located and within walking distance to Fisherman's Warf, Chinatown, etc.

People from all over the world were staying there. There is a continental breakfast each morning and dinner M/W/F. Also, the bus trips are awesome.

Very friendly staff. The lobby is full of information about things to see and do locally. Whether you need a haircut or want to go "pub crawling", weekly activites are planned.

I would stay here again and for a few $$ more get a private room with 2 bunk beds and a sink.

Green Tortoise-THE BEST hostel in San Francisco

The Green Tortoise Guest House is located in the trendy and safe North Beach area of San Francisco. It is a ten minute walk from downtown and even less to Chinatown. I had a really great time at this hostel! Going to Hawaii is the only thing taking me away. For the sum of $19. a night I got a bed in a dorm with only 4 beds to a room, free breakfasts each morning, free dinners Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (the lamb stew was something I never had before at a hostel!), free internet, free beer at a keg party (OK only one keg party, but hey!) and met young backpackers from almost everywhere. There is no bar, you BYO from the package stores and drink in big ballroom of sorts. Everyone hangs out there and either plays pool or listens to music or watches movies on the big screen TV. The staff has lists of the best clubs and bars to go to that backpackers like me on a budget can afford, as well as a list of budget restaurants right in the area. If you want to save some money in a real expensive city like San Francisco this is an excellent choice. You can meet lots of people here and make contacts for your onward travels.

They even have a travel agency on site. I will go back for sure.