Name: European Hostel
Address: 761 Minna Street, San Francisco, CA
Telephone: (888) 416-0458

Affordable Vibes in the Heart of San Francisco

Why Concert-goers love it

Who this Hotel is great for

Groups of friends looking to share a dorm and save on costs

Solo travelers catching a once-in-a-lifetime tour

Couples wanting a weekend in the city without splurging

Fans needing a quiet-ish space to crash post-show

Budget-conscious music lovers who prefer to spend on tickets, not lodging

Food and Drink Options

Nightlife Options

What People Say

Areas for Improvement

The Bottom Line

European Hostel Guest Reviews

Overall Average Score:

Disappointing (2.45 out of 5)

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Bad

Exceptional

In need of repair and...

Liked: Not much
Disliked: Old, tired building in poor repair. One available bathroom/shower was always flooded and had no toilet paper. 6bed dorm room was small, with little space between bunk beds.

Smelly Fort Socks

Liked: Location! Free wifi worked well. The towel and sheets they gave were clean.
Disliked: "Smelly Fort Socks" used to be an SRO years ago and I have stayed there before. My room had sheets tied between bunk beds (hence the name Fort and it smelled like socks). The new age limit is 30 and it was like a frat house with dirty clothes everywhere. The doors slam louder than the street noise. But worth what I paid and the bed was not that uncomfortable. The $20 cash deposit for the key was about what the room cost and was a cheap card, not a key.

Bad

Liked: Relatively close to the city centre
Disliked: Very dirty. In particular the toilets and beds were disgusting. There was also an awful smell throughout the rooms. I could also spot some mould.

Exceptional

Liked: Great Stay at the European Hostel – Friendly Staff & Clean Rooms!I had a really good experience at the European Hostel in San Francisco. The location is super convenient—just a short walk or ride away from downtown, public transit, and popular tourist spots like Union Square and the waterfront.The room was simple but clean and well-kept, exactly what I needed for a budget-friendly stay. The common areas were tidy, and I noticed the staff making sure everything stayed clean and organized, which I appreciated.Most importantly, the staff was amazing—especially Nick at the front desk. He was extremely friendly, helpful, and professional, making check-in easy and offering great recommendations for food and things to do around the city. His welcoming attitude really made a difference in my stay.If you're looking for an affordable place to stay with a great team of people and a central location, I’d definitely recommend European Hostel.

Exceptional

Liked: Wonderful Stay – Great Location & Amazing Staff!I had a fantastic stay! The location is perfect – close to public transportation, restaurants, and key attractions. The room was clean, comfortable, and had everything I needed for a pleasant visit.A special shoutout to the front desk staff – especially Nick, who was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and helpful throughout my stay. He made check-in smooth and gave great local tips that made my trip even better.Highly recommend this place if you’re looking for a clean, convenient, and friendly environment. Will definitely stay again!

Good value

Liked: The manager found a place to store our bicycles in the hostel. That was very convenientThe sanitary was clean. And the kitchen was ok
Disliked: The room was very sparsely furnished. A small table should be very handy.

Bad

Liked: Nothing I did not like anything I did not even get to stay the man at the front desk was rude
Disliked: Men at the front desk was rude verbally abusive judgmental and just downright disrespectful

Avoid this hostel at all...

Liked: Extremely Disrespectful and Unsafe Experience – Avoid This Place
Disliked: I had one of the worst travel experiences of my life at The European Hostel. I booked a 10-night stay through Booking.com, but when I arrived, the owner refused to honor my reservation because I’m over 40 years old. He claimed guests my age cannot stay that long—a policy that was never listed on the Booking page.He was aggressive, dismissive, and made it clear he would not refund me, even though I had already paid. This happened at 10 PM, and he seemed unconcerned that I would be left on the streets in a dangerous neighborhood. Only after pressuring him did he suddenly “allow” me to stay—on the outrageous condition that I would be placed on a blacklist of hostels in San Francisco. I was treated like a criminal for absolutely no reason.This behavior was discriminatory, unprofessional, and threatening. No one should be subjected to this kind of treatment, especially when traveling alone and relying on a confirmed reservation.I’ve been a loyal Booking.com user for years, and I’m shocked this property is still listed. Booking should seriously reconsider working with a place that mistreats its guests so openly.