Hayes Valley Inn

 

2

9

Maura V.

San Diego, CA

I am almost a little afraid to write a review about the Hayes Valley Inn.
And why, might you ask? Because, I honestly think this is SF's best kept secret! So, why am I spilling the beans?? Will I have trouble getting a reservation here in the future, because once people read this review, they will tell their friends, and their friends friends and so on and so on and so on!
Where in SF, can you find a clean, quaint, inexpensive, relatively quiet, and friendly staffed bed and breakfast??????? Look no further, hun! Oh, and did I leave out Location, Location and Location??
It's in beautiful Hayes Valley with its delicious award winning restaurants, the best boutique in the world literally right around the corner, and a couple of blocks away from the Opera, Ballet and Symphony! Leave the rental car behind, cause, YOU DON'T NEED ONE.
Everything you would ever want is right at your doorstep.
And all this for well under 3 figures!!
Go figure?
Now, also figure out why I didn't give this beauty 5 stars?
There's a catch- you might need someone to catch you if you fall down steps trying to transport your belongings up the first 3 small flights of stairs just to get to the office. If you are lucky to get a room on this floor, you are home safe, because the unfortunate others have one or two more flights ahead of them!  Do you get the drift by now? There are no elevators in sight, so one must be in good shape to tackle getting to your room in one piece!
So, you have options. Don't bring any luggage. Hire a personal trainer a few months in advance to get you in shape. Find a hotel with an elevator.
I'm hoping for the latter. This place is a prize, steps included!
I want it to remain my SF best kept secret.
SSSHHHHHH!!

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2

13

Martin Q.

Brooklyn, NY

I visit SF once or twice a year and I've been staying at Hayes Valley over the course of 5 years. I love it.  For the price, the location, cleanliness of rooms, and service are exemplary.

This past visit, I left a stack of 15 homemade CDs on the nightstand and returned to NYC.  My good friend had made them for me before moving away, and I was distraught when I realized I left them.  I called Hayes Valley, and within 5 minutes they told me they found the CDs and they'd send them to me the next day.  I don't think I would get that prompt service at one of the big hotel chains.

Yes, you have to share a bathroom and yes, the rooms can be small, but it's quaint, clean, friendly, cheap and an excellent representative of San Francisco as a whole.

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Elite '08

132

233

jessie k.

San Jose, CA

i've passed by here a million times while walking through quite possibly the best neighborhood in SF, and always thought about staying here.  bottom line, you get exactly what you pay for-a clean, cute enough space with very little amenities, and no private bathrooms that's stumbling distance from about a million great places.  it ain't the ritz, but it's perfectly acceptable for a place to crash after tying one on at absinthe.

also, they accept pets with no cleaning fee, but with a refundable "pet deposit" , i guess to ensure your dog doesn't decide to tear up any of their lovely polyester "bed in a bag" bedding.  god, that was bitchy.

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35

35

Jeremy P.

Los Angeles, CA

This place is very charming and quaint. The staff is very lovely and the prices are great! Small room, but very comfy bed. I don't mind the shared shower and W.C. I didn't take advantage of the continental breakfast, though I did enjoy the coffee every morning, which was delish. And you really can't beat the location. You're close to all types of shops, restaurants, and bars, not to mention public transport, the Mission, Haight, etc.

So why only 3 stars?

My girlfriend and I walked up the stairs to our room, ready to throw our stuff in our room before painting the town red, when what do I see on the carpet just feet from our front door?

A pile of dog shit!

No joke.

A pile of dog shit.

I am fortunate to have a very low-key, patient girlfriend. She had a hearty laugh about it.

We put our stuff in the room, then told the staff person what we saw.  His reaction?

Well, he was very nonchalant. He laughed about it and said that it was from the hotel (owner's) dog. He said he would clean it up and sure enough when we returned a few hours later, the carpet was clean.

But he never once apologized.  I mean you're running a business here, Do you want a pile of dog shit to be the first thing your customers notice? What about the health code violations?

Other than that, the place is great.  But they definitely lose 2 stars for the shit and laissez-faire attitude re: it. I know SF is a progressive city, but there's no excuse for that shit (pun definitely intended).

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Elite '08

345

604

Ed to the M.

San Francisco, CA

Here I am, feeling all grown-up and proud of myself.  I was moving out of my Potrero Hill 4 bedroom apartment (4 roommates, 2 dogs) into my very own rockin' bachelor pad in Hayes Valley.  Woot!  I'm a big boy now!

But oh noes!  My Pot-Hill move-out date was June 29, and my Hayes Valley move-in date was July 2nd!  What's a grown-up person to do, other than crying and screaming back into mommy's arms?

Why, I'll just grab a hotel, have enough clothes to hold me over for a couple of nights, and act like the coolest most mature person ever... (and still miss mommy).

Anyways, Hayes Valley Inn came in in a pinch.  Other than being right next door to my new apartment, which totally helped, the staff was friendly, helpful (told me a couple stories about the neighborhood, and the Hayes Valley Business Association) and the room was small, but quaint and the definition of "cozy."  I still used slippers in the shower, but hey, I'd been to Paris, I can handle showers in the hall.

Whenever my friends come, I always recommend Hayes Valley Inn to them.  One, it's close to me and if they *really* don't like the showering in the hall, they can always come to my place.  Two, it's in an awesome location and they can actually get a feel for "real" San Francisco, rather than Union Square madness.  And Three, it's a unique experience, adding to the "European-ness" of San Francisco.

Of course, they always end up choosing a hotel thats priced a little bit higher but in the middle of the Tenderloin, and when they visit me in my neighborhood, they always end up telling me they should have taken my advice.

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0

1

Just M.

San Jose, CA

We just stayed at the Hayes Valley Inn for Pride weekend in the city.  We absolutely love this place.  It is very reasonably priced and just the cutest.  The service was great, the staff warm and cordial (a little quirky too, which added to the charm) and really a perfect little spot.  We will go back again and again!

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21

45

Joe G.

San Francisco, CA

A small, intimate European-style hotel. Recommended if you like classy, well-decorated rooms for very little money (from $49/night). Not recommended if you require a desk in your room, an elevator, or an in-suite bathroom or shower (they're down the hall). Breakfast is served in a sunny dining room; the decor and the light are perfectly pleasant, almost making up for the mediocre bakery.

I stayed here when I moved to the city apartmentless; it was an excellent home base for a week of apartment hunting.

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1

1

Alden A.

San Francisco, CA

Hey! If  you have a friend who wants a reasonable hotel rate w/ a courteous staff and quaint surroundings this is the place. Two of my friends have stayed there and enjoyed it. It's right on Gough in Hayes  Valley near alot of shops & restaurants & Walgreens. Rooms are small but weel kept & clean& the bathrooms & sowers are shared but everything is clean & comfortable. Check it out.

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