Samesun San Francisco

Spacious rooms. Since it's more like a hostel, there's no daily housekeeping. Breakfast is very basic: fruit, yogurt, bread, and jam. If you get up early, you might not find some of these items, as happened to us on our last day. It's very well located for visiting San Francisco. The staff was helpful at all times.

Very helpful staff. We had a problem and they helped us solve it. One of the most affordable options in downtown San Francisco. It could use some updating; we booked a double with a private bathroom and a triple with a shared bathroom. It was very inconvenient, especially at night. Breakfast was simple, but included in the price.

Until this incident, I had enjoyed my stay at Samesun San Francisco. The facilities generally appeared clean, the atmosphere was welcoming, and most staff members had been friendly and professional. That is why the way these events were handled was so shocking. During my extended stay, another guest in my room reported finding a bedbug, and we were immediately moved to different rooms. Despite the disruption and concern this caused, Samesun never followed up with me afterward to explain what had been found, whether the room had been inspected or treated, or whether there was any continuing risk. Around the same time, I developed severe itching that progressively worsened. At first, itching was my only symptom: I had no visible bumps, rash, or redness. Because I have sensitive skin and had recently begun using unfamiliar laundry and bath products, I reasonably assumed I was experiencing irritation or a reaction rather than a contagious condition. After the bedbug concern prompted me to examine my skin more closely, I sought medical attention. A doctor diagnosed me with scabies. Scabies symptoms can take approximately 2–6 weeks to develop after an initial exposure, and that timeframe aligned with my stay at Samesun. Because I had stayed there almost continuously throughout the relevant exposure window, I had serious reason to believe the exposure occurred there. As soon as I returned from the doctor—at approximately 8:30 PM—I privately informed staff of the diagnosis so they could take appropriate precautions regarding the room and bedding and help protect other travelers. I did not hide the diagnosis, continue using the bed, or knowingly expose other guests. I reported it immediately because that was the responsible thing to do. Instead, I was told to leave the hostel that night. By approximately 9:00 PM, I had been forced out with no meaningful notice, no assistance locating alternative accommodation, and no practical support despite being displaced late at night in San Francisco. The Manager on Duty, Trevor, handled the situation with hostility and defensiveness rather than professionalism or basic compassion. When I tried to discuss what had happened and expressed concern about the likely source of exposure, he became argumentative and responded, “We don’t know that.” When I asked for his name because of the way I was being treated, he refused to provide it. One staff member, Meagan, showed empathy and attempted to treat me like a human being. Unfortunately, her compassion stood in sharp contrast to Trevor’s conduct and the hostel’s overall response. To be clear, I am not criticizing Samesun for taking health or pest concerns seriously. I understand that a hostel must protect other guests and take appropriate precautions. I am criticizing the way Samesun handled the people affected: no meaningful follow-up after guests were moved because of the bedbug concern, and then immediate removal of the guest who responsibly disclosed a medical diagnosis. The message this sends is troubling: whether the problem is scabies, bedbugs, or another health or sanitation concern, Samesun appears willing to move guests or remove the person who reports the issue without providing meaningful follow-up, support, or accountability. I lost safe accommodation, was left without an appropriate place to sleep, and lost approximately $224 in work because I could not responsibly work around children while addressing a potentially contagious condition. Samesun offered only a partial refund for unused nights rather than meaningful accountability for the disruption and harm caused by the way this was handled. Trevor’s conduct should be reviewed by upper management. At minimum, his response demonstrated a serious need for thorough training in conflict management, de-escalation, and compassionate guest care.

My friends and I recently took a trip to San Francisco and stayed here for three nights, and I can honestly say our experience exceeded all expectations. The hotel was incredibly clean, and the room was spacious and comfortable for the four of us. The location was absolutely perfect—beautiful, central, and within walking distance of so many of San Francisco’s attractions. There was also plenty of parking, so we never had to worry about finding a spot. I especially want to recognize the amazing staff. During our stay, our car battery died, and I was understandably stressed since we had driven all the way to San Francisco on a road trip. I went to the front desk for help, and JJ immediately jumped into action. She quickly radioed Tito, who came out to help us. Both JJ and Tito were incredibly kind, patient, and reassuring throughout the entire process. They went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of, and I can’t thank them enough for their kindness. While they were helping us, another guest even offered to help jump our car, which really speaks to the welcoming atmosphere of this hotel. It felt like more than just a place to stay—it felt like a safe, caring community for travelers. Thank you to JJ, Tito, and the entire staff for making our trip so memorable. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience in San Francisco, and I will absolutely be staying here again the next time I visit!