Very friendly and helpful staff. Excellent location, with easy [BART] access to/from SFO airport, and around SF city on public transport: easy walking distance to Union Square and SFMOMA. Had a room at the back which was really quiet; rooms on the street were very noisy. Room was not huge but had an en suite and had everything we needed. You can relax on each landing or in the foyer in armchairs. Wifi in the bedroom, occasionally dropped but not for long: we could watch movies and skype. Lots of great restaurants and take-outs nearby. Rooms were not Hilton standard of cleanliness but they were clean enough. The streets were fine in daylight, just walk purposefully and don't look like a tourist with a map in your hand: and don't get drawn into conversations or make eye contact. We stayed 2 weeks and had absolutely no problems, though we did not go out at night [I'd use a taxi then]. It was similar to any inner city, with more homeless people on the streets but this did not worry us at all. Fantastic value in this location: we are going to go back there.

At first, I already psyched up myself with all the reviews that I have read with this hotel but when I arrived here last Oct. 22, 2011 and stayed at room 422 to attend the American College Of Surgeons. I was so thankful and grateful for the warm accomodation of the hotel staff to nale Mr. Lou, Elsa and if i remember a latina who were so accomodating from the start

please don't expect hotel services compared to a 5 star hotel but a place where you can simply rest and accessible to downtown.

I will not hesitate to stay again in this hotel when I return and would definitely recommend this to my friends

A very nice experience. We took a room with bathroom included. It is an old building, no luxe but well kept. Very secure, there was a person watching 24 hours a day. The room was clean but very simple. Coffee and donut in the morning...if you like donuts. If you like real café and real french croissants, chocolatine etc. Try Mirtille at 300 feet, at 87 McAllister Street.
We took the BART from the airport, got off right at the door of the hotel. From there, if you buy a City Pass, you can go almost everywhere for free in the city, there is even a bus that bring you directly to the ocean beach, an other one almost directly to the Golden Gate, a tram, in front of the hotel, bring you directly to Pier 39 and fisherman wharf.
We stayed ther 9 nights and we felt like in the old days while we were students.

I was originally scheduled to stay in a private condo during a recent trip to San Francisco, but the condo owner had to cancel at the last minute. Scrambling for a backup plan (my trip was a week away), I searched many travel search engines to find a replacement in the area of the city I wanted and at a comparable rate that I would have paid for the condo.

The Aida (Plaza) Hotel fit the location and price requirements. I was coming from Chicago, and was to meet 2 friends who were coming in from Los Angeles. One of my friends needed to cancel due to illness, so I booked a reservation for 2 people. At the time, I noted that the daily room rate was the same for 2 people as it was for 3 people.

When I checked into the Aida Hotel, I immediately realized that this was a no-frills operation. As long as the room was clean, and I felt safe, that didn't bother me so much. I asked for a room away from the street (this was also noted in my reservation request - I know it wasn't guaranteed, but I expected that the comments/request would have been read), but was given a room that directly faced the street. After working with the check-in staff, the room was changed to an interior room.

Upon entering the room, I realized that this would be a less-than-glamorous stay. Again, I was prepared for this. What I wasn't prepared for, however, is that I would have to supply my own soap... talk about no frills! This was not disclosed anywhere on the hotel website, so it came as a surprise. As well, there is only a single key given to hotel guests to use. You are expected to leave the key at the front desk each time you leave the building.

I settled in for a rest. After a short time in the room, I called my other friend to get his estimated arrival time. I was told that our 3rd friend was feeling better and would now be able to join us. So, I went to the lobby to advise the front desk. At that time, I was hit with another charge for the 3rd guest. After explaining that the website showed (and still did that day - I confirmed by using the lobby computer) that the price should have been the same... but, to no avail. If the 3rd was to stay with us, we'd have to pony up additional money.

It was pointed out to me that I was getting "a deal," since "guests" are normally charged $30 PER VISIT, EACH TIME and only 1 guest may visit a room at a time. Does anyone else feel that this "hotel" is used for activities other than sleeping?!

Overall, I was not impressed with this place. The staff seemed motivated only by money, did not exhibit any "customer service," and there was a slew of policies posted at the front desk that are NOWHERE to be found on the website. BUYER BEWARE!!

This may be listed as a hotel, but it operates as a hostel. A cheap, bad one at that.