The hotel was located on a very busy street in SF. The service was average. The room was rather small. There were no fridge nor microwave. We stayed on the 3rd floor and the street noise can be heard during the night. However, it is one of the cheaper hotels we can find over that weekend, so can't complain. The continental breakfast was average. One upside about this hotel is that there is a AMC theater very close by if you are in the mood of watching a movie in the evening.

The faded glory of what used to be a decent hotel is not enough to make up for the lack of amenities and run-down facilities. Unless you are deaf, the noise of the running water in a utilities column positioned in a corner of the room will keep you awake. The breakfast area looks and feels like feeding time at the zoo - and the fruit compote is fermented because it's prepared the night before and guaranteed to free you from any constipated condition you may have suffered from. There are better work-out rooms at County Jail and the bathroom is so minimal that Lilliputians would feel claustrophobic. And all that comfort and luxury come at an overinflated price. Any value relationship that might be inferred from the precious stone name of the hotel is purely coincidental and misleading. Lump of Coal Hotel would be a better name. To add insult to injury - they charge for the use of computers whose location affords zero privacy.

The Opal was the hotel used by myself and two of my friends during the New Year's week. We had chosen this hotel mainly because of the central location to some music venues we were going to see concerts at (Great American Music Hall, Bill Graham Civic). Because there were three of us we booked the junior suite. The room was large and comfortable, and thankfully quiet, even though it was a busy week and the hotel was completely full. The neighborhood was not a problem to walk around in as many people said. As in any city with a large street population, be careful walking alone. (When walking it is a good idea to stay close to the street side of the sidewalk to avoid the doorways and alleys). We found some great food choices and bar/lounges (Tommy's Joint, Hemlock Tavern being personal favorites). For my next vacation to San Francisco I will chose this hotel without thinking twice.

I don't understand what everyone is complaining about. After reading all thr reviews I was expecting the worst. But I loved the hotel. The receptionists are very nice and helpful! Every wed they have free wine cheese tasting in the lobby. The breakfast is the same every morning but it's not bad at all: eggs, 3 types of muffins, toasts and jam/butter, fruit salad. Always coffee and tea, vegan creamer for coffee.
Tea and coffee and water are available 24 hours in the lobby. There is a small gym and laundry room.
Lots of fresh flowers in hotel. Rooms are cleaned daily and towels always fresh.
The location is on the border with tenderloin so yes, there are homeless ppl here and there, but they never bother you.
My only complain is the bed. It was very uncomfortable and hard. I with they had nicer mattresses. But overall, very nice hotel.